What Are the Best Baseball Cleats for Kids? – Maximize Performance and Prevent Injuries!

When it comes to baseball, wearing sport-specific cleats is important for safety and performance. Baseball cleats help prevent common baseball injuries like ankle rolls or sprains, but with so many options on the market, how do you know which are the best baseball cleats for kids? As a passionate shoe fitter with years of experience in children’s footwear, I will help you find the perfect pair of baseball cleats for your child.

Can Children Wear Any Cleats to Play Baseball?

I want to start by saying that not all cleats are the same, and I strongly suggest that you provide your child with a pair of cleats specifically made for baseball to maximize performance and avoid injuries. The reason why your child should not wear soccer or football cleats to baseball is that a cleat made for baseball has something called a “toe cleat”:

Simply stated, there is a cleat that aligns with your child’s big toe. This helps young players push off, which is more important in baseball than other sports as that toe cleat helps when throwing, hitting, or in the first few steps as a player runs. Baseball cleats are also more lightweight compared to soccer or football cleats.

What Makes the Baseball Cleats I Recommend the Best Choice for Kids?

The baseball cleats that I recommend have a midsole that provides exclusive protection from any kind of shock or foot injury. If your child happens to fall while playing baseball, the cleats are designed to disperse the impact on their feet thus protecting the feet or toes from fracture or serious injury. Proper cleats also provide the necessary traction on grass and dirt, helping prevent slips and falls.

1. Extra Depth: The baseball cleats I recommend provide extra depth, which allows the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the cleats. The foot of your child will not function properly if the foot is not seated properly with the ball of the foot in the correct place in the shoes. Some baseball cleats are deeper than others. For example, take a look at the image below.

2. Rounded Toe-Boxes: A round toe-box offers more room for the toes to spread naturally, reducing the risk of blisters and other foot conditions such as bunions and hammertoes. This is especially important for growing children whose feet can expand during physical activity. A round toe-box not only accommodates natural foot movement but also provides comfort during quick sprints and sudden stops, which are common in baseball.

3. Extra Cushion and Padding: Baseball cleats with extra padding around the heels help prevent common injuries such as bruising and blisters, allowing children to focus on their performance rather than discomfort.

Moreover, the materials used in kids’ baseball cleats play a significant role in their effectiveness. Breathable fabrics and lightweight materials ensure that children’s feet remain cool and comfortable, even during intense physical activity.

Low, Mid, or High-Top Cleats for Children?

Baseball cleats come with three different options for ankle support; high tops, mid tops, and low tops. For most children, I recommend mid-top baseball cleats as they help balance mobility but still provide good ankle support.

• Low top baseball cleats prioritize speed over stability, and they don’t offer good ankle support. They do provide more flexibility and speed, making them ideal for outfielders.

• Mid tops baseball cleats are a good option for players looking to balance mobility and this option offers good ankle support. Mid-top cleats provide a balance between support and mobility, suitable for all-around players.

• High-top baseball cleats provide the most ankle support as they completely cover the ankle but they restrict movement. They can be beneficial for infielders who require quick lateral movements.

As I mentioned before, I believe most children should wear mid-top baseball cleats. The mid-top cleat it’s a middle ground option that balances the others. A middle cleat is taller than a low-top which means it’s a little bit heavier but does offer more support and stability.

Best and Worst Baseball Shoe Brands for Kids

Just so you know, Nike and Under Armour are among the worst shoe brands when it comes to manufacturing baseball cleats for children. Their shoes don’t provide as much support or protection, and several parents told me how the shoes fell apart only after a couple of games.

Another downside of Nike and Under Armour baseball cleats is how their shoes fit on the narrower side, and they might end up pinching and squeezing your child’s toes. There are other shoe brands such as New Balance and Adidas that offer baseball cleats that are lightweight, flexible, supportive, durable, and capable of accommodating different foot shapes.

Below are some of my top picks for youth baseball cleats that combine all the essential features discussed. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases.

Best Youth Baseball Cleats for Kids

These baseball cleats can help boost your kid’s efficiency as they will definitely allow them to play at their best. Take a look at the description below each baseball cleat to find out what specific foot shape it can accommodate.

Romero Duo Rubber Molded by New Balance

These youth New Balance baseball cleats feature a REVlite midsole for cushioning and a durable synthetic upper that provides excellent support.

