Mizuno 9-Spike® Classic Low G4 SKU #7216260(View on Zappos.com Classic)

Mizuno Classic Low G4 - I am replacing some 6(?) year old Adidas metal cleats, mainly b/c the spikes were worn down substantially (leather and everything else was still is good shape). I would have gladly bought Adidas again but I hate all the current styles they are offering. I was hestitant to buy Mizunos (don't like their logo, "Japanese" company). I've worn these new Mizunos to one practice so far and they did not seem too rigid or hard to break in. The most noticeable feature is they are nice and wide, especially in the toe box! I have shorter, wider, high arch feet and these are noticeably wider than the Nikes (I hate) or Pumas I've tried (Reeboks are too ugly). The extra width might make it feel longer b/c your foot isn't all bunched up in the toe, but the length was fine/as expected. Arch support is decent but I tend to replace the sock liners immediately anyway (and the liners do come out). Above average cushioning all along the midsole. The lacing system is nice - traditional holes punched in the leather (not some cheesy, weak cloth loops sewn onto the top that will last half a season). The shoe holds my heel down pretty well. It has 9 spikes on the bottom which should help distribute your weight more evenly and not create just a couple pressure points. Only real complaint so far is that there is a little piece of velcro on the tongue and flap. It is designed to hold the flap down (the picture is a little deceiving - there is a traditional baseball tongue flap). However the velcro tends to catch the laces most of the time. I'm worried about the velcro fraying or pulling the laces apart. And, also, the metal cleats seem just a tad (~1/16" ??) shorter than most brands (side by side compare to Pumas and toe cleat on old Adidas). Maybe that's how they get you to buy shoes more often...