5 Best Cleats For Pitchers in 2024 | Take your Game to Next Level

Last Updated on January 17, 2024

Being a baseball player, consistent moving is a must-do habitus on the baseball field. It is also expected that getting better movement with legs along with wearing a pair of great pairs is relieving in the long run.

To ensure this, having the best cleats for pitchers, or other players would be desired.

But you know, comfortable cleats worn are just an amazing thing that also demands the best quality, durability, and great moveability.

As sensible and great fashion trends, all cleats for baseball team players are not the best ones. Either softball cleats or baseball cleats, you need to pick the best pitching cleats to ensure a great performance.

Your cleats must be able to provide excellent traction, grip, easy change of direction, and a perfect fit all along the field.

I will be presenting you with the 10 best baseball cleats for your convenience to pick your desired ones easily.

5 Best Cleats For Pitchers in 2024

By combining all criteria, let me help you to pick the 5 best baseball cleats that will fulfill your need on the baseball field and pitching mound.

By the way, let me clarify one thing. The list I have made is not the ultimate one. Because only the 5 cleats are not the best in the whole world.

I have picked them because they have the potential to fulfill your needs with quality and performance on the field. You may choose cleats outside of this list as well.

1. New Balance Cleats: Men’s 3000 V4 Metal (Editor’s Top Pick)

New Balance cleats are from one of the top baseball cleats manufacturers in the industry. Without any doubt, New Balance could be your first choice if you are thinking about picking the best cleats for pitchers.

The New Balance Men’s 3000 series is a legendary series of the brand. The 3000 V5 comes with synthetic construction. The midsole’s full-length fresh foam provides the utmost comfort to your feet.

The midsole foam gives superior comfort, along with extra cushioning that gives an unreal feel.

The low-cut synthetic mesh upper enhances the airflow along with its reaction diffusion designed specifically. This enhances the movement despite being metal spikes.

The metal 8-spikes give superior traction on the surface that transfers and ensures more power to the pitching toes, and the pitching hand.

The reinforced toes are designed to give extra support that enhances the durability of the cleats as well.

The design theme is developed in such a great way that gives additional control to your pitching toe. The ultra-light midsole gives more cushioning to the heel with additional support when pitchers change the position and weight from one foot to another.

The best traction, charged cushioning midsole, construction, and design pattern make this baseball cleat one of the top cleats in the industry.

Pros

• Metal 8-spike stud gives great traction.
• The foam midsole gives extra cushioning to the heel.
• Synthetic and mesh are upper ensure lightweight.
• A lace cage keeps the lace secure and protected while playing.
• 17-color options.
• Almost found in all sizes.

Cons

• There are options to develop the insole area.

2. Mizuno Men’s 9 Spike Dominant IC Low Metal (Wave Technology For Extensive Stability)

Having stability beneath the sole of the cleat is highly essential for pitchers. And in this segment, Mizuno Men’s 9 Spike uses Wave technology that ensures the utmost stability of the sole of the Mizuno Men’s 9 Spike shoe.

Stability is the most important fact when a pitcher just throws the ball to the hitter.

On the other hand, Mizuno 9-Spike Dominant is designed for the utmost comfort and cushioning as well as soft flexibility.

The 9 metal spikes ensure the highest level of traction that helps to absorb the pressure from the ankle. As with the supporting features, the shoe helps the pitcher to be ready for the most aggressive and accurate pitching.

The spreading of the weight of your body is super balanced when you wear the Mizuno Dominant IC, which eases control over your body.

You will get the full-sized EVA midsole in this pair of cleats. It instantly enhances the cushioning level of your feet.

While you throw the pitches, the cleats just disperse your body weight, and speed to make sure the ball gets the highest speed. The reinforced toe helps to keep the strength of the shoes in different positions.

You get an incredible grip with its Wave technology and weight-dispersing features. The flexibility during using the shoes is improved which gives reliability. The USA-made shoes are 100% synthetic to ensure they are lightweight.

The metal cleats are found in 6 different colors as well. I bet you will love the cleats after a few uses.

