January Transfer Market

With only a few days until the transfer window opens, many European teams are preparing for offers that could transfer the rest of their season. With so many new managers taking over in the Premier League, there is sure to be some hot action. In particular, Man City will be one of the more active teams, with Mark Hughes being given alot of cash and freedom to transform his inconsistent team. Other teams like West Ham and Tottenham are more likely to see some selling before they see any incoming players. So, who should you watch out for transfer wise?

Emile Heskey: The Wigan man has been a target of speculation, as the journey man is wanted by many Premier League teams wanting a consistent performer. Steve Bruce does want to hold onto his star striker, but with Amar Zaki also being a transfer target, maybe Bruce will let go of Heskey to keep the inform Zaki.

Andrei Arshavin: Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Real Madrid- Where will the Russian playmaker end up? The Zenit St Petersberg striker has been told he can leave during the January transfer. But which team will get him?

Roque Santa Cruz: Will Mark Hughes get his former striker? Blackburn will be reluctant to sell, and especially after Big Sam refused to give Man City approval to talk to the player. Big Hughes needs some more firepower, and with money to burn, Cruz could be a top target.

Get ready for some big transfer action!

Real Madrid get Diarra and his Nike Air Legend II

Real Madrid bagged their first big signing of the Winter transfer window. Lassana Diarra made the transfer from Portsmouth to Real Madrid for $27 million. After a short stint at Pompey, Real Madrid made the move to sign the French midfielder from uner the nose of Man City, who were offering a much larger salary to Diarra. In his time at Portsmoutn, Diarra wore Nike Air Legend II FG - Soft Pearl/Dark Cinder/Metallic Gold, and it looks like thats what he will be wearing at the Bernabeau. The Air Legend II has a unique combination of conical/bladed studs for optimal traction and pressure dispersion. Made with Kangaroo leather for comfort and ball feel. Made with a molded sockliner with heel Zoom air unit for in-boot comfort. Priced a very generous $102.99, these cleats offer extra comfort at a good price.

Charcoal Nike Mercurial Vapor's

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of a dozen European stars who have wore the new coveted version of the Nike Mercurial Vapor IV, Citron. Only several weeks after the release of the Berry cleats, the Citron has been the focus of International soccer cleat attention, with Ronaldo scoring in the FIFA Club World Cup and AC Milan's Pato scoring to ease the teams access to the last 16. Gabriel Agbonlahor has also made his mark for an England starting spot in recent weeks, scoring in last weekends win wearing the Citron's.

So, lets put the crazy colors (Berry and Citron) aside and talk about Nike's classic style release, the Nike Mercurial Vapor IV FG - Charcoal/Red. Actually, this cleat has been available in the US for a while, and is currently heavily desired in the UK where it won't be available until February. I have to be honest, I was not a fan of Nike's very colorful releases, but they have been extremely popular. It seems that Nike has benifited from an extremely well-marketed campaign, as the cleats have sold huge numbers and appear to have increased their stake in the soccer cleat realm.

Made in Italy and weighing a mere 8.1oz, the mercurial vapor IV are built for increased acceleration in and out of quick turns. Direct-injected heel studs impact weight reduction.

For more info on the Vapor Charcoal check out this article.

Citron flavored Nike Mercurial Vapor IV

Nike have released the latest color in their Mercurial Vapor IV collection. After having huge success with the Berry color, the new Citron color is sure to also be very popular. Looking like a neon green, the Citrus was given its debut by Pato of AC Milan in the Serie A. Last weekend, the Brazilian helped create the winning goal in AC's 1-0 win. The cleat was debut in the Champions League by none other than the Pink Panther, Franck Ribery of Bayern Munich. Although that title needs some tweaking now!

Ribery, who became center of attention with the Mercurial Vapor Berry, has been playing very well of late and that included a goal during the week in Bayern's 3-2 victory over Lyon. Inter Milan also had two players wearing the Citron Vapor in Adrianno and Swedish international Ibrahimovich.

