How To Choose The Best Soccer Cleats

Step 1

The fact that you're reading this means that you've already begun your research. This is good. The internet is an excellent resource for just about anything these days. Use it. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Step 2

What position do you play? There isn't one all-purpose boot. A defender needs stability, a striker typically looks for speed, whereas a goalkeeper will need a boot that allows him to change direction and start up on the drop of a dime. A common choice among goalkeepers and defenders are firm ground cleats, whereas many strikers choose soft grounds. I'll elaborate on these further below.

Step 3

Is your first priority speed, agility, dribbling, shot power? Even among a certain position there are different needs. Cleat construction is something to consider on a personal basis. Synthetic leather is the material of starter cleats, but they tend to fall apart quicker and are less comfortable (The rigid, imitation leather doesn't bend with the foot as well as other options). More flexible materials include kangaroo and shark leather. Shark leather is sometimes considered to be slightly lighter and more responsive, but it's really more of a preferential determination. Both are great choices for speed and agility.

Step 4

What kinds of surfaces will you be playing on? Manufacturers make firm ground, soft ground, and hard ground cleats for outdoor use. A safe choice if you're going to be playing on varied surfaces or aren't sure is to go with the firm grounds. These provide a stable base for any surface. Soft grounds should be used on muddy or wet fields and allow a player to dig in better. Hard ground cleats have studded outsoles and are usually used on very tough or frozen surfaces.

Step 5

Here are some suggestions based on position: For a midfielder: Puma V1.10 SL soccer cleats - These are extraordinarily light boots and a personal favorite.

Step 6

For a striker: Nike Mercurial Vapors - The classic striker's choice, Vapors boast a lightweight design and greatly improve the player's ball control.

Step 7

For a goalkeeper: Puma PWR-CT 1.10 - These boots are known for their stability, but also allow for quick changes in direction.

Step 8

For a defender:Puma King XL Italia - Weighing in at 11.05 oz, these are slightly more heavy than most boots on the market. However they're very comfortable and, being soft grounds, allow the defender to dig in and pounce on any attack.

Step 9

Head into your local soccer cleat retailer. Bring a list of cleats you want to try on. (Consider calling ahead to see which boots they have in stock and in what sizes.) Remember to write down the pairs that interest you as you can often times find better deals online later.

Step 10

Walk around the store in several different pairs. Get a feel for how each responds to your feet. Envision yourself on the pitch and shoot a couple imaginary goals. Take notes and make a decision.