Pros

• The Wave technology ensures the highest stability.
• The EVA midsole gives the utmost comfort.
• The entire cushioning system gives relief to the ankle to the entire heel.
• 9 metal spikes give superior traction.

Cons

• There is a structural issue that may get changed fast.

3. Adidas Adizero Afterburner V Metal Cleats Men (Performs On Any Types Of Surface)

Adidas Adizero is a metal cleat that is designed with superior comfort and utmost traction. Also, the shoe is a fantastic example of stability for a pitcher, when he pitches.

The Sprintframe plate under the shoe with an additional heel is used to ensure extensive stability on the mound. And ultimately, you will get this feature on any type of surface.

These cleats are capable of providing quick movement with a lightweight feel. It also provides ankle support with the Sprintskin upper laminated package.

Aside from these, the Ironskin reinforced toe cap gives more strength while the pitchers push the front of cleats with their front-pushing leg.

The Litestrike EVA midsole gives a two-times thicker sole that gives unreal comfort and pressure absorption facilities.

This also gives the advantage of switching positions without compromising the lightweight and fast move.

The cleats ensure a great fit with their sock-like construction. You will get a great feel with super comfortable feet and feel.

Adidas Adizero Afterburner is available in different sizes and colors. So, pick the best one that matches you.

Pros

• The sock-like construction gives a super-fitting feature.
• Litestroke EVA midsole gives unreal comfort.
• Ironskin reinforced toe cap gives more strength and durability.
• The Sprintframe plate gives support to the ankle with an external heel.
• Made of textile and synthetic materials.
• Sprintskin upper implementation reduces the weight dramatically.

Cons

• The breathability is not that great.

4. Under Armour Men’s Leadoff Low Rm Baseball Shoe (Best Molded Cleats)

I always love to keep Under Armour’s products on the list when it comes to sports apparel or footwear. They are one of the leaders in the sporting industry without a doubt.

Under Armour Men’s Leadoff Low RM is one of the best-molded cleats on the market.

The rubber sole and spikes are lightweights and great traction providers.

The cleats are made of synthetic materials. The synthetic upper is lightweight and durable. There are perforations in the toe box that ensures the peak breathability of the shoes and your foot.

The reinforced toe cap is used to ensure the strength of the cleats which enhances the durability.

On the other hand, the padded collar and heel are implemented that ensure the utmost and unreal fast steps while wearing the cleats and moving with them.

Also, the full-length EVA midsole is added to the cleats for ultimate comfort and cushioning. This is implemented in such a way that evenly distributes your weight across the entire shoe.

The rubber molded spikes ensure the ultimate traction on any type of surface in the long run.

Pros

• Rubber molded soles and spikes give ultimate traction.
• Synthetic upper gives great breathability.
• Added reinforced toe caps give extra strength.
• The padded collar and heel construction give overall comfort.
• The full-length EVA midsole gives unreal comfort.
• Available multi-colors.
• Different sizes are available.

Cons

• A little pricey as molded cleats. 

5. Under Armour Men’s Harper 5 Low St Baseball Shoe (Best Hybrid Cleats)

In the last of my best cleat picking, I would rather ask you a question. Do you search for a hybrid pair of cleats that feature both metal and molded spikes?

I am very excited to present you with the fantastic Under Armour Men’s Harper 5 Low ST Baseball cleats. This pair of cleats are hybrid construction with metal and molded spikes.

The cleats are made of synthetic soles along with a textile upper with TPU. The TPU upper gives great zonal abrasion and structure.

The full-length bootie construction is taken place along with an updated collar shape. This gives you a snug fit and a great feel.

Under Armour implemented a dynamic thicker lacing system which is great to lock your shoes perfect for a fast move. The perfectly tailored plush sock liner molds ensure a perfect fit of the shoes to your feet.

The UA HOVR cushioning technology is used to provide you with the best cushioning and comfort so that there is no gravity negativity.

The reinforced toe cap is here to give you the ultimate strength while throwing your fastest pitch to the hitters.

The hybrid 10 spikes are organized by the 3-3-4 method that ensures strength, traction, and quick movement with the combination of metal and molded spikes.

Hitter or pitcher, I assure you that the cleats would be a perfect and wise choice for both.

