Spring is here, and there’s no better time to dust off the old cleats and get yourself down to the local soccer pitch for a kickabout. Come rain or shine, firm ground or soft, real turf or artificial, there’s a shoe for every occasion.
But once you’ve settled on your soleplate, what kind of boot do you really want for comfort? Gone are the days when everyone had a solid leather number hitched to their feet, with both knitted and synthetic varieties as much the rage these days.
All three can offer something different to the wearer, from flexibility in the challenge to all-around comfort when racing down the wing to ping across that all-important pass for the last-gasp winner.
GOAL breaks it down to tell you just what you can get – and what you might want – from your boot in order to know you are choosing the right material for your game.
What are the differences between knitted, leather & synthetic soccer cleats?
With three main material styles to choose from, there are key differences to note between knitted, leather and synthetic structures when it comes to cleats.
Knitted boots, fairly recent to the market, are designed to be as lightweight as possible, and are constructed from a microfibre weave that allows for minimal pressure and weight around the foot, particularly across the top. They are great for speed and attackers.
Leather boots, a veteran staple of the sport, offer a durable design that has stood the test of time across the game’s history. They are wrought with natural material, with calfskin and kangaroo among the most commonplace bases. They are great for protection and defenders.
Synthetic boots, made from non-natural material, give something of a middle ground between the old and the new. They are considerably thinner than real leather and do not stretch out with use, keeping a tight structural shape around the foot. They are great for control and midfielders.
Which type of cleats do Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo wear?
One of the best places to gain inspiration when it comes to deciding what kind of soccer cleats you want is from the pitch. Nowadays, players often advertise and collaborate with brands they are signed to for special cleat collections. If you want a closer look at what soccer cleats your favorite stars are donning, we have put together a guide where you can find all the information you need in one place.
Which soccer cleats are the best? Knitted, leather or synthetic?
Ultimately, there is no best soccer cleat material to have as it is essentially dependent on the individual. Knitted cleats will offer the pace and flexibility desired by offensive players, but come with the trade-off of minimal protection. Conversely, leather cleats will last longer and will bring weight to your performance, but that comes with the caveat of potentially cumbersome action.
As such, we recommend that all are good, but are dependent on personal preference, position, and pitch - and only the buyer will be able to know what they want with those parameters.
