How to Break in Soccer Cleats
The first time you play in new cleats you can expect blisters, cuts, and even destroyed cleats if the cleats have not been broken in. These tips will make it so that by your first game the cleats will be able to perform to their full extent.
- As soon as you receive your cleats it is important to start breaking them in.
- Wear the cleats around the house so they grow accustomed to your foot. Make sure to wear any socks and shin guards that you would when you actually play soccer.
- While wearing the cleats soak them in warm water for up to twenty minutes then allow them to dry on your feet. (This may take a while)
- After the cleats are dry it is wise to apply petroleum jelly to the surface. This replenishes oils and color.
- At first do not use the cleats vigorously, it is important to play in them but not for more than an hour a day.
- Massage the cleats with your hands to stretch the materials.
- When not wearing the cleats stuff them with newspaper so at they retain their shape.
- During the first couple times you use the cleats it is important to wear two pairs of socks, one large and one small, in order to prevent blisters.
After following these steps you can be sure that your cleats will be ready to play in.
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hey, great info,
i have a question tho, not sure how this works…
i also heard about adidas leather balsam. do you know anything aboout it? also instead of brand name products, are there any household items i can use to do the same thing as the leather foods? maybe some lotion or vaseline or something?
Hello Gareth -
Adidas Leather Balsam is effectively the same thing as leather food. I much prefer the leather food to it though, as I find the leather food much more effective.
I would highly recommend getting the leather food that we linked to in our post “How to care for soccer cleats I.” I don’t know of any household equivalent.
Regards,
Andy
ok thanks. now, can i use any household “dish towel” to apply the food?
if i get it, how often should i apply the food? every post-game/match?
since i have adipures, i swear im paranoid that ill tear em, what can i do to prevent(as much as possible) any nicks, tears, scratches, or prevent the leather from wearing away on the toe area?
thanks
Hey Gareth,
Great choice on Adipures. When i first started playing in my cleats I noticed that the toe area did start to wear out. This is due to the weaker bonds between the hard plastic bottom and the leather upper. While preventing this is almost impossible you can try not to toe the ball as this is one of the main ways the leather can tear. Also be sure to remove any substance that may have gotten into the cracks near the front of the cleat. If gone unnoticed a single grain of sand could tear apart even the strongest of cleats. To answer your questions about a dish towel i don’t suggest using one of those as the rough surface could irritate a small scrape making it larger, i suggest using a cleaning cloth such as one that comes with glasses or cameras. The leather food is works best when it is applied after every game. However like any thing too much or too little can be damaging. I hope this helps.
Max
Does all this info apply only to leather, or to synthetic materials as well?
Its always good to check the seams on your cleats after use. Like i said earlier where two parts of the cleat is connected is often the weakest part especially near the toe of the cleat. Also one tip with synthetic cleats is to never use leather food or any sort of leather polish on them as this will break down the material. A good washing with warm water will do the trick.
Great, thanks! Same deal for the “How to Care for Cleats”?
thank you so much for the tips
really helpful
suggestion: u shud put in a section with like jukes and moves and stuff
-MZ
you should make the top less bright i love the color though