Lacrosse is one of the most popular and fast-paced sports these days. In the game, you need to be able to move quickly, dodge players, and make fast foot movements to beat the opponent.
There are several different types of cleats in sports like baseball, football, soccer, rugby, etc. Beginner lacrosse players need to know the best type of cleats in order to play at their maximum potential and perform safely.
What Kind of Cleats for Lacrosse?
The best type of cleats for Lacrosse is Mid-Cut Molded Cleats. It is well balanced in terms of size and weight. Mid-cut molded cleats have excellent side to side movement capabilities, which makes them most suitable to play the sport.
It is essential to make sure that proper footwear is being worn. You will need to find a cleat that offers comfort, traction, and durability. There are several different types of cleats out there and various reputable brands to choose from.
Let’s compare lacrosse cleats with the mainstream sports out there and understand the difference. We will also look deeper into the types of cleats that suit lacrosse and how they should fit you.
Types of Lacrosse Cleats
Molded cleats – Molded cleats are those that are made up of plastic or rubber spikes. These types of cleats are most commonly used in baseball. They provide comfort and ankle support, allowing you to run at a steady pace and make quick turns without sliding.
Metal cleats – Metal cleats are a very common and original type of cleat. The metal spikes are best for strength and durability. They are commonly used in sports such as football, golf, baseball, etc. They provide more traction than other types of cleats and are good to use on dirt and grass, but not turf.
Turf cleats – Turf cleats are designed specifically to be used on turf surfaces. They are designed with a rubber outsole and provide traction on turf. They offer comfort and stability, with a lightweight design great for training and indoor sports played on turf.
Interchangeable cleats – Interchangeable cleats are designed to allow players to switch between the traditional metal cleat and rubber cleats, depending on the surface played on. These are a very reliable option, and they are easy to change from metal to molded by simply screwing on and off the studs based on the field type & condition.
Low-cut cleats – Low-cut cleats are designed to limit restrictions on the ankle. They provide mobility and durability to make quick foot movements for fast players. They are designed for skilled players that make constant fast cuts and need a free range of motion in the ankles.
Mid-cut cleats – Mid-cut cleats provide moderate ankle stability designed to support the ankle but not to limit motion too much. They are great for skill players such as running backs, quarterbacks, wide receivers, etc.
High top cleats – High-cut cleats provide maximum support for the ankles. They provide a comfortable, supportive fit. Although they are slightly restrictive on the mobility of the ankles because of their size and weight. They are best suited for players such as linemen who need sturdiness and strength in their footwear.
Can You Use Any Cleats for Lacrosse?
Even though they’re identical, different kinds of shoes have their own unique characteristics. For non-athlete users, it can be hard to spot the differences between them.
When it comes to choosing the right shoes for your feet, there are a lot of differences between the ones that are designed for baseball and soccer and those that are specifically made for lacrosse.
Here we will demonstrate a table that shows which cleat is suitable for which sports. Look at the column “Design For” to understand the edge it provides for that particular sport. When you’re done glancing at the table below, we will then explain the difference between these sports vs Lacrosse for you to have a deeper understanding.
| Height | Weight | Designed For | Metal vs. Molded | |
| Baseball | Mid/high cut | Can be bulky or provide flexibility | Quick acceleration | Both |
| Football | Varies by position | Varies by position | Support and durability | Molded |
| Soccer | Low-cut | Lightweight | Fast-paced movement | Molded |
| Lacrosse | Mid-cut | Provides flexibility – not bulky and not lightweight | Side to side movement | Molded |
Lacrosse Cleats vs Soccer Cleats
The difference between lacrosse cleats and soccer cleats is that lacrosse cleats are mid-cut to provide ankle support. Although both sports involve a lot of running and quick movements, lacrosse players need a higher cut cleat that is more durable and supportive around the ankles.
It is recommended that lacrosse players stay away from low cut cleats and lean more towards the mid and high cut footwear. On the contrary, soccer players generally tend to play in low cut cleats that allow for fast movements and plenty of running without bulky, restrictive cleats.
Although the sport is not too far apart on the spectrum and if playing casually, some players may wear lacrosse cleats for soccer or soccer cleats for lacrosse. Both types of cleats normally have four studs in the heel area and six to eight studs in the front area.
The one difference is that soccer cleats do not have a stud at the end of the toe, while lacrosse cleats do. Another similarity between the two is that both sports do not allow metal cleats to be used in games. But the main difference is the extra ankle support that lacrosse players tend to look for in their footwear.
Related: What is the Average Price of Soccer Cleats?
Lacrosse Cleats vs Football Cleats
Although lacrosse cleats and football cleats serve the same purpose, lacrosse players tend to wear a mid-cut cleat, while the type of cleats for a football player varies. Lacrosse shoes will provide a little more flexibility for long periods of running while football cleats focus on durability and support.
Players from both sports tend to wear cleats with molded studs, but lacrosse cleats generally have more studs than cleats designed for football players. Football cleats will normally have two studs on the heel and five studs under the toe and ball of the foot. Lacrosse cleats have four studs on the heel and six to eight studs on the front of the cleat.
In football, linemen need the most ankle support, so they tend to wear high cut cleats. Quarterbacks will generally wear the mid-cut cleats for some added flexibility. And the players that focus on speed may choose the low-cut cleats for a lighter design. Comparing to football players, most lacrosse players will be found wearing mid-cut cleats.
Related: Can You Use Football Cleats for Soccer?
Lacrosse Cleats vs Baseball Cleats
Baseball cleats are designed with a toe cleat in the front that digs in the dirt for immediate acceleration. These types of cleats are not designed for contact sports. Contrary to this, lacrosse cleats are designed for more side to side movement and provide support on the side of the sole.
Like a baseball cleat, lacrosse cleats do have a toe cleat, and therefore a baseball cleat can be worn for lacrosse, but not for sports like soccer. Baseball cleats can have a molded cleat design or metal studs, while lacrosse players are generally not allowed to have metal spikes.
How Should Lacrosse Cleats Fit
Lacrosse cleats should fit snug around your feet. The purpose of lacrosse cleats is for a quick side to side movement while also providing a moderate amount of ankle support.
If there is too much room for movement inside the cleat, it probably is not the right size. The mid-cut design should have a sturdy fit around the bottoms of your ankles.
Lacrosse cleats should not be too big or bulky, but not too lightweight like soccer cleats. Since lacrosse can be considered a contact sport, the cleats purpose of the cleats needs to be to protect the ankles while also providing some flexibility when it comes to fast movements and quick side to side cuts.
How to Choose Lacrosse Cleats
The term “the fastest game on two feet” has been around since 1996, and it can be attributed to the shoes that are used to play the game. Some players are awed by the latest trend or design, but every shoe has its own unique characteristics. So, try them all and go for the one that fits best for you.
Low-cut cleats are ideal for those who prefer to play with the lightest possible weights. They provide maximum flexibility and support.
High-cut shoes feature an upper that’s designed to extend past the ankle bone, creating a more supportive fit. These shoes are great for players who require additional ankle support.
Mid-cut cleats are a hybrid type of shoe that offers more flexibility and support than standard high-cut styles. They are often chosen by players who are looking for the best of both worlds.
Outsole are strategically placed to improve the traction of synthetic turf. Regardless of the surface, players often use cleats since they provide a better fit and are more durable than traditional ones.
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Austin is the author of loveatfirstfit.com and a personal trainer with extensive knowledge in nutrition. Austin is passionate about helping others to find a suitable healthy lifestyle and feel good about themselves. Austin’s goal is to help people push their limits and achieve their physical performance.