Also during the week, Ballon D'or winner Cristiano Ronaldo wore the Citron's during practice, drawing a huge amount of attention. In this weekends game vs Tottenham, the Portugese winger wore the cleats, bringing out his usual array of tricks and step overs.

Scoring Defenders: Premier League weekend Dec 6th-8th

What were defenders doing in the Premier League last weekend?
Scoring goals that’s what!
There were 6 big goals scored in all, and each one had an implication on the result.

• Nemanja Vidic got one of the most important goals of the weekend. With Man Utd’s game vs. Sunderland heading to a stalemate, Vidic popped up in the box to knock the ball into the back of the net after it had cannoned off the post from Michael Carrick’s long range effort. The goal gave Man Utd a 1-0 win and kept them in touch with Liverpool and Chelsea. Vidic currently wears the New Puma v-Konstrukt III, which are set to be released in the US January 2009. To help with touch and control, Puma have created a new front design with padding around the shooting area. This is positioned to help with control and impact when striking the ball.
Check out PUMA v-Konstrukt II


• A double from Joleon Lescott did not help Everton beat Aston Villa, although they really should have snatched a point through Lescott’s second goal in added time. 60 seconds after he had tied the game at 2-2, Aston Villa had the ball in Everton’s net to win 3-2. Lescott wears Nike Total90 Laser II. Nike developed these cleats with swerve, power and precision in mind. Their focus was on developing a shooting sweet spot, and hence the front design of the cleat. Known as Shotshield technology, Nike placed rubber zonal rings on the strike zone with direct injected rubber.
More info on Nike Total90 Laser II


• Bernard Mendy helped Hull gain another 3 points. He scored the tying goal against Middlesbrough, getting lucky when his shot hit the post and then Ross Turnbull’s back before going into the net. Mendy, like Lescott, wears the Nike Total 90 Laser II.


• Abdoulaye Faye came back to haunt Newcastle by scoring for Stoke to snatch a point in their encounter. Faye has most recently been wearing Adidas adiPURE TRX in master blue/white. These cleats have an upper Kangaroo leather glove like fit. They are about as pure and simple as you can get cleat wise. At 9.6 ounces they are pretty light. Designed for the no-nonsense central midfielder who is not afraid to get stuck in on a tackle.
More Info Adidas adiPURE Indigo/Metallic Silver/Rave Green


• And finally, Ledley King did what Spurs strikers couldn’t do in their game against a poor West Ham -put the ball in the net! Spurs had several excellent chances to score before King popped up in the box for his first goal since 2005. King wears white Adidas Predator Powerswerve. Predators have been legendary since the Premier League’s creation in the 90’s. This version has two major advantages over other boots; Powerswerve impact and Powerpulse. Powerswerve allows a player to add swerve to the ball by using a rubber interface, allowing for extra control on contact with the ball. Powerpulse is the insole insert that has Tungsten powder filled elements. These shift as you swing into the ball adding extra power and increased flexibility. The newest version of the cleat comes in Dark Indigo/Metallic Silver/Pool.
  More Info Adidas Predator PowerSwerve White Metallic/Indiog/Rave Green

Alfonso Motagalvan: Adidas Predator and Adipure

Name: Alfonso Motagalvan

Team: UCSB Mens Soccer 2004-08
Cleat size: 8.5

Sneaker size: 10

Why the difference in sizes?

I like my shoe to be snug on my foot.

What cleats do you like to wear?

I wear the Adidas Predator and Adidas Adipure, simply because they are leather. My feet are very wide and those two types feel the best. I also find it easy to adjust when I have a new pair. I prefer wearing leather rather than plastic on my feet as it gives me a better feel of the ball.

What do you look for when choosing a cleat?
When it comes to cleats, I am kind of old school. I don't really like flashy colors, not my style! I play really simple, hence why I wear mostly all black cleats. My preferred cleats mostly come in that color. You have to know your feet and what you feel comfortable in. I personally think that leather is better than the synthetic material. You have to know also whether you want style points or comfort points.

