When shopping for baseball gear, finding a great baseball bat and glove likely come to mind first. Although these are definitely important, having the most comfortable baseball cleats will surely make a huge difference as well. Whether you’re sprinting around the bases, jumping up to field a line drive, or sliding into base to beat a throw, having the right cleats will ensure comfort, improve performance, and prevent foot fatigue.
Like many sports, baseball requires being on your feet and running for long periods of time. Therefore, having baseball cleats with maximum comfort is crucial to maintaining top performance. Although many factors will play a part in how comfortable baseball cleats are, they will typically have one or more of the following attributes:
- Good Traction – Prevent slipping to maintain good baseball form and also prevent injury
- Breathable – Baseball cleats should be snug so being breathable helps keep your feet cool
- Flexible – Wearing rigid baseball cleats for long periods of time can result in foot pain
- Durable – Baseball cleats won’t feel very comfortable if they’re falling apart after a few uses
- Protective – A foul ball off your toe won’t feel very good so having some protection is desirable
Below we’ll take a look at some of the best youth baseball cleats, men’s cleats, and women’s softball cleats. Each of these check most boxes when it comes to the attributes listed above.
Here is a Quick List of the Best Baseball and Softball Cleats
Table Of Contents
Different Parts of Baseball Cleats
- Toe Cap – Can provide extra protection for toes and enhance durability
- Toe Box – Area of the baseball cleats for the toes. Cleats usually have a narrow toe box but some have a wider area providing extra comfort for wide feet
- Cut Length – How high cleats come up around the ankles (Low-cut, Mid-cut, or High-cut)
- Upper – Area of the cleats that support the top of the foot and usually has some perforations for breathability
- Midsole – Area of the cleats that provide support for the bottom of the foot
- Stud/Cleat/Spike – The part that provides the traction on the field
Types of Baseball Cleats
Stud Type
- Metal – Provides superior traction but is usually not allowed in youth leagues and also higher risk of injury
- Molded – Rubber studs are molded into the shoe
- Turf – Designed for artificial turf surfaces and contain small rubber studs
- TPU – Similar to molded baseball cleats but the studs are a harder plastic material instead of rubber
Wide vs. Narrow
Usually, baseball cleats should be snug to provide more responsiveness when making quick moves on the field. Therefore, most baseball cleats come in a narrow style to provide a snug fit.
However, for baseball players with wide feet the narrow style can be problematic since they can be too tight (or simply not fit at all). Consequently, narrow baseball cleats can result in increased foot pain for athletes with wide feet. Therefore, wide baseball cleats are available which accommodate these players with wider feet and provide them the comfort necessary for top performance.
Top Brands
When it comes to finding the right brand of comfortable baseball cleats, there is a lot of competition. Also, within each brand, there are many different styles, sizes, and types. Sticking with the top brands will usually provide some confidence that they’ll provide top performance, comfort, and durability.
All of the baseball cleats in our reviews below are from these top brands and each review will provide more information to help you select the right one for you. These top brands are New Balance, Under Armour, Nike, and Adidas. There are definitely many other brands that provide baseball cleats but these four are some of the most popular ones and have a history of providing high-quality products and support.
3 Most Comfortable Baseball Cleats for Youth
Under Armour Unisex-Child Leadoff Low Rm Jr. Baseball Shoe
As one of the top sellers from Under Armour, the Leadoff Low Rm Jr. baseball cleats provide ultimate comfort for youth players. These rubber molded cleats provide excellent traction and are also very lightweight. Additionally, there are perforations in the toe box that should keep feet cool throughout a full baseball game. Finally, with a plethora of sizes and colors to choose from, these cleats are hard to beat in an affordable price range.
- Toe box perforations for enhanced breathability
- Durable overlay on the toe cap provides protection
- Padded collar and heel construction
- Full-length EVA midsole provides cushioning that evenly distributes cleat pressure underfoot
- Rubber molded cleats provide optimal traction
- Fit may run small
Adidas Unisex-Child Icon 7 Md Baseball Shoe
Adidas Icon 7 molded TPU cleats are another great pair of comfortable cleats for youth players. Similar to the Under Armour Leadoff cleats, these lightweight cleats provide great traction. Additionally, the textile upper and lining provide a very breathable feel. Finally, the mid cut style provides some extra ankle support. If a mid cut style is what you’re looking for, these provide your youth player excellent comfort.
- Supportive mid cut style
- Textile upper and lining for increased breathability
- Lightstrike midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Molded TPU for extra traction
- Fit may run big
- Can be too narrow for wider feet
New Balance Kid’s 4040 V6 Molded Baseball Shoe
The New Balance 4040 V6 provide excellent comfort and also a large variety of sizes and colors. For youth players with wide feet, these cleats have sizes that are specifically designed for wide feet comfort. These molded rubber cleats also provide great traction and have a very lightweight feel. Finally, a REVlite midsole provides lightweight responsive cushioning that should keep young players comfortable even if games go into extra innings.
