How to Buy the Best Baseball Cleats for your Position

Waiting for the catcher’s sign to unleash a fastball. Preparing to explode out of second to take third. Getting ready to snag a line drive. Baseball is a game of readiness in anticipation of lightning-fast action. The right pair of cleats can help you respond to these moments with the speed, agility, and stability you need to make the play. The best cleats for you will depend on many factors, including your position, the type of field where you play, and your own personal preferences and comfort. Your league likely also has rules about what kinds of cleats are permitted, so be sure to check those requirements before you start shopping around.

Types of Baseball Cleats

The first cleats were removable, triangular pieces of spiked metal that attached at the toes and heel of players’ shoes. Today’s cleats advance on the simple concept of giving players more grip and control on the grass and dirt. 

Metal Baseball Cleats

Many players like the grip and traction afforded by metal cleats. However, they’re not permitted for all leagues and settings. Metal cleats have thin, squared-off spikes that extend from the toe and heel areas of the shoe. These studs easily pierce grass and dirt, providing grip and traction. Metal cleats are good for starting and stopping quickly and making quick moves and turns.

Molded Baseball Cleats

The bottoms of these cleats are made of molded plastic or rubber. This allows them to be more lightweight than most metal cleats, and some players find them more comfortable. Molded cleats can be worn in more settings than metal cleats, and they tend to last longer on a variety of surfaces. If you play in consistently muddy conditions, molded cleats won’t sink in like metal cleats, but they can sometimes become more easily caked with dirt and gravel.

TPU Baseball Cleats

TPU is a specific type of hard plastic. These shoes look similar to molded cleats but offer more friction. They’re like a cross between metal and molded cleats.

Turf Shoes

Built especially for playing on artificial turf, these shoes have short, blunt rubber nubs generally covering most of the sole of the shoe. The nubs provide grip on artificial turf without tearing up the surface. Some players use turf shoes as their training shoes.

Training Shoes

Since cleats are specifically used on the field, don’t forget to consider a companion pair of training shoes you can use for off-field workouts. Choose something comfortable and versatile for a range of exercises and settings.

Don’t Ignore the Rest of the Shoe

When you’re thinking about choosing cleats, it’s natural to focus on the outsole and spikes, but make sure you consider other features of the shoe, too.

Material: Cleats come in genuine leather, synthetic leather, and mesh fabrics, or sometimes, a combination of materials. All these materials have their pros and cons. Mesh is lighter, while leather and synthetic leather tend to be more durable. Leather and synthetic leather shoes may require more breaking in compared to mesh. If you’re playing in a hot climate, mesh helps the shoe breathe to keep you comfortable. If you’re likely to encounter wet or muddy fields, a synthetic may be more ideal to help keep your feet dry.

Fit: Cleats should fit snugly with a little room at the toe. This helps keep your foot from moving around too much in the shoe as you make quick moves. Look for a shoe built to accommodate your foot type, too. Some cleat designs are better for wide feet, for example.

Comfort: You’re going to spend a lot of time in your cleats, so make sure you like how they feel. Cushioning and support are extra important for positions that require a lot of standing and repetitive movement, such as pitcher and catcher. Pay attention to any parts of the shoe around the heel or ankle that may rub you the wrong way, literally.

Shoe height: Baseball cleats come in high-, mid-, and low-top styles. High-tops may not be ideal for comfortable lateral movements. Mid-tops provide a little more range of motion while offering some ankle support. Low-tops are designed for speed. The choice often comes down to your position and comfort preferences. 

Toe protection: Some cleats have larger or more reinforced toe caps for added durability and protection. This is especially important for pitchers and catchers. 

Best Baseball Cleats by Position

Certain cleat features are helpful in specific player positions, whether you’re looking for maximum grip for starting a run, or optimum agility to maneuver in the outfield. 

Pitchers

Pitchers are on their feet a lot, so comfort is key. Pitchers may benefit from a shoe with extra cushioning. They also need a cleat that’s extra durable because their shoes see a lot of wear and tear. A sturdy toe cap can help your shoe last. A low-top cleat is usually preferred in this position because it allows for maximum movement. Pitchers should note that metal cleats cannot be worn on artificial pitching mounds.

Catchers

Like pitchers, catchers need a workhorse cleat, so a durable material in the upper is important. Extra cushioning is helpful for reducing strain from all those hours crouched behind the plate. Protection and stability are key for this position, but catchers also need a shoe that is flexible and allows them to move quickly. Many catchers like a high-top style for added stability and protection.

Infielders

Infielders need grip and traction. A low-profile shoe is good in this position because it allows for plenty of agility and speed. Shortstops should look for a light shoe that allows for quick starts and stops. 

Outfielders

Outfielders need to move fast and quickly change direction. A low- or mid-top shoe that accommodates lateral motion can be a smart choice. If you think you may be on grass that’s frequently wet, consider a molded cleat that’s less likely to sink in. 

Baserunners

You need a cleat that lets you take off fast and stop on a dime. Look for one with plenty of grip and traction that’s also light and low-profile for speed. The more you run, the more flexible your shoe should be. Look for something with a flexible upper, such as a mesh material. If you go for a metal cleat, remember it may be stiff, so allow extra time to break it in. 

With so many options available, there’s no need to compromise on fit, feel, or features with your baseball cleats. Explore the choices with your position, playing conditions, and preferences in mind, and you’re sure to find a cleat that moves naturally with you and complements your skills on the field.