How to Buy Youth Soccer Cleats

Since soccer is synonymous with the feet, footwear is the most important item you'll buy for a youth player. Cleats are the mark of a soccer player, and they facilitate safety and efficiency of play.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soccer Apparel
• Soccer Cleats
• Soccer Shin Guards
• Soccer Videos
• soccer balls

1. Study the offerings. There are many types and styles of cleats.

2. Understand fit. Cleats should fit snugly, with no more than a thumb's width of space between the toes and the front of the shoes. More serious players want close-fitting shoes to facilitate the best touch (the feel for the ball).

3. Remember, leather stretches and then molds to the foot.

4. Choose looser-fitting shoes for young children so that the cleats don't affect the growth of the feet.

5. Try on cleats with soccer socks and shin guards to ensure proper fit.

6. Check out the soles. Regulation rubber studs provide traction and stability. Replaceable studs are only for older, more serious players.

7. Buy for the short term. Attempting to purchase cleats to last two seasons (fall and spring) may result in roomy shoes that cause blisters.

Tips & Warnings

• Shop about two months before the start of the soccer season, when stores are well-stocked with the best merchandise.
• Buy from a sports specialty store with knowledgeable salespeople.
• Buy cleats specifically made for soccer.
• Choose cleats for either gender. Cleats for young children are made for both boys and girls. Older girls may prefer the female versions of cleats.
• Bring in old cleats for comparison.
• Save your money. Synthetic uppers on cleats are usually less expensive, but perfectly adequate for young children.
• Hunt for bargains in mail-order catalogs or at soccer tournaments, especially if you know the style and size you want.
• Take care of cleats to keep them soft and long-lasting. Stuff wet or muddy cleats with newspaper to help them maintain their shape.
• Dry shoes naturally or by using a dehumidifier. Do not use artificial heat.
• Consider investing in turf or indoor shoes for other soccer-playing surfaces, or for very hard ground.
• Although it is not illegal to use them, cleats made for other sports (such as football or rugby) may have studs that are not allowed by youth soccer referees. It is best to wear soccer cleats for soccer.

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[meotch]

on 6/17/2009 remember to clean the cleats after use - they'll last so much longer this way!

on 8/8/2006 FIFA, the world governing body for soccer has, for several years now, instructed referees to forbid shoes that have a toe cleat, like that found on a baseball shoe. These are considered dangerous, and thus prohibited by Law IV of the Laws of the Game, because of the risk posed to an opponent's Achilles tendon area.

on 3/30/2006 1. When you go to the store, bring your socks and shin guards (if they have an ankle protector) and use when you try on the cleats.

2. After using about 6 pairs of cleats, I have found out that cleats with padding on the instep don't control the ball as well.

3. Walk and run with the cleats on. They have to be comfortable!!

on 11/22/2005 Adidas cleats are soft and cheap, and they are good for beginners.

on 11/22/2005 When purchasing youth soccer cleats, it's very important to get the right fit. 1/2 a thumb's width is plenty. Any more and they could slip on the back of the heal and cause blisters. Any less, and they won't have any room to grow. Plan on soccer cleats lasting one season only, as kids feet grow so quickly. If you purchase carefully you can get packs available including a cleat, shinguard and ball.