Favorite Fastpitch Footwear 2008
This is your chance to share your favorite fastpitch footwear. What’s the best shoe for practice, for games, for coaching?
What is the fastpitch shoe you can’t live without? Do you have a favorite for practice and another for games?
We want to know what brand/style/color/etc footwear you prefer and why you love it so much.
If you have more than one “favorite” you may post them in separate comments to earn yourself more entries into the prize drawing for this category which includes:
- Spyder Mask Softball Faceguards for your team (12 total) from Fastpitch Supply! These masks have a wider viewing area than most other protective masks. Each one is valued at $17.49 for a total of $209.88.
- One Year Subscription to Softball Today Magazine valued at $20.00
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Total Prize Pack value of $229.88!
How to Participate…
Leave a Comment with your opinion OR Respond to what others have posted to this category.
Click on the “Leave a Comment” link below to tell us about your favorite fastpitch footwear (or respond to what someone else already said) and gain yourself an entry into the drawing for this category’s prize pack.
August 25th, 2008 at 4:54 am
I just this week saw the Spyder softball Faceguards listed with the helmet in a softball sales magazine. I really like the wider viewing area. My daughter chose her faceguard specifically for the wide view area but the spyder is even better. Does it fit most standard helmets or does it only fit specific helmets? Seeing the ball is key.
August 25th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Tanel I like the feel of the spikes on the bottom with their circular pattern it makes pivoting easier and smoother. I perfer a mid rise.
August 25th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I prefer a mid rise cleat. You still have a little ankle protection without wearing high tops, and you still have room for any braces you may wear on the ankle. I always go with black and white. However, if you can find them in your team colors, that is even better. Nike or Reebok either one are both good cleats. They hold up pretty good. I haven’t tried the Underarmour cleats, but I have seen a lot of girls wearing them. For practice, I like for my girls to wear a cleat just like, or as close to it as they can get, to what they will wear in a game.
August 25th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I actually prefer the normal low-rise cleat. My favorite is the Mizuno inter changable cleats, they come with both metal and rubber spikes., so if you play in tournys with different rules you can change them. I generally use rubber during practice and metal during games. My cleats generally last me the whole season so i bring them and use them at practice and where my new ones on game day.
August 25th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
For off season practices, i like the Nike shock running shoe. Ive been getting these shoes for years and i absolutely love them. They have great arch support and the shocks make you feel like you can run faster and jump higher. The shoes that im going to be sporting this coming off season are an all black shoe with the baby blue shocks and baby blue nike swoosh, with white stripes down the sides. Its the most comfortable shoe.
August 25th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Easton’s mid rise cleat is both comfortable and light weight. Under Armour is also making a similar cleat that is pretty nice as well.
August 25th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I really like the Under Armour clete. I bought a pair for my daughter and she loves the way they feel. My daughter is a pitcher, so she drags her toe constantly. The under armour shoue held up great. There is some wear and tear on the end of the shoe, but it held up great. Last year she used a Nike shoe and by the end of our school year, you could see her toes out of the end of her shoe. This year we played all of regular high school season and also about 30 games of summer ball. We still use the shoe today for practice. It did have some wear and tear, so I put toe guard around the end of the shoe, It is like a new shoe. Under Armour makes a really good clete.
August 25th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
My daughter’s choice of cleats are the Ringor cleats. They seem to last longer than some of the other cleats. She pitches and we usually go through 2-3 pair of cleats each season. So far, only 1 pair of Ringors.
August 25th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Judging by the number of girls I see wearing them, the standard Nike seems to be the favorite. My daughter prefers the Addidas because she has a narrow foot and they fit better.
August 25th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
On my team the most popular is Nike, mostly low rise. They like them in Black with a white swoosh. On my team they can wear spikes, and they do! They are actually prefered over the molded cleats.
August 25th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
my favorite cleats are my interchangeable Nike A-rod cleat as a catcher they are comfortable when i squat and they are well made i love them
August 25th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
My daughter has tried almost every shoe made. But the one she perfers is the Ringor mid they seem to last longer than all others.
August 25th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
My personal favorite is the Rizor. I went through an entire high school season and a travel summer ball season and they look almost brand new. I am a pitcher so I got mine with the toe guard and there is no wear and tear on them.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
My oldest daughter’s high school team approved them to wear steel/metal cleats this past season. We saw more injuries with these, whether by accident or by opposing teams who “play dirty”. Is there really that much of an advantage to playing with metal cleats?
August 26th, 2008 at 12:02 am
My daughter wears Ringors with the toe guard for pitching. She actually out grew her cleats and they are no where close to being worn out. She plays travel ball and practices year round. Now I wear them to play in my adult league.
August 26th, 2008 at 12:15 am
I think the interchangeable spikes are necessary for the different types of fields that are available to play on.
August 26th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Nike or Addidas low rise are the preferred cleat on our team. Have to also give a plug to the Addidas sandals/flip flops. Many of our girls rely on them to and from practice & games and in between games on tournament weekends.
August 26th, 2008 at 2:00 am
Sorry – I meant Adidas. I think that stands for All Day I Dream about Softball.
August 26th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Most girls in SA wear the interchangable cleats since we play on both grass and skin diamonds.
There is no particular favourite but many wear NIKE.
Vanessa
August 26th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Mid Rise Mizuno cleats are the best. Under Armour slides for after the game in our team colors.
August 26th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Nike cleats have been my choice forever. I have also tried Mizuno. A few years ago I bought myself the Under Armour cleats and I really like them. I prefer to try on my shoes, rather than order them, so I know there are many others out there, I just haven’t tried them. For cleats that you can purchase in most sporting good stores, Under Armour is now my standard.
