8 Best Youth Baseball Cleats to Play Effectively

Cleats are one of the most fundamental things needed to play baseball. After all, they allow ballplayers to dig into the grass, turn on a dime, and steal bases. It’s no different on the youth levels as kids need solid, comfortable cleats to play effectively.

So it’s not shocking to learn parents are often looking for the best youth baseball cleats. But it has become challenging to find high-quality options within this marketplace. Sadly, many different variables can make the process somewhat complicated.

I intend to solve these issues by providing a detailed buying guide. It’ll help buyers determine what makes up a high-quality set of cleats by knowing several buying factors. Here’s a quick preview of those discussions to offer parents a solid starting point:

But our buying guide won’t be the only resource at your disposal. I’ll also offer 8 product reviews of my favorite options to demonstrate what’s available. Both resources should give buyers everything needed to choose suitable youth baseball cleats.

Best Baseball Cleats for Youth Reviews

1. New Balance Kids’ 4040 V5 Molded Baseball Shoe

The New Balance Kids’ 4040 V5 Molded Baseball Shoe begins our list with a fantastic set of features. I’d have to start with its impressive construction of breathable, durable synthetic material. This option won’t have difficulty handling the wear and tear of regular use.

On a similar note, kids won’t be complaining about this cleat’s overall feel. It has an extremely lightweight design fitted with a comfortable sidewall and EVA midsole. In fact, my nephew compared wearing these cleats to walking on clouds.

Young players will also get excellent traction from these cleats. After all, New Balance placed rubber molded outsole spikes on the bottom of these shoes. It should even come close to the traction produced by a metal cleat, such as Adidas’s Adizero Afterburner 8 Baseball Shoe.

I was thrilled with the well-constructed lace cage, as well. Some youth baseball cleats don’t have enough protection for the laces, which leads to durability concerns. But these New Balance ones will have no issue keeping the laces in good shape and preventing any unnecessary tearing.

Lastly, this cleat comes in two stylish color options to help mesh with a kid’s personality or team colors. The red/white choice was perfect for my nephew’s little league team. But it’s easy to see how the gray/white could suit another buyer’s needs.

 Heads-up:  Overall, I found these New Balance youth baseball cleats met my expectations without breaking much of a sweat. This youth baseball cleat design provides a comfortable feel and optimal traction to ensure high-quality performance. What more could I want?

 Pros:   Cons:  Bottom Line:  On the downside, a few customers noted that the sizing runs a little small. I’d suggest buying a size or two up to avoid this issue. Plus, it could provide a little breathing room to avoid buying another pair after a kid’s next growth spurt.

2. Under Armour Leadoff Rm Jr Baseball Shoe

Our next option, the Under Armour Leadoff Rm Jr Baseball Shoe, is one of the most comfortable baseball cleats available. It earns this distinction through features such as its padded tongue, padded heel, and toe-box perforations.

As a result, it helps cultivate a comfy environment to help soothe any discomfort or cleat pressure. This ability has made it a favorite cleat for heel pain and dealing with other similar issues. Multiple customers even alluded to its overall comfort as a positive in their reviews.

Comfort isn’t the only area where this baseball cleat excels, though. I was also delighted with the overall craftsmanship of the product’s construction. Under Armour used a high-quality synthetic material to create a reliable, stable product that could last years.

The cleat’s even equipped with a durable overlay on its toe cap. It’s a vital component because this overlay will help protect the cap from any damage or minor durability concerns. It’s often a problem area for other synthetic leather cleats like Adidas Boys’ Icon V Mid Leather Baseball Cleats.

Parents should also value this product’s impressive versatility. The molded rubber cleats can work on any field surface, regardless of conditions. Plus, buyers will have a choice of multiple size options and five colors to ensure they find a perfect fit.

 Heads-up:  I found the laces to be a little shorter than expected, though. It can make putting on the cleats slightly tricky and frustrating. But this issue becomes less problematic after a few uses and getting accustomed to the cleats.

