Whether they play football, soccer, baseball or even golf, athletes who play on turf or dirt need cleats. Athletes wearing regular sneakers may slip or fall on muddy or wet playing surfaces. Cleats are athletic shoes with plastic or metal studs on the sole designed to help the shoes grip the playing surface.

How cleats look and what they are made of are determined both by the sport and personal preference. For instance, all cleats for school and youth baseball leagues must be made of molded plastic. Metal cleats are illegal in these leagues because they pose a danger to the other players. Metal baseball cleats are thin metal rectangles, rather than rounded studs, which provide excellent traction on the hard dirt of a basepath.

In general, athletes playing on harder surfaces, such as artificial turf, need shorter studs on their cleats, while those playing on wet, muddy surfaces need longer cleats. Football players may have a combination of plastic and metal cleats for this purpose, while golf shoes generally have all metal cleats.

Some players, particularly football players, find that replaceable cleats are their best option. These shoes have cleats that can be removed from the sole with a wrench and replaced with another kind. In this way, players can customize their cleats to meet specific needs. An athlete should have cleats that provide proper traction and grip, but the studs should not be so long that they cause the athlete to stop suddenly and risk a knee injury.

Most cleats are superior athletic shoes in their own right, since they must provide proper padding and support for the foot. They usually feature leather uppers, some in exotic leathers such as kangaroo, and start at about US$40 for youth cleats. Golf shoes are rarely priced below US$75.

Because athletes depend so heavily on their feet, they should always look for shoes that give them the best fit. Many athletes have recourse to a trainer, whom they should consult about fitting shoes. At the very least, they should talk to their coach. Athletes may need to try on shoes by different manufacturers, since sizes and support vary. Athletes need a comfortable shoe that is durable and has appropriate foot support. Parents should also be willing to spend a few more dollars if it means their child's feet will be better protected by their shoes.