About Soccer Cleats

Soccer cleats are footwear worn by athletes who participate in this sport. In some countries, football cleats are the appropriate name for these shoes. While soccer cleats resemble cleats worn in other athletic disciplines, certain features distinguish this type of footwear.

Purpose

Amateur and professional athletes use soccer cleats to maintain balance and a solid footing while playing soccer. The cleats essentially grip the playing surface, decreasing the chance of falls and twisted ankles. While the primary design of these shoes is similar to most other athletic footwear, the sole features multiple studs, or cleats. Some soccer cleats have a pronounced tongue that prevents the shoe's laces from becoming untied.

Types

Footwear manufacturers use plastic, metal and rubber to form the cleats. Metal comprises the majority of screw-in studs, but permanently affixed cleats made of plastic or rubber is more common. Cleats are usually round or rectangular in shape.

Sports

Soccer players wear different types of cleats depending on where games and practices take place. Footwear for indoor soccer athletes have rubber cleats or no cleats. Those playing on grass or turf wear metal or plastic molded cleats.

Brands

Numerous manufacturers design and produce soccer cleats. Nike, a popular athletic shoe and apparel company, makes soccer cleats worn by famous professional players such as Cristiano Ronaldo. Adidas is another manufacturer, and David Beckham and many Major League Soccer players wear shoes by this brand. Other brands include Puma, Umbro, Reebok and Under Armour.