When buying football cleats there are a number of things to consider.
First, why do you need a cleat, well cleats are an essential part of your playing equipment - even if you are just a weekend warrior. Football cleats give you superior traction when making cuts and jumping, but not all football cleats are made equal. Because cleats are made differently for different sports, but also position by position.
Next, let's focus on football cleats and what you need to keep in mind when buying.
Shoe Style
Football cleats come in 3 different shoe styles: high-tops, mid-cut and low-cut. High-tops are just that... High. The shoe extends all the way above the ankle and provide extra support for side-to-side movement. Of course what you gain in support you may give up in maneuverability, so keep that in mind. Mid-cut football cleats don't completely cover the ankle but they do give additional support. This style is usually used by the skill players: running backs, wide receivers and defensive backs. Low-cut are cut below the ankle and are chosen due to their extreme light weight. They provide great maneuverability, but very little support. If you select a low-cut cleat you may need to use ankle braces as well.
Cleat Type
There are two type of cleats: molded and detachable. The molded cleat is permanently connected to the shoe. This type can be worn on most any type of surface, and can double as a multi-purpose cleat. Detachable cleats are studs that are screwed into the cleat and can be removed if the cleat is worn down or to insert a different size or shape of cleat. Typically detachable cleats are only worn on grass. Remember, if you select a detachable cleat you need to purchase the proper cleat accessory to remove the cleat studs.
Finally, no matter what your position or skill level, you should take some time when select your football cleat. The cleat doesn't make the player... But it is close.
