Softball Cleats

Softball cleats are more than an aesthetic addition to your game uniform. They are an integral piece of equipment specifically designed to increase your fielding and batting performance.

When Wearing Cleats

Although different fields boast different environments, most softball players find themselves performing on slippery grass or unstable diamond dirt--both of which promote skidding when fielding and base-running. Softball cleats provide much needed traction on damp grass and dry dirt. Specially placed spikes that line the external sole of these shoes not only enhance traction, but, more importantly, their placement on the sole is said to aid special fielding maneuvers.

Important Aspects of Softball Cleats

There are many things to consider when purchasing softball cleats. Overall, affordable cleats can be found for less than $50. But, not all softball cleats are made alike.

Breathability

Because softball involves moderate activity, players are likely to perspire during games. It is important for their cleats to contain measures against excessive sweating and overheating. Perspiration is likely to be as uncomfortable to the player as it is damaging to the shoe.

This is why many softball cleat manufacturers include breathable materials when designing their cleats.

Support

As with any sport that involves running and/or sprinting, softball requires shoes that will assist the sprint process. Cleats should be able to provide cushioning and stability that will streamline fast starts as you run to field balls or sprint from base to base. If you are an infield player, excessive crouching will wear away at your ankles, so it is necessary for your cleats to offer strength and a comfortable fit.

Flexibility

Every bit as important as support is the flexibility of your cleats. The design of your cleats should provide flexible soles, which are necessary for quick starts and fielding maneuvers.

Major Brands

Softball isn't just a sport for women. Many men play softball recreationally as well as organizationally. The leading brands in softball cleats will usually contain cleats for both genders. These brands include:

• Mizuno
• Easton
• Puma
• Nike
• Under Armour

Some of these cleats are designed specifically for fast pitch softball, which differs from slow-pitch games regarding the intensity of the pitch and various regulations.

Certain styles of Eason cleats can run as low as $18. However, as mentioned previously, some cleats offer more in the way of heat management. Easton's Diamond II Softball Cleats provide a cushioning sock liner, but fail to take any measures against perspiration.

For approximately $20 more, players can purchase one of Puma's cleat models that provides a breathable mesh upper as well as other fine features.

You will find that purchasing softball cleats can easily mimic buying a car when it comes to considering features and options. Puma's cleats will sometimes provide a patented iCELL technology which improves the comfort, cushioning and stability of the shoe. The presence of nine cleat spikes is described as "9-Spike technology". Items like VS-1 technology, wave technology, and Pro-Flex construction justify the $74.95 price tag on the Watley model. It's difficult to tell exactly what each of these "technologies" accomplishes in reference to player performance, but these options certainly tell the buyer that purchasing softball cleats is now a feat of research and heavy thought.

Nevertheless, unless you're a professional or a highly competitive softball player, you probably won't warrant an $80 pair of cleats.

Where to Purchase

Softball cleats can be purchased at many major sporting good stores such as Sport Chalet and Champs Sports. They can also be easily obtained online from a variety of retailers like Academy Sports. However, unless you are fully confident regarding your shoe size, it is probably best to be fitted for all types of athletic shoes in a store, as certain brands may run smaller or larger than others.

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