Are Lacrosse and Football Cleats the Same?
So, you’ve decided to double up on football and lacrosse this year—excellent call. Both are fast-paced, gritty games that test your strength and agility. You’ll love the challenge (and the rewards of cross-training).
Each sport requires lightning-quick directional changes, so cleats are a must. But lacrosse cleats and football cleats look nearly identical, which makes shopping for options a bit confusing.
This may leave you wondering: Are lacrosse and football cleats the same? Well, not quite. While there’s plenty of crossover, they’ve got different DNA tailored to each sport’s unique demands. Let’s dive into the nuances to help you score the perfect pair for each sport.
Key Features of Football Cleats
Dominating the gridiron requires deft movements and ironclad durability. Football cleats stabilize and empower you to rapidly shift directions with improved ankle mobility and better traction on both grass fields and artificial turf (ideal for dodging incoming defensive players).
Since football involves tons of impact, football cleats also feature a bit more heft and support than those used for other sports. You also won’t find any metal spikes here—they’re too dangerous for such a tackle-intensive sport. Football cleats only feature plastic and rubber.
The types of football cleats vary, depending on your position and turf conditions:
- Screw-in – With screw-in cleats, you can remove and swap out the studs with longer or shorter studs depending on field conditions. They offer excellent versatility for people who play multiple positions.
- Molded – Molded cleats feature permanent studs attached to the shoe’s base. This super simple approach keeps this variety affordable and low-maintenance for any player.
- Rubber bottom – Sometimes called “turf shoes,” rubber bottom cleats offer exceptional grip for artificial grass (but it’s best to avoid them if you mostly play on natural grass).
Whichever style you choose, football cleats provide a firm foundation and ultra-sticky traction without compromising speed. Just make sure to factor in turf and position type when making your choice.
Key Features of Lacrosse Cleats
When it comes to lacrosse, speed sets you apart. Since speed starts with the feet, lacrosse cleats feature design choices meant to lighten your load and keep you blazing past the opposition. Their lightweight build also helps keep your gas tank full; if you were lugging around clunky shoes, your endurance would certainly suffer.
Cleats protect your feet and ankles from the demands of on-field performance. Lacrosse cleats feature two main cuts, depending on how much ankle support you need:
- High-cut – With high-cut cleats, the top of the shoe extends over the entire ankle, giving high-cuts a boot-like vibe. These match best with aggressive players who need a little extra ankle armor. You do sacrifice some mobility for protection, however.
- Mid-cut – For those players looking to lean into their agility, mid-cut cleats make a solid choice. Supportive, but not overly restrictive, they’ll help you thread the needle between velocity and tendon protection.
While low-cut lacrosse cleats exist, they’re less common than in football. Players who plan to establish agility as a cornerstone of their game might consider these, but most lacrosse lifers prize the extra ankle support offered by higher cuts.
Lacrosse cleats also tend to feature broader bases. This increases the surface area in contact with the ground, leading to less slippage. And just like football cleats, lacrosse shoes feature molded, detachable, and turf-style studs tailored to various playing surfaces.
Similarities Between Football and Lacrosse Cleats
If you’re thinking football and lacrosse place similar demands on players, you’re right. That’s why their cleats share so many traits in common:
- Traction and grip – Football and lacrosse cleats serve one primary purpose: preventing injury. Both latch onto turf and keep you steady: no slipping, no sliding, no falling.
- Support and protection – Both cleat species feature low-, mid-, and high-cut support to safeguard your ankles as you dip and dive.
- Materials – Designers turn to the same pool of synthetics and leather material when crafting both football and lacrosse cleats.
- Outsoles – Football and lacrosse cleats both take a beating, and these high-impact sports can take a toll on equipment. Each cleat type also packs stiff outsoles to absorb ground impact.1
Because football and lacrosse cleats have so much in common, you might have trouble telling them apart, especially if you’re new to either sport.
Differences Between Football and Lacrosse Cleats
Don’t be fooled, though. Beneath the surface, each offers unique powers you can harness to boost your game. Football and lacrosse cleats differ in:
- Studs and patterns — Lacrosse cleats feature short, evenly spaced studs for all-around stability; meanwhile, football cleats pack longer, sharper spikes (to help keep you rooted to the ground).
- Weight and agility – Lacrosse cleats generally weigh less, so they won’t weigh you down as you run. Football cleats feature both light and heavy options, depending on your position (for example: the D line would opt for heftier soles).
