Best Baseball Cleats: The Definitive Guide

Looking for the best baseball cleats for the 2017 season?

If you are you came to the right place. I know the value of having quality cleats and would like to show you how to pick the right pair. You’ll see my top picks too.

Sound good?

How To Select The Right Product

There are a few things to look for when considering a pair of cleats and they are:

• Figure out the type of cleats you want
• Determine ankle support
• Pick the right size and brand

The most important aspect of your decision is to consider the type of cleat you want. There are three different kinds and they are:

• Metal Cleats: Metal cleats are perfect for high level baseball players (high school and up). You will get the best traction and prevent slipping in the batter’s box with this type. The only downside is the spikes can wear down if you walk on surfaces that aren’t grass, dirt or turf.
• Molded plastic: Molded plastic cleats usually have fixed plastic spikes; these tend to last longer and are cheaper than metal cleats but won’t grip as well.
• Interchangeable cleats: These are nice because you can change your spikes if they wear down; you can pick metal or plastic depending on the league you’re playing in or weather.

After you find the right type, shift your attention to ankle support. I’ve injured my ankle a few times playing sports and it’s not enjoyable. You don’t want to be sidelined with a nagging injury because you bought cleats that didn’t protect this vulnerable part of your body.

Lastly, you need the right size and a well known, quality brand. Size will help prevent injuries and improve performance; the same could be said with picking the right brand. When you purchase from Nike, Adidas, Mizuno, Under Armour, etc, you know you are getting a well made cleat.

You can read my full guide on selecting cleats here.

Now that you know what to look for, let’s take a look at my top picks now.

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Nike Men’s Jordan 12 Retro MCS Cleats

Company: Nike

Price: $$$

Rating: 4.9/5

The Jordan Retro 12’s are one of the most stylish cleats available – they’re for high performers too. You’ll love how comfortable these feel and how lightweight they are. Some other features include:

• 12 spike layout with superior traction
• Made from synthetic leather that gives you added durability
• Phylon ankle wrap that gives you a lot of support

Honestly, if it weren’t for the spikes you’d probably want to wear these out in public; that’s how cool they look. They’re not expensive either and you can find them for under $100.

Take A Closer Look At The Jordan Retro 12 Cleats

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Nike Air Huarache 2K Filth Mid Cleats

Company: Nike

Price: $$

Rating: 4.8/5

Some people think the Nike Air Huarache 2k’s are the most comfortable cleats available and I tend to agree. These are ultra lightweight, breathable and durable. Also, they come with:

• Dynamic Flywire technology that locks your foot in place
• Metal spikes placed strategically to give you the fastest first step possible
• Optimal traction

This another product that isn’t overly expensive. Like the Jordan Retro 12’s, you can find these for under $100.

Take A Closer Look At The Nike Air Huarache 2k

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New Balance Men’s 4040V3 Cleats

Company: New Balance

Price: $$

Rating: 4.8/5

New Balance is one of the most underrated sports brands on earth and that’s true for their 4040V3’s. This is another pair of cleats that are fashionable enough to wear in everyday life (the metal spikes obviously make it impossible to do that). These come in 10 different colors and:

• REVlite RC midsole that is very lightweight
• Forms to your foot perfectly and comes with breathable, mesh materials
• Data Driven TPU Outsole that provides great traction and acceleration

The price is fantastic too, at around $70; not bad when you consider all you’re getting.

Take A Closer Look At The New Balance Men’s 4040V3 Cleats

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Adidas Adizero Afterburner 3.0 Cleats

Company: Adidas

Price: $$$

Rating: 4.9/5

If you are looking to burn around the bases, you should consider the Adidas Adizero Afterburner 3.0’s. Besides being super durable and abrasion resistant, these feature:

• Sprintsole outsole plate that increases speed and gives you an explosive first step
• Ortholite liner that prevents bad smells from developing
• TPU skin for added support in important areas

Some people get irritated wearing high top cleats. If that’s something that effects you, you should consider these cleats; they have a really low profile.

Take A Closer Look At The Adidas Adizero Afterburner 3.0 Cleats

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Nike MVP Strike 2 Low Metal Cleats 

Company: Nike

Price: $

Rating: 4.7/5

The Nike MVP Strike 2’s are a very affordable option for anyone on a budget – they will only cost around $45. That’s pretty good for a Nike product and when you consider:

• They have a nice lightweight and low cut design
• Great traction and acceleration
• Mesh tongue and liner that allows airflow

The Strike 2’s are worn by all kinds of baseball players and work well for most of them. You don’t need to spend top dollar for a quality product and these prove that.

Take A Closer Look At The Nike MVP Strike 2’s

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Nike Jordan IV Retro Metal Baseball Cleat 

Company: Nike

Price: $$$

Rating: 4.8/5

The Jordan IV Retro’s are a favorite among many baseball players because of their comfort and high performance. Some people believe these blend style and performance perfectly and I believe that’s hard to argue. You’ll be happy to know these come with:

• Phylon midsole that provides the most cushioning possible
• Pebax 9 spike layout that gives you good traction
• Absorbs all shock and will last the baseball season without ripping or tearing

The reviews on Amazon are incredible too. If you want to take a look at them, click below:

Take A Close Look At The Jordan IV Retro’s

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Mizuno Men’s 9 Spike ADV Franchise 8 BK Cleat

Company: Mizuno

Price: $

Rating: 4.7/5

Mizuno is an excellent baseball company and they make all kinds of equipment (including great bats and batting gloves). Their Men’s 9 Spike ADV Franchise Cleats are well made and very affordable – will only cost around $45. They come with plastic spikes and feature:

• Pro flex groves that boosts performance
• Padded tongue for added comfort
• Maximizes traction and stability

These definitely aren’t the best cleats on the market. But if you don’t have a ton to spend these will work fine for you.

