information and facts about soccer equipment

the gear you need to play soccer

Soccer cleats, also called soccer boots, were first created by local boot makers who formed them to a player’s foot.  They looked exactly like boots, extending past the ankle to give extra support and protection.  They laced all the way up and incorporated studs for better ground traction.

 In the early 1900s, metal studs were no longer allowed, and players began wearing leather cleats instead.  Eventually, players were allowed to wear studs that screwed in, which allowed them to wear cleats more appropriate for the weather conditions.  By the early 1950s elite soccer players were wearing new Adidas cleats with screw in studs, and by the late 1950s most professional soccer players were wearing Adidas boots.  Since then, soccer cleats (or boots) continue to be improved and molded to create the best fit, the best comfort levels, and the best feel on the ball, along with providing the most protection possible.

Soccer is a sport played with one’s feet, so cleats are unquestionably the most important piece of equipment you can own.  A good pair of soccer cleats will help you to play your best by allowing a firmer, more controlled touch on the ball while keeping you comfortable.  A poor pair of cleats can leave you feeling pain and can even cause injury on the field.  The main (upper) part of a soccer cleat is generally made from either leather or synthetic leather.  Leather is used for higher-quality cleats.  It is softer and allow for a better feel of the ball and a better fit.  They are more expensive than synthetic.  Synthetic cleats are cheaper and last longer, but they do not give you as comfortable or as beneficial of a fit.  Synthetic cleats are a good choice for beginning to intermediate players, but leather is much better for advanced players.

There are three main types of soccer shoes, cleats , as explained above, indoors, and detachable, and a large variety of brands to chose from.  Indoor soccer shoes are different from cleats only in that the bottom is flat and most often made from a rubber material.  They are lightweight just like good-quality cleats, but are a lot like running shoes.  Detachable soccer shoes have cleats that are made with rubber and sometimes tipped with metal, and these cleats can be removed.