What Do You Do With Old Soccer Cleats?

Soccer is a sport enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels around the world. It’s a great way to stay active, improve physical fitness, and have fun with friends and teammates. One important aspect of this beautiful game is having the right equipment, and soccer cleats are a crucial part of that. But what do you do with old soccer cleats when you’re ready to upgrade to a new pair?

In this article, we’ll explore some options for what to do with old soccer cleats. From donating to charity to selling them online, there are many ways to give your old cleats a second life.

Let’s get started.

What Do You Do With Old Soccer Cleats?

These are the 10 main things you can do with old soccer cleats:

Let’s explain them in more detail.

1-Donate Old Soccer Cleats To A Local Thrift Store Or Charity Organization.

Donating old soccer cleats to a local thrift store or charity organization is a great way to give them a second life and help those in need.

Many thrift stores and charities accept used shoes, including soccer cleats, and will sell them at a discounted price to raise funds for their cause.

So, donating your old soccer shoes is a simple and convenient way to declutter your home and make a positive impact on your community. Plus, you’ll be supporting a good cause and helping someone else get the opportunity to play soccer.

Also, before you donate your soccer cleats, you have to make sure they are clean and in good condition. If they are worn out or damaged beyond repair, it may be better to recycle them instead.

You can also read: Do soccer players wear new cleats every game?

2-Sell Old Soccer Cleats Online

Selling old soccer cleats online is another option if you’re looking to get some money back for your old pair.

There are many websites and platforms where you can sell used soccer cleats. Some popular options include eBay, Poshmark, and FaceBook market.

To sell your old soccer boots online, you’ll need to take some good-quality photos, write a detailed description, and set a fair price.

It’s also a good idea to do some research to see what similar items are selling for and to consider any fees or commissions that the platform may charge. Selling old cleats online can be a convenient way to make some extra cash, but keep in mind that it may take some time and effort to find a buyer.

With the soccer cleat market growing, selling used pairs is an eco-friendly way to offset upgrade costs. Taking good photos, being detailed, and using the right sales platforms make it easier to effectively market your old cleats.

3-Upcycling Them Into Something Else

Upcycling involves taking an old item and repurposing it into something new and useful, to reduce waste and extend the life of the item.

So, to upcycle your old soccer cleats into a keychain, you’ll need a keychain ring and some strong glue. Simply attach the keychain ring to the soccer cleat and let the glue dry. You can also add some decorative elements, such as beads or ribbon, to give your keychain a personal touch.

On the other hand, if you want to upcycle your old soccer shoes into a planter, you’ll need a few additional materials, such as soil, small plants or seeds, and some decorative elements like rocks or gravel.

First, fill the soccer cleats with soil and plant your seeds or small plants. Then, add some decorative elements to give your planters some personality. You can display your soccer cleat planters on a windowsill, or anywhere else that gets plenty of sunlight.

Upcycling old soccer boots into a keychain or a planter is a fun and creative way to give them a new purpose and add some personality to your home.

4-Recycle Old Soccer Cleats

Recycling old soccer cleats is an important way to reduce waste and protect the environment.

You can send your old soccer cleats to a recycling facility to be broken down and used as raw materials in the production of new products.

Keep in mind that when recycling soccer cleats, it’s important to remove any metal studs or other hardware that may not be recyclable.

5-Keep Old Soccer Cleats As A Souvenir

Keeping old soccer cleats as a souvenir can be a fun and sentimental way to remember a special time in your career or to honour your favourite player.

If you have old cleats, you can, for example, display them in a box with other soccer memorabilia, such as jerseys, photos, and medals. I am sure your kids would be happy to see what this box contains in the future.

Alternatively, you can mount your old soccer cleats on a plaque and hang them on the wall as a conversation piece. Whatever you decide to do with your old soccer cleats, they can serve as a reminder of the hard work, dedication, and passion that went into your soccer journey.

6. Have Them Autographed by Famous Players

If you have a pair of cleats from a memorable game, see if you can get them autographed by teammates or famous soccer players you admire. An autographed pair becomes an even more unique sports collectable.

Bring them to games or events where players will be signing autographs for fans. Reach out ahead of time to a team or player’s management to find signing opportunities.

Display autographed cleats proudly alongside other soccer memorabilia. The signature adds monetary and sentimental value to old game-worn shoes.

7. Trade Them in at a Sporting Goods Store

Some sporting goods stores will accept old athletic shoes as a trade-in toward the purchase of new gear. This lets you save some money on new cleats.

While you likely won’t get cash, many stores will offer a discount of 10-20% off toward new shoes. Call ahead to check trade-in policies and what brands and styles they accept.

Trading in your old cleats keeps them out of the trash and lowers the cost of new ones. Just be sure to clean off any dirt beforehand.

8. Use Them for Crafts and DIY Projects

Old shoes can be incorporated into various crafts and DIY projects around the house. Their unique studded tread and malleable materials make them a versatile item to use.

Create sculptures or wall art by glueing or nailing them into interesting shapes and designs. Use strips of old leather or synthetic uppers for decorative accents.

Make organizers by screwing the cleats onto boards or boxes. Hang tools, jewellery, kitchen utensils, or craft supplies from them.

The creativity is endless when upcycling old boots around your living space and letting your inner artist shine.

9. Donate Them to Your Local Youth Soccer League

Contact your community’s youth soccer association to see if they collect used cleats. Many leagues loan out or give donated cleats to players who need them.

If your used soccer cleats are still usable, this ensures they help other young athletes play the game and avoid sending them to the landfill.

Reach out to coaches or the league director to find their equipment donation guidelines. Donating cleats promotes recycling and community support for the next generation of soccer stars.

10. Use Them as Gardening Shoes

Used soccer cleats with good tread can be repurposed as gardening shoes. Their studded soles help dig into the dirt and provide traction on slippery terrain.

Wear your beat-up soccer shoes when planting, pulling weeds, or doing yard work. The cleats gain new life while keeping your good shoes clean.

When done gardening, knock off clumps of mud and let them air dry before storing until the next use. Rotate between multiple ratty old pairs to spread out the wear and tear.

Bonus: Best Glue For Soccer Cleats

When it comes to repairing and customizing soccer cleats, having the right adhesive is crucial. One of the best glues for soccer cleats is Boot-fix glue.

This versatile glue is waterproof and flexible when dry, making it ideal for bonding leather, rubber, and synthetic materials. It creates a long-lasting bond that won’t crack or peel, even with intense wear and repeated flexing during games and practices.

The application process is also easy – just apply a thin layer to both surfaces, let dry, and press together firmly.

Boot-Fix glue is trusted by pros and amateurs alike for soccer cleat mods and fixes. You can pick up a bottle on Amazon to have this versatile soccer cleat glue on hand for all your projects.

Get Boot-Fix Glue here!

Final Thoughts

The choice is yours when deciding what to do with well-worn cleats. Whether donating, selling, upcycling, recycling, or displaying, you can find the best next step for your old soccer shoes.

With some creativity, those once-beloved cleats can continue serving you or others for years to come.

These were the 10 main ideas regarding what you can do with your old soccer cleats. Now the choice is yours.

Hope this article has helped you decide on what to do with your old cleats.

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