How to Buy the Best Lacrosse Cleats
As a lacrosse player, you know the importance of having the right equipment to perform at your best. A good pair of lacrosse cleats is one of the most crucial pieces of equipment for any lacrosse player. Whether you're playing on grass or turf, having the right cleats can give you the stability and agility you need to make quick turns and sharp cuts.
In this piece, we’ll discuss the benefits of lacrosse cleats and how they differ from football and soccer cleats. We’ll also go over what to look for when buying lacrosse shoes, the different types available, how they should fit, and how to care for and clean them.
Benefits of Lacrosse Cleats
Lacrosse cleats are specifically designed for the game of lacrosse, and they offer several benefits over regular athletic shoes. One of the main benefits is stability. Lacrosse shoes are designed to provide extra ankle support, which is crucial for reducing the chance of injuries when you’re making sudden movements on the field. Lacrosse cleats are also designed to provide enhanced traction, which helps you avoid slipping on the field and supports lateral movements. Lacrosse players often have to make quick cuts and direction changes, and cleats with a broader base and more prominent studs can help with this.
In addition, lacrosse cleats are often lighter than other athletic shoes, which can help you move faster and keep going longer. Lacrosse cleats can have bladed or conical studs, and some have both. These studs can enhance your ability to brake and make sharp cuts. General-purpose athletic shoes and running shoes aren’t built with the same stability and traction for lateral movement, so they may not be the best choice for lacrosse games. When choosing lacrosse cleats, you’ll want to keep in mind the type of surface you’ll be playing on and how much ankle support vs. flexibility you’d like.
Lacrosse Cleats vs. Football & Soccer Cleats
The only official requirements for lacrosse cleats are that players must wear composite or rubber-soled shoes without metal spikes. However, wearing shoes designed for your sport is always a good idea. While football and soccer cleats may look similar to lacrosse cleats, they have some key differences.
Here are some similarities and differences:
Lacrosse Cleats vs. Football Cleats
Football and lacrosse cleats have a lot in common. In fact, football cleats are technically allowed in lacrosse. Both are built for similar field conditions and are available with molded or detachable studs. Both also have a toe stud that provides excellent traction and helps with quick stops and starts. Lacrosse and football cleats have a similar cleat formation, with studs concentrated on the outside of the foot to help with sudden changes in direction. Both cleat types come in low-, mid-, and high-cut styles for different levels of stability and support.
Lacrosse Cleats vs. Soccer Cleats
Unlike football and lacrosse cleats, soccer cleats are almost exclusively low-cut. They have very different stud patterns than lacrosse cleats, and they prioritize speed over support. One of the key differences between lacrosse and soccer cleats is that soccer cleats don’t have a toe stud. That’s because it would drag on the ground while kicking, and could easily injure other soccer players. Because they lack a toe stud, soccer cleats can reduce your maneuverability on the lacrosse field.
Types of Lacrosse Cleats
When looking for a great pair of lacrosse cleats, there are several factors to consider. The first is the type of cleat. To decide what you need, consider what surface you’ll be playing on. There are two main types of lacrosse cleats for natural surfaces: molded cleats and detachable cleats. Turf shoes are best for most artificial turf, or if you’re playing box lacrosse indoors, because cleats can damage the surface.
Molded Cleats
Molded cleats have hard plastic or TPU studs permanently attached to the sole. Molded cleats require less maintenance than detachable cleats because dirt and debris can’t get under the studs.
Turf Shoes
Lacrosse turf shoes have small rubber nubs instead of studs, which provide traction on artificial turf without the risk of damaging it. They’re lightweight and comfortable, but still have enough support for lateral movements. While they’re best on artificial turf, some players prefer to wear them on natural surfaces as well.
How to Choose the Right Cleat Height
Height is a measure of how high a shoe rises up your ankle. Lacrosse cleats come in three different heights, or collar heights, each with its own advantages. When looking for lacrosse cleats, consider your position and your personal needs. If you need to maximize your speed, the lightweight design of low-cut cleats will benefit you. On the other hand, if you need support for sharp lateral movements or are prone to ankle injuries, high-top cleats will give you some added protection.
Low-Cut Cleats
Low-cut cleats have collars that fall well below your ankle. These cleats are flexible and easy to put on but offer slightly less ankle support than mid-cut or high-cut cleats. They’re lighter to allow for quickness and better agility, but will be somewhat less supportive.
Mid-Cut Cleats
Mid-cut cleats have collars that rise just under your ankles. These shoes are a great middle ground, offering a combination of support and mobility. They balance the support and protection of high-cut cleats with the flexibility and lightness of low-cut cleats.
