Kids’ Baseball Cleats Buying Guide
When it’s time to prepare for baseball season, you’ll need to get geared up and ready to take the field with cleats that will hold up throughout the entire season.
A good pair of cleats is critical on the diamond, helping you chase down fly balls, round the bases with great footing, stay balanced in the batter’s box, or throw the perfect pitch. But there are other outside factors to consider:
- What kind of cleats are allowed in your league?
- What type of field do you play on?
- What feels most comfortable for you?
With so many needs and requirements, sifting through all of the information to find the right pair of cleats can feel almost impossible. That’s why we’ve created a guide to help you find the best kids’ baseball cleats.
Cleat Regulations for Your League
In order to buy the right cleats, you first should know what’s allowed in your league. Some little league or high school associations and sponsored tournaments don’t allow certain types of cleats either for safety reasons or due to the type of field being used. For example, while many high school leagues allow metal spikes, any high school tournaments sponsored by the USSA (United States Specialty Sports Association) require players to wear molded or plastic cleats to reduce the chance of injury and field damage. Metal spikes can be too dangerous for younger players, and turf shoes may be required if you play on artificial turf to avoid damaging the field. Aside from the soles and studs themselves, most baseball and softball cleats are made from the same materials: mesh, for breathability, and synthetic leather, for structure and protection. Once you have an idea of what you’re allowed to wear and take your preferences into consideration, you will have a good idea of what type of cleats to look for.
Molded Cleats
Molded cleats have permanent rubber or plastic studs attached to the sole of the shoe for traction. They’re lightweight yet sturdy, and suitable for most field types and ages. Molded cleats are affordable, versatile, and safer than metal, making them popular for kids.
Metal Cleats
Metal cleats have metal studs, or spikes as many players call them, attached to the bottom of the soles for increased traction. They offer excellent footing on grass and dirt fields, but they’re generally not suitable for turf fields. While the uppers of both metal and molded cleats use similar materials, metal cleats are usually more expensive than molded ones. They also may require maintenance to prevent rust, though keeping them dry can usually prevent this. Keep in mind that many youth leagues ban metal cleats for safety reasons, so make sure they’re allowed in your league before buying.
Turf Cleats
Turf cleats are becoming increasingly popular. These shoes have small rubber knobs or treads that provide traction on artificial turf fields. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and provide good traction on turf, but they aren’t suitable for grass or dirt fields since they don’t actually poke into the ground. Turf cleats are the right choice for players who play and practice on turf fields or indoors. Players who wear molded cleats may also have a pair of turf shoes in case they practice indoors or have an away game on a turf field.
Differences Between Baseball Cleats & Cleats for Other Sports
If you play multiple sports, you might wonder why you can’t just use the football or soccer cleats you already have. That’s because cleats are designed to support the types of movement each sport requires. Wearing the wrong type of cleats on the diamond might damage the field, reduce your performance, or even cause injuries.
Soccer Cleats vs. Baseball Cleats
Soccer cleats are usually made with thicker, more flexible leather than baseball and softball cleats to hold up against direct contact with the ball. They’re almost strictly made with hard plastic studs. Soccer cleats are considerably lighter than baseball cleats, but less supportive. Baseball and softball cleats have a spike on the tip, providing additional traction without risking injury. Soccer cleats don’t have a stud at the tip because this stud can cause more injuries when players slide into each other.
Football Cleats vs. Baseball Cleats
Football cleats are a bit more similar to baseball cleats, but there are still significant differences. For example, they’re usually much heavier to protect against hard impacts. Also, football cleats are never made with metal studs, only rubber and hard plastic. While there are low-top football cleats for specific positions, most football cleats are mid- or high-tops, which offer more ankle support to reduce the risk of injury from sharp cuts and sudden impacts. By contrast, baseball cleats are available with low and high tops.
How Baseball Cleats Should Fit
Getting properly-sized cleats is crucial for comfort and performance. Cleats that are too big can cause blisters, while cleats that are too small can cause discomfort and pain. Properly-fitted cleats should be snug but not tight. They should allow you to move comfortably without sliding in any direction, no matter how you move. However, they shouldn’t be so tight that they’re uncomfortable or hard to put on. Ideally, there should be about a pinky’s width of room in between your toe and the end of the shoe. This will keep your toes comfortable and help prevent foot injuries. However, it’s smart to leave a little extra room if you’re still growing.
One important consideration to remember: Baseball socks are fairly thick, so try on cleats with a proper sock to get the most accurate sizing.
Low-Top vs. Mid- and High-Top Cleats
It’s also important to determine if you prefer a low-top cleat or a high-top cleat. Low-top cleats have a lightweight design for speed and agility, while high-top cleats provide much more ankle support to prevent injury when running or sliding into a base. If you like mid- or high-top cleats, make sure that the collar surrounding the ankle fits properly. Much like the rest of the cleat, the collar should fit snugly without preventing movement. If the ankle support is too loose, it’ll just flop around and add extra weight without serving any purpose. If the ankle support is too tight, it’ll reduce mobility, slow you down, and may cause discomfort.
Cleats by Position
Cleats for Outfielders
While molded cleats usually work fine, many outfielders prefer metal cleats, which are less likely to accumulate clumps of grass and dirt. Again, remember to check with your league to make sure metal cleats are allowed.
Cleats for Infielders
Molded cleats are suitable for properly-maintained infields, but not all infields are maintained properly. If you often play on a dry and compacted dirt infield, metal cleats may give you the traction you need for better footing if they’re allowed by your league.
Cleats for Pitchers
Pitchers should opt for low-top cleats because they’re better suited to the precise footwork involved in pitching.
Cleats for Catchers
While there’s no definitive answer, most catchers prefer metal studs for enhanced traction and a high-top silhouette for more ankle support.
How to Clean Baseball Cleats
Keeping baseball cleats clean can be especially difficult since they’re constantly in grass, dirt, and sometimes mud. That’s why cleaning your cleats is an essential part of maintaining their performance and longevity. When you begin cleaning cleats, you should first remove any dirt or debris from the surface by either firmly tapping the shoes together or scrubbing them with a soft brush or cloth. Next, create a cleaning solution by mixing warm water with a mild laundry detergent or soap. Dip a soft-bristled brush, such as an old toothbrush or cloth, into the solution and gently scrub the cleats, focusing on any particularly dirty or stained areas. Rinse the cleats thoroughly with water and allow them to air dry, avoiding exposure to direct sunlight or heat. It's important to avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive tools, as they can damage the cleats' materials. Regularly cleaning and caring for your baseball cleats can extend their lifespan and enhance your performance on the field.