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As a player of lacrosse and an avid fan of the sport, I’ve always seen lacrosse players wear cleats to the field. However, recently, I started wondering, is it possible to have a successful grip on the field without wearing cleats? Here’s what I found.
Generally speaking, you can play lacrosse without cleats, but you may not have as much traction on the field. If you do not have cleats, turf shoes with rubber nubs are the next best option with similar traction. Wearing sneakers is not recommended since they increase the chances of ankle injuries.
In this article, I will break down what you need to know about if you can use different types of shoes that you might have laying around to play the sport of lacrosse. I’ll cover the differences between different types of cleats and actually test if it is possible to play lacrosse with sneakers.
Do You Need Cleats in Lacrosse?
In general, you don’t have to wear cleats to play lacrosse, but they may give you better traction and better performance. The studs on the bottom of lacrosse cleats can help you dig into soft ground and make sharp cuts without slipping. If you don’t have cleats, consider wearing turf shoes.
I have seen people play lacrosse without cleats, and they seem to be fine. However, you want to avoid any high-heeled shoes, such as running shoes, as they can increase your risk of ankle injuries.
If you have flat feet, you may also want to avoid shoes without arch support.
Lacrosse is a sport that has sudden rapid movement to avoid enemy opponents which can benefit from shoes like cleats to enable the rapid shift in the movement of the feet.
As I found out from experience, having the right type of footwear to play lacrosse can mean the difference between winning or losing a game. That’s why I recommend getting The New Balance Men’s Burn X2 Mid-Cut Lacrosse Shoes to enhance your performance. You can check out these lacrosse cleats on Amazon!
They also have a great Women’s Cleats collection that you can check out there.
Below, I will explain the exact mechanics that make cleats important for the sport of lacrosse.
Why are Cleats Considered Important for Lacrosse?
Cleats are considered important for the sport of lacrosse because they provide excellent grip, traction, and maneuverability on the field. This is a must since it will be easier to make sharp turns to get around your opponent and closer to the goal. Cleats also prevent ankle injuries for players.
The last thing you want when playing lacrosse is to keep slipping and falling, which can be dangerous and embarrassing.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about If Lacrosse Players Should Wear Protective Cups. This article talks about if lacrosse players should wear cups and breaks down the rules of wearing protective cups in lacrosse. You can check out this article here!
Protecting your feet from getting injured by the hard surface of the lacrosse field is the most important thing to consider while playing lacrosse. The bottom of your feet and toes are constantly being stepped on during the game, so it’s important to have some form of protection.
Ankle support is another key reason to wear cleats. Running shoes don’t provide the same level of support as cleats do, and this can lead to ankle injuries.
Lacrosse cleats are also lightweight and comfortable, which is important since you’ll be wearing them for long periods. They also allow you to move quickly and make sharp cuts without slipping.
Can I Wear Sneakers To Play Lacrosse?
As a general rule, it is not advisable to wear sneakers to play lacrosse. Sneakers are not designed to provide the same level of traction and support as cleats, which can result in slips and falls that will actually increase your risk of ankle injuries.
You may have noticed that most sports shoes are flat and have studs or some form of spikes.
Sneakers, on the other hand, have a raised heel and are not as stable. This can lead to ankle sprains or rolled ankles, which are very common lacrosse injuries.
*Side Note: If you wear glasses you might be wondering If You Can Play Lacrosse While Wearing Glasses. I recently wrote an article that explains if you should wear glasses at a lacrosse game as well as whether or not you should wear lacrosse goggles during a game. You can check out this article here!
Do Kids Need To Wear Cleats For Lacrosse?
Due to inexperience, young kids are more susceptible to injuries during a game of lacrosse. That’s why it’s even more important for them to wear proper footwear, such as cleats, to minimize the risk of injury. Make sure that your kid’s cleats are tied on tight to ensure that they stay on.
In addition, kids are often still growing and their feet are not yet fully developed. Wearing shoes with good arch support and cushioning can help prevent problems such as flat feet or shin splints.
Lacrosse involves a lot of running, making sharp cuts, and sudden stops, so it’s important to have shoes that can provide good traction and support. Cleats are the best option for this, but if your child doesn’t have cleats, turf shoes or any other flat-soled shoes with good traction will work just fine.
What’s the Difference between Lacrosse Cleats and Soccer Cleats?
The major difference between lacrosse and soccer cleats is the level of ankle support that they provide. While soccer cleats have a lower-topped design, lacrosse cleats come up higher on the ankle to provide more support. Lacrosse cleats, therefore, provide more protection against ankle injuries.
Choosing the right lacrosse stick for you is one of the most important things to do. After having many lacrosse sticks throughout the years, the best one that I came across was the STX Lacrosse Fortress 700 Complete Stick. This lacrosse stick comes with a Crux Mesh Pro Pocket and is perfect for any lacrosse player to use. You can check out this Stick on Amazon!
I found this fact to be very weird since I consider both soccer and lacrosse to have the same types of sharp turns and evasions.
After finding this out, I started recommending my friends who play soccer try on lacrosse cleats instead. After a while of playing with lacrosse cleats, they confirmed that it is easier to play soccer with these cleats on instead. The more you know, right?
What’s the Difference between Lacrosse Cleats and Football Cleats?
Generally speaking, the main difference between lacrosse cleats and football cleats is breathability. Unlike football cleats which are designed to protect a player’s feet from other players’ cleats, lacrosse cleats are designed to be lightweight and breathable.
Football cleats are made of sturdy leather or synthetic materials to protect the feet, while lacrosse cleats often have some mesh vents on the upper to allow air to circulate.
On one hand, it will be nice to wear football cleats to play lacrosse since it will protect my feet more, but on the other hand, I want my feet to breathe. So the choice is really yours.
Do I Need To Buy Special Lacrosse Cleats?
As a whole, you do not need to buy special lacrosse cleats. In fact, most people who play lacrosse use soccer or baseball cleats. The main things to look for when choosing cleats for lacrosse are good ankle support, breathability, and traction which can be found with both soccer and baseball cleats.
If you’re a beginner, it’s best to start with flat-soled shoes that are comfortable for you and provide good traction. As you become more experienced, you can experiment with different types of cleats to find what works best for you.
I would, however, advise you to get a good pair of lacrosse cleats as soon as you can.
They will provide better support and traction, and they’ll also last longer. This is also important if you are serious about the game as you will get used to the feel of proper lacrosse cleats.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article that talks about If Lacrosse Is A Fun Sport To Play. This article breaks down if it is easy to learn lacrosse as well as how lacrosse is played. You can check out this article here!
Can I Wear Baseball Cleats for Lacrosse?
Generally speaking, it is okay to wear baseball cleats for lacrosse. Many people who play both sports use baseball cleats during either sport. The main thing to keep in mind is that a good pair of cleats provide good ankle support, breathability, and traction regardless of the sport.
Baseball cleats have a mid-level cut at the ankle, which provides good support without being too constrictive. They also have a variety of different outsole patterns that provide good traction on both grass and turf.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is that baseball cleats are not as breathable as lacrosse or soccer cleats. If you’re going to be playing in hot weather, you might want to consider getting a pair of lacrosse or soccer cleats instead.
Final Thoughts
You can play lacrosse without cleats but I would advise against it. Cleats provide good ankle support and traction, which can help prevent injuries. They also last longer than sneakers, making them a worthwhile investment if you’re serious about the game.
