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Best Cleats for Softball Pitching

5 Best Softball Pitching Cleats

 

When it comes to softball, you need to be sure you have all the proper equipment to make for a winning game.

Proper equipment doesn’t just mean a glove, ball, bat, and helmet. It means that your uniform must also fit properly and your cleats must be comfortable.

Not just any pair of cleats will do for playing softball. Softball cleats are spaced differently from the cleats worn in other sports. They are designed specifically to grasp the traction needed to play the game properly.

Softball cleats are made for running faster, stopping on a dime; they provide more flexible movements, and sliding across the bases are not a problem.

When shopping for cleats, be sure they are comfortable. Look for a debris-free tongue so the dirt doesn’t get into the shoe, and try to find a pair that offers a durable enhanced toe protection.

Leather shoes are more durable than synthetic ones but they are not as flexible, and a darker color will not show the dirt as well as the lighter colors.

Metal cleats offer more traction but they can be more dangerous and not always permitted. They also have a habit of cutting into the field and they’re usually priced higher than the molded cleats.

Before making a final decision, it is best to know the rules of the team and you should ask the coach which cleats are preferred.

We have created a list of the best softball pitching cleats to help you get started with the process.

 
Mizuno Women’s 9-Spike Advanced Sweep 3 Softball Shoe Nike Women’s Hyperdiamond 2 Keystone Softball Cleat Mizuno Women’s 9 Spike ADV Finch 6 Fast Pitch Molded Softball Cleat Mizuno Women’s 9 Spike ADV Finch Elite 2 Fast Pitch Molded Softball Cleat Mizuno Women’s 9 Spike Swift 4 Fast Pitch Metal Softball Cleat
Metal Cleats Rubber Cleats Rubber Cleats Molded Polyurethane Cleats Metal Cleats
9 Color Choices 6 Color Choices 2 Color Choices 11 Color Choices 12 Color Choices
Synthetic/ Rubber Sole Rubber Sole Synthetic Sole Synthetic Sole Synthetic Sole
247 grams 264 grams 198 grams 318 grams 340 grams
Check Price Check Price Check Price Check Price Check Price

  •  

  • Mizuno Women’s 9-Spike Advanced Sweep 3 Softball Shoe
  • Metal Cleats
  • 9 Color Choices
  • Synthetic/ Rubber Sole
  • 247 grams
  • Check Price
  •  

  • Nike Women’s Hyperdiamond 2 Keystone Softball Cleat
  • Rubber Cleats
  • 6 Color Choices
  • Rubber Sole
  • 264 grams
  • Check Price
  •  

  • Mizuno Women’s 9 Spike ADV Finch 6 Fast Pitch Molded Softball Cleat
  • Rubber Cleats
  • 2 Color Choices
  • Synthetic Sole
  • 198 grams
  • Check Price
  •  

  • Mizuno Women’s 9 Spike ADV Finch Elite 2 Fast Pitch Molded Softball Cleat
  • Molded Polyurethane Cleats
  • 11 Color Choices
  • Synthetic Sole
  • 318 grams
  • Check Price
  •  

  • Mizuno Women’s 9 Spike Swift 4 Fast Pitch Metal Softball Cleat
  • Metal Cleats
  • 12 Color Choices
  • Synthetic Sole
  • 340 grams
  • Check Price
 

Mizuno Women’s 9-Spike Advanced Sweep 3 Softball Shoe

 

These cleats featured by Mizuno offer a synthetic/ rubber sole with metal spikes. They provide reinforced toes specifically for pitchers with an added 9-spike advanced outsole for fast pitch.

The parallel outsole Wave technology will provide you with extra cushioning and stability to keep you on your feet around the field and the full-length midsole adds maximum comfort.

These shoes are available in a variety of nine different colors and with sizes from 6-12, you shouldn’t have difficulty finding a pair that is perfect for you.

 

Nike Women’s Hyperdiamond 2 Keystone Softball Cleat

 

These Nike softball cleats feature faux-leather uppers for a smooth appearance and feel.

It is easy to grip the field and take advantage of in-game opportunities in these cleats, thanks to the solid rubber, spiked soles.

These Hyperdiamond 2 cleats come in a nice range of color combinations as well to compliment your team’s uniform.

 

Mizuno Women’s 9 Spike ADV Finch 6 Fast Pitch Molded Softball Cleat

 

Here is another great cleat offered by Mizuno. These cleats are designed with all the comfort and durability that every great pitcher longs for.

With a synthetic sole and molded rubber cleats, these shoes offer the grip you will need to achieve a winning performance.

They are equipped with a 9-spike advanced outsole designed for fast pitch and the full-length midsole provides maximum comfort so you won’t even know you have them on.

Although they are only available in two colors, they are versatile enough to match with the team colors and the various sizes assure you a great fit.

 

Mizuno Women’s 9 Spike ADV Finch Elite 2 Fast Pitch Molded Softball Cleat

 

These attractive cleats from Mizuno will have you moving around the field with ease.

They offer a synthetic sole that is designed with a thermoplastic polyurethane cleat molded right onto the bottom.

These cleats provide a padded booty tongue for a better fit with added comfort and they are designed to fit around your ankle higher than the average cleats.

With fast pitch in mind, Mizuno designed these with a 9-spike advanced outsole.

Eleven color options are available giving you a better choice to match your uniform and the number of sizes offered will be a sure bet you can find a pair that matches up to your fit!

 

Mizuno Women’s 9 Spike Swift 4 Fast Pitch Metal Softball Cleat

 

These shoes are made with a synthetic sole and metal cleats.

Mizuno knows that nothing is worse than wet socks. That’s why they designed these cleats with a perforated upper and a breathable mesh lining.

The full-length midsole is built in for added comfort and the 9-spike outsole will dig into the dirt for a reassuring grip.

With all the color choices, you should not have a problem finding one that matches the team colors and the various sizes make it easy to find a pair that will perfectly fit.

 

Know what is expected of you and your team when choosing the right cleat fit for you! Make sure you check out our best slow pitch softball bats as well.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Should softball pitchers wear metal cleats?

While wearing metal cleats isn’t a necessity, it helps out a lot because the cleats made from this material pick up less dirt than molded ones. Thus, metal cleats are fantastic for both infielders and outfielders alike.

Is there a difference between baseball cleats and softball cleats?

While there might not be many differences between baseball cleats and softball cleats, you might want to consider the fact that both games have different rules and in some tournaments, you might be required to wear either molded or metal cleats. Similarly, metal cleats are more common in baseball rather than softball even though one is not obligatory over the other in casual matches.

Can you wear soccer cleats for softball?

Yes, you can wear soccer cleats for softball even though it is not recommended. However, you can’t wear softball cleats for soccer matches as you will be instantly disqualified.

Do you wear cleats for slow pitch softball?

Depending on the type of indoor surface you’ll be playing on, you might not want shoes with spikes on the bottom. However, in most scenarios, yes, it is highly recommended to wear cleats for slow pitch softball. Be sure to get the best possible pair for the type of surface you’ll be playing on. Most times you’ll see on the package or on the product page what surface the specific cleats you’re looking at are made for.

How do you tell the difference between cleats?

Shoes are heavier, whereas cleats are much lighter and are meant to provide players with extra jump leverage. Cleats are lower cut for baseball to allow more side to side motions, whilst Football cleats’ sides are higher to provide more ankle support. In any case, while you can use them interchangeably in casual matches, we recommend sticking to the ones made for the sport you’re about to play.