 Pros:   Cons:  Bottom Line:  Despite this issue with the laces, I’d still recommend these cleats to any parent. The high-quality comfort and versatility alone make them a solid fit for most youth baseball players.

3. Adidas Icon V Molded Cleat

Adidas’s Icon V Molded Cleat stands out from competitors by offering excellent freedom of movement. It provides this by incorporating a low-top style rather than a restrictive high-top or a more balanced mid-top. Therefore, this cleat is a godsend for anyone who wants to be a speed demon around the base paths.

But this low-top design wouldn’t mean much without having a stable construction. Thankfully, Adidas did their homework using a high-quality 100% synthetic material. It’ll ensure this cleat has no issues lasting through the entire baseball season.

Users shouldn’t overlook the product’s durable ironskin toe cap, either. Its impressive abrasion resistance will help increase the cleat’s durability by a significant margin. Plus, this feature will prevent scuff marks to ensure the cleat remains in good condition.

I was also impressed with this product’s overall comfort level. The product’s padded wing tongue is a massive reason for its exceptional comfortability. Honestly, I could tell from the tongue’s feel that it’d help ease the tension created by running around a baseball diamond.

This cleat won’t provide any performance issues, either. Its outer rubber sole offers superior traction to ensure swiping a base is a smooth process. It even improved my nephew’s fielding by avoiding any slippage that plagued his previous Nike youth baseball cleats.

 Heads-up:  But I was disappointed to see these cleats didn’t quite fit my other nephew. The product’s more narrow design doesn’t match well with his wider feet. So this option isn’t the top-rated youth baseball cleat for wide feet.

 Pros:   Cons:  Bottom Line:  Luckily, Adidas does a solid job providing the measurements in its ad description. If they’re followed, those narrow design problems shouldn’t be any trouble. After all, this product’s ankle movement and durability are next level.

4. Guardian Blaze Baseball Cleats

Good ankle support is a crucial component of any high-quality cleats. And Guardian’s Blaze Baseball Cleats surpass many low-top models, such as Nike’s Vapor Ultrafly 2 Keystone Baseball Cleats, with their ankle protection.

For instance, the synthetic upper rubber construction has earned significant praise for its ability to prevent discomfort and other ankle-related issues. Guardian also did a solid job complementing this ankle support with cushioned insoles to combat foot fatigue.

I was also pleased with the patented V-Cleat design, which provides top-flight performance. I couldn’t find a single buyer with a bad thing to say about how it impacted their baseball ability. It should only increase a youth player’s ability to cut, run, field, or lead off the base.

Durability isn’t an issue for this product, either. It withstands wear and tear using its impressively crafted double reinforced toe guard. Therefore, any sliding or similar events won’t damage the cleat’s condition or performance ability.

It was delightful to see Guardian offered these youth cleats in different colors for boys and girls. This versatility provides the product with a bit more convenience than other options. I only wish this option were available as purple youth baseball cleats since it’s my niece’s favorite color.

 Heads-up:  As for the product’s flaws, this cleat has a reputation for running a little large. So it would be wise to buy a half size or a full size down.

 Pros:   Cons:  Bottom Line:  All in all, a sizing issue shouldn’t prevent buyers from considering this excellent product. It’ll be a perfect fit for various young athletes looking to get a more comfortable pair of cleats.

5. Nike Vapor Ultrafly 2 Keystone Baseball Cleats

The Nike Vapor Ultrafly 2 Keystone Baseball Cleats stand out among many options by offering a snug, tight fit with its inner sleeve. Therefore, users won’t have to worry about any empty space inside the cleat, which can be uncomfortable.

Instead, users can rely on this internal structure to be extremely cozy. It’s fitted with a foam footbed and lightweight cushioning to ensure excellent comfort. It should make playing baseball a much more enjoyable experience for whoever wears these cleats.

