11 Best Softball Cleats Available In The Market In 2024
Specialty: Physical EducationExperience: 27 yearsJustin Cahill has been a physical education teacher for over 27 years and currently works at Trinity School, Atlanta. He is also the founder of keepingkidsinmotion.com, a website full of videos, ideas, lessons, and thoughts on how to keep kids active in a device-driven world.
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tikendrajit pegu wedetso chirhah deyasini biswas Deyasini holds a bachelor's honors degree in English Literature from Jadavpur University and a postgraduate diploma in Advanced Fashion Styling from the London College of Style. She has three years of experience in the fashion industry, working as an editorial and product stylist, following which she has chosen to return to her roots in the language arts as a commerce content writer at MomJunction.
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In This Article
If breaking a sweat while playing softball interests you, you should purchase a pair of cleats. If you wear a pair of the best softball cleats while on the field, it will help you with amazing traction and ensure great comfort. It’ll definitely make all the difference!
Softball is a game played on fields with grass and dirt, and that needs great traction and stability, which are essential for a good softball game. There is also a lot of pressure and quick movement of the feet while playing softball, which necessitates the use of good softball cleats.
If you’re exploring the right cleats, check out this list of some best-selling and tried-and-tested options known for their quality craftsmanship. The list can be your perfect guide to shortlist and pick from the different types of softball cleats available in the market. You can eventually pick the one that works the best for you.
Top Picks
11 Amazing Softball Cleats
1. Best Fresh Foam Comfort: New Balance Women’s Velo V1 Softball Shoe
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has gained over 1,071 positive reviews on Amazon, making it an all-time best-seller.
With its Velcro feature, this pair of softball shoes by the trusted brand New Balance is designed to offer proper flexibility in the forefront and stability in the back. The special feature of these flexible cleats is their high traction, provided by a full-length fresh foam midsole that is super soft and maintains breathability. It is a game-changer for players who love softball. To make an informed decision, watch this product testing video by a reviewer.
Pros
- Provides stability
- Synthetic texture limits ripping
- Comes with a lace cage
- Breathable material
Cons
- Might get dirty easily because of the light color
"These durable shoes have enhanced my son’s performance by ensuring a comfortable fit even when he is running around. Its metal cleats took some time to break in but have been excellent for stability. Just remember to size up if your little one likes wearing thick socks."
2. Best Choice For A Sporty Look: Nike Women’s Hyperdiamond Softball Cleat
Great looking, trendy, and sporty, the Hyperdiamond Softball Cleat for women by the trusted brand Nike is designed for comfort. These infielder shoes come in classic colors of black, white, and gray. Buy it for yourself or your daughter and rock the stylish sporty girl look.
Pros
- Brand credibility
- Comfortable softball cleat
- Provides stability
Cons
- Might be expensive
3. Best Impact Protection: Nike Women’s Hyperdiamond Low Molded Softball Cleat
Versatile, supportive and durable, this is one of Nike’s most loved softball cleats. It provides full-length cushioning and protection from impact on the field. These women’s softball spikes come with tried-and-tested blades that offer enhanced traction.
Pros
- Brand credibility
- Superior-quality synthetic upper
- Rubber outsole for durability
- Maintains a natural range of motion
- Blades placed strategically to provide maximum traction
Cons
- A little pricey
New Balance Women’s Velo V1 Softball Shoe | Nike Women’s Hyperdiamond Softball Cleat | Nike Women’s Hyperdiamond Low Molded Softball Cleat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13.2 x 8 x 4.65 inches | - | - |
| Weight | 12 Ounces | - | 12 Ounces |
| Color | - | Black/Black | - |
| Material | - | Rubber | - |
| Package Dimensions | - | - | 13.5 x 9.1 x 4.7 inches |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 1,071 | - | 1 |
| Price | $29.94 | $99.95 | - |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
4. Best Performance: Nike Women’s Lunar Hyperdiamond 2 Pro Fastpitch Softball Cleats
With metal spikes that give you the best grip, the Nike Women’s Lunar Hyperdiamond Fastpitch Softball Cleats have one of the most amazing softball cleats designs. These fastpitch cleats come in a gray, white, and black color combination and are known for their quality craftsmanship.