Is there any additional advice you can give?
From my past experience, leather breaks in quickly but if it doesn't, I usually shower with my boots and they will mold to my foot. In order to maintain them in top form I use leather food before I wear them. Remember that the clears are your tools!

Alfonso had a very establisher career at UC Santa Barbara, winning a National Championship in 2006 and having the honor of captaining the team his senior year. In his Junior and Senior year, Alfonso scored 10 goals and had 4 assists from the Defensive midfield spot. Not a bad return! We want to thank Alfonso for his input, and wish him every success as he awaits this years MLS draft!

Christmas gift Ideas for the Soccer Enthusiasts

Its that time of year again...Christmas is fast approaching! So, we have put together a list of gift ideas to help you solve the age old question of what to buy! I hope they help, or give you some good ideas.

Gift Cards at Soccer.com
Soccer.com is a great place to get all the latest soccer gear, from cleats to jerseys. Their gift cards go a long way, with great deals and sales all year round. If you are really just not sure what to get this is a great option. The gift card can be sent via mail or vie email, both ways being nicely packaged!
Favorite team's Soccer Jersey
A great gift is simply a soccer jersey for your favorite team. Check out and compare the best prices on many jerseys at Shopzilla.
Nike Mercurial Vapor IV FG - Berry/White
If you know the right cleat size, these are the hottest soccer cleat out there right now! It has got mass publicity for its color, with many people deeming them to be more of a pink! Either way, their popularity will probably see them selling out before Christmas. So get them now while they are available!
Soccer goals and Equipment
I grew up in Ireland having my own back garden and a set of goal posts my Dad put together by cutting some pieces of Iron and welding them together! He then cemented them into the ground. With some brand new shiny white nets, they were the best gift ever!! No more encouragement needed, I was out there everyday playing, and personally I think that played a major role in me making it as a professional player. But now its even easier to get goals and nets. For a comparison of the best prices and places to buy just check out Shopzilla. If you have the backyard space, encourage your son or daughter to play!
Soccer BallsI had a fixation with soccer balls growing up, the more I had the better! It was probably because I hated kicking the ball wide and having to chase it to the end of the garden. A lot of people think that a ball is a ball. But that is the wrong attitude. Even when training, it is best to have a quality ball. A major problem with soccer balls is warping, and this occurs with frequently with most of the cheaper brands. From my experience let me recommend some balls.
Adidas TGII MLS Competition Ball This is one of the better balls on the market. It holds true shape and is used in the MLS. It is light and lasts. Nike T90 Strike EPL This is one of the best practice balls made by Nike, at it is a good price at only $20. It is a replica ball of that used in the English Premiership so it is good quality. Nike T90 Club Team Ball At a modest $10.99 this is probably one of the best balls for price balls out there. At a recent charity event, we gave these balls out to aspiring soccer players, and I got to keep one myself. PUMA Italia v1.08 A quality ball from Puma that is known for its quality. A popular ball used for practice by teams in the Italian Serie A, the ball has reputation for 'turning' in the air with hard shots!

Nike Mercurial Vapor IV Berry, available in the US!

Its official!! You can now purchase your Nike Mercurial Berry here in the US!! And before Christmas! No doubt the Mercurial Berry is going to be one of the hotest items on the wanted list for many soccer enthusiasts(even if they are pink). The cleats are being sold for $204.99 here in the US. Get them now before they sell out, because believe me, there is a high chance that this will happen. If they do sell out, remember that we have an exclusive deal to get them shipped from the UK for only $170, and this price includes shipping! So, don't despair, there are options! If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at soccercleat101@yahoo.com and we will try give you any info we can.
Be the first to have the new Nike Mercurial IV Berry!!

In tonights champions league action, Nicklas Bendtner scored the winning goal for Arsenal in his Nike Mercurial IV Berry cleats. The win ensured Arsenal go through to the knockout stage with a game to spare.

Buy Nike Mercurial IV Berry First!!!

