Lacrosse is one of the fastest games that requires players to play in highest pace on two feet and the right cleat can obviously reward you with the speed this game deserves. The right kind of cleats can give you utmost support, comfort, traction and stability that the game of Lacrosse demands. A good pair of Lacrosse cleat grips the ground well and encourages you to move quickly with determination and confidence. Almost all the brands that sell Lacrosse cleat promise best of the attributes any Lacrosse player would expect them to have.
The most important factor in the purchase of Lacrosse cleats is the fit of the shoe. Available in different styles such as mid cleats, low cleats and high cleats, each of them are designed to offer maximum protection, support, weight and flexibility to your ankles. Outsole of cleats actually make the shoe what it is and it is the traction that allows you to perform flawlessly no matter where you are playing – artificial turf or grass.
Material of Lacrosse cleats also determine how durable it is going to prove in the long run and also how heavy it can feel. Cut and the style are also important factors that guide you through the purchase. If you are still confused about buying the most suitable pair of cleats for your big game, there is no need to watch those lengthy YouTube videos or do extensive research by reading countless reviews online. We have done the needful for you and narrowed down different aspects of Lacrosse cleats to help you know more about them and guide you to a smart and useful purchase.
Best 5 Lacrosse Cleat for Men
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1. Under Armour Men’s Spotlight Mc Lacrosse Shoe
Under Armour Men’s Spotlight Mc Lacrosse Shoe is extremely lightweight and offers amazing fittings. On the surface, Under Armour Men’s Spotlight Mc Lacrosse Shoe offers a snug fit and features an impressive full-length bootie construction. You will hardly feel any discomfort while wearing it for long hours. This lacrosse cleat can easily absorb shocks given the fact that it has got SuperFoam insole.
The toe box is coated carefully to provide a higher level of protection. Under Armour Men’s Spotlight Mc Lacrosse Shoe will help you accelerate really fast. Enjoy multi-directional movements and greater braking ability are some of the amazing aspects of this lacrosse cleat.
2. ASICS Men’s GEL-Prevail Mid Lacrosse Shoe
ASICS Men’s GEL-Prevail Mid Lacrosse Shoe has got both Trusstic System and Gel Cushioning System which is impressive, to say the least. If you are looking for a lacrosse cleat that offers a decent level of stability and grip, you should look no farther. Mesh fabrics will help you keep your feet dry and it is extremely lightweight and thus making it ideal for attacking players.
3. Reebok Men’s Bulldodge Mid D III KFS Lacrosse Shoe
Reebok Men’s Bulldodge Mid D III KFS Lacrosse Shoe is a perfect combination of comfort, and classy look. To make this lacrosse cleat super light, high-quality performance synthetic leather is used in the making of this Reebok Men’s Bulldodge Mid D III KFS Lacrosse Shoe. This lacrosse cleat has got a breathable upper.
Be it an artificial turf or natural grass field, Reebok Men’s Bulldodge Mid D III KFS Lacrosse Shoe will offer a decent level of performance. Inclusion of mesh collar liners ensure cool and dry feet. To keep your ankle protected from blows and impacts, the TPU ankle chip is included in the design. If you are looking for a lacrosse cleat that can offer maximum traction on the field, you should get your hands on this Reebok Men’s Bulldodge Mid D III KFS Lacrosse Shoe.
4. ASICS Men’s GEL-Prevail Mid Lacrosse Shoe
ASICS Men’s GEL-Prevail Mid Lacrosse Shoe is a decent shoe that makes proper use of the Gel Cushioning System to offer maximum support to your feet in a physically intensive game like lacrosse. This lacrosse cleat offers greater stability and is extremely lightweight compared to other lacrosse cleats that are available in the market. It does not matter what the conditions are out there, ASICS Men’s GEL-Prevail Mid Lacrosse Shoe is definitely going to meet your budget and expectation.
5. Nike Men’s Alpha Huarache 6 Pro Lacrosse Cleat
It seems like Nike Men’s Alpha Huarache 6 Pro Lacrosse Cleat has focused primarily on breathability and which is why it has got perforated upper. To give extra support to the heel, Phylon Midsole Wedge is included in it. You will definitely enjoy 360-degree traction on the field with this amazing pair of Nike Men’s Alpha Huarache 6 Pro Lacrosse Cleat. It is highly responsive in nature and it offers an unmatchable level of comfort.
Lacrosse Cleats
Buying Guide
Lacrosse is a game that can be extremely demanding and you can’t just escape the good pace it comes with. If you need to excel in the game, as a player, you need to assure yourself of the footing. The purchase needs to be a wise one and for that you need the kind of shoes that can turn well and accelerate or remain stable whenever required. Choice of materials and traction is extremely important while choosing your Lacrosse cleats. Design and style of the cleats are also important to give you the needful support you require for the game.
