According to Forbes, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the two highest-paid footballers in the world, as of 2016. Guess how much they earn? Cristiano makes a whopping 82 million dollars per year, while Messi comes in close at $72 million. Well, those are head-spinning numbers, but the two deserve it, owing to their splendid performance in the
wonderful game of soccer. What wouldn’t you give to be in the same room with one of these players? Since chances of that happening are slim, you can come close to playing like them by investing in a pair of quality soccer cleats.
There’s this contentious topic that always comes up when it comes to soccer: ‘Is it the shoes that make a player shine?’ Well, however you choose to look at it, there’s no ignoring that the type of shoes you wear when playing sports like
golf, basketball or soccer contribute greatly to your performance. One of the major benefits of wearing cleats is the fact that they provide you with good grip as you play. They also allow your feet to be comfortable as you run and even stand for extended periods of time. Just like in basketball, having the appropriate footwear will definitely let you shine on that soccer pitch.
While
soccer shoes are a great addition to your shoe collection, they may not help you score goals on the pitch. Soccer cleats, on the other hand, have been innovatively designed to help you achieve this. In order to get the best soccer cleats, you have to pay attention to a number of factors, such as the shape of your feet, the material used to make the shoe, the surface on which you’ll be playing and the weight of the shoe as well. All in all, you will be unstoppable on the pitch with the right pair of soccer cleats.
Price
Recently, adidas released into the market the same soccer cleats that Messi wears while playing, and it will cost you $230 to get a pair. Usually, soccer cleats cost between $15 and as high as $300. Why such a huge variance? Well, a lot has to do with the design and construction of the shoe. Those that have a padded lining and a molded foot bed for increased comfort tend to be quite expensive. In the price range above, you will find a comfortable pair of shoes with good grip and enhanced performance.
It’s important to let you know that you will come across cheap soccer cleats that we would highly discourage you from purchasing. In our research, we found out that such cleats often don’t provide you with the comfort necessary for you to shine in the pitch. This discomfort arises due to a poorly constructed foot bed, and even when the upper part that hits the ball isn’t user friendly.
Features
The shoe section of a sports store is often filled with rows upon rows of soccer cleats. It can, therefore, be a daunting task to decide which pair will work for you. Below, we have outlined some of the key features you need to look out for before selecting a particular pair of soccer cleats:
- Use - Soccer cleats are designed for both kids and adults. It’s, therefore, important to get the right shoe depending on who is going to use it.
- Playing Style - You have to keep in mind which position you like playing when in the field; are you a goalkeeper, midfielder, defender or forward?
- Playing Surface - You need to pay attention to the type of surface you are going to be playing on, whether turf, natural grass or any other type.
- Materials - The make of the shoe, especially on the upper side, is important. The material used can either be leather or synthetic materials.
- Weight - You don’t want a pair of shoes that weighs you down and prevents you from moving easily around the pitch.
Construction and Design
When designing soccer cleats, factors such as speed, control and power are thoroughly considered. In terms of control, the cleat has various elements around the specific control zones, which ensure that the player can make some solid passes in a quick manner. To enhance speed, cleats are made very light through a minimal design. To add the oomph necessary to cruise through the pitch, technology is used to boost power around strike zones. You may also find some cleats that combine some of these elements, such as speed and control, into one design, creating a hybrid shoe.
The weight of the shoe is an important component when designing soccer cleats. In recent times, brands have made their products lighter and lighter. Any cleat that weighs less than 9 ounces is considered to be very light in weight and ideal for speed when playing. In terms of the materials used to make the cleats, there’s a lot of diversity and it all boils down to your personal preference. That said, kangaroo leather has been used quite often to make cleats, but it seems that its use has dwindled over time. Instead, major brands are turning to synthetic leather, with the aim of mimicking the wonderful properties possessed by natural leather.
Performance and Ease of Use
Wearing the right cleats will ultimately affect your performance on the pitch. But, how do you find the right shoes for you? Well, paying attention to the position you intend to play when on the field is a good starting point. Goalkeepers need cleats that will provide them with amazing traction and enough speed for them to make quick lateral moves. Defenders, on the other hand, need to go for a shoe that will protect their feet while allowing them to make some fantastic passes. If you are a midfielder, then you need a shoe that will provide you with ultimate comfort for the entire ninety minutes.
When your shoes fit right, you will play well in the field and produce great results. To get the fit right, you need to understand the shape of your feet and purchase the correct soccer cleats for that. Since sometimes it can get muddy on the soccer field, it’s important to clean your cleats after games. If grass gets stuck on the outer sole, you can smash the cleats together to remove it. Ensure that your cleats completely dry before you store them until the next match.
We looked at specialized athletic shoe companies to find tried-and-true cleats you can rely on. We compared the price of each cleat against user satisfaction, comfort, weight and additional features. We chose to focus on cleats in a variety of price ranges, as well as men's, women's and children's cleats, so there's an option for everyone.
Features
Puma stands for ferocious athletic performance and style. It offers gear for teamsports, running, golf, motorsports and more. Before Puma was called Puma, it was a small German shoe factory run by the Dassler brothers. Their first major achievement came athletes in Dassler shoes won seven gold medals in the 1936 Olympics. About 10 years later, Puma was born, and its athletic shoes were soon being worn at national sporting events.
The Puma Women's evoSPEED 5.2 FG Soccer Cleats are made to offer good performance and optimal comfort – and they come at an affordable price. They feature a durable rubber inner and outsole for long-lasting durability. The collar is padded for in-game comfort, and the thin, low-profile tongue gives these shoes a sleek, lightweight feel.
These Puma cleats are available from a 5.5B to a size 10B.
Features
Diadora was founded in 1948 in a laboratory meant for creating high-quality mountain boots. It rose to the top of the mountain and work boot industry. In the 1960s, when people started looking for better athletic shoes, Diadora's stylish athletic shoes were soon being worn for both sport and leisure. Today the company offers shoes built for numerous sports as well as apparel and accessories.
The Diadora Capitano MD JR Soccer Cleats for Kids are a popular choice. Parents are looking for a reliable and comfortable shoe, and they find it with this soccer shoe. Its shock-absorbing insole uses EVA foam to reduce stress on the feet and create a comfortable experience. The ankle padding also helps to make the shoe more comfortable. The cleats on the bottom of the shoe are spaced widely at the heel to improve stability and help prevent falls and slips.
These shoes are available in lime green/blue, black/white, orange/blue, black/pink, green/white/red and yellow/black. They're also available in three size ranges to fit toddlers, little kids from 4 to 8 and big kids from 8 to 12.
Features
Vizari is based in California and specializes in a broad range of soccer products. It sells footwear, shinguards, balls, bags, training equipment and fun athletic apparel. Vizari guarantees the quality of its products and works hard to make each one unique and well-performing.
The Vizari Infinity Firm Ground Children’s Soccer Cleats combine durability with comfort and a stand-out style. They feature a bright neon exterior in your choice of green, pink, blue, white, red or yellow. They're also available in three major size ranges so they can fit toddlers, little kids from 4 to 8 and big kids from 8 to 12. The Vizari Infinity uses strong anti-stretch lining for long-lasting performance. The heel and collar are also padded for extra comfort.
Think about how important your games are to you. The best soccer cleats should make a real difference for a passionate athlete, while others may be happy with something that's simply reliable. Pay attention to user reviews if you're worried about comfort and fit. Whatever you might be looking for, we've chosen expert brands who stock a wide variety of options – and there's bound to be one for you!
