One of the most important pieces of softball equipment you can have is a good pair of cleats. Having the comfort and traction that you need during a game can make all the difference when it comes to performance. So taking the time to find the best softball cleats for you is key.

With the variety of shoes available, it can get confusing to know what to look for. How do you know which type is right for you? Are there certain features you should be searching for?

There are several things to consider when shopping for your next pair of cleats. Let’s break down how to choose the perfect pair for you and which ones are hot sellers right now.

10 Best Softball Cleats in 2021

Now that you know what you should be looking for, it’s time to go shopping. Want to know which pairs of shoes get high marks for their comfort and performance? Here are 10 of the best cleats for the entire family.

#1 New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Velo V2 Turf Softball Shoe

The Fresh Foam Velo V2’s are one of the best turf shoes for softball. With a comfortable rubber sole and a removable insert, customers praise its comfort and durability. Plus, you get to choose from 8 stylish colors so you can be sure to match your team’s colors.

#2 Nike Girl’s Hyperdiamond Keystone GS Softball Cleat

Available in fun colors, this cleat features a full-length Phylon midsole and solid rubber outsole. Reviewers describe these shoes as beautiful and true to size. This is a great option for younger girls.

#3 New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Velo V2 Metal Softball Shoe

These are the metal cleated version of the New Balance turf shoes above and a great option for women playing on a real diamond. With its lightweight design and mid-sole support, buyers love the high quality and great fit.

#4 Under Armour Kids’ & Women’s Glyde Rm Softball Shoe

Loaded with all kinds of features, like a mesh tongue for breathability, molded cleats for optimal traction, and step-in comfort with added durability and support, these shoes are popular for the kids. These cleats became so popular Under Armour started offering them in adult sizes, too. Under Armour by far makes the best molded softball cleats for kids.

#5 Nike Women’s Hyperdiamond 3 Varsity Softball Cleat

Rated as one of the best women’s softball cleats, this pair features a 12-cleat configuration that enhances traction. It’s TPU mesh and Phylon midsole give it durability and comfort. Customers love the support and value for the investment.

#6 adidas Women’s Icon V Bounce TPU Softball Shoe

One of the best softball cleats for pitchers, these adidas shoes boost a reinforced toe and a low cut for optimal ankle motion, with an 8-spike plate design.

#7 Under Armour Kids’ UA Leadoff Low RM Jr. Baseball Cleats

With an abrasion-resistant toe piece and Rotational Traction design for comfort and optimal movement, these kid’s cleats are sure to hold up through whatever your little player may put them through.

#8 Mizuno Women’s 9-Spike Advanced Sweep 3 Softball Shoe

Made for a fast pitch, these 9-spike designed cleats are great for pitchers. Its lightweight durability is a favorite among reviewers.

#9 adidas Women’s Fastpitch 4 Metal Softball Shoe

These are some of the best metal softball cleats for women. They are designed for lightweight comfort and ultimate traction. Buyers also like the added spike on the heel for extra traction when running. It’s made for fastpitch players.

#10 Mizuno Women’s Finch Elite 3 Softball Shoe

You can’t go wrong with Mizuno, and that holds very true in their Finch Elite 3 series of softball shoes. The synthetic leather overlays are durable and stay snug, keeping your foot and ankle secure. The cleats themselves have great traction and pivoting capabilities with the TPU cleats, Mizuno wave technology, and 9 spike advanced outsole all designed for fastpitch softball.

Types of Cleats

There are three main types of softball cleats to choose from, depending on what your particular needs are.

Let’s discuss what the differences between them are:

Metal Cleats

When it comes to providing traction, metal cleats are the best. Their thin cleat design penetrates both dirt and grass fields easily, optimizing speed and performance. However, because of the metal spikes, they are not recommended to wear on turf, and they also may be not allowed by some leagues.

Molded Cleats

Molded cleats come in different materials and price points. For young or in-experience players, the shorter, softer rubber cleats are more comfortable and easier to get used to. For the experienced player, the hard plastic cleats tend to be longer and give more traction. The hard plastic cleats are also lightweight.

Because the molded shoes have a high number of cleats that are positioned to cover pressure points, they tend to be the most comfortable softball cleats.

Turf Cleats

When practicing off the field, turf cleats provide comfort while giving more traction than regular athletic shoes. They’re designed to not tear up the turf of a practice field as other cleats can.

How to Pick the Proper Fit for You

Cleats should have a snug fit, but not be too tight. You want to avoid letting your foot slide around inside the shoe as that would cause blisters and be uncomfortable.

Snug Fit

Even when fitting children with cleats, make sure the shoe is not too loose. You shouldn’t be able to get more than a finger in behind the ankle. It’s best to find a snug fit then go up a half size to accommodate growth.

Wear Your Softball Socks

When trying cleats on, wearing the kind of socks you would normally wear with your cleats will ensure that you get the most accurate and comfortable fit.

Keeping Dirt Out

Also, look for cleats with a thicker tongue. These tend to keep dirt out easier and keep your shoelaces from coming untied or getting in the way.

Other Things to Consider

Now, before you make your final decision, there are a few things you need to consider when finding the softball cleats that are best for you:

Field Position

It’s important to consider the position you play on the team when buying your cleats.

For example, pitchers might be more comfortable with a reinforced toe shoe while and an outfielder would need more traction.

Another example would be if you need to make sure you have free ankle motion. If this is the case, it would be best to go with low-top cleats instead of high tops.

League Restrictions

Before picking up some metal cleats, make sure they are allowed by the league you play for. Many leagues, especially for younger players, restrict metal cleats due to safety concerns of the thin metal spikes.

Comfort Over Price

While the price is an issue to a lot of people, it’s important to make sure you get a comfortable fit above just going for the cheap option. If you end up buying a cheaper quality shoe and it kills your feet, you’ll be going back to the store to buy a different pair, which is costing you more in the long run.