With the release of the Nike Mercurial Berry IV still without a date in the US, we have found the next best option....buy them in the UK and have them shipped! Be the first to wear these cleats in the US! Our connections in the UK( Kitbag.com) are offering the cleats for $179 including shipping!! The shipping cost is $21 but lets be honest, if you want the cleats enough this will not stop you! For parents looking to surprise their future soccer stars, this is a great way to get your hands on the cleats first, and before the Christmas rush! Just follow the link below, and before you know it (shipping is 4 days) you will have the Berry cleats at your doorstep! Happy Shopping, and although i'm not a huge fan of the 'pink' cleats, I hope you get the cleats you want!!

This is an exclusive offer!!
Click below:


Here is a sizing chart for you to compare US to UK Sizes.

UK	4½	5	5½	6	6½	7	7½	8	8½	9	9½	10	10½	11	11½	12	13	14	15
US	5½	6	6½	7	7½	8	8½	9	9½	10	10½	11	11½	12	12½	13	14	15	16

Mercurial Vapor IV Berry poll result

We ran a poll to find out your opinion of the now very recognizable pink soccer cleats. Thank you to all that voted. The cleats got a resounding thumbs up from voters. The cleats were debuted this past weekend in many leagues across Europe, with a huge following looking to see who and where they would be worn. Over the past month, there has been huge interests in the cleats, and there have been very mixed reactions! Here are the results of the poll:
61% said that you loved the cleats
16% said they would wear the cleats if they got them for free
11% said they were not their cup of tea, or not what they would want
11% said they would never wear them

So, it was pretty unanimous with the voters that the cleats are pretty cool, even if they are pink. If anyone else has an opinion please feel free to leave us a comment!!

Nike Mercurial IV Berry with different kits!!

So, I thought it might be interesting to pair up the Mercurial Berry’s with different professional kits to see how they will match up. All the Jerseys are the home kits of their respective teams.

After taking a look, I think the Juventus Jersey’s match up the best with the cleats, while I feel the Chelsea kit will be a total mis-match clash. Palermo’s pink Jersey might be perfect with the cleats, but it might also be a total pansy outfit!! It will be interesting to see them in the next few weekends on different players. Let me know what your thoughts are, and if there are any other kits you think the cleats will match up with nicely!

Buy Nike Mercurial Vapor IV FG - Berry/White

Official Nike mercurial Vapor Berry Picture!

So, its official! Here is an image of the new Mercurial Vapor IV Berry. The cleat, which is being released as a limited edition, will be available in the UK November 24th. it is rumored that players like Frank Ribery and Andrie Arshavin will debut the cleats next weekend. No news on whether any of the big Premier League stars will be wearing them (Robinho, Ronaldo, Drogba). I am still wondering who will be brave enough to wear these bad boys on the big stage!! There is still no release date for these cleats in the US but stay tuned for more info!

Nike Mercurial Vapor Berry Picture

Is this the new Nike Mercurial Vapor IV Berry? Images of the new cleat are extremely hard to find, Nike are keeping their cards very close to their chest. But this one seems to be pretty close. It seems to be a close berry/pink color. Keep posted for more pics as we get them.

New Nike Mercurial Vapor IV, are they Pink or Berry?

Nike is releasing its latest color of the Mercurial Vapor IV range. But the question on everybodies lips is are these cleats Pink or Berry? Nike is advertising them as 'Berry' but from all the talk going around they are more of a Pink color!

The questions is, who will be brave enough to wear these cleats when they are released? They are being released as a limited edition, so when they are released you are going to want to get a pair as soon as possible, believe me even though they are going to be a pink color, they will sell out fast!

Pictures of the cleats have been held very closely by Nike, driving up the interest in the cleats. Even the Professional players and commentators in Nike's advertisments have only seen a picture, but not been allowed to keep it! The only picture released is the one above left. As soon as the first pics are released we will have them here, so keep an eye on the blog for a first look at the cleats. The release date in the UK for the cleats is November 24th!

Cristiano Ronaldo Mercurial Vapor IV FG, Goal!

