I started playing soccer at a very young age and continued to play at highly competitive levels in the United States. Besides the love of the actual game, another part of the game captured my attention from a very young age – that was soccer equipment. I remember when I 12 years old, I always wanted to have the best cleats. As a youth, of course I had my parents choosing for me, but they did a great job helping me there. In this guide, I’m here to help you choose the right youth soccer shoes for your kids and make sure they’re prepared with the right soccer shoes when they step onto the field from a young age.
So there are many different options when shopping for youth soccer shoes. They make outdoor youth soccer shoes and indoor youth soccer shoes. Outdoor soccer shoes, also known as cleats are what you need if your child is playing on a real grass field outside. Many fields are now made with field turf (new style turf), which is extremely soft and there’s no dirt. If you’re child is playing on a field turf field, you can probably get away with youth indoor soccer shoes or youth turf soccer shoes.
Once you know the type of surface your child will consistently be playing on, then it’s time to shop. First I’ll discuss some things to look for in youth soccer cleats.
There’s a wide variety of styles to choose from, but what the cleats are made from are the most important thing to look for. Some youth soccer shoes are made from plastic and I highly recommend you stay away from those. Always look for leather (kangaroo) or synthetic leather. Kangaroo leather is the traditional style soccer cleat, while newer cleats are made out of synthetic leather.
Youth soccer shoes vary in price anywhere from $15.00 on the lower end to $80.00 on the higher end. The more popular brands (and with good reason) for youth soccer shoes are Nike, Puma and Adidas. Here are a few of my favorite youth soccer cleats on the market:
- Nike Youth Talaria V FG – They’re made from synthetic leather which keeps them at a super lightweight allowing for a bit more speed. It’s also takes some pressure off the feet with a contoured sockliner, which reduces pressure from the actual cleat studs. The youngsters love the color of this youth soccer shoe. These cleats are sold for $80.00
- adiNOVA 2 TRX FG – This popular youth soccer shoe is made by Adidas. It’s a more affordable option, which retails at $50.00. This sleek shoe is designed with adiPRENE cushion to help support your childs feet on the firm ground. It’s made with leather on the upper portion of the shoe and has a synthetic lining to keep the shoe light as well. The lacing is designed to help maximize the potential ball control with off-centered lacing.
The youth soccer shoes mentioned above both have several features that separate the good cleats from the bad. Now that you’re ready to shop, always make sure the youth soccer shoes are comfortable on your child and they should be a tiny bit snug. Keeping the cleats snug, allow for better ball control since your child can get a better feel for the ball. Good luck shopping and I hope this guide has helped you find the right youth soccer shoes for your child!