• Order the shoe style Romero by New Balance on Amazon or Zappos
• Fits medium and wide feet
• REVlite midsole delivers incredibly lightweight cushioning 
• Lace closure offers a secure fit 
• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size 

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Fresh Foam 3000v7 Rubber Molded by New Balance

These youth New Balance baseball cleats are designed with a breathable upper, which helps keep feet cool and dry, reducing the risk of blisters and other moisture-related issues. 

• Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 3000v7 Rubber Molded by New Balance on the New Balance website or Zappos
• Fits medium and wide feet
• REVlite midsole delivers incredibly lightweight cushioning 
• Lace closure offers a secure fit 
• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size 

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Icon 8 Molded Baseball Shoe by Adidas

These Adidas youth baseball cleats have a padded collar and tongue that offer extra comfort around the ankle, a key area for support. The strategic placement of cushioning and support features ensures that the cleats adapt to the dynamic movements of the sport, providing maximum comfort and protection.

• Order the shoe style Icon 8 by Adidas on Amazon or Zappos
• Fits medium and wide feet
• Supportive outsole with firm heel counter
• Lacing system provides a snug fit
• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size 

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Fresh Foam 4040 V7 Rubber Molded by New Balance

These New Balance youth baseball cleats provide a Fresh Foam midsole that offers superior cushioning, which is essential for reducing stress on the feet during long games or practices.

• Order the shoe style 4040 V7 by New Balance on Zappos or the New Balance website
• Available in medium and wide widths
• REVlite midsole delivers incredibly lightweight cushioning 
• Lace closure offers a secure fit 
• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size 

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Dynasoft 4040V7 by New Balance

These youth baseball turf cleats feature the innovative DynaSoft midsole, which provides responsive cushioning and support. The rubber molded outsole ensures reliable traction, making these cleats suitable for various playing conditions.

• Order the shoe style Dynasoft 4040V7 by New Balance on the New Balance website or Zappos
• Available in medium and wide widths
• Turf outsole provides superior traction on artificial fields
• DynaSoft midsole couples ultra-responsive performance with plush comfort
• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size 

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Contact Me for Specialized Shoe Recommendations

By providing details about your child’s foot, such as width, arch type, and any specific conditions, I can suggest the best baseball cleats that will provide comfort and support. Personalized recommendations take into account the nuances of each child’s foot, ensuring a more tailored fit.

Whether your child wants the cleats to be made of a specific color such as red or has a specific style in mind, I can help you find them: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com

Help – My Child Has Extra Wide Feet!

If your child happens to have a very “complicated” foot shape such as extra wide feet, I suggest looking into these specific soccer cleats made by Zephz that are available in extra wide widths.

Can you use soccer cleats for baseball? A common question among parents is whether soccer cleats can be used for baseball. While both sports require specialized footwear, it’s also important to consider league regulations and guidelines, as some may require specific types of cleats for safety and performance reasons.

Find Out What Shoe Size You Should Order Online

Making sure that your child’s baseball cleats fit correctly helps decrease the risk of injuries, increases stability, and allows children to play with more confidence. To buy the correct baseball cleat size for your child, you must first know your child’s exact foot length and shape.

One of the biggest challenges parents face is determining the correct shoe size for their children, especially when shopping online. I created a virtual shoe fitting service that helps parents determine their child’s exact shoe size from home.

Baseball Cleats for Kids with Wide Feet

Finding the right baseball cleats for kids with wide feet can be challenging, but it’s essential for their comfort and performance. If your child happens to have a “complicated” foot shape such as wide feet I created a different resource that has a list of wide baseball cleats for kids.

Baseball Socks for Kids for Extra Cushion and Protection

Baseball socks are important as they act as a barrier between your kids’ feet and the cleats, preventing the formation of blisters and other foot issues. When children are running fast, there is constant friction between their feet and the shoes, so it’s important to wear a pair of socks that helps minimize this friction. The baseball socks I recommend provide targeted cushion to key areas of the foot and they are also breathable.

These socks are great because while they cushion your kids’ feet they don’t take up a lot of extra space inside the baseball cleats.

Can My Kid Wear Baseball Cleats for Football?

Yes, but please keep in mind that baseball cleats typically have different types of spikes and traction patterns, which may not provide the same grip as football cleats, especially on grass or turf. Additionally, football cleats often offer more ankle support, which can be important for safety.

Parents should not look at baseball cleats as just another pair of shoes but rather as a product that will help their children achieve their best and unleash their full potential. Let me ask you something: Could you perform well in shoes that make you feel uneasy? I surely couldn’t! Shoes are one of the most powerful pieces of equipment your child wears on the field.