| So you need some new soccer shoes? Simple, or it | | | | The upper part of modern soccer shoes can be |
| should be, but with so much choice which ones do | | | | made from various materials. Some of the more |
| you go for? Remember, you can buy a great pair of | | | | expensive shoes have leather uppers, whilst less |
| cleats without spending a fortune, but it pays to do | | | | expensive varieties may be made of synthetic |
| some research first. You might think that with such a | | | | materials. Leather uppers will provide great comfort |
| huge variety of soccer cleats on the market that it's | | | | and are preferred by many players who appreciate |
| all about fashion, and whilst that certainly plays its | | | | the additional 'feel' on the ball that the softer surface |
| part, there is much more to choosing the right cleats | | | | provides. Leather soccer shoes often take some |
| than just going for the same make and style as your | | | | time to 'wear in', and many players prefer them to |
| favorite player. | | | | be a slightly tighter fit when new, knowing that they |
| If you are mainly playing your soccer on soft ground | | | | will quickly become more comfortable in use. Soccer |
| you should consider shoes with screw in studs. These | | | | cleats with leather uppers benefit from a little |
| have the advantage of providing high levels of grip, | | | | additional time spent in cleaning, but you don't need |
| and are longer lasting. You can easily replace the | | | | to treat them with dubbin, which was the traditional |
| studs when they wear, and you can buy studs or | | | | way of looking after your boots. Nowadays there |
| blades in different lengths to suit the conditions in | | | | are many sports shoe cleaners and conditioners |
| which you are playing. The tip of the studs is often | | | | which are much easier to use and will keep your new |
| made of metal or very durable plastic and it is | | | | soccer shoes waterproof and in great shape. |
| actually this part which is known as the 'cleat.' | | | | The two most important factors in buying the right |
| If you are playing on harder surfaces, the preferred | | | | soccer shoes are the sole design and stud pattern |
| choice of soccer shoe is the firm ground type which | | | | and, of course, comfort. It is important to try several |
| generally have molded studs or cleats. Unlike | | | | pairs of cleats before making your final choice. More |
| traditional soccer boots, these do not have | | | | expensive soccer shoes will likely be made of finer |
| removable studs or blades. They provide great grip | | | | materials with additional styling features and they |
| on medium hard surfaces (dry grass, for instance) | | | | may also be slightly more comfortable when new, |
| and have become increasingly popular in recent years. | | | | but if you are on a tight budget do not always |
| Most major soccer shoe manufacturers now offer | | | | discount soccer shoes which are cheaper. Most major |
| firm ground cleats in various styles. | | | | manufacturers such as Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Umbro |
| If you play on very hard or artificial surfaces (such as | | | | and Puma produce high quality cleats to suit all |
| astroturf) you should consider hard ground soccer | | | | pockets. Before you play or train in your new boots, |
| shoes. These are easily identified by their closely | | | | try wearing them around the house for a while to |
| molded studs which usually cover the entire sole of | | | | speed the break in process and remember to avoid |
| the shoe. Whilst they are great for hard surfaces or | | | | concrete or other hard surfaces to minimise the wear |
| for playing on astroturf, hard ground boots should be | | | | on the studs or blades. |
| avoided if you are play on softer surfaces as they | | | | Good luck in buying your new cleats! |
| will not generally provide sufficient grip. | | | | |