Soccer Cleat Safety Information

Cleat Primer
Referees will check for proper cleats prior to each match and players who do have a front cleat on the boot will be refused play. Soccer Cleats are different then cleats for other sports. They do not employ a 'toe' cleat on the front leading edge of the boot (a proper term for a soccer shoe). A soccer player is often reaching in to pull out a ball and perform other common tasks in soccer. The presence of a front cleat is a safety hazard. See our notes below about a possible remedy for cleats with a front cleat.

Purchasing Soccer Cleats
Soccer cleats come in all different sizes and materials, so the most important consideration when buying should be for comfort. Don't buy a soccer cleat that fits too tightly or too loosely. Quick turns and stops require firm ankle support and well as some 'wiggle-room', but nothing that will result in blisters or chaffing. It's always a good idea to try on soccer cleats with the pair of soccer socks that will be worn during practice and play to ensure a snug, comfortable fit.

Many soccer players choose the more expensive brands when purchasing soccer cleats, but for youngsters and teens, most any good name brand soccer cleat that ranges between $45 and $80 will be adequate for practice and play needs. Make sure that soccer cleats are cleaned and taken care of and they'll last the entire season, if not longer.

Make sure your child plays in a good pair of soccer cleats. Old, worn-out cleats are associated with certain injuries, especially if there is any wearing down in the back cleats of the shoes. Molded rubber 13-cleat shoes are fine for most natural grass surfaces.

When purchasing soccer cleats, don't forget soccer socks. These are to be worn over the shin guards - which are also mandatory of course.

Soccer Cleat Purchase Checklist
- By shoes that fit properly
- Make sure that you make room for the socks that will be used as part of the uniform (in other words don't forget soccer socks). If you do shoes may end up too snug and hurt.
- Make sure to ask for Soccer Cleats that employ no toe cleat
- If they are really inexpensive they'll probably hurt their feet or worse yet they are cleats for another sport that is out of season and they're trying to unload. Be wary.

To Reuse or Not to Reuse - What about Hand-Me-Downs?
Are hand-me-downs ok? Many experts would say don't do it. Cleats often develop a fit for the person using them. If someone else tried on your shoes they would probably feel funny because shoes have adapted to you. The same can be said for cleats that have been worn for a season. In additon to fit complexities, cleats that are worn down from use could result in back problems, knee problems and so on. Experts will tell you to purchase new cleats occasionally to avoid problems and not to use hand-me-downs. Your milage may vary. Lightly worn shoes, especially for the younger ones from a common sense standpoint are probably ok. Use your best Judgement.

Don't Forget to Take Care of the Cleats
To keep your soccer cleats from wearing down excessively, use them only on the field. Be especially careful not to wear them on concrete. It's okay if the cleats wear down to some extent, but be very careful of uneven wear. This can affect your balance and make you more vulnerable to sprains and falls.

After play, loosen the laces and brush the cleats clean, ideally with a natural brush. If you have detachable cleats, give them a very light lubrication. If they are wet, put in newspaper to help them keep their shape and let them dry at room temperature. Use oil to keep leather shoes supple.

Clipping a Front Cleat
It is a common practice to try and leverage cleats purchased for other sports for soccer. If you find that the boots have a front cleat, it is sometimes acceptable to saw the cleat off of the toe area. This is not the preferred method, but will work if cost savings are a factor. See the pictures below.

This is a proper soccer shoe with no front toe cleat.

Soccer Shoes are easy to identify from a front view

This is a baseball shoe and it does have a front cleat.

The cleat can be removed with a fine tooth saw or even a Dremmel tool

This before and after shot shows the shoe with the front toe cleat removed. This shot shows one cleat removed. Both cleats at the front of the shoe were removed before these cleats were employed..