How to Select a Soccer Shoe
It is important to wear soccer shoes or cleats when playing soccer. Running shoes or sneakers do not provide the traction needed for the quick sprinting, starting and stopping that a soccer player frequently does during a game. Soccer shoes provide the support to protect your feet and ankles from injury. Whether you are just starting out in the sport or are an experienced player, don't buy just any soccer shoe. Select the soccer shoe that is the right fit for you and your playing style.
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Instructions
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Set a budget. Soccer shoes vary in brand and price point. If the cleats are for a child, stay on the lower end of the pricing scale because children grow quickly and shoes need to be replaced often.
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Choose your preferred shoe material. Soccer shoes come in both leather and synthetic or man-made materials. Leather shoes mold to the feet, allow them to breathe, are flexible and come in different grades, with the most expensive being kangaroo leather. Synthetic shoes retain shape, are more durable and do not stretch out when wet, according to Soccer Training Guide.
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Determine how much time you will spend playing soccer. If you play several times a week on different playing surfaces, consider a shoe with detachable studs. Plastic, rubber and metal studs can be inserted and removed for play on different fields. For the once a week player, a less expensive shoe with nondetachable studs should be considered.
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Shop for your shoes at a soccer specialty or sporting goods store. Here you can find both a variety of soccer cleats and trained customer service staff to answer any questions.
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Decide on the type of soccer shoe you need. Firm-ground shoes are the most common and are a good shoe for most playing surfaces. If playing on hard turf, consider hard ground shoes, which have the most studs on the bottom of the shoe and offer the best support. For wet surfaces, choose soft-ground shoes, which have very few cleats so that mud and wet grass will not get caught in the shoe, according to Soccer Website.
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Try on each pair of shoes that you are considering. To get the proper feel and fit, wear shin guards and soccer socks to ensure that the shoes are comfortable.
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Tips & Warnings
The Internet offers a wider variety of soccer shoes than some stores, often at lower prices. Once you know the brand and style shoe that fits the best, purchase soccer shoes online.
Do not purchase children's soccer shoes with "room to grow." A soccer cleat needs to mold the foot in order to offer the best support.