Pros
- Brand credibility
- Metal spikes
- Hard grip
- High quality
Cons
- No other color is available
"These shoes offer solid traction on the field, giving a competitive edge to my performance. I like the low-cut design, and this pair provides adequate ankle support. It's a tad wide but fits well with my thicker socks."
Quick factMetal cleats are utilized at the highest levels because they are lighter than rubber cleats, permit faster speed, and stronger hold, allowing for tighter pivots and quicker turns.
5. Best Cushioning: Mizuno Women’s Spike Swift Softball Cleat
With the ability to enhance fastpitch and featuring metal spikes, these cleats offer superior traction and an enhanced level of comfort. Mizuno Wave technology provides great cushioning and stability, making these grip-enhancing shoes suitable for various sports.
Pros
- Design supports superior traction
- Made to provide immense comfort
- Metal spikes outsole for vast grip
- Suitable for multiple sports
Cons
- Might not be highly durable
6. Best Supportive: Mizuno Women’s 9 Spike Swift 4 Fast Pitch Metal Softball Cleat
With a combination of rubber and synthetic, these softball cleats make one of the most amazing shoes for women who love softball. This softball gear comes in a combination of black and yellow, and the metal cleats give you good support and grip on the field.
Pros
- Attractive
- Affordable
- Soft and comfortable
Cons
- Might not be durable
7. Best Lightweight: Adidas Performance Women’s PowerAlley Softball Cleat
These shoes look super cool with their gradient gloss shockwave graphic and come with an iron skin toe cap to prevent abrasion in the toe-drag area. Although they look like rough-day shoes, these lightweight cleats come with a lite strike EVA midsole and an ortholite sock liner and meet quality assurance standards.
Pros
- External heel clip support
- Lightweight outsole
- Odor resistance
- Provides lightweight cushioning
- Brand credibility
Cons
- Might feel bulky
"I find these cleats surprisingly durable. They feel pretty comfortable to wear and let me move freely. Although getting the right size was tricky, I'm pretty pleased with them."
8. Best Absorption: Under Armour Women’s Glyde Softball Shoe
Made with durable synthetic and a lightweight sole, these softball cleats provide sneaker-like comfort with its padded collar for ankles. These sports cleats have an EVA midsole for ultimate cushioning, shock absorption, and cleat dispersion.
Pros
- Increased comfort
- Extra toe protection
- Durability
- Aggressive traction
- Lightweight
- Offers superior comfort
Cons
- Size might vary
9. Best For Fastpitch Players: Mizuno Advanced Finch Franchise Softball Cleat
Perfect for a fastpitch, these softball cleats are one of a kind. They come with a high-end rubber sole for durability and offer a full-length midsole for comfort. These tried-and-tested, compact softball field shoes are specially designed for elite level fastpitch players.
Pros
- Superior comfort
- Long-lasting durability
- Suitable for all fields
- Affordable
Cons
- May not be long-lasting
"This pair has been a solid option for my daughter, withstanding multiple games a week without damage. It's stylish, complementing her training outfits. Also, it's great on grass and sand."
TriviaIn 1926, the sport was named “softball” as the ball at the time was soft. The game gained popularity after a competitive game of softball was hosted at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933.
10. Best For Lightweight Traction: Under Armour Women’s Glyde TPU Softball Shoe
Made with 100% synthetic material, these women’s softball cleats are unique because they come with padded collars. This athletic footwear has cleats placed under the heel and forefoot to support lightweight traction and even distribution of cleat pressure.
Pros
- Shock absorption
- Superior cushioning
- Sneaker-like comfort
- Lightweight sole
- Durable softball cleat
Cons
- White color might get dirty fast
11. Best Odor-Resistant: Adidas Women’s PowerAlley 2W Softball Cleat
The Adidas softball cleats come with an external heel clip for stability and proper fit. This high-performance footwear also has an ortholite sock liner that provides resistance to odor and supreme cushioning. So, if you’re looking for something stylish and sturdy, this softball cleat is a great option for you.
Pros
- Midfoot stability
- Great linear traction
- Offers exceptional game comfort
- Excellent rotational traction
- Brand credibility
- Enhanced cushioning
Cons
- Size might run small
Types Of Cleats
The key to buying a good pair of softball cleats is to choose the kind of material and stud length that suits your needs depending on the position you play. Another important factor to consider is your level of speed and stability. So, here are the three basic types of softball cleats:
1. Metal cleats
These cleats have metal studs and provide superior traction. Several elite pitchers and players have cleats with metal studs because of their intense performance ability. With blade-shaped studs that are pointed in different directions, metal cleats secure the traction during all kinds of movements, be it forward or lateral. The blades are slightly rounded at the edges which ensures a firm grip.