- Ankle support options – High and mid tops feature heavily in lacrosse, while football cleats also include a low-cut option for cornerbacks and wide receivers.2 This helps keep them fleet of foot on long drives.
Lacrosse cleats may also include a more prominent toe spike than football shoes. This helps propel players forward.
Can You Wear Football Cleats for Lacrosse?
At this point, you may be like, “Okay, I get it, they’re different. But can I still use my football cleats for lacrosse?”
The answer is yes: If you already own a trusty pair of football spikes, you can stick with them for your lacrosse debut. A quality set will hold up just fine to the demands of the lacrosse field. But depending on the position you play, they might reveal some limitations.
Practical Considerations
Lacrosse heavily emphasizes footwork, especially on defense.3 If you’re planning on defending, bona fide lacrosse cleats will keep your feet fleet. If you stick with your football drip, however, you may have to tone it down a bit to keep your ankles safe.
Since lacrosse offense relies more on stick handling rather than footwork, football cleats can fuel your attack.
Pros and Cons of Wearing Football Cleats for Lacrosse
Before you decide to put your football spikes on double duty, it’s important to take a second and weigh the pros and cons—you obviously want to bring your A-game to every field you set foot on.
So why stick with your football duds for lacrosse? Because they’re:
- Cost-effective – If you’ve already got a faithful set of football cleats, your wallet will appreciate working them overtime on the lacrosse field. If you’ve invested in a durable, swagged-out pair: even better.
- Durable – Football ain’t for the faint of heart, so gridiron cleats come ready to take a beating. Constructed with resilient materials and rooted in thick, sturdy soles, they’ll have no trouble meeting the demands of a two-sport life.
- Supportive – Because of their beefy build, football cleats provide boatloads of support for your feet and ankles. This’ll come in handy during the lacrosse grind too. Football cleats also tend to feature more studs overall,4 which helps keep you grounded.
And why consider hanging up the football spikes in favor of some brand-spankin’ new lacrosse drip? Because football cleats:
- Might weigh you down – All that protection can bear a little more weight; and more weight equals more gravity. For blazing, blink-and-you-miss-it speed, the featherlight build of true lacrosse shoes makes you feel like your feet sprouted wings.
- Don’t match the game – While the abundant overlap between them might make the demands of football and lacrosse seem identical, they are different sports. You’re more likely to tap into your full potential using gear specifically designed for the task.
Not to mention, you’ll need to invest a bit extra to have both styles on hand. But depending on your needs, this can be well worth it.
Choosing the Right Cleats for Your Sport
Speed, agility, endurance—they all depend on your feet. And since cleats link your feet to the turf, they make or break your performance. Putting in the time to find the perfect pair can pay off big time.
As a beginner, there’s no right or wrong answer. Beyond weighing the pros and cons we’ve covered, you’ll want to take stock of your needs and playing style. Ask yourself:
- Do I plan to lead the offensive charge or hold down the fort on defense?
- Do I appreciate the reliable support of high-cut football cleats?
- Would a little breathing room liberate my running game?
Our advice: take your football cleats for a spin on the lacrosse field and see how they hold up—or vice versa. Pay close attention to where your performance is relative to where you want it to be. For many players, especially beginners, they’ll deliver all the speed you need.
But if you find your attention continually traveling to your feet (they’re uncomfortable, feel clunky, and so on) this could be a signal that it’s time to look into specialized lacrosse cleats.
Explore High-Performance Football Gear at Battle Sports
At Battle Sports, we’re all about the rush. The thrill of competition. The quest to unleash your inner champion. As athletes ourselves, we understand that football enriches your life in ways nothing else can.
That’s why we’re dedicated to providing elite football gear to fuel your journey. Whether you’re searching for the perfect set of football gloves, protective back plates, or a comfortable football mouthguard to defend those pearly whites—we’ve got you covered.
Wherever the competition takes you, stay armed for battle. We’re in your corner.
Sources:
- Hospital for Special Surgery. Do Cleats Matter? The Answer Is Yes. https://www.hss.edu/article_how-to-choose-cleats.asp
- Foot and Ankle Associates of North Texas. What You Need to Know when Buying Football Cleats. https://www.faant.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-when-buying-football-cleats.cfm
- Brooklyn Lacrosse. Positions. https://www.brooklynlacrosse.org/positions
- HMP Global Network. Advising Parents on Choosing the Right Cleat for Young Athletes. https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/podiatry/sports-medicine/advising-parents-choosing-right-cleat-young-athletes