How to Choose the Proper Footwear for Baseball or Softball

Turf Shoes vs. Molded Cleats vs. Metal Cleats vs. Trail Running Shoes

When looking for the perfect type of shoe to wear on the baseball or softball field, the choice between molded cleats, metal cleats, and turfs comes down to a combination of the playing field, the age of the athlete, and personal preferences.

Turf Shoes

As the name suggests, baseball and softball turf shoes are the best option for playing on artificial turf. They provide more grip than normal sneakers on the artificial surface while also helping to preserve the playing field and prevent the potential for injury. Since artificial turf is more shallow than natural grass, there is less surface to dig into with regular cleats. The short tread pattern of turfs require less depth for optimal traction, making these shoes an ideal choice. Turf shoes offer more comfort and stability than any other shoe on artificial surfaces.

Turf shoes are also the most comfortable option for off-field practices and training. They are good for use in batting cages, and many coaches like these shoes regardless of the surface of the playing field.

Generally, Boombah Turf Shoes are more aggressive than other options on the market. This means that you should feel more traction in a Boombah Turf compared to most other brands.

Shop Turf Shoes

SHOP RAPTOR

Raptor / Raptor AWR

Features a tongueless design that slips onto your foot for a sock like feel.

SHOP BALLISTIC

Ballistic

Features a supportive TPU cage that provides lockdown support, and a breathable and durable synthetic weave.

SHOP JUGGERNAUT

Juggernaut

Lightweight, high-performance boot designed to give premium support to big hitters on the diamond.

SHOP RONIN

Ronin

This turf is ideal for the fast power-hitter.

SHOP GLADIATOR

Gladiator

Specifically engineered to give the hitter the best platform to hit massive drives.

SHOP CHALLENGER

Challenger

Features a synthentic mesh upper for breathability and a tpu cage for support and protection where you need it.

SHOP DART

Dart

Made with a high quality synthetic upper that keeps you locked down and comfortable, while being water resistant.

SHOP DIAMOND

Diamond

Built with the comfort of an everyday sneaker and the high performance you expect from a turf on the field.

Molded Cleats

Molded cleats are a great option for players of all ages, as they can be worn on most surfaces without wearing down and are typically lighter than other options. They are best suited for natural grass but can also be used on artificial turf fields. However, as mentioned above, turfs are the ideal choice for artificial turf fields. Artificial turf is more shallow than natural grass, so players wearing molded cleats are not able to gain as much traction on these fields since there is less surface for the molded cleats to dig into. These cleats are often more durable and last longer than metal cleats because the plastic or rubber studs do not wear down as quickly as metal spikes do.

Molded cleats often feature more studs on their outsoles, so they distribute weight better with less pressure points making for a more comfortable fit. They do not dig into the ground as effectively as metal cleats do, but many see the greater comfort as an advantage. Additionally, they tend to perform better in soft or muddy conditions since they will not dig down and get stuck in the mud.

These shoes used to be primarily worn by youth or more casual players, as they cause less injuries than metal cleats do while baserunning. Recently, however, more players at higher levels have begun to wear molded cleats too. Many professional players often alternate between molded cleats and metal cleats in order to maintain a higher level of comfort than they would just wearing metal cleats for the entirety of the 162-game season.