How to Customize Cleats

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Customized cleats are currently all the rage in professional sports. You can take your cleats to the next level by creating a design, getting some art supplies, and dedicating some time to making your cleats look exactly how you want them.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Painting Your Leather Cleats

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  1. If you are customizing leather cleats, you will want to remove the factory finish from the shoes so that your paint bonds properly with the leather on your cleats and doesn’t flake or crack. [1]
    • Put on a pair of rubber gloves and soak some cotton balls in acetone, which is available at most hardware stores.
    • Rub the finish off your cleats with the acetone-soaked cotton balls until the finish comes off. This takes 30-40 minutes. The finish will look a bit pasty as it’s coming off, and the leather will start to turn a greyish color.
  2. You may already have ideas based on NFL cleats you have seen on your favorite players, such as written messages or pictures showing a certain cause. Or, you could simply plan to use a few assorted colors in a geometric design. [2]
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  3. Once you have a design in mind for your cleats, draw the design on some masking tape. Carefully cut out the design and place the masking tape onto the shoes. [3]
    • Save the pieces of tape you remove to use for later colors in the design.
    • Using masking tape is an option to get the cleanest lines between colors. Another option is to not use masking tape and simply free-hand paint on your shoes, but the lines may not be as crisp.
  4. Use your leather paint, such as Angelus, and a small container to mix your colors until you get the exact color you want for the first part of your design. Brush a small stroke of the color onto a piece of paper to see if it’s the color you want. [4]
  5. Using your brush and the first mixed color, paint your design within the masking tape on your cleats using a light, thin layer. You may need to do multiple layers to get the color how you want it, but that’s okay. Don’t rush and allow the paint to completely dry between layers. [5]
    • Use small craft paintbrushes for most of your painting, and tiny paintbrushes for small details.
    • It’s important to allow each layer to dry so that the paint doesn’t flake and crack when you’re wearing your cleats later.
  6. Each time you complete a layer of paint, use a hairdryer to get the paint to dry faster. Hold the hairdryer couple of inches away from the cleat, and allow the air to dry the layer you just painted before starting a new layer. [6]
  7. If you are using masking tape for clean lines, cut new pieces of masking tape to add new colors to your cleat. [7]
    • If you’re not using masking tape or are done with the layers that need it and want to simply write or draw over the base colors, be sure the shoes are completely dry before adding new colors.
  8. Once your cleats are completely done and dry, with no wet paint anywhere, spray them lightly with a matte finisher such as Krylon Matte Finisher. This will seal in the paint and make your shoes look less shiny and more like they came from a factory. [8]
    • Use the matte finisher spray in a well-ventilated area, as there will be fumes.
    • Allow your cleats to dry for a few hours before wearing them and congratulate yourself on a job well done!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Customizing Other Details of Your Cleats

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  1. If you are able to remove the spikes from your cleats, try switching them out with different colors of spikes. If your cleats have removable spikes, chances are they came with a cleat wrench. [9]
    • Use the cleat wrench your shoes came with or a pair of needle nose pliers to remove the spikes.
    • Look for spikes of different colors to fit your cleats at sporting goods stores and online.
    • You can also spray paint your spikes instead of buying new ones. Choose different colors of bright spray paint at a craft store, place your removed spikes away from your shoes, and paint your spikes a variety of colors. [10]
  2. Try switching out your laces to match your team’s colors, or look for a unique pattern of laces that will make them stand out. Cleat laces can be found at sporting goods stores and online. [11]
  3. Many players tape their cleats for added support and protection, but you can create unique patterns or even “spats” by using colorful cleat tape. Look for cleat tape at your local sporting goods store or online. [12]
  4. Many players customize their cleats to make them more comfortable. Remove the insoles from your cleat. Begin by cutting a small amount at the inside middle section with an X-ACTO knife. [13]
    • Replace the insole to see if you need to cut more. Continue this process until the cleats are more comfortable on your feet.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What is the easiest way to clean cleats?
    Walter Merino
    Soccer Coach
    Walter Merino is a Youth Soccer Coach and Co-Founder of Ole Soccer Club based out of the Los Angeles, California area. He has coached youth from the age of four to the high school and college levels. Walter has played collegiate soccer for Cal Poly Pomona and Los Angeles Mission College. His accomplishments include coaching Olé Soccer Club to win the 2017 Cal South State Cup Governors Boys 2007 Division title.
    Walter Merino
    Soccer Coach
    Expert Answer
    To easily clean dirty football cleats, you can add them to a washing machine, make sure the washing temperature is cold. Do not place them in a dryer as the leather may shrink. Allow them to air dry in the sun.
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      Things You'll Need

      Painting Leather Cleats

      • Acetone and cotton balls
      • Paint for leather
      • Assorted sizes of paintbrushes
      • Masking tape
      • X-ACTO knife
      • Hairdryer

      Customizing Other Details

      • Cleat wrench or needle nose pliers
      • Spray paint
      • New spikes
      • New laces
      • Colorful cleat tape
      • X-ACTO knife

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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.complex.com/sneakers/2012/09/a-step-by-step-guide-to-sneaker-customization-by-mache/mixing
      2. ↑ https://www.sbnation.com/2017/12/3/16721058/my-cause-my-cleats-2017-nfl-custom-cleats-list-photos
      3. ↑ http://www.complex.com/sneakers/2012/09/a-step-by-step-guide-to-sneaker-customization-by-mache/mixing
      4. ↑ http://www.complex.com/sneakers/2012/09/a-step-by-step-guide-to-sneaker-customization-by-mache/mixing
      5. ↑ http://www.complex.com/sneakers/2012/09/a-step-by-step-guide-to-sneaker-customization-by-mache/mixing
      6. ↑ http://www.complex.com/sneakers/2012/09/a-step-by-step-guide-to-sneaker-customization-by-mache/mixing
      7. ↑ https://healthfully.com/customize-football-cleats-5019392.html
      8. ↑ http://www.complex.com/sneakers/2012/09/a-step-by-step-guide-to-sneaker-customization-by-mache/mixing
      9. ↑ https://healthfully.com/remove-spikes-cleat-wrench-8754563.html
      1. ↑ https://healthfully.com/customize-football-cleats-5019392.html
      2. ↑ https://healthfully.com/customize-football-cleats-5019392.html
      3. ↑ http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18167623/nfl-players-wear-custom-cleats-causes-choice-week-13
      4. ↑ http://www.soccercleats101.com/2013/03/15/shock-doctor-low-profile-cleat-insole-review/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Before you can customize your leather cleats, you'll need to remove the factory finish from the shoes by putting on a pair of rubber gloves and rubbing your cleats with a cotton ball soaked in acetone. After about 30-40 minutes of rubbing, the finish should be mostly removed. Next, use masking tape and an X-ACTO knife to carefully block out the areas you don't want to paint yet, so you end up painting cleaner lines. When you're ready, begin adding thin layers of a leather paint, such as Angelus, to your cleats. In between coats or color changes, make sure to dry the paint on your shoes by using a hairdryer. Once you're done painting, spray your dry cleats with a matte finisher to seal in the paint. For more tips, including how to customize other details of your cleats, keep reading!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Jan 27

        "My cleat came out looking amazing and I'm even looking to start my own business."
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