Soccer cleats come in a variety of materials.
Athletes typically wear shoes designed specifically for the sport they play. Soccer cleats--or boots, as they are often called--are shoes specifically designed for soccer players. Soccer cleats are advantageous to the player because they provide the proper stability needed for the sport. Whether the game is played on a natural surface, hard surface or artificial surface, manufacturers of soccer cleats offer an array of products to players for all varieties of play.
Beginnings
Soccer players predate soccer cleats. King Henry VIII is recorded as being one of the first people to own boots used for soccer. The king had soccer cleats that, according to Footy-Boots.com, were ankle-high and made of heavy leather. Prior to contemporary soccer cleats, a player would use steel-toe work boots, which provided traction and thus doubled as athletic footwear. The modern soccer cleat wasn't introduced until the late 1800s, after the rules of the game had been decided.
Evolution
According to Footy-Boots.com, in 1925 brothers Rudolf and Adolf Dassler introduced removable metal studs. These studs would be used if a particular game's playing conditions--the weather or type of field, for example--deemed it necessary. Post-World War II, South American players showcased their skills and flair through the use of more-lightweight shoes. This led to higher-quality leather as well as removable rubber studs, which reduced the weight of cleats.
Modern Materials
Today's soccer cleats are made from high-quality materials such as kangaroo leather or a strong polyester fiber called Nanofront, produced by Teijin Fibers Limited. Kangaroo leather cleats tend to be soft and more moldable to the foot, though they are pricier than synthetic leathers, pitted leathers or calf hides. Teijin's Nanofront provides a lightweight alternative to leather and is worn by a number of professional soccer players.
Stud Shapes
As soccer has grown in popularity, players play on various surfaces such as artificial fields, hard grounds and natural surfaces. Manufactures have responded by marketing shoes with various soles that will best fit each player's need. Indoor shoes and outdoor shoes, as well as hard ground shoes lacking studs are now being produced at various price points. They are available in a variet of shoe sole and surface combinations.
Marketing
As soccer is one of the most watched sports in the world, manufacturers have begun to sponsor players in order to successfully market their product. World-class players have become advertising personalities for various lines of product, and some have begun to introduce their own lines of shoes. According to ExpertFootball.com, internationally known brands such as Nike, Adidas, Puma and Reebok have sponsored individual soccer players in order to market their cleats. The world's most famous players can now be linked with the biggest manufacturers for mutual benefit in the form of exposure.