I was also intrigued by the breathable, durable upper design made from high-quality TPU mesh and synthetic leather. It has proven to provide better airflow, which helps prevent stinky and sweaty cleats. This ability is a must-have for catchers or anyone living in hotter climates.

Kids won’t have much issue lacing these cleats up, either. These options have easy lace-up designs that shouldn’t cause much trouble. If they know how to tie their shoes, it won’t take more than a minute.

I can’t discuss these cleats much longer without mentioning the outsole flex groove construction with 12 rubber studs. It ensures a ballplayer will have unrestricted, natural movement when running around bases or the outfield.

 Heads-up:  But these Nike cleats do have a low-top design that lacks ankle support. So anyone who’s overly worried about turned ankles or sprains might want to look elsewhere. A mid-top choice like Under Armour’s Harper Rm Jr. Boy’s Baseball Cleats would better suit those circumstances.

 Pros:   Cons:  Bottom Line:  However, this low-top design isn’t devoid of ankle support. It should do a solid enough job to provide comfort during short games. The other benefits also make the risk worth it, especially with youth players who aren’t moving as much.

6. Adidas Unisex-Child Baseball Shoe

Some youth players will require cleats with wider designs for a comfortable fit. The Adidas Unisex-Child Baseball Shoe can fulfill those requirements with ease. It has a broad structure that’ll offer users plenty of extra space and free movement.

Users can also expect this cleat to have a valuable mesh tongue. This component will do wonders for the cleat’s breathability and level of convenience. Due to this, the amount of sweat building in a player’s cleat will reduce significantly.

Adidas did a solid job maximizing their customer base, as well. It provides 15 youth sizes, making it even usable for 12 year old players. I find it hard to imagine anyone looking for a youth baseball cleat won’t find a functional variation of this option.

The amount of variation only increases when looking at its available color choices. Each buyer gets to select between four beautiful designs. I found myself drawn toward the black/white/black scheme as it meshes better with what my nephew wanted.

As for its performance, buyers shouldn’t sleep on this product’s rubber outsole. It contains a well-crafted stud configuration that’s perfect for producing high-quality traction. It’s also durable enough to last all season without needing a replacement.

 Heads-up:  Sadly, this option does have one significant issue. These are our most expensive baseball cleats and rival the price tags of other costly options like Mike Trout cleats youth editions. Buyers will need to determine whether its various impressive features are worth the price tag.

 Pros:   Cons:  Bottom Line:  I feel much better spending extra on these cleats than another higher-priced option, such as Mike Trout baseball cleats youth editions. Honestly, these cleats feature a better performance quality suited to what I want than most other models.

7. Franklin Sports Baseball Cleat

Parents shouldn’t overlook Franklin Sports’ ‎Baseball Cleat when choosing their kids’ shoes. This option has proven to be well-equipped to deal with the rigorous wear and tear provided by little league baseball.

For instance, it has a construction crafted from tough, synthetic leather. I haven’t come across a single person with durability issues or structural concerns with these cleats. So it’s safe to assume this exceptional performance comes from using this high-quality material.

This option is a bit more versatile than some other available cleats. It displays this ability by functioning effectively on both grass and turf fields. In other words, its non-marking rubber outsole can suit both situations without any damage or issue.

It’s also equipped with ankle padding and a cushioning insole to prevent problematic events. I’ve seen it work in action when my nephew took a wide turn around second base and slipped. I was relieved to find out he was completely fine and avoided even the slightest bruise.

I would be a fool not to mention its extra texture toe support. This aspect deserves a ton of credit for its ability to function on multiple surfaces without issue. Lastly, it’s fitted with a breathable, ventilated mesh tongue that effectively regulates the temperature inside the cleat.

 Heads-up:  Despite its many high-value features, the lack of negative feedback was shocking. I usually can find a flaw or two, but I couldn’t find a single complaint about this cleat. Franklin Sports clearly did an exceptional job meeting their customer’s needs.