Cristiano Ronaldo is making up for lost time after missing the first 3 games of the 2008/09 season. With 8 goals so far this season in the Premier League, including 6 goals in his last 4 games. His two goals in saturdays games came from blistering free kicks. Ronaldo has a unique ability to make the ball turn in the air, and against Stoke, after only 3 minutes of the game, Ronaldo had the ball swerving and dipping into the back of the net. For any Fantasy League manager, Ronaldo is a must!

We have reviewed the Nike Mercurial Vapor IV FG that Ronaldo wears before, but lets take another look at these unique cleats. These cleats are designed for speed, and the lightweight design helps give a player a one step advantage over their oponents. A VAPOR forefoot plate with multidirectional traction pattern gives you excellent grip. The upper material used in the cleat is soft, supple Teijin synthetic leather. They weigh a superlight 7.4oz.

From other reviews, these cleats are an excellent purchase. Because of the materials used, the cleats contour to the shape of your foot increasing the comfort. Speed is a huge part of the current day style of soccer, so these cleats are a must have for wingers and speedy forwards looking for an advantage over their opposition!

Also, check out this pretty funny video of Manchester United's Kit-man using Ronaldo's gear, pretty entertaining!!
http://inside.nike.com/blogs/nikesoccer/2008/11/12/nike-pro-albie-is-tackleproof

Tottenhams Resurgence

Tottenham experienced an extremely difficult start to the 2008/09 season. After 8 games, they found themselves bottom of the table with only 2 points and a sacked manager. Juande Ramos came in for a great deal of stick, and bore the brunt of starting the season so badly after leading Spurs to glory in the Carling Cup in his first season. Losing Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov impacted the team hugely, as they struggled to get things going up top. But over the past few games things have really changed. Darren Bent and Roman Pavlyuchenko are starting to form a strong partnership leading the team to 3 wins and a draw in their last four games. So, what cleats are these players wearing?

Funnily enough, Bent recently changed cleats, moving from Nike cleats to the Umbro SX Flare - White/Navy/Gold. These cleats seem to have ignited his goal scoring touch, having bagged 7 goals so far this season and 5 in the last 5 premiership games. The Umbro SX is designed for improved motion and touch control. It has an anatomically designed insock that helps improve comfort. Not only are they made of Kangaroo Leather, but Michelin have partnered with Umbro to develop an advanced PU control print system applied to the front and upper area of the cleat. This helps to increase ball control, touch and help in passing accuracy. These cleats are more of a wide fit, and weigh 9.4oz.

Pavlyuchenko has only scored 2 goals in the Premiership, but both of these have come in his past 3 games and have been winning goals. His partnership with Bent is sure to be the key to Spurs challenging climb up the table. Pavlyuchenko wears the adidas F50.8 TUNIT Russia Upper. The F50.8 is a unique cleat as it allows you to change the top to any style available that you like. Before Euro 2008, Adidas released many different uppers for the qualified countries. The Russian upper comes in a main white, with red stripes and a blue Russian symbol on the tongue area. It has a second density, clear 3D heel/bottom unit. As with other Tunit F50.8 uppers, it has a covered lacing system that allows for increased striking area.

With Spurs still in the Uefa cup, and having knocked out Chelsea in their quest to retain the Carling cup, it is probable that we will see more of the Bent/Pavlyuchenko relationship and their cleats!

Hull City: Season so far in cleats

Who would have thought that 11 Premiership games into the season, Hull City would be lying in 6th place with 20 points! Or that they would already have beaten the likes of Newcastle and the mighty Arsenal, or score 3 goals in a narrow loss at Old Trafford to Man Utd. They find themselves in the dizzying heights of the table, more than half way to the 'safety' number of 36 points. We thought it would be nice to show you some of the current Hull warriors and let you know what cleats they are wearing as they battle their way towards staying in the premier league!

It started with promotion to the Premiership, Dean Windass scored the winning goal in the Championship playoff Final versus Bristol City. Windass is wearing PUMA v1.06 i FG K. The v1.06 were released before the 2007 season. They weigh a mere 7.80z, are made of Kangaroo Leather and are part of Puma's V-speed line. The 2008-09 version, v1.08, is discussed in the Newest Cleats review.

