Metal Vs. Plastic Cleats

When playing sports like soccer, football and baseball, cleats are essential (and typically required) gear for optimizing performance on the field and providing stability. The type of cleat material--metal or plastic--depends on where you plan on playing your sport and how hard you are on your cleats, though certain sports tend to favor one material or the other.

  1. Metal Cleats

    • Metal cleats, most common for baseball and football players, are designed to dig into hard surfaces and provide necessary traction.

      All-metal cleats (molded metal cleats) are usually costlier than molded plastic cleats.

      Metal cleats are not to be worn on concrete surfaces, as concrete can wear the metal cleats down and create dangerous sharp edges, which are prohibited to be worn on the field as this is a significant safety hazard.

    Plastic Cleats

    • Molded plastic cleats are typically worn on the soccer field, as metal cleats are banned in many soccer associations, though baseball and softball players may also opt to purchase plastic cleats.

      Molded plastic cleats are more convenient than molded metal cleats, because are allowed to be worn on both the field and on the concrete areas that may surround the field.

      Another type of plastic cleat is a turf shoe, a plastic cleat with less defined individual cleats that is designed to be worn on an Astroturf and similar surfaces.

    Interchangeable Cleats

    • Interchangeable cleats--typically designed for baseball or softball--feature cleats that screw off and can be replaced. Interchangeable cleats can save money, since cleats that wear down can be replaced without replacing the entire shoe. Interchangeable baseball cleats can use both metal or plastic screw-on cleats, offering versatility.

      Another plus for interchangeable cleats is that you can buy different-sized cleats for different surfaces without having to purchase a whole new set of cleats.

    Safety Concerns

    • Most children's leagues for all three sports will not allow metal cleats due to safety concerns. Little League players are banned from wearing metal cleats, and are asked to purchase plastic (or interchangeable) cleats instead.

      Soccer cleats are by and large made of plastic because of the danger of being kicked with a metal cleat.