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Youth baseball players perform explosive movements and fast turns. For stability when performing these feats, they need cleats with excellent traction and comfort. However, not every cleat will have these qualities. With the many designs and specifications the shoes come with, it can be challenging to choose the right one for your child. That’s why I compiled this list of the best youth baseball cleats. Read to the end and pick that suitable pair for your young baseball player.
Comparison of Table
Image | Product Names | Editor's Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIKE Boy's Vapor Ultrafly Keystone | [usr 4.8] |  |
| Adidas Kids' Freak X Carbon Mid | [usr 4.7] | |
| New Balance J4040V3 | [usr 4.7] | |
| Mizuno Youth Franchise 7 Mid | [usr 4.6] | |
| Under Armour Kids'Boys'Leadoff Low RM Jr. | [usr 4.4] | |
| NIKE Kids' Huarache 2KFilth | [usr 4.4] | |
| Adidas Changeup MD 3 | [usr 4.3] | |
Review Section: Best Youth Baseball Cleats
Under Armour Kids’ Boys’ Leadoff Low RM Jr.
This cleat is designed to give you unmatched traction and comfort. With it, you will run, make abrupt stops and turns without the fear of slipping or injury. It’s also built to allow air to reach your feet for coolness.
The cleat’s upper is made from synthetic material, making it not only low cost but also lightweight enough not to burden your legs. With a meshed tongue, the level of ventilation you get provides for comfortable wear without too much sweating of the feet. It allows you to wear it for extended periods without discomfort.
The midsole is cushiony enough to absorb the pressure that may be produced by the rubber studs, dissipating it to prevent discomfort. It’s a cleat your child will find fantastic to play in, regardless of the position they hold in the game.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Mesh tongue that offers adequate ventilation and support | Problem fitting wider feet |
NIKE Boy’s Vapor Ultrafly Keystone
If you’re searching for a cleat that offers stability to make movements swift and effortless, this one could be it. It features 12 cleats on its outer sole for optimum grip. The studs are molded rubber which means you can use the shoe on any surface. It also means they are not prone to wearing out easily, giving you a durable baseball outfit that your child will wear for long.
Apart from the studs that are long-lasting, the upper part is durable synthetic leather. The leather provides a comfortable material that’s also lightweight for improved agility. It also makes the cleat highly durable.
This shoe also offers excellent protection from injury when playing on hard surfaces. It features a Phylon midsole that cushions your forefoot and the toes from stud pressure during play. You will make strong and heavy moves with the shoe and not feel pain.
To further provide you with a snug fit, the shoe features a full bootie design. The sock-like feel you get from this feature makes your legs and feet to achieve coordination. As a result, your movements become swifter and more precise.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
12 cleat runner outer sole for stability and swifter movement | Too few designs available |
Adidas Kids’ Freak X Carbon Mid
For quality and durability, this product from Adidas ranks high. Apart from fantastic traction for stability, it’s highly durable. Your child will wear it for many days and still remain in top condition, resisting the harshness of the field.
The upper part is made from quality Nubuck leather. This leather is soft, with a feel that’s velvety. It makes the cleat comfortable to play in. The leather also features tiny perforations to improve the cleat’s breathability. You will play for hours in it without feeling hot or sweaty inside the shoes.
To cushion your feet against the pressure produced by the studs, it features a comfortable midsole. The baseball cleat also allows you to use it on any field and still have it maintain its traction capabilities. It comes with an outer rubber sole for improved grip of the ground and durability.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quality Nubuck leather upper part for comfort and durability | Little support for the ankle |
Mizuno Youth Franchise 7 Mid
This cleat is both comfortable and lightweight to allow you quick movements. It also grips the ground well to prevent slipping. This is in addition to its elegant design that no youth can resist.
It comes with a 9 spike outsole, allowing you enough stability to make you agile. On top of it is a molded rubber material that performs well on any surface. It’s also a material that won’t wear out quickly, giving you a cleat that lasts for long.
