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Soccer Cleats: The Right Choice

By Dr. Jeffery Gregori, 07/20/22, 11:15AM PDT

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Local podiatrist Dr. Jeffery Gregori shares some things to consider when shopping for cleats

Making The Right Choice When Buying Soccer Cleats

Dr. Jeffrey Gregori Bay Area Foot Care

Dr. Gregori is a local podiatrist with 22 years of experience.

By Jeffery Gregori, D.P.M.

As the new soccer season comes upon our San Ramon community, it is time to think about getting those new cleats for your youth soccer player. A lot of the shoe shopping for cleats is about the brand, the style and how much will it cost. Well, when it comes to selecting the correct type of cleat for you or your player, there are some things to consider to make sure you are getting the most bang for your buck.

Getting the right fitting cleat for your youth soccer player
No matter what level your player is, be it competitive or recreational, you want to make sure that the soccer cleats fit properly and are not too tight or too loose. The correct fit of the shoe is essential to making sure the foot is supported and does not cause other issues that will result in discomfort for your player. So, the first characteristics to check for are the correct length and width of the shoe. The best way to check is to get both feet measured with a Brannick device (shoe measuring device at the store) when you are standing (not sitting down). This will give you the true width and length of the foot. The rule of thumb for the proper length of a shoe is to have about 1⁄2 inch space between the length of your longest toe and the end of the shoe when you are standing in the shoes. The width of the shoe also matters. The material of soccer cleats can be semi-flexible, so make sure the player feels comfortable when you try them on and even walk around the store for about 10 minutes with them to make sure they are not rubbing on the side or feel too tight.

Three different types of cleats for youth soccer players
The other question is what type of cleat structure to buy? Is there one shape or style or brand that is better than another? There are three different types of cleats that are available: Firm Ground (FG) cleats, Soft Ground (SG) cleats and Artificial Ground (AG) cleats. They differ based on the length of the cleat and the grip and traction needed for a what every surface your player is using. The common cleat is the FG cleat that is normally used on regular grass at parks and typical soccer fields. However, with the development of more artificial surfaces at parks, high schools and colleges, the concern is that FG cleats may cause too much grip since the artificial ground is shallower. The shallow ground with the regular length cleat can cause more stress to the ankle and the knee over time with the number of games the player has in a season or even over the course of year. This can lead to overuse injuries or even acute injuries like ACL or Achilles tears. AG cleats are somewhat shorter than FG cleats and have hollowed out conical structure to reduce the stress to the lower body and reduce the intense friction from artificial grass. The reduced friction allows the cleat not to heat up as much so the life span of the cleat is longer. SG cleats have longer lengths than FG cleats and even must be screwed in. These types of cleats are beneficial when the ground is deep, wet and muddy and you need extra grip. I do not recommend using them on firm or artificial surfaces.

High top or lower top soccer cleat?
The other question most shoppers ask is do you need the high top or lower top cleat. This is usually up to the comfort of the player. The ankle support that are built into certain cleats are not going to provide you enough support on its own if you have ankle issues. It is usually just a comfort thing. If you have ankle instability issues from rolling the ankle several times, then you will need to use a slim, supportive ankle brace or have the ankle taped prior to playing.

Tip: Wearing your soccer socks for a true feel
One other factor that you need to consider is the thickness of the sock and the fit in the shoe. It is always a good idea that, when trying on new soccer cleats, you wear your soccer socks to get true feel and make sure your toes or sides of your feet do not feel too tight or are rubbing while you walk in the cleats.

It is always important to get the proper shoes to bring out the best performance in your player. The correct fit and correct type of cleat is essential to providing your player with the best equipment as well as reducing the risk of injury.
 

About the author: Jeffery Gregori, DPM is a local podiatrist that has been in practice for 22 years.  He is certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and a member of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. He practices with Bay Area Foot Care, Inc with offices located in Danville and Pleasanton. You can contact the Bay Area Foot Care office in Danville, CA at 925-830-2929 or the BAFC Pleasanton, CA office at 925-556-4460.
 
Dr. Jeffery Gregori Bay Area Foot Care

San Ramon FC club sponsor, Dr. Jeffery Gregori of Bay Area Foot Care