How to Pick the Right Soccer Cleats

With the Olympics up and running and the USA Women’s team once again competing for a gold medal, more girls in the U.S. are going to be inspired to put on soccer cleats and try the game. Soccer has become increasingly popular amongst young female players with The Guardian reporting that there were 390,482 high school girl soccer players in 2018. For those who are interested in taking up the game, what you wear on your feet is very important as it can dramatically affect your comfort and ability to play. In this post, we will look at how to pick the right soccer cleats.

Understanding Your Cleats
Your choice of cleats will significantly impact your overall performance, as well as affecting your chances of getting a knee or ACL tear, spraining your ankle, or suffering from any other common soccer injury. The playing surface you will be playing on will help you decide on which cleats to get. This is because cleats are designed for specific ground conditions. Conical or bladed cleats are designed for outdoor play on turf and are also known as classic cleats. If playing indoors or on synthetic turf then you will need cleats with small round studs.

Another consideration is buying cleats based on the position you will be playing. Those in midfield and up front should look for lighter more comfortable cleats that will allow for greater movement. A defender will likely prefer a heavier leather cleat that offers more protection going into tackles.

Finding Your Style
Picking the pair not just with the right fit – but also with the right look – can be an effective way of expressing your personal style. It’s always a stylish choice to go with a classic sleek and dark pair, which fits with almost any soccer uniform. You can also match or complement your uniform with your shoes’ color and shapes. Or you can run with Pride on a rainbow pair of cleats that identifies you as an ally of the LGBTQ+ Community or a proud member. Simply picking a pair with a look that you love can significantly increase your motivation to do better out there.

Tapping Your Community
Instead of blindly trying on shoes or window-shopping online, you can make your search for the right soccer cleats easier if you tap into your community of soccer fans and cleats enthusiasts. Online, sneakerheads and shoe lovers are very active and vocal about what they think of certain brands or releases. The SoleSavy Community is a platform where experts break down different types of shoes to provide useful advice. Getting in touch with this type of community can give you insider insights that can narrow down your choices depending on your budget and personal preferences.

Likewise, don’t hesitate to ask your coaches and fellow players in the Girls Soccer Network community either. Your fellow players will be more than willing to help you pick cleats that not only look and feel good but can also up your game and decrease your risk of getting injured. Whether you’re looking for modern cleats with space-age support or a classic traditional pair with proven performance, keep these aforementioned tips in mind.

Feature image via Unsplash