With a padded tongue, the comfort you achieve with this shoe is unrivaled. Your feet won’t feel pain even when you’ve been playing for hours.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Padded tongue for comfort | The sole is a bit too soft |
New Balance J4040V3
This New Balance Cleat gives offer you both style and comfort. It will significantly improve performance and prevent injury to the feet. It’s a durable shoe, made from quality materials that can withstand the tough conditions of the field.
The outer sole is a synthetic rubber with enough traction to allow you to start and break with ease. You can play with it on grass and dirt fields without it losing efficiency. It makes it a cleat worth considering.
The upper part of the shoe is made from a comfortable synthetic material that won’t scrape or press on your feet. The comfort it accords you allows you to wear it for long periods of time. You’re unlikely to feel uncomfortable as to affect your movement when playing.
With a cushiony insole, you will step with confidence and jump without the worry about injury. For enhanced comfort, the cleat features a lace-up closure mechanism so you can tighten the laces to have a firm fit.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Comfortable and durable synthetic upper part | Only one color scheme-black-to choose from |
Adidas Changeup MD 3
This youth baseball cleat from Adidas makes a great choice for many reasons. It not only comes with features that ensure comfort and traction but also style. Its elegant design will make your child fall for it.
To make it breathable for comfort, Adidas added a perforated toe box and a mesh tongue. The combination produced a shoe so comfortable and non-sweaty that you can play in under any weather.
On top of it comes a lace-up design that allows you to snug up the cleat to your preferred level of fit. It also allows you to wear the shoe even if you have narrow feet and still achieve a snug fit.
The insole is a molded foam material that offers you great cushioning. The cleat also comes with a cushiony rear midsole for added comfort and to protect you from stud pressure.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Synthetic rubber outer sole that's durable and all-surface | Too narrow for those with wider feet |
NIKE Kids’ Huarache 2KFilth Keystone Mid
If you’re looking for cleats that are stylish and highly comfortable, this model could fit your search. It’s made to offer elegance to the wearer. This is on top of providing for a fitting, breathable, and cushiony shoe. Your child will instantly like it.
Featuring a low cut design, you will find this shoe not a burden to wear. The synthetic rubber doesn’t only feel soft to your feet for comfort but is also durable. You won’t be throwing away the shoe for a long time to come.
It also comes with a mesh tongue for aeration. It means the inside will remain ventilated to prevent the discomfort caused by heat. It also prevents sweating as you move about during a game.
For enhanced traction and longer life, the outer sole is solid rubber, with 12 cleats that are uniquely spaced. The level of stability you derive from this shoe is unmatched, not to mention its durability.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Low-cut design for style | Too narrow for those with wider feet |
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The kind of best youth baseball cleats you get your child matter a lot. If good enough, their performance will improve. If poor quality, it may result in painful feet from inadequate cushioning or misfit. The result would be a drop in performance. Poor quality cleats will also become damaged after a few days of use.
The baseball shoes in this list were picked after extensive research. By choosing a cleat for your child from the list, you’re assured of its comfort and durability.
Best Youth Baseball Cleats: Buyer’s Guide & FAQS
A baseball player is always on the move when on the pitch. The players feet are rarely in a standstill position as the players have to track down fly balls, leg out base hits and prepare their bodies to make swings. With the right cleats, it becomes easy to unleash your best potential when on the pitch. There are several crucial aspects worth considering when choosing the most ideal cleat for yourself. Here are a few tips on choosing the right cleats:
What Are The Materials Used For Youth Baseball Cleats
Baseball cleats are made using different materials that vary considerably from each other in respect to quality, uniqueness and durability. The best youth cleats to purchase are those made from genuinely durable material. Most high-end cleats are made using a combination of synthetic leather and mesh. This combination produces excellent durability while ensuring that the cleat is breathable for a comfortable fit. Synthetic leather boasts of improved water resistance thereby making the cleats ideal for rainy and muddy cleats.
