Check Out the Best Softball Cleats by Nike
Buying Guide
From metal cleats to molded rubber varieties to turf shoes, find a comfortable, high-performance pair of Nike softball cleats designed for your style and level of play.
Softball players need to move with agility, speed and confidence on the diamond and in the outfield, and having high-performance softball cleats helps set them up to play at their best. A well-designed pair of softball cleats can help facilitate strong, powerful play, in addition to providing stability and comfort.
Softball cleats and shoes fall into three main categories: metal cleats, molded cleats and turf shoes. Each style of shoe is designed to support softball players on a specific type of surface — be it grass and dirt or turf.
Nike offers cleated shoes for many different sports, including softball, baseball, football, lacrosse and soccer. Each cleat is made with a specific sport in mind, with the goal of supporting the athlete. That’s why it’s not recommended to wear softball (or baseball) cleats to play another sport, like, say, soccer, or to wear a pair of soccer cleats to play softball.
Softball and baseball cleats are made specially for the movements that are central to the game. For example, a toe stud on softball cleats helps players effectively dig into the ground when pitching, setting up to bat or accelerating at the start of a sprint.
The bottom line: For support, comfort and performance, it’s best for athletes to wear cleats or shoes that are designed for the specific activity or sport they’re playing. For young athletes who are trying lots of field sports and aren’t ready to specialize quite yet, consider going with the Nike Future Field cleats, which are meant for all types of field play: football, baseball, softball, soccer and more.
(Related: How to Choose the Best Nike Soccer Cleats for Kids)
If you’re shopping for a specialized pair of high-performance Nike softball shoes or cleats, check out the guide below to find the best pair for you.
The 3 Types of Nike Softball Cleats
1.Metal Softball Cleats
Built for: dirt and grass surfaces or advanced, high-level athletes
Key benefits: Metal softball cleats offer maximum traction on dirt and grass surfaces, allowing players to dig into the ground with each step. That precision also makes them most suitable for high-level play, from high school to college to professional.
(Related: 9 Nike Gift Ideas for Softball Players)
Tip: For athletes considering a pair of metal softball cleats, be sure to check with your softball league before making a purchase. Some youth softball leagues don’t allow metal cleats.
At Nike, metal softball cleats are available in both high- and low-top varieties, depending on the desired ankle coverage. Many cleats feature Nike Drag-On material, an ultra-breathable and lightweight mesh fabric.
2.Molded Rubber Softball Cleats
Built for: hard ground and turf surfaces or beginner-level players
Key benefits: The studs on molded softball cleats are shorter and more flexible than those on metal cleats, which makes them ideal for staying sturdy and balanced on hard ground or turf surfaces — without damaging the field.
The outsole of molded cleats also tends to be lighter and more flexible than metal cleats, making molded cleats ideal for youth softball players or high-level players who want to alternate between cleat types.
Shop high- and low-top molded rubber softball cleats by Nike, as well as cleats made from real and synthetic leathers, featuring soft foam midsoles for a comfy, supportive fit.
3.Turf Shoes
Built for: artificial fields or practice
Key benefits: Turf shoes are designed for flat, artificial fields, particularly those that might be destroyed if players tread on them in metal-studded cleats. They tend to fit like a tennis shoe, with extra traction (often called “pegs”) but without large, protruding studs. A player might also wear these when doing warmups prior to a game, during practice or in a batting cage — any location besides an official grass field.
At Nike, turf shoes for both softball and baseball players feature aggressive traction patterns and small, rubber pegs on the outsole, so players can speed around the bases with confidence. Many varieties also offer Nike Renew foam cushioning in the midsole that makes the shoe ultra-comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are softball cleats and baseball cleats the same?
No. While Nike softball and baseball cleats have similarities, they also have key differences. Nike softball cleats are designed for women and, therefore, use designs based on standard sizing models for women. Nike softball cleats also feature a more flexible underfoot and tend to be wider in the forefoot to give the toes more room to move.
Can softball players play in soccer cleats?
Softball cleats are made specially for the movements that are central to the game. For example, a toe stud on softball cleats helps players effectively dig into the ground when pitching, setting up to bat or accelerating at the start of a sprint. Therefore, it’s best for softball players to play in softball-specific cleats.
What type of Nike softball cleats are best for youth players?
When picking out a pair of kids’ softball cleats, it’s best to consult with the child’s coach or league for tips. In general, rubber, molded softball cleats work well for youth players. That’s because they’re often more flexible than cleats with metal studs. Plus, many youth leagues don’t allow metal cleats.
Words by Julia Sullivan