However, metal studs do not suit all types of fields because they tend to dig too deep into the dirt. This firm grip may sometimes get the cleats stuck to the ground which can cause severe ankle and knee injuries. These softball cleats may also be hard on the feet.
2. Molded cleats
Molded softball cleats are made of rubber or TPU. The outsole of your shoe extends to form the studs which are placed wider with deep grooves to enable good traction. Depending on the brand, the number of studs and their arrangement differs. If you are playing on grass or wet ground, molded cleats are your go-to option because the short rubber studs provide great traction. They are also more comfortable for long games as compared to metal cleats.
These softball cleats are stable and strong but tend to get worn out faster. They may also cause you to slip in the infield or batting box because they do not dig too deep into the dirt, like the metal cleats.
3. Turf training shoes
Perfect for your training and practice, these softball cleats can be used in batting cages where cleats are not allowed. These turf shoes come with rubber soles and shallow patterns that form the studs. Buying a pair of turf training softball shoes is a good idea because it can be used for practice to play and field training on artificial grass and hard surfaces. Training with these shoes also helps maintain the cleats’ durability.
How To Choose The Right Softball Cleats?
Every individual’s need differs when it comes to softball cleats, but we have a few general tips for you to help you choose the right one. We’re merely giving you a few ideas here, rather than rules for purchase. While choosing the perfect cleat depends solely on your need and skill level, the first thing to consider when purchasing your cleats is to check the rules of your league. Some leagues state that metal cleats are allowed but not all of them follow this stance. Another factor you should keep in mind is the stud height and stud location because these particulars are regulated in various leagues. Therefore, we recommend that you make yourself familiar with your league regulations before deciding on your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I wear baseball cleats for softball?
That would depend on the tournament or league rules. Certain leagues may be particular about the cleats being rectangular and not more than 3/4th inches long for softball. Also, baseball cleats may have broader toe boxes than their softball counterparts.
2. Are metal or rubber cleats better for softball?
Initially, metal cleats were reserved only for baseball. Later, their use was extended to softball in some tournaments. In the end, the selection process is also influenced by the terrain you will play on. For example, most metal cleats may not be suitable on concrete surfaces. Also, children may not be encouraged to use metal cleats for safety concerns.
3. Why do softball players wear metal cleats?
Even if the field is unkempt or wet, metal cleats perform well on grass playing fields. Also, metal cleats dig well into the ground, thus making them good options during the rainy season.
4. Are plastic or metal cleats better?
A lot depends on the type of surface you’ll be playing on, your expertise level, and your age. Often, metal cleats provide more traction and are more versatile. Molded cleats could be more suitable for beginners.
5. At what age can children wear metal cleats?
The age limit could vary from one tournament to another. Most leagues allow teens to wear metal cleats.
6. What size softball cleats should I get?
The size that provides a snug fit while allowing enough room for your toes to wiggle a bit is ideal. Consider thick-tongued cleats, as they restrict the entry of dirt into the shoe and keep the laces tied for longer.
The Bottom Line
Since softball fields are a combination of grass and dirt, softball cleats are a must-have for improved performance. Softball cleats offer the grip and traction you need on the ground while at the sport. They’re also designed to be comfortable while offering stability to ensure you can focus better on the game. They feature metal and rubber cleats, and while metal cleats offer superior traction, you can settle for rubber cleats if you’re new to the sport. Our list of the best softball cleats brings you all options while focusing on comfort to suit your needs. It includes the high-traction New Balance Women’s Velo V1 Softball Shoe, the versatile Mizuno Women’s Spike Swift Softball Cleat, and the Mizuno Advanced Finch Franchise Softball Cleat with superior cushioning.
Infographic: How To Care For Softball Cleats?
Softball cleats are essential footwear designed specifically for the sport, providing traction and stability on the field. However, it is crucial to give them proper care to ensure their longevity and maximize their performance potential. Refer to the infographic below to learn how to clean and maintain softball cleats.
Illustration: The Bridal Box Design Team
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