The Best Soccer Shoes for Toddlers – Is Your Toddler Ready for Soccer Cleats?
Is your toddler ready to wear soccer cleats for soccer? Are you wondering whether your toddler needs an actual pair of soccer cleats or if a pair of sneakers will suffice? This is a question that your child’s soccer coach might be able to answer, but I strongly believe that any toddler below the age of five should wear regular sneakers instead of soccer cleats. With that said, I am going to show you a list of the best soccer shoes for toddlers (cleats and regular sneakers).
Should Your Toddler Wear Sneakers or Soccer Cleats?
Choosing the correct type of shoes for your child to play soccer is essential to the success of your child’s game. If your toddler is not ready to wear soccer cleats, I recommend that you provide your toddler with a pair of everyday sneakers that your toddler can wear around the field when playing soccer.
Advantages of Providing Your Toddler with Actual Soccer Cleats
The main advantage of providing your toddler with a pair of soccer cleats is that it will help your toddler learn proper form, as if you pay close attention, you will notice how most sneakers have a wedge, while most soccer cleats are flat. Soccer cleats also have a unique shape that corresponds with the shape of a foot and produces a better feeling every time your toddler kicks the ball. However, my recommendation is that for toddlers to be able to start wearing cleats, they must be fully stable when walking or running.
I want to clarify that I believe toddlers should not wear a pair of soccer cleats until they are walking and running with confidence. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best soccer cleats for toddlers. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases.
Best Soccer Cleats for Toddlers to Help Them Learn Proper Form
These soccer cleats can fit toddlers with medium (M) or wide (W) feet, just make sure that you look below the description of the cleat to find out if it can fit your toddler’s foot shape.
Velcro Closure
- Order this soccer shoe style Fica by Carter’s on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- The hook and loop closure allows kids to put-on and take-off these soccer shoes by themselves
- Rubber lugged outsole provides traction and comfort, for specific use on artificial surfaces
- I suggest that you get this soccer shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order this soccer shoe style Fica by Carter’s on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- The hook and loop closure allows kids to put-on and take-off these soccer shoes by themselves
- Rubber lugged outsole provides traction and comfort, for specific use on artificial surfaces
- I suggest that you get this soccer shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order this soccer shoe style Firm Ground Soccer by Brooman on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Adjustable and durable hook and loop closure
- Soft padded tongue
- I suggest that you get this soccer shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Lace-Up Closure
- Order this soccer shoe style Striker FG Soccer by Vizari on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Easily adjustable laces
- Rugged studs to aid with traction on turf and outdoor fields.
- Soft padded tongue
- I suggest that you get this soccer shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order this soccer shoe style Nfinity FG by Vizari on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Easily adjustable laces
- Rugged studs to aid with traction on turf and outdoor fields.
- Soft padded tongue
- I suggest that you get this soccer shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Would You Rather Provide Your Toddler with a Pair of Sneakers for Soccer?
If instead of soccer cleats you want to provide your toddler with a pair of everyday sneakers to play soccer, then the shoes must provide the following features:
1️⃣ Reinforced Toe Cap: This feature provides extra durability and helps prevent the shoes from falling apart.
2️⃣ Good Traction: This feature reduces the likelihood of your toddler slipping and falling.
3️⃣ Firm Heel Counter: This feature provides ankle support and prevents foot injuries.
4️⃣ Lightweight and Flexible: This feature prevents your toddler’s feet from easily getting tired.
The Best Alternatives to Soccer Shoes
The everyday sneakers below are durable and provide great traction, which is going to prevent your toddler from slipping and falling on the field. These shoes can fit toddlers with medium (M) or wide (W) feet, and some models are machine washable.
Velcro Closure
- Order the shoe style Chandler 2 CNX by Keen on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Elasticized lace panel with hook-and-loop closure
- Protective rubber toe bumper to protect your toes
- Reverse Strobel construction provides a streamlined interior
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Chandler 2 CNX by Keen on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Elasticized lace panel with hook-and-loop closure
- Protective rubber toe bumper to protect your toes
- Reverse Strobel construction provides a streamlined interior
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Wanduro by Keen on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Double velcro straps
- Protective rubber toe bumper to protect your toes
- Higher traction outsole provides grip in muddy environments and on rocky surfaces
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Wanduro by Keen on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Double velcro straps
- Protective rubber toe bumper to protect your toes
- Higher traction outsole provides grip in muddy environments and on rocky surfaces
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Lace-Up Closure
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in laces and velcro
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Making sure that the shoes and cleats fit properly ensures first touches, dribbling, shooting, and simply running are as comfortable and natural as these basic skills should be.
How to Order the Correct Shoe Size for Your Toddler
Before you buy your kids’ shoes online I suggest that you check if you have a specialized children’s shoe store in your area. If after looking at that resource you still can’t seem to identify a shoe store in your area, then I suggest that you take advantage of a free virtual shoe fitting service I provide that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s shoe size from home. If you follow the instructions correctly you will find out whether your toddler has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
Best Soccer Socks for Toddlers – Support and Protect Their Feet!
Providing your toddler with the correct type of soccer socks when playing soccer is also really important if you want to keep your toddler’s feet healthy. The right type of socks provides extra cushioning and padding in targeted areas of the foot. Soccer socks help prevent your toddler’s feet from getting blisters and calluses. Below you can find a selection of the best soccer socks for toddlers:
Are You Unsure Whether You Should Choose Cleats or Sneakers?
Do not hesitate to contact me if you are having trouble deciding which shoe might work best for your toddler’s feet or if you need a different type of shoe such as a pair of indoor soccer shoe for toddlers:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Soccer Shoes for Toddlers – Watch Video!
Here is a video that covers everything that we went through in the article and it will also help you visualize whether your toddler should wear cleats or sneakers.
Proper footwear is crucial not only for performance but also for preventing injuries and promoting healthy foot growth. This is especially important for toddlers and young children whose feet are still developing.
Do you have a toddler who plays soccer? Does your toddler wear soccer cleats or regular sneakers? Please share your feedback below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.