Comfort is vital when it comes to excelling in softball. Though many ties into this, the cleats are one of the essential parts of your uniform. A proper and comfortable fit is vital when it comes to softball cleats.

A few practice games should be enough to break in your cleats. To make them generally cozier and not stiff, you can try keeping them on even when not on the field. Doing light exercises such as jumps and squats with your new softball cleats is much better than going into a game immediately because the risk of injuries is less.

Also, initially, keep the laces pretty relaxed. Tightened laces keep cleats from breaking incorrectly.

A player stealing a base with visible cleats.

Tips to break in softball cleats

There are many ways to break in softball cleats. The best way is to keep them on during non-practice hours. Using them this way for a few days will break them in correctly.

But what if that’s not sufficient?

  • The method baseball and softball players use to break in new cleats manually is a little tedious. You can flex, bend, twist, squeeze, and turn the cleats, holding them toe to heel. Do this for several weeks, several minutes daily, and they should break in nicely.
  • Shaving cream or conditioner can soften any leather, including softball cleats.
  • Soaking your cleats in warm water is also good, but many are afraid of doing this because of the risk it poses to the material. If you wish to do this, fill a bucket with warm water - not too hot. Wear your socks and cleats and put your feet in the bucket for 15-20 minutes. After soaking, pat dry with a cloth or towel and move with the cleats until they dry.

So, do you need to break in softball cleats?

Yes. Especially if your cleats are stiff or causing blisters on your skin, it’s time to try to break them in.

Should softball cleats be tight or loose?

Generally, softball cleats should be tight. There shouldn’t be much empty space in the toebox; the whole foot should fit snugly (but comfortably) inside the shoe.

If you’re choosing between two sizes, it’s okay to go with the smaller size. Many baseball and softball players at the college level prefer to buy cleats that are half a size smaller to begin with. The reason is that these cleats will break in over time and become slightly larger as you wear them more.

Wrapping up

Breaking in your softball cleats is necessary to allow them to fit correctly and ensure that you’re ready for the season.

The best way to break in your softball cleats is by wearing them for several hours each day, mainly when it’s cold outside. This allows the shoes to stretch out and conform to your feet, which helps them become more comfortable over time.

If you wear shoes a lot, like at work or during the day when you’re playing sports, it can help them stretch out faster and feel more comfortable overall. If you don’t play sports often or wear high heels all day long, it may take longer for your shoes to stretch out enough to be comfortable.

  • Wear them around the house for a few days.
  • Wear them to work or play ball with friends.
  • Try wearing them all day when you have time, then take them off and put them on again in the evening once you are home.
  • When you are ready to start playing in your new cleats, ensure they are clean and dry before putting them on.
  • If they feel tight when you put them on, they need more breaking.

When you break in your softball cleats, it’s important to remember that the shoes are made from synthetic material. This means they will not be as flexible as they might be if they were made from leather or suede. This is why it is essential to follow these steps:

  1. Use the correct size of the shoe. The best way to break in a pair of cleats is by wearing them for several hours before playing a game. If you play every day, this should not be an issue for you. However, if you only play once or twice per week, we recommend using the shoe for longer before playing games.
  2. Use a proper sock combination. When breaking in your softball cleats, they must be worn with a good pair of socks - especially if they are new shoes! Socks can help prevent blisters and provide extra cushioning so your feet do not get hurt as much during practice or games.