Well, the one thing that is easily going to separate a great soccer player from an average one is how he is able to feel the ball on his foot. Clearly, if your cleats are too big for your feet, you won’t be able to feel the ball at all. Do you want any inaccurate touches on the field? Definitely not. Therefore, it is essential that you choose cleats that are of just the right size: neither too big, nor too small.
Your Soccer Cleats – An Extension Of Your Body
Yes, this is where the angle of the fit comes into play. Your soccer cleats should fit your feet very much like a glove fits a hand. They should feel like an extension of your body. Remember, a nice snug fit is very different from a tight fit. This is what experts consider the foundation of proper control over every part of the player’s foot. Also, how tight you want the cleat to fit on your feet is primarily a matter of personal preference. You won’t be able to get in contact with the ball if there is too much air between your foot and the cleat.
Therefore, several popular soccer players choose to wear cleats that are around half a size smaller than their usual shoes / sneakers. Ideally you should always go for a size that is around 1/4th of an inch longer than your largest foot and not more than that. This is also because if the cleats are too big for a player, it can pose a risk of injury to their feet.
Trying Out New Cleats Before Playing – Does More Time With Them Mean A Better Grip?
Experienced soccer players are of the opinion that the best way to stretch out your soccer cleats is to wear them for at least 15 to 30 minutes. The longer you wear your cleats the better fit you will be able to get from them. Begin by wearing them for short periods of time. You can always go for a little jog or a 15-minute walk in the park. Kick the ball or maybe play a little with the neighborhood kids. This will help you get a feel of the cleats and you will be able to pay attention to and spot specific areas of the cleats that hurt your feet or maybe grow uncomfortable as the day passes by. It is advised to stop every and any kind of activity the moment you start feeling any pain or notice any blisters.
Lightweight Soccer Cleats – Durability At Stake
A lot of players tend to think that lightweight soccer cleats are more “malleable.” They are of the opinion that these cleats will grow to fit better over a period of time because of their lightweight construction. Lightweight means less material has been used to construct the boots. This also means that the durability of the product is very likely compromised. You should expect your cleats to last you for at least two seasons; anything less than that is just not acceptable. Moreover, lightweight cleats will never offer you enough support. So, try to stay away from such products.
Applying Vaccine To Fit Cleats Better
There will always be a few spots on the soccer cleats that would more likely be rubbing on your foot in the wrong manner. Using a bit of petroleum jelly on that area of the foot might help. This little lubrication should help you in case your cleats are a bit too snug for your liking. A few days with a lubricant/ petroleum jelly inside your new cleats should be enough to soften the shoes and help you get rid of the initial discomfort.
Material That Fits Your Needs – Soccer Cleats By Category
Without a doubt, the best material available for soccer cleats is kangaroo leather. It has been used for making these boots for many decades. However, for you to be able to pick the right material that suits you is going to depend largely on what purpose you wish to solve such as:
Comfort
If you are looking for a higher degree of comfort, go for kangaroo leather and knit mold.
Weight
Any synthetic material and knit will always be lighter than traditional leather and ideal for you if you are looking for something lightweight.
Durability
If durability matters to you, kangaroo leather and synthetic would suit you the best.
Protection
Both kangaroo and calf leather and synthetic materials are going to give you good protection for a long time.
Price
Cleats made from synthetic and knit are usually more economical than leather ones.
Ball Touch
Look for a thin material such as kangaroo leather and knit for an overall better ball touch.
So, there you have it. It is not really a matter of how tight or loose your cleats are but how comfortable you feel in them. If they are snug enough and give you the right ball touch, you are good to go and ready to play.