Next, the opening day of the 2008 season, a home game versus Fulham. And it turned out to be a great start! Fulham drew first blood, but goals from Geovanni and Caleb Folan gave Hull a well deserved 2-1 Premier League victory on their first attempt.. Hull's first top flight goal scorer, Geovanni, wears Umbro Speciali PU - Black. The Speciali's are a unique cleat designed for that hard-working, no nonsense midfielder. Weighing 10oz and made of Kangaroo leather, these cleats have a reputation for breaking in easily and being just plain old comfortable.

But they were brought back down to earth with a thumping 5-0 loss to Wigan, and then a loss to

Swansea City in the Carling cup. But Hull bounced back with at excellent 2-1 win at St James Park, taking advantage of Newcastle's bad start to the season.Marlon King grabbed both goals. King wears adidas F50.7 TUNIT Start Kit - Black/White/Royal. Tunits give you the unique ability to change your soccer boot depending on the weather conditions. What a great advantage to be able to use one pair of cleats for several different conditions! These cleats are ultra light. You can purchase different upper designs, from a countries flag colors to 'clima-cool', depending on your style.


After a tie with Blackburn, Hull traveled to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal. Paul McShane scored an own goal mid way through the second half, but goals from Geovanni and a late summer loan signing Daniel Cousins lifted the Tigers to a very famous 2-1 victory. It helped lift them to 6th in the premiership table. Cousins, who signed from Glasgow Rangers, is from Gabon. He currently wears Nike Mercurial Vapor SL FG - Pine Green/Metallic Silver/Red. These are the cleats that Christiano Ronaldo debuted earlier this season in the marine/volt/metallic color. The entire outsole of this cleat is made of carbon, a very unique composite that is much lighter and more efficient than graphite! They weigh only 7.4oz, and offer a contoured sock liner with ventilation holes to help keep your feet a little more cool.

Three more wins followed against Tottenham, West Ham and West Brom giving the tigers 20 points from 9 games!! The win against Tottenham marked two excellent victories over North London opponents in one week. Their last two games were against former Premier league champions, resulting in losses, although losing 4-3 at Old Trafford shows that the team possesses a great spirit and is not willing to lie down to even the best opponent. 4-1 down early in the second half, Hull pulled back 2 goals and could have snatched a draw late on. Hull look to have the capability of staying in the premier League for another season, even at this early stage. But can they continue there good form and stay in the top half of the table?

My prediction: With Phil Brown stating that he needs 3 more signings at Christmas, I think the team will have what it needs to stay up. If they can keep the confidence that is currently in the team rolling, I see them getting to 44points(after looking at the fixture list), which would see them finish just around the 9th-10th place spot.

Puma V1.06 i FG at sale price

I have just noticed that the ever popular Puma V1.06 is on sale at a terrific price at the moment! The cleats, normally priced at $190 are currently on sale for appoximately $80 to $90 depending on the style you want. I have just purchased a pair, and as anyone else who has ever owned a pair will tell you, these cleats are ultra light and when you break them in they are super comfortable. Weighing in at 6.80z and with a covered lacing system, these cleats are perfect for wingers and speedy forwards. Puma might have an updated version of this cleat, but for the price I would recommend buying a pair while they are available, even if just as a back up. I would recommend ordering a size up as these cleats are small fitting. I am a size 9 but ordered a size 9.5. Check out the links below for more information.
PUMA v1.06 i FG - Camo Red/Metallic Silver Current $89.99
PUMA v1.06 i FG - Ebony/Orange/Metallic Currently $79.99
Puma v1.06 i FG - White/Black/Red Currently $79.99
PUMA v1.06 i FG K Currently $79.99
PUMA v1.06 i FG K - Black/Black/Red Currently $79.99
PUMA v1.06 i FG K - Dark Shadow/Blue Currently $79.99

Puma King XL 40th Anniversary Edition

The introduction of the original Puma King cleat came in 1968, 40 years ago, and today it is still one of the most popular cleats around, standing the test of time. The cleat was introduced in 1968 in honor of the great Eusebio, the legendary Portuguese international (he was born in Mozambique) who at the 1966 World Cup scored 9 goals. Eusebio was part of the development team that created the Puma King cleat.

