Best Baseball Cleats for Pitchers in 2024

Pitchers baseball cleats are an essential piece of gear that every athlete relies on. Not only can the right pair of cleats enhance performance and endurance, but they also give the athlete the comfort and protection they need to excel at playing baseball.

A number of factors need to be considered, such as the sizing, material, and construction of the cleat. Fortunately, there are plenty of brands, such as New Balance, Adidas, and Under Armour, which now create the best baseball cleats for pitchers in a range of specifications and prices.

Summary: Our Top 10 Baseball Shoes for Pitchers

10 of The Best Cleats for Pitchers in 2024

As designs change and technology improves, it’s worth checking around and trying different brands. The beauty of online shopping means you can easily compare the features and specifications of cleats, and to help, we have compiled the top 10 cleats to buy this year.

New Balance Men’s L4040V3 Cleat Baseball Shoe

New Balance Men’s L4040V3 Cleats are unique in that players can choose a pair of cleats in two different sizes. This is perfect for those with wide or flat feet. Made from synthetic materials, they are lightweight and have a full length REVlite foam midsole for added comfort. They feature metal spikes for excellent grip and traction.

The New Balance metal cleats also come with a protective toe overlay and a padded collar to protect the foot and prevent injuries. The FantomFit upper part of the shoe is designed to support and fit the foot perfectly.

Pros

Lightweight and breathable

REVlite foam midsole

Sizes for wide/flat feet

Protective toe overlay

Cons

The materials can wear down over time

Under Armour Men’s Harper 4 Low St Cleat Baseball Shoe

The Under Armour Men’s Harper 4 Low cleats for baseball feature a dynamic lacing pattern with thick laces that lock the foot down and provide support, whilst also looking stylish. The ‘Charged Cushioning’ midsole helps absorb impacts and provides comfort to the foot. These baseball cleats are hybrid, with metal spikes at the front to increase speed and molded cleats at the back for comfort.

A lightweight textile upper with TPU is used throughout the cleat, and they are designed to provide a snug fit and feel.

Pros

Shock absorbing cushioned midsole

Snug fit for support

Hybrid spikes (metal and molded)

Lightweight construction

Cons

Can be expensive depending on budget

New Balance Men’s L3000v3 Metal Cleat Baseball Shoe

The New Balance Metal Baseball Cleat comes in a range of colors and has a range of sizes. The use of a thick, debris free tongue is great for preventing anything from entering the shoe, so you can play in comfort. The sole is made from synthetic materials and also contains a Revlite midsole.

These metal cleats also come with strong toe protection and have good levels of traction and grip so you can run with confidence.

Pros

Revlite Midsole for cushioning

Adequate protection for the toe

Traction and grip

Cons

Some leagues don’t accept metal cleats

Mizuno Men’s Vapor Elite 7 Low Baseball Cleat

The Mizuno Men’s Vapor Elite 7 features a synthetic sole and ProFlex forefoot construction for additional comfort and protection. They are designed with metal spikes which provide a great grip on the field, in addition to the outsole which has maximum traction on the ground.

A padded tongue is used for extra comfort and to stop debris from entering the shoe. This keeps the athlete focused and ready to play at their best ability.

Pros

Fantastic grip and traction metal cleats

Comfortable

Synthetic soles

Wide range of colors available

Cons

Poor durability in some cases

Under Armour Men’s Yard Low St Baseball Shoe

Using a molded heel and a plush sock liner, the Under Armour Men’s Yard Low cleats are designed to enclose the foot comfortable and almost with a sneaker-like feel. The Charged Cushioning midsole is perfect for converting impact into power and speed, and as the cleats are lightweight they won’t slow the athlete down.

The low profile outsole also has metal spikes that grip the ground and gives baseball players stability. In addition, a ventilated tongue gives the cleat ventilation so that the foot stays cool and dry.

Pros

Comfortable sneaker feel

Charged Cushioning midsole

Metal cleats

Lightweight construction

Cons

Only seven color options available

New Balance Men’s 4040 V5 TPU Molded Cleat Baseball Shoe

The New Balance Men’s 4040 V5 Molded Baseball Shoe is great for athletes who are looking for a stylish type of cleat. With 15 different colors available there are plenty of styles to choose from. In terms of performance, these baseball cleats use 100% synthetic materials, with a Kinetic Stitch upper.

These New Balance molded cleats are extremely durable, lasting multiple seasons, and also come with wide size options for those who need a wider fit.

Pros

Kinetic Stitch upper

Great durability

Wide range of colors

Wide Fit options

Cons

Sizing can run small

Adidas Men’s Afterburner 6 Grail Md Cleats Baseball Shoe

The Adidas Men’s Afterburner Baseball Shoe features a lightweight design, aimed at maximizing the pitcher’s speed. These baseball shoes also use a one piece upper and have widened laces that lock down the foot and provide support and comfort. They also have an Ironskin toe cap which is abrasion resistant and protects the toe.

In addition, they feature a molded rubber outsole which enhances traction and grip, allowing pitchers to change direction with ease.

