| It has been said that more people in the world play | | | | synthetic leather offers greater water resistance and |
| soccer than any other sport, and there is little reason | | | | is ideal for play on wet fields. Synthetic leather shoes |
| to doubt the veracity of that claim. With little more | | | | are easier to clean and tend to maintain their looks |
| than an open field, a makeshift goal, and a ball, you | | | | for a longer period of time even though they |
| can have a soccer game at just about any time. This | | | | typically do not last as long as their leather |
| is surely one of the reasons that soccer is so popular | | | | counterparts. |
| in some poor countries, but it hardly explains soccer's | | | | The most important part of soccer shoes is where |
| popularity in developed countries like the United | | | | the rubber meets the road; the sole, where the |
| States. Here, organized soccer players need more | | | | cleats are. There are four types of soles on soccer |
| than a ball to play, and in many cases, proper soccer | | | | shoes: molded cleats, detachable cleats, turf shoes, |
| shoes are required before you are allowed to take | | | | and indoor shoes. Molded cleats are the most basic |
| the field of play. | | | | and affordable design. Perfect for young or beginning |
| Soccer shoes are required for several reasons. Not | | | | players, molded cleats are part of the sole of the |
| only do appropriate shoes give you traction in a sport | | | | shoe and they are designed to be appropriate - |
| where traction is paramount, they also provide you | | | | although not ideal - for a wide range of playing |
| with support and padding that will protect you from | | | | conditions. Detachable cleats are similar to the molded |
| injury. A quality soccer shoe is constructed with an | | | | cleats but with one major difference; you can |
| upper portion that is made with materials and layering | | | | remove them. By unscrewing the cleats and replacing |
| that will give the player the most feel for the ball, | | | | them with different types and lengths, more |
| and in a sport where your feet are as important as | | | | advanced players can create a shoe that is ideal for |
| soccer, that feel is incredibly valuable. | | | | the playing conditions they may face in their game. |
| Since feel for the ball is important, the materials used | | | | Soccer is not always played in cleats, however, and |
| are also integral in transmitting that feel. Soccer | | | | some shoes are designed for use on Astroturf or on |
| shoes are usually made of real leather or synthetic | | | | other kinds of indoor surfaces. Looking as much like |
| leather, with real leather providing the best feedback | | | | sneakers as typical soccer shoes, turf shoes and |
| for the player. Real leather has other advantages as | | | | indoor shoes possess a tread designed to grip |
| well. Leather shoes tend to fit better and are often | | | | artificial surfaces while still providing the optimal feel |
| more durable as well. However, those advantages | | | | that is needed in a soccer shoe. |
| come with a higher price. Further, if you are playing | | | | When you purchase your soccer shoes make sure to |
| on a wet, water logged field, a real leather shoe will | | | | be properly fit and remember that they are designed |
| absorb more moisture making it heavy and robbing it | | | | to feel snug, particularly on the upper portion of the |
| of its durability. | | | | shoe. Remember that a leather shoe will stretch over |
| A less expensive option is synthetic leather. | | | | time, so a shoe that feels snuff at first may |
| Appropriate for beginning and intermediate players, | | | | eventually stretch and mold to the exact shape of |
| synthetic leather offers an affordable entry level | | | | your foot making it like a part of you, and perfect |
| shoe for prospective soccer players. Further, | | | | for the game of soccer. |