 Pros:   Cons:  Bottom Line:  The lack of flaws puts this option in a league of its own. So if it’s suitable for one’s needs, there’s no reason a buyer should hesitate to purchase this choice. It’s truly a top contender to win the title of best youth cleats.

8. Under Armour Harper Rm Jr. Boy’s Baseball Cleats

Our final product, Under Armour’s Harper Rm Jr. Boy’s Baseball Cleats, brings a bit more style to the table than most youth baseball cleats. In fact, this option comes in 5 vibrant color choices that will knock a kid’s socks off, especially the red (600)/hyper green one.

But it isn’t only about style or color with these cleats. I was also blown by their user-friendly upper mesh layer to help promote breathability and relief. These cleats could be a godsend on those hot summer days when the wind isn’t blowing on the baseball field.

I was thrilled with the thought put into the comfortable internal structure, as well. These cleats are decked out with an UA HOVR cushioning, Ortholite sockliner, and EVA foam. Ballplayers will have no issues dealing with the pressure and pain from our favorite pastime.

Under Armour was even smart enough to use an effective mid-top design. Therefore, it’ll provide baseball fans with a delicate balance of solid ankle support and free movement. It should be a much more formidable foe against sprains than a low-top option, like Nike’s Vapor Ultrafly 2 Keystone Baseball Cleats.

Another delightful inclusion include a secure/stable TPU lacing system. It’ll ensure a tight and snug fit around a ballplayer’s feet. Due to this, it’ll also help prevent any ankle turns or other stability issues.

 Heads-up:  One of the more surprising flaws was this product’s velcro strap causing customers issues. It seems these buyers had trouble keeping the strap closed. However, I didn’t share this experience when trying out this cleat.

 Pros:   Cons:  Bottom Line:  Honestly, the velcro strap issue seems more like isolated incidents. Most people seem overly delighted with the overall convenience and quality of this option. So I wouldn’t be too worried about spending money on this baseball cleat.

What to Look for When Buying Youth Baseball Cleats

There isn’t one perfect option for everyone when buying baseball youth cleats. Instead, you’ll need to grasp several vital factors to make a responsible choice. This section will discuss each consideration to ensure a smooth, effortless buying experience

Each pair of cleats will be made from certain construction materials. Buyers will need to check out and research the quality of these materials. Otherwise, they could buy cleats that won’t hold up with regular usage.

I’d recommend looking for cleats made from durable, flexible materials. In most cases, this search will be between two fabrics, synthetic leather or genuine leather. Both offer specific benefits and disadvantages that’ll help determine their fit.

Synthetic models will offer a bit more support than genuine leather cleats. It comes from more focus on supporting a player’s ankle and front of the foot. Plus, parents can count on these models to be less expensive.

Meanwhile, genuine leather cleats offer better performance quality. They’ll last longer and provide more comfort when used during games. Sadly, the price is rather significant.

But I’d still suggest trying synthetic and genuine leather cleats before choosing youth baseball cleats. Your kid might feel more comfortable using one type over the other. After all, their comfort is the essential component of this entire search.

Most baseball cleats are a bit more varied than parents assume. In fact, these products often come in various types. So it’s essential to determine what specific cleats work best for your kid’s needs on the baseball field.

But before diving into the types, it’s worth noting that some little leagues don’t allow metal cleats. As a result, parents should check their league’s rules or talk with the coach. It’s a simple way to prevent an accidental purchase of cleats that aren’t acceptable.

Parents looking into purchasing the best cleats with metal spikes need to consider safety issues. Metal cleats are sharp and provide the best traction for running around the bases. However, sliding into someone else’s legs with the cleats up can cause an injury, hence why some youth leagues ban them.

Metal cleats can also cause an injury easier than other youth baseball cleats. For instance, their firm grip will dig into the surface so that a sudden turn may result in a nasty turned ankle. It’s a massive reason why kids will need some practice using them.

