As kids grow up, many will enjoy playing and experiencing a wide variety of sports, which is great! However, this can be a headache for parents who have to spend more money on specialized equipment, with one of the most essential items being sports shoes. This soccer cleats vs lacrosse cleats guide will help determine which cleats to buy if you or your child enjoys playing soccer and lacrosse.
Soccer Cleats vs Lacrosse Cleats | Quickly summarized
If you or your child play soccer and lacrosse, in most cases it would be best to get a pair of soccer cleats to play both sports.
This is because in official games you are allowed to wear soccer cleats while playing lacrosse, however, you are not allowed to play soccer in lacrosse cleats.
Your decision should also depend on what level of lacrosse you are playing, if you are playing at a recreational or less competitive level, then soccer cleats would be fine.
However, if you play lacrosse in a more competitive environment or have weak ankles it would make sense to purchase lacrosse cleats when playing lacrosse.
This is because lacrosse cleats are more heavy-duty and have a mid-higher ankle cut that offers more stability and protection.
Here is a great buyer’s guide for lacrosse cleats.
If you enjoy playing soccer and lacrosse and want extra ankle support while wearing soccer cleats this high-quality ankle support would be perfect.
The differences between soccer and lacrosse cleats
At a glance, soccer cleats and lacrosse cleats share similar features and it can be easy to confuse the two.
This table compares the main differences between soccer and lacrosse cleats:
| Category | Soccer Cleats | Lacrosse Cleats |
|---|---|---|
| Average Weight | 7-10 ounces (198-283 grams) | 10-14 ounces (283-397 grams) |
| Materials | Leather or synthetic leather | Synthetic leather or mesh |
| Ankle Support | Low or mid-cut | Mid or high-cut |
| Stud Configuration | Generally smaller and bladed | Larger and more conical |
| Stud Count | Varies by model, typically 10-16 | Varies by model, typically 6-12 |
| Stud Material | Mostly made of plastic or rubber, but some models use metal studs. | Plastic or rubber, but some models may have metal-tipped studs. |
| Lacing System | Most models have a traditional lacing system with eyelets. Some models may have alternative lacing systems such as mesh lace covers, tongueless designs, or asymmetrical lacing. | Most models have a traditional lacing system with eyelets. Some models may have additional lace holes or an asymmetrical lacing system. |
Remember! There are many different variations, brands, and models of lacrosse and soccer cleats so there may be cleats that fall outside of these categories.
However, with technological advancements both sets of cleats are gradually getting lighter in weight.
Can you wear soccer cleats for lacrosse?
Yes, you can wear soccer cleats for lacrosse.
Both these sports share a lot of similar movements such as twisting, turning, accelerating, and changing direction.
So it makes sense that the cleats share similarities too!
There are also certain requirements that lacrosse cleats must meet for players to wear them in games, with soccer cleats meeting these requirements!
Are soccer cleats good for lacrosse?
Yes, as a whole soccer cleats are good for lacrosse.
As it was mentioned earlier soccer and lacrosse share similarly styled cleats because the sports share similar movements.
Some lacrosse players may even prefer soccer cleats due to their lighter weight, more flexible construction, and lower profile design.
These features can help improve the range of motion in the ankle and foot as well a provide a better feel for the ground.
Although some athletes prefer using soccer cleats for lacrosse it may not be a perfect fit for everyone.
Athletes who play lacrosse at a more competitive level may be more inclined to get lacrosse-specific cleats as this could give them a greater edge in high-intensity moments.
Also, athletes that require a higher level of ankle support when playing lacrosse may also find it more beneficial to wear lacrosse cleats.
Can you wear lacrosse cleats for soccer?
Although there are no specific rules saying that you can’t wear lacrosse cleats for soccer, it is strongly recommended that you don’t.
According to FIFA’s laws of the game, players are required to wear appropriate footwear that does not pose a danger to themselves or other players on the field.
It will also be up to the decision of the referee before the game.
If the referee deems the footwear to be unsafe or dangerous the player will be asked to change their footwear or risk not playing in the game.
The reason why lacrosse cleats could be dangerous for soccer is that the stud configuration may not provide the same level of traction or stability on a soccer field.
The stud length may also be a risk factor as well as the metal-tipped studs.
Before trying to play soccer in lacrosse cleats it is always a good idea to check with the league or organization governing the game you will be playing in to ensure that you are in compliance with their rules and regulations.
Best soccer cleats for playing soccer and lacrosse
If you are looking to wear soccer cleats to play soccer as well as lacrosse I would recommend the Adidas Accuracy FG
These are my reasons why:
- Low-profile design with lightweight construction made from Primeknit. This material provides a comfortable fit that helps mold to the shape of the foot
- The sock collar wraps around the ankle for better support while maintaining ankle mobility
- The TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) outsole provides a combination of flexibility and durability that can help aid a player when making quick, sharp movements
- This soccer cleat also has hybrid stud tips, giving players better traction and grip on grass or artificial surfaces.
- This soccer cleat also features a laceless design which gets rid of the hassle of tying laces, so players can focus on the game (especially useful for lacrosse because you need to wear gloves).
If you are looking at buying soccer cleats and don’t know where to start this is a comprehensive soccer cleats buying guide to make the process simpler.
The Adidas Accuracy is part of the Adidas Predator model line which has a long history of providing players with high-quality cleats since 1994.
Final thoughts
When deciding whether to buy soccer cleats or lacrosse cleats there are a couple of factors you need to take into consideration.
These factors include:
- The level of competitiveness
If you play lacrosse at a high level you may want to consider purchasing lacrosse cleats as fine margins can make all the difference.
On the other hand, if you play lacrosse more recreationally then soccer cleats will get the job done!
- Personal preference
As it was mentioned earlier, some lacrosse players prefer soccer cleats over lacrosse cleats because of the lighter feel and flexibility they get in the cleat.
It all comes down to what you feel most comfortable in.
- Support
As a trade-off of being lighter and more flexible, soccer cleats can’t offer as much support and stability as lacrosse cleats, particularly in the ankles.
So if you are an athlete that wants that extra support when playing lacrosse you may want to look into lacrosse cleats.
Alternatively, if you prefer wearing soccer cleats and still want that extra support when playing soccer or lacrosse this is a high-quality ankle support that I would recommend
- Cleat requirements
It is also important to remember that soccer cleats are authorized to use during official lacrosse games and where it is strongly recommended that you wear lacrosse cleats during soccer games.
This is because there is a high chance of risking injury to yourself and other players.
Soccer and lacrosse are both incredibly fun and competitive sports to play.
Hopefully, this soccer cleats vs lacrosse cleats guide has given you a better understanding of the differences, benefits, and questions around the topic.
Thank you for reading and please share this guide with any athletes or parents who are in this dilemma.
Toby
Wearing soccer cleats for other sports
If you found this soccer cleats vs lacrosse cleats guide helpful you would also gain knowledge from similar posts:
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Best Soccer Cleats By Position
If you play a certain position in soccer some cleats are more beneficial than others.
These are the best cleats for each position: