Wide Soccer Cleats for Kids – The Best Wide and Extra Wide Soccer Cleats for Children!

January 15, 2023 Soccer Shoes Juan Valenzuela 37 - Comments

Children’s feet come in all shapes and sizes, and for those with wider feet, standard cleats may feel too tight. Many families struggle when it comes to finding soccer cleats for kids with wide feet, as the ones available in wide widths (W) sell out pretty quickly. Wide soccer cleats for kids provide the extra room needed for comfort, allowing your child to focus on their game rather than their feet. By the way, I have noticed that many families recommend New Balance cleats for kids with wide feet. While New Balance is one of my go-to shoe brands for children with wide feet, not all New Balance cleats fit the same way, as some styles fit a lot wider than others.

Where is the Best Place to Find Wide Soccer Cleats?

I work for a children’s shoe store, and many families who visit the store come looking for soccer cleats that are wide, not those that “run or fit wide” but actually have wide widths (W, X-Wide) as a choice (and/or a squared toe-box). These families explain to me how they tried on a ton of cleat options at Dick’s or other sporting goods stores, but always end up empty-handed. Since we are a shoe store that is all about FIT, we carry every single shoe style capable of accommodating “complicated” foot shapes such as wide or extra wide feet.

The fact is that many local shoe stores don’t sell soccer cleats in wide widths and families don’t have a chance to try them on in person, so they have to find them online, and I can help you with this. By the way, if your child is into the “cooler” brands such as Nike, Under Armour, or Adidas, then it will get pretty challenging to find shoes that fit. I have only found these Adidas Predators capable of accommodating children with wide feet and high insteps.

Be Careful About Fitting Your Child In Cleats that Are Too Narrow!

Did you know that many children suffer from ingrown toenails and medical professionals such as podiatrists attribute this to wearing narrow cleats? I have also noticed that most children who wear soccer cleats that are too narrow tend to develop blisters on their pinky toes (small toes). This happens because the toes are cramped inside the cleats and they push the small toe against the side of the shoe. The constant rubbing and friction between the small toe and the side of the shoes might lead to blisters:

What Makes the Soccer Shoes that I Recommend Ideal for Wide Feet?

Cleats for wide feet should provide these two key features:

1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevents the top part of the foot (instep), from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. This feature is ideal for children who have high insteps (top part of the foot).

wide-soccer-cleats-for-kids-with-high-insteps

2️⃣ Round Toe Boxes: This feature prevents the child’s toes from overlapping or rubbing against one another. Take a look at the image to visualize the difference between a soccer shoe with a rounder toe-box versus one with a pointier toe-box. These shoes are the same length and width. Do you notice how the shoe on the right has a much rounder toe-box compared to the shoe on the left?

soccer-cleats-for-kids-with-wide-feet

Most Common Mistakes Parents Make – STOP Buying Longer Cleats!

One of the most common mistakes that I see parents make when buying soccer cleats for their children with wide feet is to buy them longer to take the pressure away from the widest part of the foot. I have spoken with several parents who explained to me that because they weren’t aware that soccer cleats came in different widths, they kept trying longer sizes until the shoes didn’t feel tight anymore. Please stop doing this!

If you provide your child with shoes that are too long you will end up compromising your child’s stability, making your child more prone to falling. In addition, shoes that are too long usually make children more prone to develop blisters on the back of their heels, as the shoes tend to move up and down around that area too much.

Top Brands Offering Kids Soccer Shoes in Wide Widths

There are only two shoe brands that manufacture soccer cleats for kids with wide or extra wide feet. You will notice that some of the shoes that I recommend are made by New Balance while some others by a shoe company called Zephz. It’s important to note that not all soccer shoes made by New Balance and Zephz are capable of fitting wide feet, just certain styles.

Best Wide Soccer Cleats for Kids – The Widest Soccer Cleats

Take a look at the description below each soccer shoe to find out whether it can fit wide or extra wide feet. You will also find out the materials the cleats are made of and whether they can accommodate high insteps or not. 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.

  • Order the soccer shoe style Traxx by Zephz on Amazon
  • Available in extra wide widths
  • This cleat can accommodate high insteps
  • Padded collar to increase comfort and prevent blisters
  • Lace-Up closure
  • I suggest that you get this soccer cleat a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Works well for children with high insteps
  • Lace-up closure for a secure fit
  • Comfortable lining to improve the first foot feel
  • I suggest that you get this soccer cleat a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the soccer shoe style Predator by Adidas on Amazon
  • Not available in wide or extra wide widths but fits naturally wide
  • Works well for children with high insteps
  • Lace-up closure for a secure fit
  • Comfortable lining to improve the first foot feel
  • I suggest that you get this soccer cleat a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the soccer shoe style Traxx by Zephz on Amazon
  • Available in extra wide widths
  • This cleat can accommodate high insteps
  • Padded collar to increase comfort and prevent blisters
  • Lace-Up closure
  • I suggest that you get this soccer cleat a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure for a secure fit
  • Comfortable lining to improve the first foot feel
  • I suggest that you get this soccer cleat a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the soccer shoe style Furon V7 Dispatch FG by New Balance on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Works well for children with high insteps
  • Lace-up closure for a secure fit
  • Comfortable lining to improve the first foot feel
  • I suggest that you get this soccer cleat a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the soccer shoe style Tekela Magique JNR FG V4+ by New Balance on the New Balance website
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Slip-on design
  • Comfortable lining to improve the first foot feel
  • I suggest that you get this soccer cleat a whole larger than your child’s current foot size

Soccer socks take extra space inside the shoes so make sure you allow for some extra room.

