Soccer and football have plenty in common—so much so that they share a name in Europe. They’re both played on large fields, involve lots of running, and are adored by fans around the globe.
Due to these similarities, you may think that football and soccer cleats are essentially the same—but they’re actually different in a lot of key ways. Choosing the right cleat for the right sport is crucial to boosting your performance, maximizing your comfort, and preventing injury.
Let’s explore the differences between football cleats vs. soccer cleats to see what makes them unique. Lace-up—it’s time to put the pitch up against the pigskin!
Key Differences Between Football and Soccer Cleats
The main variations between soccer and football cleats reflect the main differences in their players. Consider soccer players for a moment—they’re usually light, agile, speedy, and athletic. While you’ll find equally fit players out on the gridiron, American footballers tend to be larger, heavier, stronger, and more muscular.
Due to their larger size and the more aggressive nature of the sport, football players’ cleats are also stronger and more robust. How exactly? Let’s hit the field and find out.
Overall Design
When a soccer player takes the pitch, they’re geared up for 90 or more minutes of all-out running, jumping, and sliding. There are few stoppages in action, no timeouts, and zero pre-hut huddles. Due to this consistent cardio and fast pace of play, their cleats are more suited for all-out running, enhanced speed, and optimal agility. They’re:
- Sleek
- Lightweight
- Relatively thin
- Flexible
On the other hand, American footballers are ready for battle when they hit the field. The sport features more instantaneous action with plenty of explosive tackles, blocks, and other hits. Since football is a full-contact sport, its cleats are made with safety in mind. In comparison to soccer cleats, they’re:
- Heavier
- Sturdier
- More padded
This added weight and padding protects players’ feet and ankles while still allowing them to run at full speed, turn in an instant, and perform their best. They’re also better at absorbing the shock of impacts, shielding sensitive toes, and keeping players’ feet safe from the large threats looming across the line of scrimmage.1 Know that it's vital to understand how to break in football cleats to benefit fully from these advantages.
Stud Patterns and Traction
When you flip any pair of cleats to reveal the bottom, you’ll see a series of bumps known as studs. These studs dig into the ground to increase your traction as you walk, jog, or run down the field. Pretty much every athletic shoe used in outdoor professional sports has studs, and their patterns are unique to the demands of their game.
If you turn a pair of soccer cleats around, you’ll notice a series of small, closely-placed studs lining the bottom. This collection of bumps allows for the quick, agile movements commonplace in a game of soccer.
When you look at the bottom of a football cleat, you’ll find fewer studs than their soccer counterparts. These studs are also usually:
- Thicker
- Longer
- Further apart than those on soccer cleats
These bigger studs allow football players to dig into the field and physically stand up to opposing players. They also improve their overall stability and traction on the ground.
Another noticeable difference in stud patterns in football cleats vs soccer cleats is found on the toe. Football cleats have a dedicated toe cleat to dig in with and lean on during moments of contact.
Since soccer players are constantly kicking, however, a toe cleat could potentially catch on the ground and cause injuries—which is why they’re not included on their boots. In fact, toe cleats are outright banned in most professional soccer leagues for their potential to harm the wearer and other players.2
Ankle Support and Collar Height
One of the most noticeable differences between football and soccer cleats is their collar height. Almost all soccer cleats are low-cut shoes ending at the ankle area. This allows for the full ankle mobility players need to sprint, jump, and kick with ease.
Football cleats, on the other hand, come in a variety of collar heights. Generally, there are three styles of cut you’ll find on the gridiron:
- Low-cuts – These are similar in style to soccer players’ cleats and allow for maximum speed and mobility. They’re best suited for highly mobile positions like receivers and cornerbacks.
- Mid-cuts – Mid-cuts rise slightly higher up the ankle, toeing the line between support and freedom. They’re essential for explosive movements within tight areas—like the kinds performed by quarterbacks and linebackers.
- High-cuts – High tops lock your ankle into place so you can dig in and hold the line. They’re perfect for both offensive and defensive lineman to hold their ground and protect their side of the field.
Upper Material and Durability
The upper of a cleat—or the entire top area above the sole—locks your foot into place and keeps it from slipping upward. The kind of material used in cleat uppers varies between football and soccer.
