Soccer has seriously grown in popularity over the last couple of decades, and for good reason. This exciting game, which is also known as football outside the US, is easy to learn, but difficult to master. To play it, you need a soccer ball, which might cost you a couple of bucks, and a few friends. You can also practice alone in your backyard and learn new tricks that will eventually impress the girls in your class or make your friends envy you. Once you get more experienced, you can start investing in a couple of soccer accessories, such as shin guards or a pair of soccer shoes.
These shoes, like climbing shoes,
golf shoes,
bike shoes and
basketball shoes, are purpose-built. They are designed by reputable manufacturers to offer you the utmost protection for your favorite game, while improving your grip and traction for running and shooting. Another important advantage of a good pair of soccer shoes is that they are lightweight, just like running shoes, so you won’t be held back by them when you run after the soccer ball.
Whether you are buying a pair for you or for your kid, make sure that you read this guide to the end. You will learn everything you need to know about soccer shoes, how to pick a good pair and what budget you need to come up with.
Price
The cost of soccer shoes depends on various factors, such as the brand, the materials used, its size, color and design. For example, if you buy from a reputable and popular manufacturer such as adidas, you should expect to pay a little extra, but receive greater reliability and quality. Similarly, a pair of shoes for kids is going to be less expensive than one for adults.
Therefore, when shopping for soccer shoes, your budget will eventually be between around $15 and up to $500 or more for a high-end pair of cleats. There are many cheap soccer shoes (often priced below $10), but these are not worth your money. The last thing you want is to have kids crying and coming back from the playing field with a pair of torn soccer shoes in their hands. Stay on the safe side, spend an extra fiver and your kid will thank you for that!
Features
Having set your budget, now is the best time to decide what exactly you should look for when buying a pair of soccer shoes for you or for your kids.
- Size - This is the most important aspect, and make sure you double check that before ordering. Match the size to another pair of your shoes, measure the size of your kid's foot, do everything you can do to get this right, so that your loved one will not be disappointed upon receiving his or her soccer shoes.
- Materials - Manufacturers use a blend of materials to craft soccer shoes, such as synthetics, textiles, leather and rubber.
- Color - This is what gives a pair of shoes that "I want it!" feel! Sports shoes are supposed to be visually striking and eye-catching so, as a parent, try not to argue with your kid if he wants a pair of bright orange soccer shoes. After all, she will wear them on the playing field, not on her prom night.
- Outsole Studs - These are little bumps on the outsole of the shoe which give more traction and grip while playing on grass and hard surfaces. Some shoes don’t have them, meaning that they are more suitable for indoor use.
Construction and Design
Now you know the main materials used to make soccer shoes, but let's visit them one more time and add a couple of details here and there, to give you a better understanding of sport shoes.
- Synthetic Materials - They are man-made materials, and they are easy to maintain, not to mention lightweight. If this is the first pair of soccer shoes you are buying, you won't go wrong if you go for synthetic materials.
- Leather -On the other hand, leather might be a little bit more expensive, but it will last longer and look better.
- Synthetic Leather - This is also an option, and one of its biggest advantages is the simple fact that it requires less maintenance in comparison with genuine leather.
- Textile Materials - Might be used for making certain elements of the soccer shoes, such as the laces.
- Rubber - This
is the main element used for making soles because it prevents slipping and it is very durable.
Most high-quality soccer shoes use a combination of these materials and, as a result, you will enjoy a sturdy, reliable and elegant pair of shoes which can take a lot of wear and tear. Some cleats are actually water-resistant, giving your kid the perfect excuse to play outdoors in a muddy field all day long. Still, don’t give that too much thought, as soccer cleats are easy to clean and maintain.
We would also like to add that, especially when it comes to shoes designed for kids, manufacturers go the extra mile to provide additional insole cushioning. This makes the shoe more comfortable and safer, so your feet won't start to ache even if you play for hours and hours.
Performance and Ease of Use
As mentioned earlier, some shoes are more suitable for playing outdoors on turf than indoors on a hard surface, but the good thing is you can use them for multiple other sports, not only soccer. For example, some shoes can be used for playing lacrosse or other turf-related games, so they are quite versatile. By the way, if a pair of shoes gets really dirty after numerous hours of play, you can use a clean cloth or a sponge and fresh water to make it look brand new. Some people throw them in the washing machine, which is not a bad idea either, but remember to read the maintenance instructions before doing that, especially if you have bought an expensive pair of soccer shoes.
Age and visual preference play a part when it comes to picking the right soccer shoe. You will also need to take into account the materials from which your shoes are made, but that is not difficult. Now, you are ready to see our recommendations and find out which pair of soccer shoes is most suitable for you!
Features
Puma is a brand that doesn’t need any introduction, as it has a presence in dozens of countries worldwide, selling sports accessories and apparel items for both males and females. Among its many product lines, we can mention sport socks, pants, sneakers, backpacks, caps and much, much more. Apart from being popular, Puma's products are also seriously reliable and eye-catching.