Pros

• Different sizes are available for different-sized feet.
• The 6-color option enhances the fashion bud.
• Laser-perforated synthetic upper provides durability.
• The UA HOVR cushioning technology gives the utmost comfort.
• The EVA stability foam gives support to the ankles.

Cons

• Not found any drawback with its build and price.

What Different Types of Cleats Are Available?

Basically, there are three different types of cleats found for baseball players or baseball pitchers. Let’s enlighten them briefly for knowledge purposes first. It will help the newcomers to choose the right one as per their needs.

1. Metal Cleats

The name shows its types. Metal cleats refer to cleats that use metal studs for the shoes. The metal studs are attached permanently to the shoes’ heels. The spikes of metal cleats are made of high-quality metals.

The highly stable base of the metal cleats gives more traction. Because they can excavate the surface quickly to hold an extensive grip. Because of this, metal cleats give quick traction in fielding a fly ball or ground ball due to their metal spikes.

Basically, metal cleats are not ideal for youth leagues because of their very stiff feel and straightforward construction. However, buying metal cleats would be a selective choice in the long run.

Because metal cleats also increase the chance of random injury for players in many cases. So, before buying softball pitching cleats with metal studs, or wearing metal cleats, make sure the league allows you to wear them.

Do you want to know the permitted state of the metal cleats? The following guide on “Can You Use Metal Cleats In High School Baseball | All Facts You Must Know!” has the answer for your curiosity. 

2. Molded Cleats

Unlike metal cleats, molded cleats are featured with rubber or plastic spikes/studs. Also, they are lighter than metal cleats as they use rubber or plastic studs which decrease the weight dramatically.

Molded cleats are more stable than metal cleats with improved ankle support. Molded cleats are easy to handle as their spikes do not extensively traction on the surface.

They are getting popular recently, because of their performance, lightweight, and cost-effectiveness.

Where metal cleats provide more traction and slower movement, molded cleats do the opposite.

Molded cleats are highly performing on muddy or soft surfaces because of their less traction.

Also, as the molded cleats have less traction, they are capable of giving more lifespan and versatility.

With such feasible features, molded cleats are fit for any player of any level.

3. Turf Cleats

Turf shoes are different from molded and metal spikes. They are featured with a grippy texture that makes a great foot and turf connection.

As a result, they create different gripping patterns in the outsoles of the baseball footwear.

Basically, turf shoes are used for playing and training purposes on artificial surfaces. With their specially designed studs, turf shoes provide more grip and traction without excavating the surface.

Summing up the aspects, turf shoes are ideal for low-pitch softball games as they are capable of giving a stronger grip on grass and dirt.

Do Baseball Cleats Impact Based on The Position

Okay, if the question about the position and the cleats, and the correlation, I would say, the cleats choosing is significantly affected by the position on the field.

Infield Position

It is certain that plastic cleats hold more dirt in the thick and compact ground. This is not okay for the supervision and sustenance of the field.

Though the plastic cleats are lightweight, holding too much dirt will be heavy. Also, this is harmful to the surface of the field to keep too much dirt.

This is why most professional players prefer metal cleats in the infield position.

Outfield Position

Same as for the infield position, metal spikes are recommended for the outfield position as well. Because they don’t pick a large portion of dirt or grass in their studs that molded cleats do.

Professional MLB players are comfortable with metal spikes in the outfield because of the quick excavation, and quick release of the cleats as they are used to the mode.

Pitching Position

As we are talking about pitching cleats, it is important to understand the pitching position and its correlation with the cleats.

Softball pitchers, or baseball pitchers, all need great traction while pitching. Because more traction gives more strength to the pitchers’ feet.

Ultimately, the push-off foot of the pitcher is highly important in pitching. As metal spikes provide the most traction among the other cleats, metal baseball cleats are highly recommended for pitchers.

Aside from this, low-top combinations are recommended along with metal cleats. Low-top cleats allow ankles to move downside less. To ensure ankle support by not giving more chances to go below the ankle bone, low-top cleats are perfect.

Cleats Buying Guide: How To Choose The Cleats?