Soccer cleats are generally made from a soft, grippy material that allows players to control the ball better. The upper material is also soft, as soccer players don’t generally make direct contact with one another—meaning they need less protection from potential hits.
Football cleats, on the other hand, are usually made of a thicker, harder, and more durable material—oftentimes leather or a similar synthetic. As football players can expect to hit (and be hit) nearly every single play, their cleats need to be more resistant to shock and impacts.
Can You Wear Soccer Cleats for Football (or Vice Versa)?
Generally, it’s not recommended to wear football cleats during a soccer match or vice-versa. Since they’re so different in form and design, using them in different sports runs the risk of:
- Affecting your performance – Wearing football cleats during a soccer match makes it difficult to keep up with other players, handle the ball softly, and direct your kicks. Similarly, wearing soccer cleats during a football game makes it harder to dig into the turf and easier for the opposing squad to knock you over.
- Getting injured – Football cleats are much heavier, thicker, and sturdier than those designed for soccer. If you wear soccer cleats to a football match, you run the risk of ankle injuries from sudden movements, consistent pushing, and bell-ringing hits.
Under certain circumstances, it may be possible to wear soccer cleats during a football match. If you’re a kicker, for instance, you run a relatively low risk of getting tackled and your foot needs a better feel for the ball—meaning soccer cleats could be your golden ticket to more field goals.
Don’t count on soccer cleats to work for other positions, however. After all, you’re more likely to sustain an injury playing pigskin than running down the pitch, so wearing the correct protective football gear is essential.3
Whether you’re in a peewee league or the NFL, proper football cleats are necessary to prevent injury and keep you in the game.
Choosing the Right Cleats for Your Game
If you’re a soccer player, you can choose almost any pair of cleats no matter your position—though there are a few factors to consider based on your style of play, including:
- Cushioning location
- Stud placement
- Toe-cap padding
There’s more to consider for football cleats. As noted, your position weighs heavily on the cut of cleat you should choose—but there’s more to consider than where you play. The type of playing surface you run on is also a major concern when picking cleats:
- Artificial grass (turf) – If you play on artificial grass (turf), you should use rubber-studded cleats (also known as turf shoes). These studs are designed exclusively for use on faux grass and provide superior traction on its harder surface—but they can’t be used on real fields.
- Real grass – If your home field is all-natural, you’ll want to get molded or screw-in cleats instead. These types of football cleats dig in better to the soft, damper earth than turf shoes to support your speed and grip on the ground.
Beyond your playing surface, comfort is also a major concern when purchasing cleats. Make sure the football cleats fit snugly but aren’t restrictive. If you find your foot falls in between cleat sizes, go with the larger size, but rock an extra pair of long football socks to fill up the empty void.
Finally, routine maintenance helps your cleats last longer and perform better. Scrub off the mud and wipe them down after every game. Use a sneaker cleaner when necessary, and line them with dryer sheets or baby powder when they start to smell funky.
Your cleats are the base of your performance and swagger on the field. Complement them with high-quality gear and the latest football fashion from the best of the best: Battle Sports.
Battle Sports Football Gear: Built for Performance
In the same way that there’s plenty of variation between football cleats vs soccer cleats, there’s a world of difference between Battle Sports and other football equipment suppliers.
At Battle Sports, we’re former athletes ourselves, and we know how physically demanding football can be. That’s why we offer stylish pads and apparel designed to elevate your game and football drip. From back plates to keep your six covered to stickier, more flexible football gloves, we’ve got the gear to help you dominate on the field.
Walk into battle rocking Battle Sports for ultimate pigskin power.
Sources:
- Hospital for Special Surgery. Do Cleats Matter? The Answer Is Yes. https://www.hss.edu/article_how-to-choose-cleats.asp.
- American Association of Podiatric Sports Medicine. Footwear - Field Sports/Cleats. https://www.aapsm.org/field-sports-cleats.html.
- National Library of Medicine. Risk of Injury in Basketball, Football, and Soccer Players, Ages 15 Years and Older, 2003–2007. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3418954/.
