Cleats (also called studs) are protrusions on the sole of a shoe, or on an external attachment to a shoe, that provide additional traction on soft or slippery surfaces. They can be conical or blade-like in shape and are made of plastic, rubber, or metal. The type worn depends on the environment of play: grass, ice, artificial turf, or other grounds. In American English, the term "cleats" is used synecdochically to refer to shoes featuring such protrusions. In British English, the more common term for sports shoes with cleats or studs is boots, especially when referring to particular sports (e.g., football boots, rugby boots).
History
The earliest known precursor to cleats dates to the Roman Empire, when Roman legionaries wore caligae—heavy-soled, hobnailed military sandal-boots that provided traction. Athletes have worn cleats since at least the 1500s. The first written documentation comes from 1526, when "football boots" were listed in King Henry VIII's Great Wardrobe. The English monarch ordered hand-stitched boots "to play football," costing four shillings (approximately $200 today).
With the emergence of The Football Association in 1863, organized football grew in popularity, driving demand for specialized footwear. The vulcanization of rubber in the 1840s enabled better shoe production. By the 1890s, studs were first used on football cleats, and a British company (now known as Reebok) developed the earliest known spiked leather running shoes.
In the United States, cleats began to be used in the 1860s when metal spikes were first applied to baseball shoes. The first official baseball shoe was invented by Waldo M. Claflin of Philadelphia in 1882. In the 1920s, detachable cleats were introduced. By the 1970s, players wore short rubber cleats for use on artificial turf. In 1954, Adidas produced the first modern football boots, featuring a non-leather sole, kangaroo leather uppers, and replaceable rubber or plastic studs. In the 1990s, Adidas introduced rubber blades instead of studs for multidirectional grip.
Types by Ground Surface
Firm Ground
Cleats designed for natural surfaces such as dirt and grass. They feature large, permanently attached studs (often called cleats) on the sole. There are three main types: round, hard ground, and bladed. Metal studs are less common as they are illegal in some sports for safety reasons.
Soft Ground (Detachable)
Used on wet, muddy ground. These cleats have removable studs—typically metal cones that are longer than standard studs—allowing players to adjust length for slippery conditions.
Artificial Ground
Designed for man-made surfaces such as artificial turf or running tracks. These cleats typically have numerous small rubber studs or raised patterns rather than traditional spikes.
Types by Sport
Association Football (Soccer)
The shoes are called football boots. Four main cleat types exist: soft ground (replaceable metal studs for wet weather), firm ground (replaceable or molded studs for firm natural surfaces), bladed (rubber blades for multidirectional grip), and artificial surface (many small studs on the outsole).
American Football
College coach Joseph Pipal is credited as a creator of "mud cleats." Major manufacturers include Gola (1905), Valsport (1920), and Hummel (1923). In 1925, Adolf and Rudolf Dassler developed a cleat with replaceable metal studs; after their falling out, they founded Puma and Adidas. In 1929, Riddell introduced the "action last" sole for better fit and traction. Today, players choose between molded cleats (more comfortable) and removable studs (better for varying field conditions).
Baseball
Referred to as "cleats" or "spikes." Spikes are rectangular and made of rubber, plastic, or metal. Rubber and plastic cleats are used in youth baseball; metal spikes are used at high school, college, and professional levels. The National Federation of State High School Associations banned metal spikes in 1984 (lifted in 1989). Some MLB players now use plastic spikes for lighter weight and better weight distribution.
Australian Rules Football
Studs are traditionally called "stops." Early stops included screw-in wooden studs or leather strips fixed with nails.
Lacrosse
Cleats feature high ankle support, similar to American football cleats, with a raised platform around the ankles for stability during rapid directional changes. Cleats are placed at the edges of the foot sole rather than beneath it.
Cycling
A specially shaped metal or plastic piece attaches to the bottom of a cycling shoe to engage with a clipless pedal system. The cleat is engaged by pressing down against a spring-loaded mechanism and released by twisting sideways.
Ice (Crampons)
Ice cleats or crampons are spikes attachable under shoe soles (sometimes called "shoe chains") to prevent slipping on ice. They are mounted with rubber bands or fixed mounts for easy removal.
Golf
Spiked shoes are worn by many golfers. Metal spikes have been largely replaced by "soft spikes" made of thermoplastic materials.
Logging (Calks)
Logging boots have several metal spikes attached to the soles for traction on wood and uneven terrain.
Track and Field
Track spikes are placed at the bottom of shoes to increase traction and speed. Most runners use fixed spikes. Materials have evolved from metal to plastic. Common types include needle spikes (3/16", for all-weather tracks), Christmas tree spikes (1/4", for any surface), pyramid spikes (for cross country), and tartan spikes (1/4", for rubber tracks).