High-Cut Cleats
These cleats have collars that end just above your ankle. They wrap around your ankles, giving excellent stability and protection. This makes them helpful if you need to make sharp cuts, resist impacts, or are prone to ankle injuries. However, they’re a bit heavier and less flexible than shorter cleats.
How should lacrosse cleats fit?
Lacrosse cleats should fit snugly without feeling tight or constricting. There should be enough room inside them to move your toes, but not so much that the rest of your foot slides around as you run. Fit is very important for cleats. If they’re too tight, they can cause pain and discomfort. If they’re too loose, they can slow you down, impair your balance, and cause blisters. Since cleats are meant to be snug, they can sometimes be uncomfortable for people with wide feet. Some brands offer cleats in different widths, so check the manufacturer’s specifications to find shoes that match the shape of your feet. It’s best to try on cleats before buying them, if possible. Wear the socks you plan to play in, as well as any ankle braces you normally wear, when trying on shoes to get the right fit.
What to Look for in a Great Pair of Lacrosse Cleats
When choosing lacrosse cleats, you have key choices: whether you want molded or detachable studs, whether you want low-, mid-, or high-cut height, and whether you’ll be playing on natural or artificial surfaces. Here are some additional factors you might want to consider when choosing your cleats:
Breathability: Breathability is crucial to keeping your feet comfortable as you play lacrosse. Shoes that don’t breathe can cause your feet to overheat, and can also result in blisters. Look for shoes with mesh panels or perforations to vent sweat and help your feet stay cool.
Type of Studs: Lacrosse cleats come with bladed studs, conical studs, or both. Bladed studs have a flat shape that digs into the ground for enhanced traction and braking. Conical studs can offer better agility and turning ability. Think about how you play to find the right studs for your needs.
Molded Sock Liners: These liners wrap around your feet, providing extra cushioning and securing the cleats in place. Many of them also wick sweat to help your feet stay dry.
Materials: Most lacrosse cleats have leather or synthetic uppers. Natural leather is durable, but it requires special care. On the other hand, synthetic materials are typically lighter but less durable. Regardless of your choice, it’s best to look for cleats with mesh panels on the uppers for breathability.
Caring for & Cleaning Lacrosse Cleats
Lacrosse cleats take a beating out of the field and can wear out quickly without proper care. Cleaning cleats regularly and caring for them properly can prolong their life.
Daily Maintenance: It’s always a good idea to clean any dirt, mud, or grass off your cleats after each practice or game. Tap them together or on a hard surface to remove large clumps of dirt, then use a stick or a dull tool to remove any other debris that may have collected between the studs. If you have detachable cleats, remove the studs and clean each one. Then, wipe down the entire exterior with a damp towel.
Washing & Cleaning: Use a mild detergent, warm water, and a towel to wipe away any stains. Don’t use harsher cleaners, as they can cause the synthetic leather to dry and crack. Don’t submerge your cleats fully in water. If you have leather cleats, instead apply leather cleaner and conditioner.
Drying: Let your cleats dry naturally or in front of a fan, but don’t apply heat, which can cause stiffening and cracking. Insert a shoe tree or stuff them with newspaper as they dry to ensure they keep their shape.
How to Know If You Need to Replace Your Lacrosse Cleats
A durable pair of cleats for lacrosse should last a few seasons, but no matter how well you take care of them, you’ll need new ones at some point. When you see signs of wear and tear, it’s time to get a new pair of cleats. One thing to keep an eye on is the studs. If you’re wearing molded cleats and the studs start to wear down or break off, it’s time for new cleats. On the other hand, if you wear detachable cleats, you might be able to just replace the worn studs. Always pay attention to new worn spots, cracks, or tears in your cleats. If you’ve developed new blisters or sore feet, it could be a sign that your cleats are no longer giving you the support you need. If that’s the case, it’s time to replace your cleats.
How to Break In Your Lacrosse Cleats
New cleats sometimes feel stiff and uncomfortable because they need time to mold to your feet. To break in cleats more easily, try to get new cleats while your old ones have some life. Start by wearing your new cleats for short periods of time, either inside your house on carpeted surfaces or by walking around the yard. Next, try wearing them while warming up in practice, but then change into your old shoes (providing they’re still functional) for the rest of the practice. Repeat this while wearing your new cleats for more extended periods until they’re comfortable. If you need to speed up the process because your old shoes are really finished, you can try getting your new cleats wet. Start by getting them wet while they’re on your feet by sprinkling warm water on them. Don’t submerge them thoroughly in water. Wear them around while wet, then put a shoe tree or crumpled newspaper inside them to mold them to the shape of your feet while they dry.