For example, the Men's Invicto Sala Soccer Shoes look gorgeous and are available in different size options, as well as several colors such as white, black, sulphur, silver, orange and more. This model doesn’t feature outsole studs, which means that it is designed to be used indoors, but no one will stop you if you want to play soccer with your friends in the park on a beautiful summer day!
The outsole has a textured surface, which improves grip, and it is made of durable rubber. These soccer shoes also incorporate leather and textile materials and feature rubber toe enforcement, protecting your toes from potentially painful accidents. Another great advantage of this cleat is the simple fact that is lightweight, meaning that you can run faster and perform better while doing your Messi-style tricks!
Features
Recently started playing soccer? In that case, you must check out the products from Diadora, as this brand creates hundreds of soccer accessories for people of all ages. Whether you are looking for shoes, shirts, pants, socks, shin guards or even soccer balls, Diadora has plenty of products for you to choose from. Best of all, Diadora's items come at affordable prices and they have surprisingly positive reviews all over the internet!
The Soccer Avanti MD JR Soccer Shoe from Diadora is available in several color options, such as fluorescent yellow/black, lime green/dark royal, black/white/silver, and others. It is also available in multiple size options, being designed for toddlers, small kids or big kids, with ages up to 12 years. This model from Diadora features a simple, yet aesthetically pleasing, design, and it incorporates large outsole studs which allow you to perform better outdoors while playing soccer or even lacrosse.
When it comes to materials, the sole is made of rubber, while the rest of the shoe is made of a combination of synthetic materials. This makes the cleat lightweight and very comfortable, and it includes thick laces that can take a lot of wear and tear. When these shoes get really dirty, you can simply put them in the washing machine and they will look like brand new!
Features
Adidas is one of the most popular and prestigious sports equipment brands in the world. Its products are present on all continents, and it makes a wide variety of sports accessories, such as shoes, shirts, pants, socks, bags, hoodies and more. If you love this brand, you might even want to try out its line of perfumes or accessorize your phone with an adidas-branded case.
When it comes to soccer shoes, we wholeheartedly recommend the Performance Mundial Team Turf Soccer Cleat from addias. This model is available in a classic black and white color scheme, and it comes in numerous sizes for you to choose from. It is made of leather, featuring a rubber sole and synthetic lining to increase your comfort and stability while playing soccer.
The rubber sole of this cleat incorporates molded studs, which makes it ideal for playing outdoors or on hard surfaces. Apart from being lightweight and comfortable, these shoes also feature plenty of cushioning, so if someone accidentally steps on your feet, you won't get injured. The extra cushioning is also excellent when you want to kick the ball really hard, as it makes your shots feel less painful. If you are looking for reliable sport shoes from a reputable manufacturer, this cleat might be suitable for you!
Features
At first sight, Vizari might not tell you much, but this company makes lots of sports equipment and accessories, particularly soccer-related products. For example, you can shop for shoes, socks, shirts, gloves, shin guards, even colorful and eye-catching soccer balls for boys and girls. Vizari delivers quality items without charging an inflated price, so if you don’t want to spend a fortune on soccer accessories, definitely check out this brand's items.
The Striker FG Soccer Shoe from Vizari is a perfect example. This cleat comes at an affordable price and is available in numerous sizes, making it suitable for toddlers, small kids or big kids up to 12 years of age. The color scheme is classic and elegant (black and white), but the manufacturer puts an emphasis on protection, making use of a molded rubber outsole for comfort and traction. The upper sole is made of a shiny type of leather which can take a lot of wear and tear and makes this cleat resistant to water.
We also like the fact that, although these shoes are sophisticated and cleverly designed, they remain lightweight and easy to use. The outsole studs will give your kid more stability while playing on grass or hard surfaces and the laces are thick, so they won't deteriorate quickly. We would definitely recommend this pair of shoes to anyone who wants reliable and lightweight cleats!
Features
Dream Pairs specializes in shoes, boots and sneakers for men, women and children. Whether you are looking for a warm and comfortable pair of boots for the upcoming winter or an athletic soccer cleat, Dream Pairs has hundreds of products to surprise you with. This company also makes sandals, work shoes and walking loafers for people of all ages.
We picked the Kids Athletic Lace Up Soccer Shoes from Dream Pairs because this model is available in multiple color options such as red, orange, black, white and more. At the same time, you can choose from many sizes, depending on the age of your kid – toddler, little kid or big kid. These soccer cleats come with cushioned insoles to ensure maximum comfort and safety while your little ones are playing soccer outside.
To keep these shoes lightweight, the manufacturer used a variety of materials such as synthetic materials, rubber and textiles. The outsole studs are molded and made of durable rubber, to improve grip and traction on grass or hard surfaces. This pair of soccer shoes is suitable for beginners in soccer as well as for advanced players, so don’t hesitate to give it a try!
Following in the steps of Lionel Messi or Christiano Ronaldo begins by acquiring the right shoes, and these pairs are some of the best soccer shoes out there. Pick yours and you'll soon become a sensation on the playing field!
