SOCCER SHOES BUYING GUIDE

Soccer shoes are the most important, and usually the most expensive, part of every soccer players equipment. They have to provide comfort, good traction and ensure great ball control. There are many different types of soccer shoes that are made for different skill levels, field types and weather conditions.

Types of shoes

• Molded - Used on hard natural grounds. It has non-removable rubber or hard plastic cleats. Since it has numerous cleats, it distributes the pressure more evenly and makes for a more comfortable feel. Traditional molded cleats are round, a newer version has blades. Blades provide better support and traction and allow players to cut better than traditional round cleats.

Blades - Long Narrow Cleats

Traditional Rounded Cleats

• Screw-In - Used on softer nartural grounds. It has removable screw-in cleats. Soccer shoes normally have only 6 cleats, 4 in the front and 2 in the heels. The cleats can be replaced and changed quickly and easily.

• Indoor - Used only indoors. These shoes look and feel like sneakers. They have non-marking, flat rubber soles. Many indoors soccer facilities require these shoes.

• Turf - Used on some indoor turf grounds or outdoor turf grounds. These soles have various raised patterns in place of cleats, which distribute the pressure more evenly and feel more like sneakers than regular soccer shoes.

• Slides - These are worn off the field and help keep the wear low on the soccer shoes. Can be worn easily even when wearing soccer socks and shinguards.

Upper

• Kangaroo Leather - This is the most exclusive upper and is known for its soft and snug fit. However, since it is such soft leather it is also not as durable as the other uppers. This is used by the very commited and the best players.
• Calf-Skin Leather - Very good and comfortable leather upper that provides a very comfortable and form-fitting fit. This is also more durable than Kangaroo leather. This is preferred by casual to more serious soccer players.
  
• Synthetic Leather - The most durable upper. It is very resistent to moisture and will last the longest. It is also usually the lightest and most affordable. Preferred by entry level players.

Sizing

• Soccer shoes are sized normally like regular shoes. If you wear a size 10 in normal shoes, this would be the same size to order in soccer shoes.
• Soccer shoes are build more narrowly than normal sneakers, this allows for more ball control and a tighter feel.
• Leather stretches and will conform to the individual shape of the players foot.

Care

• Always clean the shoes after wear.
• Make sure that the shoes dry out after play, particularly after playing in rain.
• Use leather food on calf-skin and kangaroo leather to keep the leather soft and supple and help water retainment low.

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