Take A Closer Look At The Mizuno Spike ADV Franchise 8 BK Cleat

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New Balance Men’s Low Cut 3000V3 Metal Cleat

Company: New Balance

Price: $$

Rating: 4.8/5

The Men’s Low Cut 3000V3 is another New Balance cleat that looks good enough to wear outside the baseball field. They will help your game too and come with:

• FantomFit mesh that will give you one of the lightest cleats available
• Metal spikes that are MLB level
• Ensures superior grip

This is another product that gets a lot of love on Amazon. If you want to see what customers have to say about these, click below.

Take A Closer Look At The New Balance Men’s Low Cut 3000V3 Cleats

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Mizuno Dominant IC Mid Men’s Cleat

Company: Mizuno

Price: $$$

Rating: 4.9/5

The Mizuno Dominant IC Mid are perfect for any serious baseball payer. They have a nice professional look and professional performance – you won’t have to worry about them tearing up or slowing you down. I know you’ll love the:

• Soft and comfortable fit while the heel pad gives you an awesome feel
• Well placed spikes to give you the fastest first step possible
• 3 layer upper support system to protect your ankles

They come in a bunch of different colors so you can match them to your jersey or pants. These are definitely a top 3 pick this year.

Take A Closer Look At The Mizuno Dominant IC Mid Men’s Cleat

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Under Armour Mens Deception Mid DT Cleats 

Company: Under Armour

Price: $$$

Rating: 4.8/5

The Under Armour Men’s Deception Mid Cleats excel at two things – being extremely lightweight and providing superior ankle protection. These cost around $109 which is pretty fair considering what you get. Some of the best features include:

• Internal booty snug that perfectly conforms to your feet
• Charged Cushioning to give you a very responsive feel
• 5 different colors and design

Under Armour really does make high quality sports gear and the Deception’s are top of the line. These are the type of cleats you can wear with pride.

Take A Closer Look At The Under Armour Men’s Deception Mid Cleats

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Adidas Men’s Energy Boost Icon Cleats 

Company: Adidas

Price: $$

Rating: 4.8/5

These Adidas cleats are very affordable (cost under $60) and they don’t give up anything in the performance department. The SprintWeb system gives you the most breathablity possible and it:

• Locks your foot in place and gives you above average support
• Good ground penetration and traction
• Is very durable and will easily last the whole season

If you are on a budget you should consider the Energy Boosts. They have $100 quality at about half the price.

Take A Closer Look At The Adidas Energy Boost Icon Cleats

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Mizuno Men’s Heist IQ Mid Cleat

Company: Mizuno

Price: $$

Rating: 4.8/5

The Mizuno Men’s Heist are very similar to the Dominants but much cheaper; about $50 cheaper. Not bad when you consider all the features, like:

• 3 layer upper support system that locks your ankle in place
• Airflow that keeps your feet dry
• Lightweight design

Do you need a different cleat if you are elite? That’s up to you to decide. These certainly won’t hurt your game and your wallet won’t be emptied.

Take A Closer Look At The Mizuno Men’s Heist IQ Mid Cleat

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Nike Men’s Trout 2 Cleats

Company: Nike

Price: $$

Rating: 4.7/5

Mike Trout is a phenom and it makes sense he would have a quality cleat dedicated to his talents. The Nike Men’s Trout 2’s are another product you can pick up at a cheap price (around $65) and features:

• A really modern and stylish design
• Synthetic and mesh tongue for a comfortable fit and good airflow
• Phylon midsole that’s lightweight

These definitely won’t slow you down. You can expect to fly around the bases with the Trout 2’s on your feet.

Take A Closer Look At The Nike Men’s Trout 2

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Adidas Poweralley 4 Men’s Clea

Company: Adidas

Price: $$

Rating: 4.7/5

These cleats were designed to give maximum power at the plate by enabling you to really dig into the ground when you’re in the batters box. Hearing that and looking at the PowerAlley 4’s you’d probably expect them to cost over $100. It may surprise you to know you can get them for $75. Pretty nice when you consider the:

• Ironskin technology to prevent wear and tear and increase the lifespan of the product
• Light materials used that won’t slow you down
• Made from durable leather

You can add this to the pile of cleats you should consider this year – they’re high perfuming, affordable, and stylish. Something all baseball players value.

Take A Closer Look At The Adidas PowerAlley 4’s

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Under Armour Yard Mid ST

Company: Under Armour

Price: $$

Rating: 4.7/5

The last cleats on the list come from Under Armour and are really, really sleek looking. The Yard Mid ST’s use the same ankle supporting technology as other Under Armour products and features:

• A fair price (around $70)
• Lightweight design with 9 metal spikes
• Charged Cushioning technology that gives you great responsiveness and comfort

These may not be the absolute best but they get the job done. If you are looking for a dependable and affordable cleat, you should consider the Yard’s.

Take A Closer Look At The Under Armour Yard Mid ST

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Don’t Step Onto The Field With Low Quality Cleats!

Baseball is the toughest sport on earth. It takes incredible skill, concentration and athletic ability to excel at it; you need quality equipment too. No matter your skill level or budget you will find a pair of cleats on this list that will work perfectly for you.

If you have any questions about the products on this list, comment below and I’ll make sure to respond as fast as possible. You can let friends and family see on social media too.

Are you ready for the baseball season?