Significance

King Henry VIII was the first known to use soccer "boots" during a game back in the early 1500s but it wasn't until after World War II that a soccer cleat was produced for handling and traction rather than comfort and protection. WWII brought on the commercialization of international air travel. International commerce and stronger interaction among world leagues allowed soccer clubs to trade ideas on what the perfect shoe should be like--the lightweight Brazilian designs were hugely popular. Soccer shoe companies favored speed and ball control. In 1977 Adidas' kangaroo leather shoes, though not very durable, gave players the best control and feel for the ball. Adidas' subsequent dominance in innovation over the next 10 years inspired German shoe maker Puma to counter Adidas' every move during the '90s. Shoe makers, eager for player approval, countered each other with polymer soles, shaped blade-out soles and foam-free mid soles. The '90s also welcomed the sportswear giant Nike and its innovation in ultralight footwear.

Function

Soccer cleats give the player balance, control and traction. The tight-fitting uppers are equipped with tongues and laces that work in conjunction with the soles to give the player control over the ball. Spikes and grooves on outdoor and turf cleats let players dig into the playing surface for traction and acceleration while the gummy rubber or plastic bottoms of indoor cleats work well on hard indoor surfaces.

Types

The three main types of soccer cleats are indoor, turf and outdoor. Indoor cleats are similar to tennis shoes and don't have raised spikes at the bottom--use these cleats for indoor, hard surface games. Use turf cleats on artificial grass fields. The raised "patterns" on turf cleats give players maximum control and stopping ability. Wear outdoor cleats on grass fields. The spikes and grooves on the soles of these cleats give players traction, control and comfort. Outdoor cleats come in two main subcategories--molded and detachable. Molded cleats are supported by a plastic or rubber sole. Detachable cleats have adjustable spike lengths--allowing players to adjust their traction according to field conditions.

Size

Expect your soccer cleats to fit a bit more snuggly than your everyday footwear. Soccer cleats are narrow to allow the player maximum ball control. When sizing a soccer shoe, remember to wear accessories like shin guards, braces and socks to accurately gauge the shoe's fit.

Misconceptions

Adjustable metal cleats allow players to change the length of the metal spikes according to field conditions. However, popular myths say that metal cleats are not allowed in a game. Metal cleats are legal in most leagues, though they are subject to pregame inspection. The spikes are checked for sharp edges and only accepted if none is found.