Looking for Additional Shoe Recommendations?

Without a doubt, children’s shoe needs can vary depending on their age, activity level, and any specific foot conditions they may have. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, you can also contact me via email and I will get back to you as soon as possible. I am happy to help you find a different pair of shoes for your child’s wide feet so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape

For kids, having cleats that fit well is essential for both performance and injury prevention. Ill-fitting shoes can lead to discomfort and even injuries, which might discourage your child from enjoying the game. If you are not sure what your child’s foot size is, you won’t be able to order the correct shoe size online. You should take advantage of a virtual shoe fitting service I created that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s shoe size from home.

Soccer Socks for Kids – Prevent Blisters, Calluses, and Corns

Did you know that blisters are common in children who engage in soccer no matter what level they are playing? Blisters can develop not only from wearing the wrong shoe size but also from wearing socks that don’t provide enough cushion.

I used to get blood blisters below my feet all the time after playing soccer. I found out that this was simply due to not wearing socks that provided enough cushion below my feet. Take a look at the picture below, has your child ever developed a blood blister below his toes?

Always check your kids’ feet to make sure that they don’t develop any blisters, especially on the back of the heel and bottom of the foot. Blisters form due to the repeated friction that occurs between the feet and the cleats, which causes the layers of the skin to separate from each other.

Soccer socks are important because they are meant to protect your kids’ feet against irritation and infection. Most parents believe that the main purpose of soccer socks is to hold the shin guards in place but that’s not the only purpose. The primary role of soccer socks is to protect the feet from the cleat itself, without compromising the fit of the cleat. 

  • Order these socks made by Aptesol on Amazon
  • Structured cushioning for added protection in high-impact areas
  • 3 pairs 
  • Bottom feature sweat-wicking combed cotton fabric to help keep your child’s feet dry & comfortable
  • 56% Polyester, 27% Combed Cotton, 17% Spandex
  • Machine washable
  • Order these socks made by TeeHee on Amazon
  • 3 pairs 
  • 80% Acrylic, 17% Polyester, 3% Spandex
  • Machine washable
  • Order these socks made by WinterLace on Amazon
  • 6 pairs
  • Enhanced level of breathability
  • Features high elasticity allowing for better fitment as well for wearing with shin guards
  • Machine washable
  • Order these socks made by Marchare on Amazon
  • 5 pairs
  • Enhanced level of breathability
  • Extra padding and cushion below the heels
  • Machine washable

When Should I Provide My Child with Soccer Cleats?

I believe that there is no set age to start wearing cleats as it depends on the size and weight of your child, and their muscle development should also be taken into consideration. Sneakers with outsoles that provide good traction are a better choice for young children such as toddlers as having young children wear cleats too early might increase their risk of injury.

The best way to figure this out is to ask your kids’ soccer coach, as they will be able to tell you if your child is ready to start wearing cleats. If your child is serious about playing soccer, please note that it’s almost impossible to learn proper form in sneakers, due to the simple fact that most sneakers have a wedge. Grab a pair of cleats and notice how they are generally flat. When the coach says is the right time to wear soccer cleats, go ahead and provide your child with a pair of well-fitted soccer cleats.

Please take into consideration that children who don’t wear cleats on the field tend to slip and fall, especially when the grass is wet.

How Can You Tell If Your Kids’ Soccer Cleats Are Too Narrow?

When children are fitted in soccer cleats that are too narrow they tend to complain in different ways. Some kids would say that they feel that their feet are “suffocating” inside the cleats, while some others complain that the cleats are too “skinny” and hurt their toes.

Slide your finger around the area where the pinky toe (small toe) is and check if you feel a bump. That bump means that the cleat is too narrow and your child’s toes are pushing the small toe against the side of the cleats. You should also check if you notice imprints on the top part of your child’s feet when you remove the cleats.

Soccer Cleats for Kids with Wide Feet – Watch Video!

This video covers everything that we went through in the article and it will also help you visualize what features your kids’ soccer cleats must provide to accommodate your child’s wide feet.

I have noticed how fashion-oriented shoes have become a trend for some children (especially as they get older). Shoe brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour seem to be children’s number one choice. However, to keep your kid’s feet healthy, providing them with the correct shoe size and the correct shoe style is more important than the brand name. Please use your best judgment and keep reminding your children why it is important to wear cleats that fit.

The right pair of wide soccer cleats will not only improve comfort but also enhance performance. With the right fit, your child will be able to run, dribble, and kick without discomfort or distraction.