Ankle Support
Baseball cleats are divided into 3 sub-categories; high, mid and low tops. The difference in these types lies in the support they provide to the ankle. For starters, high-tops provide extra support as they extend high above the ankle. However, these cleats can restrict movement but are crucial in preventing injuries to the ankle. For players whose priority is speed (not stability), low top cleats come in handy. Mid tops are designed for players seeking to enjoy both speed and ankle support. The choice of either of these types depends on the players preferences.
How should Baseball Cleat Fit?
A perfectly fitting cleat is usually comfortable and gentle to the feet. Depending on your feet size, you should only opt for a cleat that allows up to a quarter-inch length from the toe. Additionally, the heel should have a snugly fit. Avoid choosing cleats that are either too large or too small for your feet. Such cleats are bound to be uncomfortable and will most likely hinder your performance on the pitch. A perfectly fitting cleat provides you with the much-needed support that will allow you to run across the pitch conveniently.
The easiest way to identify whether a baseball cleat fits perfectly is by ensuring that there is no pain, pressure points or any other discomfort when you wear the cleat. After fitting the cleat, try running or walking in the cleats to assess the level of comfort in the cleat. It is worth noting that cleats with Velcro straps are the best since they are easy to adjust and fit.
What Are The Types Of Baseball Cleats?
One of the greatest decisions you can ever make when choosing a baseball cleat is deciding the type of cleat to settle for. The main types of cleats include:
Molded Cleats
These cleats feature a strong, solid and versatile construction. These cleats come with non-removable studs and are a perfect choice for all levels of players. The cleats can be worn on any playing surface as the high number of studs on the cleats lessen pressure thereby providing for comfortable fits.
Metal Cleats
Most professional baseball players prefer metal cleats to any other types. These cleats offer firm traction on any surface including concrete turfs. The metal spikes on the cleats penetrate the ground easily thereby providing sufficient grip when running or pacing up the pitch. For purposes of safety concerns, these cleats are commonly used in high school and collegiate baseball leagues.
TPU Cleats
These cleats closely resemble molded cleats with only difference being in that TPU cleats feature a harder plastic spike material rather than rubber-like in molded cleats. The studs in TPU cleats are impact-resistant and provide sufficient comfort. The cleats are light thereby making them a perfect choice for youthful players.
What Are The Best Cleats For Each Position?
The position you play has a great influence on the ideal baseball cleat to purchase. For base stealers, flexible cleats are the perfect choice as they allow the player to swiftly move from one base to the next. Defensive specialists should opt for cleats with multi-directional capacity.
Infielders
When deciding between plastic and metal cleats, infielders need to make the right cleat decision depending on the pitch they will be playing on. For compact and dense pitches, plastic studs may hold excessive dirt and hence the infielders may find the cleats to be problematic. For such fields, infielders will find metal cleats to be the best option.
Outfielders
If you are playing on a neatly maintained outfield that is lush and firm, it is recommendable to wear cleats with metal spikes. This is because such cleats do not pick up large grass patches like molded cleats can. Additionally, the cleats will provide you with a stable and firm stance.
Pitchers
A pitchers push-off foot helps the player a lot in throwing powerful and strong balls. If a cleat doesnt provide the best stability for the pitcher, it will be hard for the player to make perfect pitches. Metal studded cleats provide the much-needed stability that pitchers require. A plastic cleat may not be the best choice for pitchers playing lush fields.
Who Makes The Best Baseball Cleats?
Most players do not realize that baseball cleat brands are not equal. Some brands are superior than the others in terms of the quality, uniqueness, reliability and dependability of the cleats they make. The top brands for these cleats include Mizuno, Adidas, New Balance, Nike, New Balance, and Under Armour baseball cleat brands.  These brands are known to make superior quality cleats that come with superior quality spikes and comfortable design. There are also other less-popular brands that make reliable cleats in the market. Therefore, it is advisable to research on the internet for the best quality cleats within your budget.
There are arguably limitless brands and makes of baseball cleats in the market presently. However, not all of these cleats boast of the best quality and designs thus making it necessary for you to conduct a search on the ideal cleat for you. Ask for references online or from baseball coaches and players on the best cleat for you.
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