Football cleats are sports footwear which have the soles fitted with cleats or studs. This kind of footwear provides extra support and grip to the player on hard, soft and slippery surfaces. When deciding upon a pair of football cleats there are a number of factors to consider, of which I will now discuss.


Shoe Material


Leather - The upper of cleat shoes are usually made from leather or synthetics. Leather shoes provide fantastic comfort, flexibility and durability to the player. Shoes of this material allow your feet to breathe making them more comfortable. Leather shoes are often more expensive, however the right pair will worth their value.


Synthetics - For a cheaper pair then synthetics are a viable option. Whilst not providing as much durability and breath-ability most shoes have some aspect of synthetic material. This is usually to give added support to well used areas like the sole.


Type of Cleat


Molded - Molded cleats are recognized for use on harder surfaces. However, they are suitable as an all round grass field shoe. Plastic or rubber, non removable, studs are attached to the sole of the shoe and are generally lighter than detachable.


Detachable - The more expensive cleats are detachable ones. These have a range of 6 - 12 studs which can be changed to suit specific playing conditions. These studs can be of varying lengths. Short studs for hard fields and soft for wet. Detachable cleats are excellent for those required to play on a variety of surfaces.


Size and Maintenance


Size - Shoe size is a very important consideration in your selection. Feet are known to swell throughout the day so best to purchase in the afternoon, and always try with a football sock. Sizes also vary from style to brand and your normal shoe size can often be different to that of the cleat.


Maintenance - For ultimate comfort, and to avoid developing blisters, cleats, like any shoes, need to be broken in. Generally, the more you wear them, the better the will feel and perform. Remember to clean and protect your cleats, as with the right amount of care a good pair will last a long time.


In today's market there are hundreds of football cleats to choose from. Whichever pair you decide upon be sure that they are comfortable and able to perform at the highest level.