Types of Cuts in Cleats
Cleats are available in different cuts – including low, mid and high cleats. Low-cut cleats are perfect for the players that are keen on opting for lightest cleats available to support them in making quick cuts. Even though these kinds of cleats offer little protection to ankle, these are still a good bet for the high-speed Lacrosse players.
High cut cleats offer an appearance of smart boots as they extend up the leg past ankles ensuring that the players get utmost ankle protection and support like none other. These are specifically designed for Lacrosse players that have been looking for cleats to offer extra ankle support and help avoid unpleasant injuries.
Mid-cut style of cleats are suitable for Lacrosse training and are one of the most popular ones in the market. These kinds of cleats are absolutely versatile and encourage higher range of movement and support to the foot and ankle. They are believed to be the best when it comes to Lacrosse cleats.
Fittings
It’s natural to find people trying to adjust themselves or their children into wrong size of shoes even if they are larger or smaller for them but this, unfortunately, doesn’t work in Lacrosse. Wrong fitting cleats cannot just be uncomfortable but it will also look unnatural in your game. Cleats in this game are designed to protect your feet and hence your body too. Their purchase needs to be a wiser decision because they are shock absorbers in true sense. When you pick something larger or smaller in size, particularly cleats, you are actually risking a lot in terms of how your body can actually react to shocks. A wrong fit will simply give way to poor injuries and niggling sensations that might just add up over time and prove to be risky for your overall health.
First step in the purchase of cleats is to ensure that they are the best fit and feels comfortable or else you wouldn’t want to try and hurt yourself with one wrong step. Lacrosse is a game where you must choose comfort first hence your cleats need to be neither too tight nor too loose. If its too tight you might develop blisters as they can easily displace socks and rub your skin against it and bind feet making the overall thing extremely painful. If they are too loose, you will risk flying them off and you may even have to change your game style. Wrong shoes will slow you down and may also create some kind of damage to back and legs. Also, you need shoes that are not too tight and can breathe in warmer climate. Its important to keep the midsoles tighter as it can prevent your foot from potential injuries, fatigue and severe blows.
Make sure that you are aware of the kinds of cleats that you need for your game. Mid-level cut cleats are easy to find and overall, it’s easy to find cleats that can provide added support and grip to ankle. High tops are also great option to look for and low top can provide additional flexibility.
- Mid-level cleats – One of the most popular kinds of cleats, these are for players who are happy with just a little bit of protection to their ankles. These can protect your ankles well and the good thing is that you don’t feel the sensation of being handcuffed like the one that you might feel if you are wearing high top cleats. If you are a player who is a bruiser as well as a speedy demon, these are just your type. These cleats are best for players that are happy with little compromise of protection.
- Low top cleats – Low top cleats are best suited for the kind of players that are not really prone to much injuries on field. Such players are fast and can allow facing few minor blows to ankles and injuries don’t bother them much. Low top cleats are much lighter than high top and mid-level cleats and this feature can be counted as its plus for some players who wish to go for low top cleats only. Since players usually see these cleats having more mixed kind of advantages that they wish to entertain, low top cleats have become the best option to settle with. Additionally, low top cleats are highly flexible.
Before making a purchase, make sure that you try and see what pair works the best for you, see how you feel when you try one and if you are happy purchasing online due to better deals, you should still not compromise with quality and comfort. Few players are not comfortable in low tops and you, as a player, would know this only once you give it a try. - High top cleats – High top cleats are probably among the safest bets and it doesn’t really mean that you are not going to get injured wearing them but it simply means that the chances for the same are relatively low. The first and the foremost goal of these cleats are that they protect ankles from overturning while the player is running on field. The aim is to protect ankles as much as possible and also prevent the balls from hitting ankles on the field. Such injuries can be extremely painful so it makes sense to consider these factors primarily while making the decision with the purchase. They are believed to be much better option for bigger and stronger Lacrosse players.
Price
If you are just starting out on the game of Lacrosse, you can opt for cheaper Lacrosse cleats before you plan to spend a little higher. The real purchase should come with some experience into the game and most importantly with your understanding of your game style and the sport itself. If you are not interested in the game, you might not want to spend more.
Outsole
Apart from the fit, outsole is yet another aspect that can make or mar your game. Outsole is one thing that actually defines your cleat in true sense. Outsole of cleats contain plastic knobs, spikes and even studs that are smartly placed along the shoes’ outsole. It is also important to look into the factor of traction that encourage you to make faster movements during the game. Right shoe insert is an extremely important feature that needs to be looked upon while making a purchase.
No matter what field conditions you are facing, your Lacrosse cleats actually pass the test of time only when they are capable of ensuring utmost stability and remain grounded when required. It’s the Lacrosse cleats that encourage the players to make the best cuts, stops, turns and balanced accelerations without entertaining the chances of slipping on the field.
