Baseball Cleats Buying Guide

Stepping up to the plate in finding the perfect baseball cleats means understanding more than just your shoe size. Let’s dig into what makes a stellar pair of cleats, from traction patterns to comfort, ensuring you’re equipped to sprint, slide, and score with confidence and safety.

Factors to consider when buying baseball cleats

There are a couple of different types of baseball cleats out there to choose from. Each one is specifically designed for a particular playing surface. For example, some baseball fields are completely artificial turf. Some fields may be a mix of grass and dirt. A cleat used for turf fields will not be useful on grass and dirt fields. 

The same thing goes for grass or dirt cleats on a turf field. The first question you will want to answer when buying baseball cleats is what playing surface you will be playing on. After deciding on this, you can begin to close in on the right shoe for you. 

Another important factor to consider when buying baseball cleats is the position you play. An outfielder will want lightweight shoes that are easy to run in. An infielder will be on dirt most of the time, so cleats with a strong grip will be a priority. 

Now that you have decided on your playing surface and your position, you can now focus on things like the feel and comfort of each shoe. A baseball cleat should be snug but still provide ample room to breathe. The cleat should never be loose, too big, or too long, as this will not give you full control of your motions. 

Lastly, the durability and quality of each baseball cleat are important factors. You can ask some of your peers or even read some online reviews for any cleats you may be interested in. It will certainly help to hear feedback from the current owners of the cleat. 

Different types of baseball cleats

Baseball cleats come in a couple of different forms. The most typical cleat is metal cleats. These cleats are designed for players over the age of 12 or 13 and have metal spikes on the bottom to help grip the playing surface. 

Another form of baseball cleat is molded cleats. Molded cleats are designed for younger players. These cleats have rubber molds on the bottom instead of metal spikes. 

Lastly, there are turf cleats. These cleats are designed specifically for playing on artificial turf fields. They don’t have metal spikes on the bottom, so the turf won’t be damaged. Instead, they have a certain design on the bottom that prevents any slipping or possible injury on such a slick surface. 

Knowing which playing surface you will be playing on when buying cleats is important. A metal cleat used on turf fields is not allowed and will not have a good result. The same thing can be said for turf cleats on a dirt field. Confirm your playing surface with your coach so you can make the right choice.

Top brands for baseball cleats

There are a multitude of brands when it comes to baseball cleats. Some you may have never heard of, while others are top names around the sports world. 

The highest-quality baseball cleats are usually Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, or New Balance. Many professional baseball players use one of these four brands for their baseball cleats. Nike has the best variety and quality but is usually the most expensive. Adidas offers decent quality at a traditionally lower price. The same thing can be said for Under Armour and New Balance. 

All four of these brands are of the highest quality, so you will not have to worry about that factor. When it comes to sizing, you may be a 10 in Nike and a 9 in Adidas. Some of these shoes have a history of sizing differently across different brands. It is important to try any shoe on before making a purchase. 

How to choose the right cleats for you

As stated earlier, it is important to try on any cleat you are considering buying. We don’t normally recommend ordering cleats online unless you are familiar with the brand and shoe. Baseball cleats really need to be the perfect size to be taken advantage of. You don’t want to risk having a cleat that is too tight or too big. 

One thing you can do is try on different brands of baseball cleats. You might notice that Adidas cleats fit you better than Nike cleats do. You might feel more lightweight in New Balance than you do in Under Armour. It is crucial to get a feel for all of your choices. 

You also want to confirm the playing surface you will be on. If you are playing on a dirt field, you will need metal cleats if you are old enough. If you are not yet old enough for metal cleats, you will need molded cleats for a dirt field. If you are playing on an artificial turf field, you must get turf cleats. If you plan on playing on both surfaces, you might want to consider getting a pair of metal cleats and a pair of turf cleats. 

Facilities are pretty strict when it comes to wearing the required cleats on their fields. Make sure you try on a bunch of different shoes. You will eventually find “the one.” 

If you are unsure of a cleat, you can look up online reviews on just about every baseball cleat there is. You might find out some good news or bad news by doing this. Either way, searching for feedback on the cleat will do no harm.

Conclusion

It can be a frustrating time searching for baseball cleats. We’ve all been there. Some critical factors to help simplify the process are to confirm your playing surface and what position you play. You can then narrow down your search to a brand and model. 

At this point, you can try on many different cleats until you find one that you are comfortable with. It is an important deal, so don’t be afraid to take the time to decide. If you feel good, you play well. 

Baseball players need comfortable cleats to perform at the highest level. Finding the right cleat can make a world of difference.