Footy boots for wide feet can be tricky to find, but there are boots that are designed with the wider foot in mind. Read Well Heeled Podiatry’s top 5 picks.
How do I know I need wider footy boots?
One of the most effective ways of testing for wide feet is seeing how the boots actually fit.
It is relatively common for many players to feel uncomfortable on the pitch because they are not aware they have a wide foot type, subsequently leading them to wearing footy boots that are ill-fitted.
General rule of thumb is that your boots should feel secure without feeling tight or constricted and you should have enough room to wiggle your toes.
Another sign to look out for is blister formation, which is an indication you need wide-fitting boots.
Like any other shoe, most boots will need to be broken in before you can really play in them comfortably. However, if wearing a pair of boots, whether they are a new or old pair, is causing you pain, then it is an indication you are most likely wearing boots that are not wide enough.
1. PUMA FUTURE Z
The Puma Future Z is the next generation of football boots.
Since 2021, these shoes have been receiving positive reviews. The Puma Future Z is suitable for all feet types ranging from wide too narrow feet. This is because the boots are extremely adaptable due to the FUZIONFIT+ compression band built in the shoe. The band consist of a mix of polyester and spandex fibres, allowing the shoe to easily mould to almost any foot shape.
The Future Z allows wiggle room in the toe box, whilst its Evoknit neck, tongue and midfoot will provide the player with both comfort and support.
2. ADIDAS COPA MUNDIAL
The Copa Mundial are still the best Adidas football boots for wide feet to date.
Once you have spent time wearing them, the Copa Mundial will stretch around the shape of your foot, giving your feet plenty of room to breathe.
The stretchy, soft leather makes them comfortable and suitable for every footy player. In addition, the old-school tongue allows the wearer to easily slip their feet into these shoes with minimal struggle.
3. ASICS LETHAL TESTIMONIAL 4IT
The Lethal Testimonial 4 IT is a high performance boot that has been developed through many years of biomechanical research.
It has a Solyte Midsole to enhance cushioning and the upper is made of kangaroo leather which provides better foot feedback to the wearer and more wriggle room for the foot.
It also has built in HG10mm technology to help elevate the heel by 10mm which is designed to shift the body forward. This helps to reduce strain on the lower limb and minimise risk of injury to the athlete.
4. NEW BALANCE FURON
New Balance have finally joined the knitted bandwagon, and they have come up with a shoe that can wrap perfectly around a wide foot type.
The new Furon has a very responsive soleplate to provide the wearer with speed. Unlike so many other speed boots, the upper feels plush and snug, moulding around your feet.
Additionally, there is also a wide-fit variation of these boots available. To date, New Balance remains one of the only brands who specifically cater to wide-footed players.
5. NIKE PHANTOM GT2
The updated Nike Phantom GT2 has a stretchy yarn-like Flyknit upper with an open-arch plate, which both help to deliver a sock-like fit for any foot shape.
The shoe is lightweight and has an off-centre lacing system to allow stretchability.
This Nike boot truly is the all-rounder’s weapon of choice and the best nike football boot for wide feet.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN FOOTY BOOTS FOR WIDE FEET
Selecting the best footy boots for wide feet is crucial to ensure you don’t put yourself at risk of a lower limb injury. There are various characteristics to look out for when shopping for a pair of new football boots such as material, support, fit, weight and the right amount of grip.
WEIGHT
Weight is an important feature most players take note of.
Lighter boots are often advertised as having the ability to provide the player with higher speed. However, the drawback is some lighter football shoes tend to be narrower and more snug. Hence, caution is advisable for players with wide feet or plan on inserting orthotics into their boots.
On the contrary, heavier football boots tend to provide more structure and protection.
MATERIAL
Uppers can be made of leather, or synthetic materials. Leather will mould and stretch to the user’s feet. In general, leather is much better for the wider foot.
Synthetic on the other hand is very lightweight and durable. It does not mould to the foot like leather does. Synthetic also has a greater water resistance thus, it is lighter especially when in wet conditions. It is also more easy to care for thus, requires less maintenance after games compared to leather.
However, certain synthetic materials can become slippery in the rain which may affect ball control during the game. At present, many boots provide a combination of synthetic and leather upper materials.
SIZE
It is advisable to have at least 10mm gap, and no less than 5mm between the tip of the longest toe to the tip of the boot.
If the boot is too loose, this will make stabilising of the foot harder which will affect kicking accuracy and increasing the risk of foot injuries such as ankle sprains.In addition, this also adds excessive stress on the muscles and joints of the lower limb which predisposes the foot to pain and aches.
STUDS
Studs play a key role in football boots as they provide the player with grip.
Choosing the right studs is an important criteria when looking for the perfect pair of boots. The studs should match the game conditions.
If the grip is too little, the player can end up slipping and affecting their ability to change directions quickly. On the other hand, too much grip will increase risk of injury especially during change of directions.
For artificial surfaces, it is recommended to select a low profile stud or specialised artificial turf boots. It is important to note that artificial grass can be very unforgiving.
Boots with too much grip when in contact with artificial surfaces will predispose the player with various foot related injuries eg the Achilles tendon.
