Archive for December, 2009
Cleats Size
Cleats Size
Soccer Shoes? (I Thought They Were Cleats!)
The name of the footwear used for playing soccer is commonly referred to as cleats, or in Europe, boots. However, if you are speaking of indoor soccer, it is quite proper to refer to your cleats as shoes, especially since they don’t actually have the spikes usually associated with cleats.
Indoor soccer shoes should have a non-marking rubber sole, meaning even hard use on a gym floor or other surface will not leave it worse for the wear. Many players who frequent both grassy and indoor fields refer to their indoor shoes as flats, and their traditional grass field shoes as cleats. Flat soccer shoes are also appropriate on dry artificial surfaces, even when outdoors.
Before we consider the different types of uppers available on soccer shoes, a brief explanation of what is meant by the term upper will help you in your decision process. Quite easily put, the upper is that section of the shoe which will come in constant contact with ball. Uppers can be comprised of an assortment of natural leathers and synthetic blends of leathers.
You can realize the best ‘feel’ or touch on the ball with the most expensive leather, which is Kangaroo, however, along with the high price, there are a couple of other downfalls to consider. Soccer shoes made with Kangaroo leather uppers will not last very long, and along with the sacrifice for durability, they will also require a treatment, or special coating, to help prevent water retention. That being said, though, virtually anyone who has played in Kangaroo leather will tell you it is the softest, most lightweight boot you will ever own, and the cost and other sacrifices are well worth the price for the tremendous touch on the ball.
Next in cost comes Pittards leather, which is currently only available from Puma in soccer shoes. This is a specially treated calfskin leather, which goes through a patented process to gain a water-resistant quality, also causing it to dry faster. These boots will maintain their softness longer than untreated calfskin, and also stretch less, therefore affording the player a truer fit for a longer period. These boots are not as expensive as Kangaroo leather, and do offer many fine qualities the Kangaroos lack.
Calfskin leather is the old stand by choice for soccer shoe uppers, for good reasons. It is the least expensive of the natural leathers, and yet offers great durability, and much less stretching than the Kangaroo. You do sacrifice some of the intricate touch on the ball that is so beautiful with the Kangaroo, since the calfskin uppers are heavier, however, for a beginning to mid-range player these should see the season out with no complaints.
Whatever type of shoe you ultimately choose, good fit is of the prime importance. Go to a sports store, with knowledgeable associates to assist you in choosing the correct style and size. Having your soccer socks with you for the fitting will prove invaluable. The boots need to fit closely in the heel and the toe, and do bear in mind that good leather shoes will stretch a bit. As a coach, I always advised my players to wear their new boots around the house the week before using them in a match. This enables a bit of the breaking in to begin, prior to the tough use they will see on the field.
The last shoe every player should own is a good pair of soccer sandals. These rubber slides often offer a bit of nubbing on the insole, a great cooling comfort to weary feet.
About the Author
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Bond 9215 Green Giant Spiked Aerator Shoes $7.99 Deluxe Velcro straps hold these light weight Lawn Aerator Shoes to your feet. Each step presses a dozen 2in. metal spikes into hard-packed soil and densely-packed turf. Thousands of holes create air, fertilizer, and moisture to soak into the soil. Rugged green plastic, 11 3/8in. long. Strap easily onto any adult size foot. Perfect for using when cutting the grass or raking the leaves! Aerator Typ… |
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Bostitch MIIIFN 1-1/2- to 2-Inch Pneumatic Flooring Nailer $402.25 The Bostitch MIIIFN Pneumatic Flooring Cleat Nailer lets you create professional-looking floors quickly and comfortably. Its high-speed pneumatic operation rapidly drives nails into both unfinished and pre-finished hardwood flooring, and its long-grip handle allows you to maintain a comfortable posture when working. Tackling prefinished flooring is no problem with the included adapter foot and the… |
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Dr. Scholl’s Massaging Gel Sport Insoles, Men’s Size 8-13, 1-Pair Packages (Pack of 2) $19.95 Ideal for all your Athletic shoes Running Shoes Court Shoes Sneakers Reduces stress on knees & lower body Trim to fit your size! You have…An active lifestyle! You want…Cushioning and shock absorption in your athletic shoes. You need…Dr. Scholl’s? Massaging Gel Sport Insoles. Comfort ~ Massaging Gel waves act like tiny springs to cushion feet Support ~ Arch Cradle supports your arch and provi… |
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Tuli’s Heavy Duty Heel Cups … |
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Superfeet Premium Designed Comfort for Women Insoles $44.95 Specifically designed to address the unique qualities of women’s feet and footwear, BERRY improves shoe fit and comfort for women who walk or stand for extended periods of time. Provides maximum support with a new forefoot shock pad for added comfort. Fea… |
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GSI Super Quality All-In-One Multi-Media Portable Mini Projector with RGB LED Lights – USB Interface, Connect to PC, Laptop or Notebook – SD/Memory Card Slot – Includes USB Cable and Table-Top Tripod – For Video Presentation $159.99 This newest Mini Projector from GSI Project photos, videos, and presentations from your computer. With a compact, portable design that even includes a flat-folding tripod mount, this projector is the perfect mobile accessory for business presentations. Just plug it into your laptop via USB 2.0 interface and you can project a 20 to 50-inch LED display right on to a whiteboard or projector screen wi… |
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Yaktrax Walker Large/Clear $13.90 Yaktrax Walker is the original Yaktrax version consists of spikeless/strapless secure grip, SkidLock coil system and made of specially treated steel. The SkidLock coil system stays snugly with your shoe, offering unhindered ease of movement. Coils are hand-wound in opposite directions to enhance stability. Great for pedestrians, walkers, elderly and kids. Made from injection molded plastic for e… |