- Wide sizes available
- Full-length REVlite midsole provides lightweight responsive cushioning
- Synthentic upper for enhanced durability
- True-to-size fit
- None
3 Most Comfortable Baseball Cleats for Men
New Balance Men’s FuelCell 4040 V6 Metal Baseball Shoe
The New Balance Fuelcell 4040 V6 baseball cleats are sure to be a popular choice for comfort and performance. These New Balance cleats also look great sporting the flying NB logo that gives them a more aggressive appearance. Additionally, these baseball cleats have eight metal spikes that provide superior traction all over the field. Finally, the Fit Weave upper gives these some stretch for a flexible feel and enhanced durability. If you’re looking for baseball cleats that are big on comfort, performance, and looks, you can’t go wrong if you pick these up.
- Wide sizes available
- FuelCell foam delivers excellent comfort
- Fit Weave upper for enhanced durability and flexibility
- 8 metal spikes for superior traction
- None
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 3000 V5 Metal Baseball Shoe
New Balance baseball cleats are a popular choice for comfort and the New Balance 3000 V5 provide this great comfort along with great performance. The eight metal spikes provide superior traction whether you’re running down a fly ball in the outfield or rounding the bases on the infield. Additionally, the low cut style and reaction-diffusion design allow athletes to make all of the quick baseball movements required on each play. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning provides ample comfort while still allowing for a very lightweight pair of cleats.
- Wide sizes available
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning provides comfort while being lightweight
- Synthetic and TPU/Poly combo mesh for breathability
- 8 metal spikes for superior traction
- Comfort collar for reduced irritation and ankle comfort
- May feel a little more rigid
Adidas Men’s Adizero Afterburner 8 Baseball Shoe
The Adidas Adizero Afterburner 8 baseball cleats pack a ton of comfort and still come out amazingly lightweight. This lightweight design begins with a Sprintskin upper which also provides extreme comfort. Additionally, athletes will appreciate the Lightstrike midsole cushioning that greatly reduces cleat pressure. To top it all off, there are a ton of different colors and sizes to choose from.
- Sprintskin upper provides lightweight support
- Lightstrike midsole offers superlight cushioning
- Metal spikes for superior traction
- Many colors to choose from
- May feel narrow for wide feet
3 Most Comfortable Softball Cleats for Women
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Velo V2 Molded Softball Shoe
The New Balance Velo V2 softball cleats are one of the most comfortable cleats you can find and also provide great performance. The FRESH FOAM midsole cushioning reduces pressure on your feet. Additionally, the perforated upper enhances breathability so your feet can remain cool throughout an entire game. Of course, great performance requires excellent traction and these TPU-molded cleats also provide great traction along with being very lightweight.
- FRESH FOAM midsole cushioning for an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Perforated upper offers a lightweight feel and breathability
- TPU-molded cleat provides enhanced traction
- Comfort Collar helps prevent irritation and hugs the ankle
- Many colors to choose from
- Wide sizes available
- May feel a little rigid
Under Armour Women’s Glyde Mt Softball Shoe
The Under Armour Glyde is another popular choice in softball cleats for athletes looking for metal studs. The breathable mesh toe box and molded heel make these cleats feel as comfortable as wearing a favorite pair of sneakers. However, these definitely provide excellent performance on the field. The ten metal studs provide superior traction all over the field. Additionally, a TPU toe cap enhances durability and also offers some protection.
- Breathable mesh toe box
- TPU toe cap for added durability
- Ortholite™ sockliner for long-lasting comfort & improved traction
- New spike shape is sharper for increased traction & quicker release
- None
Nike Women’s Lunar Hyperdiamond 3 Pro Metal Fastpitch Softball Cleats
Nike has a history of producing great looking shoes and the same can be said for the Lunar Hyperdiamond 3 Pro softball cleats. In addition to looking great, these cleats also excel in performance and comfort. The nine metal cleats are angled in way to provide excellent traction whether you’re playing on the infield or outfield. Additionally, the mesh upper with skin overlay provides breathable comfort. Finally, a TPU toe cap provides extra durability so that these cleats can remain on your feet for multiple seasons.
- Mesh upper provides breathable comfort
- TPU toe cap for added durability
- Full-length Lunarlon foam absorbs impact and reduces cleat pressure
- 9 angled cleats for superior traction
- May feel a little rigid
- May feel narrow for wide feet
Frequently Asked Questions About Baseball Cleats
Are low or mid baseball cleats better?
Are metal baseball cleats better?
What does TPU mean for cleats?
Conclusion
In the same way finding the perfect pair of shoes is tough. so is finding the perfect pair of baseball or softball cleats. The only way to truly know they’re perfect for you is to try them on. However, with the list of baseball and softball cleats we’ve provided here, this should give you a good start on your search. You definitely can’t go wrong with any of these.