All about soccer shoes

Wanna be the next David Beckham? Follow his footsteps by starting it off with getting yourself the right pair of soccer shoes. Soccer shoes also known as soccer cleats or soccer footwear have been customized and improved over the years to fit the weather, field and player style. Designed specifically for the sport of soccer, innovations have undoubtedly been stylistic and glamorous that the upper material has been enhanced from the traditional leather to synthetics with the adaptation and incorporation of synthetic polymers. Synthetic uppers, so they claim, has it’s edge over leather in as far as durability is concerned for aside from giving the player total ball control and superior ball feel for being lightweight, they do not become stiff and out of shape when they become wet and improperly dried even though it’s credibility in decreasing the rate of injury is still in question. Out in the market for example are the latest Nike soccer shoes with external heel counters for added stability and heel fit, midsoles designed to enhance cushioning and outsoles designed for optimal traction and the new Adidas soccer shoes which have been created to be unlike anything else in the field with slip-in, sock-like construction for enhanced fit. Still, nothing beats getting a good deal on a new pair of soccer shoes. Investing all your money on a new pair of Nike, Adidas, Puma or Lotto soccer shoes may not be reasonable especially for children as they will only be outgrown by them each year. It doesn't really have to be very expensive as long as it fits good, provides adequate support and meets the team regulations. Hit it off during the summer before the season starts and look for regulation soccer cleats, soles of which should be made of rubber, since other sports footwear are not allowed in soccer. There are different types of soccer cleats namely: molded cleats, detachable cleats, indoor shoes, turf shoes and sandals. Molded cleats resemble the basic soccer shoe design made of non-removable rubber or hard plastic formed on the bottom of the shoe for optimal traction and control. This may be used on all field types and in all weather conditions making it ideal for beginners and players on the intermediate level. It is so safe that it has been required by many youth programs. Detachable cleats vary in length and are usually made of hard plastic or plastic with metal tips. It is ideal for experienced players who can tailor the cleats depending on the field type and weather condition. The studs’ length and type can also be altered based on the said conditions since it can be screwed on and off and replaced easily. This type is more appropriate to use on wet, soggy fields, or on well-groomed, soft grass fields. Turf shoes are basically good training shoes providing a back-up game pair for hard-surface conditions and on artificial turf as the bottom contains various raised patterns instead of studs. Indoor shoes are similar to low-cut sneakers or cross trainers. They are specifically designed for playing indoors in a gym or recreational facility for the flat, rubbery type bottom provides better traction on indoor courts or fields. On artificial turfs however they are preferred and required so that the turf won’t be torn up. Sandals are worn before the game to preserve your soccer shoes from additional wear. It slips on easily even if your socks and shin guards are on and will allow your feet to breathe after a game. A must have for any player. When trying on a new pair, make sure to wear them with the socks and shin guards that you will be using in practice and at games. You should feel the way each item matches it's fit with the others. And when measuring, the wearer's toe should come within the width of a thumb with the end of the shoe when the wearer is standing. See Tips on How to Find Your Shoe Size for a perfect fitting soccer cleat. Also, it is common knowledge that girls and women's feet are narrower than boys and men's. However, there are a few exceptions. So, for girls and women who have wider feet, boys and men's cleats might probably fit them better. Boys and men, on the other hand who have narrower feet can wear girls and women's cleats. Don't worry, it won't make you less of a man if you do so. Remember that the key to becoming a good player lies in buying the right pair of soccer shoes for a perfect fit will prevent foot injuries thereby leading to a player’s absolute enjoyment of the game.