Before purchasing the cleats, here is our last discussion about an important fact. You must consider some factors based on your needs when you go for your baseball cleats or softball cleats.

Some precise facts are briefly discussed here. 

Construction and Durability

The cleats will be abandoned with a gap of a particular period of time. It is natural at all. But, aside from this, you must check the durability of the cleats before buying.

high-grade materials and great construction are the main conditions for a pair of cleats durable. Basically, synthetic leather and genuine leather are used in making cleats.

The cleats that are made of genuine leather are breathable, qualitative, and durable. They are also expensive too.

On the other hand, the cleats made of synthetic leather are less durable than genuine leather, as expected.

Also, the position of the player is one of the factors that impact durability. For example, the catcher’s position does not abuse the shoes like the pitchers. But pitchers drag their toe off the driven leg.

So, the pitchers’ cleats must take more challenges when the term “durability” comes.

Affordability

I always take affordability in the prior account. Because, if you cannot afford a pair of great shoes, the rest of the considerations have less value.

By the way, first, determine your budget. Then go for the cleats at the best price within your budget range. This will help you to minimalize your choice list.

For example, little league players don’t need that many high-end cleats professionally. In this case, using synthetic leather-made cleats would be just fine for them.

Cleats Type

Cleat types, as we discussed before, are important. Though there are many arguments that have taken place determining the betterment of metal and molded cleats, there are things to consider.

Metal cleats give more traction and grip on the field. Though you have to sacrifice the comfort here.

On the other hand, molded cleats are more comfortable than metal cleats, but are not excavated on the hard surface.

So, in the long run, you have to consider the field types, your comfortable cleats, and also the cleats that give more grip based on the situation.

By the way, as a professional coach and ex-baseball player, I would recommend metal cleats for you, if you are also a professional mate.

Want to know a more detailed comparison between metal cleats, and molded cleats? The guide on "Metal vs Molded Baseball Cleats |The Ultimate Comparison" could be informative. You may have a look at this.

Low Top, Mid Top, or High Top

You will get more ankle support from high-top cleats. Also will prevent ankle injuries as well. But, high-top cleats are limited when the fact of ankle movement comes.

On the other hand, you will get more speed from low-top cleats, which don’t give ankle support.

So, this could be a considerable fact based on your priority on ankle support.

Reinforced toes Cap

As I have mentioned before, pitchers generally drag their toes which abuses the cleats more. So, to extend the lifespan of the cleats, and get more durability, you should look for a pair of cleats with reinforced toes.

As a result, your cleats will get extra protection around the toes area.

Along with them, perfect fitting is also a great aspect of choosing your best baseball cleats.

In case you are thinking of using football cleats for baseball, you should read this article of mine Can you use baseball cleats in Football? 

Frequently Asked Question

1. Can You Wear Soccer Cleats In Baseball?

There are no issues if you want to wear soccer cleats for playing baseball. This will give you comfort for a certain period. For example, practice sessions, exhibition games, etc.

But, in the long run, you will be needing the true baseball cleats for great performance and safety.

There are differences between soccer cleats and baseball cleats. Our guide on “Soccer Cleats Vs Baseball Cleats| In-Depth Analysis” will help you to learn the differences between them. 

2. Are mid or low-baseball cleats better?

Low-top cleats are designed for faster speed by making lighter shoes. They are also more controllable for the pitchers. But, you have to expense the ankle support with the low-top cleats.

On the other hand, high-top cleats are heavier than lower ones but provide great ankle support. In this case, the choice is yours. If you need more ankle support and have no issue switching to heavier shoes, you can pick the high-top ones.

And for more control and speed, a low top is the right choice.

Final Verdict

Cleats are one of the crucial elements of choice for baseball pitching. The right choice would help you to get a better result in the long run.

The best cleats for pitchers should be picked based on the prior aspects of use. The pitchers should not go for heavier cleats. Also, great durability and comfort should be considered.

Low-top cleats with metal spikes and reinforced toe caps are my recommendation for the pitchers. By the way, you may have your own aspects and preferences as well. 

Jason Butler

Hello everyone. My name is  Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player. I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego. 

I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit.