With cleats seemingly getting more and more expensive with each passing year and young soccer players growing up so quickly, what is the best youth cleat to buy?
Before jumping in to the latest models, it's important to remember that soccer cleats themselves do not make a better soccer player. There are, however, two questions to consider that do end up playing an important role:
What material is used to make the cleat?
How much do the cleats cost?
For the shoe material, you usually only need to look at just two types: synthetic and leather. There are more materials used to make soccer cleats, but I believe these two materials have the best quality.
For synthetic cleats, there is no real upkeep needed, which is convenient. For leather cleats, you need to apply leather conditioner frequently so the material stays soft and does not rip. But on the positive side, leather will stretch a lot more than synthetic and will mold to your foot better than synthetic.
For the cost, you should look at buying cleats that are on sale. As you are likely already aware, kids grow very fast. They will be changing shoe sizes constantly. With soccer cleats being so expensive, most families cannot keep purchasing soccer cleats twice a year or more frequently. Therefore I recommend buying cleats that are being offered at great deals, such as the options below.
But in addition, one good strategy you can use with kids is to buy shoes that are a bit on the loose end, and have your youngster wear an extra pair of socks until his or her feet grow a little more. Also be sure to read reviews of a particular model you're interested in to see if other buyers say they run bigger or smaller compared to others. And finally, although it doesn't matter much from a functional perspective, your child might have strong preferences for a particular color or design look, so take a look at a few similar models to see what options are available.
With that, let's look at a few specific brands of youth soccer shoes from brands like Adidas, Nike and others to give you a sense of what's out there and which are the best for different situations.
1. Adidas Performance Conquisto Firm-Ground J Soccer Cleat
The Adidas Performance Conquisto Jr soccer cleat is a great cleat at a good price. It is made of synthetic material for the upper cleat. The sole has bladed studs for firm ground, but you can use them in any weather or on field turf. These cleats are a great choice or kids up to 12 years old.
- Upper Cleat: Synthetic material
- Age: Kids 12 and under
- Sole: Blade studs for firm ground
- Price: $$
2. Diadora Capitano MD JR Soccer Shoe
The Diadora Capitano MD Jr soccer cleat is a good price, but the material is just ok. It is made of polyurethane material for the upper cleat. The sole has bladed studs for firm ground, but you can use them in any weather or on field turf. These cleats are good for kids 12 years old and under.
- Upper Cleat: Polyurethane material
- Age: Kids 12 and under
- Sole: Blade studs for firm ground
- Price: $$
3. adidas Performance Messi 15.3 J Soccer Shoe
The Adidas Performance Messi 15.3 Jr soccer cleat is an excellent cleat, but is a little more on the expensive side on average. It is made of synthetic material for the upper cleat. The sole has triangle studs for firm ground, but you can use them in any weather or on field turf. These cleats, like the others already mentioned, are great for kids 12 years old and under.
- Upper Cleat: Synthetic material
- Age: Kids 12 and under
- Sole: Triangle studs for firm ground
- Price: $$$
4. Nike Kids Jr Magista Onda Fg Soccer Cleat
This Nike option is another that's a little more pricey, but it has some great features that make it a nice soccer shoe for kids who want high performance. For the basics: it's synthetic with a rubber sole. For the cleats: the round foreground cleats give good traction and the four cleat heel design helps prevent grass buildup and helps with stability. This cleat would be one of the best for those older kids who are starting to play at a higher level.
5. Vizari Retro Hearts FG Soccer Shoe
These shoes are a good choice for the budget-conscious, as they are very affordable. It's also an ideal pick for the youngest of kickers, as it offers a special Toddler size for players from ages 1-4.
The synthetic upper is durable and features unique graphics that make it a favorite for girls just starting their soccer experience.
In conclusion, there are plenty of options on the market when you're looking for soccer shoes for kids, and we hope this article has given you a few ideas for what might be right for the soccer-playing kids in your life. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask using the comments below.
