What is the difference between a football and lacrosse cleat? The answer to this question may not be as clear-cut as it seems. Football cleats are designed for running on grass fields, while lacrosse cleats are designed for running on artificial turf or hard surfaces. Football players use their toes to push off the ground, which requires more traction than what you would need if you were playing lacrosse. Lacrosse players’ feet generally stay flat on the ground when they run, so they do not require quite as much grip from their shoes.
Football cleats are generally more durable, but lacrosse players prefer the softer feel of their shoes. Football and lacrosse aren’t just different sports with totally unrelated equipment—even if you’re on opposite sides of the line, they still require utilizing some features that are specific to each sport.
Ankle Heights
Football and lacrosse cleats have different ankle heights. Football players want their feet to be more protected from injury, so most football shoes are designed with a higher-cut collar area than what you find on typical soccer or running shoes. Lacrosse specialists need less protection from bumps up high because they don’t typically make contact above the knees while playing, but that doesn’t mean these players aren’t vulnerable when it comes to ankles; in fact, many athletes who play the sport say this is one of the worst injuries they’ve faced during their careers. For them, it’s often about balance and agility—being able to react quickly enough for dodging an opponent or even jumping over them can all depend on how much stability you get from your shoes.
Football cleats are designed to provide better traction and stability than their soccer counterparts, even if they’re not as light or offer less cushioning. They also typically have a rounded shape that allows for a more natural stride and the rubber is often denser (which slows you down). Lacrosse players want speed first, but it’s usually about knowing how much protection your ankles need—or don’t need—while in game action. Their shoes will be flat on the bottom with hard plastic spikes on top so they can move quickly without being slowed by turf when running across fields like grass or artificial surfaces indoors at lacrosse stadiums.
Number of Studs
A football cleat will typically have 6 to 7 studs, while a lacrosse shoe can often be found with anywhere from four to 20.
Not only does this help the player’s comfort and traction on their surface of choice, but it also affects how quickly they get up in speed after starting to run. Football players are much more likely to need stability when running across any kind of field than lacrosse players would because they’re always trying to slow down rather than gain momentum.
Breathability
Due to the sport of football’s demanding nature, it requires more breathability than lacrosse. Football shoes are either mesh or leather with a synthetic upper and they’re meant for wet conditions as well as dry ones so players won’t get overheated on hot days game day. Lacross cleats often have no membrane between their ventilation holes in order to protect them from rain and other elements that can make them heavier when playing outdoors.
A lacrosse player has much less need for waterproofing because they aren’t running nearly as many steps per minute as a football player is during play time, but both types of footwear should be water-resistant enough to hold up while taking shots at goal posts or making tackles off the field even if there isn’t a membrane. Football cleats are more supportive than lacrosse shoes, and because of the added stability they offer players, football cleats won’t turn as easily on wet surfaces
Conclusion
There is no difference between what kind of footwear you should wear for Lacrosse or Football but each type has its own function that will make it better suited for different types of games.
Last modified: June 15, 2021