Fall sports start before fall actually starts. Tryouts in August, first games in September, and the gear bill hits $200 before you've figured out the carpool schedule. I've outfitted two nephews for soccer and one for football, and the mistake I made the first year was buying everything new, everything "proper," and everything at the sporting goods store.
Here's the truth: kids outgrow cleats in a season, lose shin guards in a week, and trash water bottles faster than anything else they own. Spending top dollar is throwing money away. Here's how to gear up for under $80 total.
Cleats: The One Thing to Get Right
Cleats are the most expensive item on the list and the one most likely to be wasted money. Kids' feet grow half a size a season. A $90 pair of Nike cleats does not outlast a $25 pair if the kid's toes are crammed in by October.
The budget move
Buy last year's model. Adidas and Nike release new cleats every summer. Last year's model drops to $25-35 at places like Ross, TJ Maxx, and the clearance rack at Dick's. The technology difference between this year's and last year's is nothing for a 9-year-old. Nothing.
Soccer: Adidas Copa Mundial.3 turf shoes run $30 at Soccer.com in older colorways. For outdoor, the Nike Mercurial Zoom from two seasons ago is $35 at Costco when they have them.
Football: Under Armour Highlight MC cleats, last year's color, $35 at Dick's clearance. Don't buy the $80 "youth" version — same shoe, different price.
The fit rule: There should be a thumb's width of space between the toe and the front of the cleat. If it fits perfectly now, it won't in two months. Buy a half size up. A slightly loose cleat beats a too-tight one any day.
Where to buy used
Play It Again Sports. They carry last season's cleats that some kid outgrew after three games, in good shape, for $10-15. Call ahead and ask what they have in your kid's size. It's hit or miss, but when it hits, it's the best deal in sports gear.
Facebook Marketplace is also a goldmine in August. Search "cleats size 3" (or whatever) in your area. Parents who bought too big last year are desperate to get rid of them.
Shin Guards: Stop Overthinking
Shin guards are the item where parents overspend out of fear. A $7 pair protects as well as a $25 pair. The difference is comfort and weight, and for kids under 12, they don't notice.
What to buy
For soccer, ages 5-10: The slip-in guards, $6-8 at Walmart. They're a piece of plastic in a sleeve. They work. They're required. They're fine. Don't buy the $20 ones with ankle protection — the kids complain about them and they don't move well.
For ages 11+: The sleeve-style shin guards, $12-15. They stay up without tape and don't slide. Nike and Adidas both make a decent version. If the kid is serious about soccer, these are worth the extra $7.
Skip: The "shin guard with ankle cups" unless the coach specifically asks for them. They're bulky, kids hate them, and most leagues don't require them at the recreational level.
The sock trick
If the guards won't stay up, buy a pair of soccer socks with a pocket built in. They're $5 at Target and solve the sliding problem without athletic tape. Cut the foot off an old pair of soccer socks and use the tube as a sleeve — same effect, $0.
Water Bottles: The Real Money Pit
Water bottles are the worst purchase in youth sports. A $30 Hydro Flask gets lost in week two. A $25 Yeti gets left on the bench and someone else takes it home. Kids do not take care of expensive water bottles. Stop buying them.
What actually works
The 32-ounce Gatorade bottle, $5. Every gas station sells them. They're ugly, they don't insulate, and they last a full season because the kid doesn't care about losing them. When it's gone, you buy another for $5. Three of these costs less than one Yeti.
want the good stuff monthly?
one short email, no spam.
The 24-ounce Nalgene, $11. If the kid wants a "real" bottle, this is the move. Indestructible, dishwasher-safe, doesn't hold odors, and the wide mouth fits ice cubes. Write the name on it with a Sharpie. If it gets lost, you're out $11, not $30.
The 40-ounce Stanley dupe, $15 at Target. If the kid insists on the big-handle aesthetic, the Target version is functionally identical to the $45 name brand. I've compared them. The Target one holds up better because the kid isn't precious about it.
What to skip
- Hydro Flask, $30+. Beautiful, insulated, and left on every sideline in America. Not worth it.
- Plastic disposable bottles. The thin ones from the grocery store. They crumple in the bag and leak. Spend the $5 on a Gatorade bottle instead.
- The "motivational" water bottles with times printed on them. A tween does not need to be reminded to drink at 2pm. It's a gimmick.
The Rest of the Kit
Here's the other gear nobody mentions:
Socks
Two pairs of team socks, $8 each from the league store. Not three. Two is enough if you wash them regularly. Don't buy the $15 "performance" socks — they're the same material with a logo.
Shorts
Two pairs of athletic shorts. Target's All in Motion line, $9 each. They last a season and the kid outgrows them anyway. Skip the Nike shorts at $25 — the elastic is the same.
A practice ball
If the sport uses a ball (soccer, basketball), buy one for practice at home. A $20 adidas MLS ball from Amazon is fine for the backyard. Don't buy the $60 match ball — the kid will kick it over the fence.
The Total Budget
Here's what fall soccer actually costs if you're smart:
| Item | Source | Cost |
|------|--------|------|
| Cleats (last year's model) | Dick's clearance or Play It Again | $30 |
| Shin guards (slip-in) | Walmart | $7 |
| Water bottle (Gatorade) | Gas station | $5 |
| Team socks (2 pairs) | League store | $16 |
| Athletic shorts (2) | Target | $18 |
| Practice ball | Amazon | $20 |
| Total | | $96 |
Under $100 for a full season. If you skip the practice ball (use the league one), it's $76.
The One Thing Worth Splurging On
Mouthguards. If the sport requires one (football, lacrosse, sometimes soccer for braces), don't buy the $2 boil-and-bite. Spend $15-20 on a custom-fit one from SISU. They fit better, kids actually wear them, and they don't gag. A cheap mouthguard that the kid spits out is no protection at all.
What to Do With Outgrown Gear
Don't throw it out. Donate it to the league — most recreational leagues have a gear bin for families who can't afford new stuff. Or list it free on Facebook Marketplace. The cleats your kid wore for three months will fit another kid perfectly, and another parent will be grateful.