Your choice of cleats must also largely depend on the type of surface you will be playing on and it can be anything from natural surfaces to artificial turns. Also, the shape, size and length of your Lacrosse cleats might vary according to the playing conditions.
Types of Studs
Studs and its types are extremely important for the game of Lacrosse, something that you need to research on well while buying Lacrosse equipment. If you don’t have suitable studs, your pair of cleats can look to be a waste and practically useless. As a result, they can turn into virtual tennis shoes that can prove to be terrible with traction in different locations. Here’s a look at the different types of stud, what they are and what makes them a better bet.
- Interchangeable cleats – Again, as the name would suggest, these would easily allow tailoring the thing according to players’ needs. These types of cleats have always been extremely popular in the game of soccer but now they are more commonly used by serious Lacrosse players. You will find them more expensive than the rest simply because they offer you a facility to switch from one feature to other when required. They have proved to be great options for Lacrosse players as even longer and ‘traction supported’ cleat can be required at times on field that might be muddy. You might often require switching over to turf which means there is need for added stability and these cleats can offer you that from time to time. If you are looking for an overall protection on fields that are either turf or grassy, these cleats can prove to be good options.
- Turf cleats – As the name suggests, they are designed to be used on turfs exclusively. Not studs, but turf cleats have little built-in spikes that are good for Lacrosse players. Even though they are nowhere near to molded studs but there is still something that keeps them selling in all sports seasons? They are just numerous and help well with the factor of traction. They are available in majority and don’t cut into the grounds like molded cleats do. They are available in multiple designs and shapes and most cleats manufacturers stock them for sure. Since these can’t really dig into the ground, there is no point using them on grass and if you attempt to do so, they can push yourself towards a potential injury due to lack of traction.
- Molded cleats – Among the most well known cleats, these are the most common equipment you will see almost every child using in every sport. There are almost ten studs on each of the cleats to encourage maximum traction. Molded cleats have smart built-in spikes made from rubber. These are the kinds of cleats that not just have long studs but also dig into the ground well as you turn which means you choose to entertain lower risks of falling or twisting your ankles on field. This is the reason why molded cleats are extremely popular in Lacrosse. Typically, no new players are keen on learning the game with a rolled over ankle. Molded cleats are best when used on grass but they are also much suitable for other surfaces. However, you must ensure before approaching a new field since each field and league may have its own mandatory set of rules to follow.
Materials
In older days, only few players got lucky and enjoyed an opportunity to own a pair of cleats; most of them were created from natural materials that were easily available. However, technology in today’s world has come far away from that and has obviously gotten better with time.
Lacrosse has changed a lot and synthetics, as top man-made product, is the new norm. Focus is on giving more advantage of comfort and style to the new and experienced athletes and hence there has been experiments with blending. Unlike the old times, the aim is not just to create cleats that are plainly made of leather (as it was easily derived from animals) but to create something that comes with its own unique set of advantages making the whole package worth every penny spent.
Here is a research on the different kinds of materials that are used in making Lacrosse cleats of today and tomorrow.
- Foam – One of the lesser popular options when it comes to cleats is foam but it’s still readily available in the market and players are willing to buy them. Foam can be used on the upper part (a part of cleat what you see when its worn), but it lacks in terms of durability and doesn’t hold better than leather when it comes to water and tough weather conditions. They are more prone to quick wear and tear but can feel lightweight, a possible primary reason behind their purchase.
- Synthetics – Synthetics is one material that can be molded according to individual needs and is a successful man-made material when it comes to Lacrosse cleats. They give way to multiple options to pick from, among cleats available in the market. The best thing with them is that they are also available at lower price points. Synthetics can last longer when compared to leather and can obviously keep moisture out too. However, it largely depends on your choice and the quality of cleats you decide to own. A cheaper quality of Lacrosse cleats will not hold up as long as a good quality pair. Synthetic cleats are lighter and provide utmost traction and protection on field. They are investments that are worth every penny spent.
- Leathers – With time, leather in Lacrosse cleats have become less popular but it doesn’t mean that they are not worth but players just want to give newer blends a try. It is now paired as hybrids with other materials like synthetic. Leather is much more commonly used as a more high-end material in premium cleats, something that you see in soccer more. These are the kinds of materials that tend to feel more awesome simply because they are softer. They look good and classy and even though they are made naturally, they tend to suffer when come into contact with moisture. However, they are still doing good job with tough weather, particularly when compared to other kinds of materials available in the market today.
Lacrosse can be an extremely demanding game in terms of speed and agility and only good cleats can provide you the right kind of comfort and support that you expect from such a vital Lacrosse equipment on field. Grip and balance in acceleration can make you win bigger matches and if your journey as a Lacrosse player has just started, good cleats surely don’t deserve a miss!
