Cleats - Cleats are the small spikes on the bottom of shoes used for baseball, soccer, football, and other sports played on grassy or muddy terrain. The sneakers that have these cleats are also called cleats, and they come in a variety of styles. Metal cleats are great for traction, but they can make a lot of noise if you have to wear them on hard surfaces. They chew up a car's floor mats, and they can be really nasty if they go off target and hit an opponent or a teammate. Instead, we recommend molded cleats, made from hardened rubber or plastic, as they avoid or diminish these hazards, and they're just as good for traction.