August 26th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Underarmour.
We switched both girls to UA and have never looked back,
The shoe keeps the mositure out. They are very comfortable.
August 26th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Ringor baby! Hi quality but unfortunately my daughter grows too fast to be able to make this a good plan for her. She pitches and has a really hard drag. We have to put shoe goo on her shoes several times in a year. She has weak ankles so we have been going with the Under Armour middies. These have worked for her. Eventually we want Ringor…that tuff toe and alignment for the pitching foot are fantastic!
August 26th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Tried many over the years, but, the best would have to be the Ringor Diamond Star Pro-Tec-Toes. Served very well for pitching. Also, pretty light weight.
August 26th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Nikes in the team colors.
August 26th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
My daughter likes the Ringors.
August 27th, 2008 at 1:30 am
Mizuno turf shoes for coaches. These have to be green. They are very coftable and light. And for play Mizuno Finch Franchise cleats. Black ones match the best.
August 27th, 2008 at 1:51 am
I have played fastpitch softball for five years now. The first year my coach insisted on having team cleats. We got the Mizuno 9-spike cleats in like a pearly white color. When we bought them they were like $45. I have since changed my color to black, but I havent worn a different pair of cleats since then. Whats nice about these is that they’re very light weight and arent heavy at all, which is a big issue among my teammates. They also don’t rip out the sides like most cleats do, but if you play all the time like I do, the spikes wear down somewhat fast. On the plus side to having to buy new cleats every year because the spikes wear, they are now sold for around $15 instead of $45.(FYI: I have bought them on the internet. They may not be $15 in stores). The Mizuno 9-spikes are by far the best cleats that I have ever worn. I would reccomend those to everyonone.
August 27th, 2008 at 11:49 am
For pitchers, there is nothing better than the Tanel 360 with reinforced toe area. My daughter loves hers & we don’t have to buy new cleats as often for her.
August 27th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I like the Mizuno Finch cleats. They are light as a feather and the cleats have lasted forever. The toe may go because I pitch, that’s what duct tape is for (ha ha) , but they are a great cleat. Some of the other popular ones are either too heavy or the cleat wears down too quickly. I’ll take the Finch over them all. I’ve been trying new ones for 4 years now and the Finch is the only one I have bought twice.
August 27th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I have been impressed the Ringor foot wear, they have been great to work with and to get shoes out to my teams in a quick and rapid turn around, the shoes last forever and are the best I can find for being structured for the female foot, My teams have had great success with the ringor shoes
August 27th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
My daughter prefers the Mizuno cleats mostly due to the fact they seem to come wider- most cleats do not offer a wide option, so she usually has to try several. The past several years Mizuno has been the better choice for her.
August 27th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
I have had the best luck with Mizuno. They are the lighest and seems to be the most durable, both from players shoes and coaches shoes.
August 28th, 2008 at 2:15 am
ringors, they last the longest, keep your feet dry in the early morning dew, and great color selection
August 28th, 2008 at 2:57 am
Under Armor of course!!!!!
August 29th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Under Armor, but we may have to try Ringor after reading this!
August 29th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Our high school league recently changed to allowing metal cleats. While I don’t like the rule, does anyone have a good recommendation?
August 29th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Ringor cleats in blue mid for tournament
August 30th, 2008 at 3:38 am
You definitely need your girls to wear to wear either a visor or cap when the sun can play a factor in fielding. Although we teach to block the sun with the glove, the added bill of the visor or cap helps.
Most of out girls prefer visors because they wear ponytails.
Sunglasses are a must here in Florida for those sunny days.
My 11 y/o swears that these are the most comfortable cleat she has ever had. We go through 2 – 3 pairs a year because her foot grows and we play year-rounds in Florida.
Under Armour Glyde Women’s Softball Cleats
They are supposed to have the following technology,
Upper: Engineered synthetic upper provides lightweight performance and excellent durability. Strategic mesh quarter panels for maximum comfort and breathability. HeatGear liners with Moisture Transport System wick moisture, keeping the foot cool, dry, and comfortable. Abrasion-resistant toe overlay protects against excessive wear. Padded mesh, roll-over tongue with Velcro fastener.
Midsole: Full length, compression-molded EVA provides, cushioning, and disperses cleat pressure.
Insole: Ortholite sockliner provides additional cushioning and comfort.
Outsole: Dual Plate Technology reduces bulk weight while enhancing flexibility. Rotational Traction cleat configuration optimizes rotational capability for maximum acceleration and power. TPU performance outsole plates with TPU molded cleats.
My daughters are black, silver and white.
The best part of they were under $40.00 women’s sizes.
August 30th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Right now, anyone that fits my daughter’s 10 1/2 men’s feet. That’s right, men’s! Perfer WIDE, but none here. Some shoe brands she needs an 11 men’s and she’s only 12 years old. If anyone knows where to get WIDE shoe sizes, please let me know! Thanks!!
August 30th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
The best footwear kids can have are CLEAN PROPERLY FITTING SOCKS. So they don’t get blisters and when they take them off the vans we travel in don’t smell so horrible.
August 30th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
My favorite cleats are my Ringor cleats. They are comfortable and they last long.
August 31st, 2008 at 2:08 pm
My daughter has bad feet and is hard on shoes. She usually has two pair of Nike cleats (mid – for ankle support) that she rotates during the season. I like the comments I’ve seen about the Under Armor. We may try a pair this spring. Thanks!
August 31st, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Ringor cleats by far are the most comfortable. Too bad they don’t make regular shoes also. I’d by those. The pitching toe they put on them helps them last a long time. You can’t go wrong for comfort.