Sports Then and Now

Baseball season is on the way and this is often the time when players start shopping for new equipment. While some cleat models might look awesome, they don’t always offer the same level of performance and might actually hurt your game. Here are some of the things you should consider when buying a new pair of cleats.

Be Careful when Buying Online

While buying online can allow you to make significant savings, there’s one thing brick and mortar sporting goods store have going for them, and that’s the ability to try the cleats yourself. If you’re going to buy online, it would be wise to try the cleats in a regular store first to see how they fit. You can also check a few reviews online and look for recommendations. Sites like Theplanetofbaseball.Com often review baseball equipment and offer buying tips as well, so that would be a good place to start.

Make Sure to take Your League’s Rules into Consideration

Before you even start thinking about buying cleats, you have to make sure that they conform to your league’s rules as well. Various leagues will have different rules as to which cleats are allowed and which ones are prohibited. For instance, some leagues will have restrictions on metal cleats and will require that all their players use rubber cleats, so be on the lookout for that.

Consider which Type of Top Works for You

Baseball shoes usually come in various shapes and sizes, but usually fall into three categories: mid-top, high-top, and low-top. These all refer to how high the top will come up your ankles. Depending on your position, this can make a huge difference.

For instance, low tops will be more lightweight, but give less ankle support, so they might not be the best choice for positions that require a lot of lateral movement, like a shortstop, for instance. High tops, on the other hand, provide much more support but aren’t the best for runners. You also have to consider previous conditions as well. If you have fragile ankles or just came off an injury, it would be wiser to go for high or mid-tops at first.

Buy Snug

Sports shoes are different than regular shoes since they were made to accommodate and facilitate quick movements while offering extra support and protection against injuries. This is why support is one of the most important things you should be looking for when choosing a pair of cleats.

Ankle sprains are a very common injury in most sports, and the risk of an ankle injury increases when you have inadequate support. If your feet are between two different sizes, the best thing to do is to go for the tighter option. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you’ll grow into the bigger ones. Tighter shoes usually loosen up as you wear them and will actually adopt the shape of your feet with time.

Conclusion

With these tips, you should be able to find the best pair of cleats for your feet. Just remember to go for safety and support first and make sure that you try any pair yourself before you make a decision.

Adrian is a lifelong thrill seeker and adrenaline junkie. A freelance sports writer, Adrian is passionate about health and fitness and pushing his body to limits. Whether he’s rambling in the beautiful Cotswolds or bunjy jumping in New Zealand, Adrian is a fervent believer in making the most of the great outdoors.