Pros

Lightweight

Widened laces with seamless design

Protective toe cap

Molded rubber outsole for traction

Cons

Limited number of colors

Under Armour Men’s Leadoff Mid Rm Baseball Shoe

Made with a durable overlay on the toe cap of the cleat, the Under Armour Men’s Mid RM Baseball Shoe is great in terms of protection. They feature a synthetic upper which has plenty of ventilation to keep the foot dry and comfortable. A full length EVA midsole is used to support the foot and distribute weight and pressure evenly.

These baseball cleats have a padded collar and heel so it’s easy to put them on, and the rubber molded spikes grip the ground for optimal traction.

Pros

Breathability

Full length EVA Midsole

Molded spikes for traction

Padded collar and heel

Cons

The cleats can run narrow in size

Mizuno MIZD9 Men’s 9-Spike Advanced Franchise 9 Molded Baseball Cleat-Low Shoe

Featuring rubber studs for excellent traction, the Mizuno MIZD9 Baseball Cleat is suitable for artificial turf fields or clay. They feature a low cut design for comfort and speed and have a full length midsole which provides cushioning and support. The size of these cleats can run small so it is advised to order half a size up.

Pros

Rubber studs for traction

Suitable for artificial turf/clay fields

Full length midsole

Reasonably priced

Cons

Limited color options

Adidas Men’s Icon Bounce TPU

The Adidas Men’s Icon Bounce TPU features an Ironskin toe cap which provides abrasion resistance and protection. Traction is provided to pitchers by the use of a StealTrax TPU outsole plate, which makes it similar to using metal cleats. They also have a Nubuck upper which is ventilated for breathability, making them cool baseball cleats for extra comfort.

In addition, bounce cushioning technology is used on each cleat to provide maximum support and flexibility. A mix of leather and synthetic is used for durability.

Pros

Abrasion resistant toe cap

Stealtrax TPU outsole plate for traction

Cushioning for comfort and support

Durable materials

Cons

The cleats run narrow

How to Buy the Right Baseball Cleats

The guide below will help you make the right decision when it comes to buying the best baseball cleats for pitchers. There are many different brands offering individual specifications, so it can become difficult to distinguish exactly what type of cleat is right for you. Below are some points to take into account before purchasing baseball shoes for pitchers:

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Types of Cleats

When considering the above list, it’s important to understand which features will suit your needs as well as the surface you’ll be playing on. This includes the construction of the cleats, as well as the best type of studs used under the cleat. The material also plays an important role in finding the best baseball cleats for pitchers, as some materials are more durable and breathable than others.

Metal

In terms of traction and grip on the field, the best baseball cleats for pitchers will have metal spikes. The metal is extremely effective at stabilizing the pitcher, allowing them to concentrate more on their throwing. The only disadvantage of metal baseball shoes is that some leagues don’t allow them, due to the injury that can occur if a player collides with another athlete.

Molded

Molded cleats are perfect for those who are unable to wear metal. They are suitable for most soft surfaces but still provide plenty of traction and grip. Some players also find them more comfortable than metal cleats, but this comes down to personal preference.

TPU/MCS

Very similar to molded cleats, the TPU/MCS are rubber baseball cleats. They offer the same impact resistance and are highly abrasive, but are generally less expensive than baseball rubber cleats. The strong plastic used is perfect for keeping the cleat lightweight.

Turf

If you are required to play on turf, this type of cleat is the best to ensure that the turf doesn’t become damaged. In addition, they offer the right level of grip needed for turf and provide comfort and support to baseball pitchers.

Things You Should Know About Baseball Cleats

Material

Cleats tend to come in two different materials; genuine leather and synthetic leather. Although more expensive than synthetic leather, genuine leather offers more breathability and durability. Genuine leather is also more comfortable as the material molds to the foot and is extremely soft. This is the best material if you’re looking for the coolest baseball cleats.

For young baseball players, it’s best to opt for synthetic leather as they will outgrow their cleats more often and it can become costly to keep buying genuine leather.

Cleat Height

The cleat height refers to the raised material around the ankle. There are three types of cleats, high top, mid top and low top. In terms of the best baseball cleats for pitchers, the ankle height shouldn’t affect their performance. The height generally affects ankle movement, support, and speed.

Low Tops

Low top cleats offer minimal support to the ankle but are the best in terms of mobility and agility. In addition, the lack of extra material means the cleats are much lighter, perfect for athletes who want to maintain speed on the field.

Mid Tops

The mid tops are the perfect compromise. They offer some ankle support, but as the low top, they still aren’t too heavy. They assist pitchers in movement and should fit comfortably without compromising mobility.

High Tops

High top baseball cleats are best for those with an ankle injury or athletes that need extra support around the ankle. One disadvantage is how the extra materials weigh the cleats down, making them unsuitable for athletes who are required to run at speed. They also restrict the movement of the ankle, which is a major factor for many athletes to take into consideration.

FAQs

Conclusion

We hope the above guide gives you some direction when it comes to choosing the best baseball cleats for pitchers. Some key points to take away from the guide are to focus on the material, cleat type, and unique features that come with each brand.

Due to the variety available online, there are plenty of ranges suitable for adult and youth baseball cleats, so finding the best baseball cleats for pitchers should be a straightforward process.

Updated on 02-09-22