Over the years, the King became synonymous with soccer players around the world and was worn by legends including Brazil’s Pele, Argentina’s Maradona and Dutch maestro Johan Cruyff.

This year’s special limited edition 40th year anniversary edition comes in a red color. The newest addition to Puma’s range retains its classic lines and traditional styling, but it has updated materials, enhanced features and some new design details. Super-soft, ultra-thin full-grain leather is complemented by a high-density silicon heel counter and conical firm ground stud construction for optimal stability and maneuverability.

Reviews about the cleats have been very positive. Great feel and touch are the main reactions of players wearing the cleats. Puma are renowned for the comfort of their cleats, and from wearing the v-Konstruct II personally I would agree with the comfort level of Puma Cleats. Also, by purchasing at the right place, you are also given a really nice shoe bag that contains a shoe brush and polish. Worth watching out for!

My favorite feature of the cleat is the tongue, where the cleats 40 years, 1969 to 2008, is stitched on.

Taking care of your cleats

You have just bought a new pair of cleats, and its time to break them in. So, what should you do to break them in the right way and make them last? Let’s look at some of the steps you can take to ensure that you get the most from your cleats.

Breaking them in:
It is important that new cleats are ready for their first 90 minutes. In order for them to be ready, you need get them loose and comfortable on your feet. The ‘shower technique’ is one that many pro players use to get their leather cleats ready. Chris Loftus, Neil Jones, Andy Dorman and David McGill have all talked about this technique in their reviews. The hot water helps the leather expand/loosen a little, giving you some breathing room for when you use them. Another important step is to wear them jogging or during warm-up rather than wearing them for the first time in a game. The more you can do to loosen up your cleats and get them snug on your feet, the better they will be for that first game. A lot of professional players have several pairs of cleats at one time so that they can break pairs in over time.

Avoiding Blisters:
Breaking cleats in properly will help reduce the possibility of blistering. You definitely want to avoid blisters! If you wear your boots and notice you are feeling the onset of blisters, it is very handy to have some Vaseline around. Just smear it on around the areas you are feeling the blisters. The Vaseline will help your foot move a little more smoothly against you cleat reducing the friction that occurs.

After the game:
There are certain steps to follow when the game is finished. First, it is important to dry and air your cleats. One of the worst things that about 60% of soccer players do is leave their cleats in their bag until the next practice! It is very important to take them out of your bag so they can dry naturally. One tip that the pros do to help dry out cleats is to put newspaper inside. This helps soak up any of the dampness that is inside. Where you leave the cleats to dry is also important, don’t leave them in direct sunlight or somewhere that is very hot. This will only dry them out and cause them to crack. In order to keep you cleats soft and supple, you need to ‘moisturize’ them.

Keeping them soft:
The best solution for this is leather food. A majority of professional soccer players use leather food. I know when I came to the US from Ireland, I would have to fight guys off after practice from using it all!! My preferred brand is Chelsea leather food. It has nothing to do with the Premier league team, so it’s ok to buy if you are a Man Utd fan!! In Danny Kennedy’s review he talks about how he cleans and leather food’s his cleats the day before any game.


Using polish:
Polish is something I used on my boots all the time as a kid. I always had to have the shiniest boots! It never hurts to polish your boots. The most professional players will grab a brush and shine those bad boys up. It is important to make sure that you use a brush to clean off any excess dirt beforehand. Boots like Copas and Puma Kings are definitely shoes you will want to polish up. A few hours after polishing, use some leather food to keep them feeling soft.

So, recapping, it is important to break your cleats in slowly, dry them naturally after games, and keep them supple by using leather food. If you fancy, stuff some newspaper in them for drying, and some shoe polish for that professional player look. For more info on what the professionals do, check out the player reviews on this blog!