These cleats will often last a year, much longer than plastic cleats.

Your second choice will be a product called turf cleats or turf shoes. People usually use turf shoes for practice sessions rather than actual games. Unfortunately, they don’t fare well against the wear and tear during competition.

Given this information, I’d suggest buying them alongside metal cleats or plastic options. Turf shoes are more suitable as a companion piece than your main cleats. It’s a perfect way to limit the wear on your cleats during off days or practice.

Molded plastic cleats or rubber molded cleats are often a parent’s best bet for youth baseball cleats. Of course, these cleats will offer a weaker grip than metal choices, but they’re more than serviceable.

The plastic cleats are often lighter than the rubber ones. Notably, you may find shoes with removable cleats that can be changed from rubber to metal and vice versa.

Parents will also benefit from plastic or rubber cleats being more affordable. Honestly, these options are what I usually recommend to parents who are looking for youth baseball cleats. It removes the hassle of trying any league rule issues while providing acceptable performance.

Buyers have to consider ankle support when considering cleats. It’s a decision to choose between three height options: high tops, low tops, or mid-tops. High tops will provide the most support, beneficial for players who value stability.

However, high top baseball cleats for youth players will restrict a runner’s movement. So these products won’t help much for base stealers. Low-top models are considered the direct opposite of high-top cleats. These choices value speed over stabilizing your ankle.

Mid tops offer a balance of both worlds by providing some mobility and stability. As a result, many youth players choose these options over high or low tops.

Finding the perfect size for kids baseball cleats isn’t overly complex. Manufacturers make the process reasonably easy by using the exact sizes of regular shoes. So it becomes a simple matter of matching your kid’s shoe size with a pair of cleats.

But I’d advise buying a half-size-up for comfort purposes. It’ll also help deal with excessive growth rates most kids go through when playing youth baseball. It could prevent you from needing to buy another set of cleats anytime soon.

Youth baseball cleats will vary when it comes to price. As I noted earlier, metal cleats often cost much more than plastic or rubber models. Custom youth baseball cleats are even more expensive than metal ones.

So buyers would be wise to consider these factors when constructing their budgets. If you do, your budget can do its job more effectively. It’ll help reduce the number of available choices to a more manageable amount based on your specific needs.

Trust me, a well-constructed budget can turn a problematic buying process into an effortless one.

Are Metal Cleats Better Than Plastic

It’ll depend on what a person wants in their cleats. If they’re looking for the best traction, metal cleats would undoubtedly be better than plastic options. But plastic cleats are more suitable for specific buyers, such as youth ballplayers, and often cheaper.

This determination is where our buying guide will be convenient. So if you’re having issues deciding on plastic or metal cleats, take another gander at our earlier discussions.

Are Mid or Low Baseball Cleats Better

There isn’t a single answer to whether mid or low baseball cleats are better. As I mentioned earlier, both styles have their pros and cons. Mid-top cleats are excellent at creating a balance between offering speed and stability.

Meanwhile, low-top cleats value speed more than stability by offering unrestricted movement. It makes them a favorite among lead-off hitters and known base stealers. So you’ll need to decide whether a speed/stability balance or free movement better suits your game.

How Long Should Youth Baseball Cleats Last

Youth baseball cleats shouldn’t have an issue lasting the entire little league season. But parents will need to purchase new ones each season to deal with their kid’s growth. As a result, cleats will fall into the same category as kids’ t-shirts, pants, or regular shoes.

Conclusion

After reading our article, finding the best youth baseball cleats shouldn’t be difficult. Our buying guide will help you determine what material, cleat type, and ankle support suit your needs. From there, choosing the right pair of cleats for your child should be easy.

But anyone who has some more questions is welcome to use our comment section. You can also use the section to share what cleats ended up being the perfect fit. Thanks for reading!