Soccer Cleats 101 Soccer Cleats News and Reviews
My interest and possibly mild obsession with football boots came from the research and many articles I read about finding the best boots for wide feet. This brought me to reading and learning about the many technologies, styles and a variety of many brands.
I am unfortunate to have both wide and flat feet which means getting the correct fit of football boot has been a massive problem my whole life. I will try to share with you my experience with all types of boots, do’s and dont’s and try to help you choose the correct pair of football boots.
The important thing to remember is that everyone’s foot shape is different and if possible try the boots on. And do not try to convince yourself they fit just because you really like the boots (I have been guilty of this).
Leather or Synthetic
The upper you choose is vital in this case, and the clear answer is always choose leather. The synthetic materials used on football boots do not offer much stretch, and can lead to serious discomfort and cause blisters. Leather on the other hand is a natural material and will stretch and mold to the shape of your foot, always try and break in football boots before taking them into a game and look after the leather to keep your boots soft and stop the leather from drying out.
Speed/Control/Touch/Blah Blah
The modern football boot all seem to have a gimmick attached to them and claim to enhance your game. If you want to perform at your best, all you need are a pair of comfortable, well fitting boots. The best style of boot to go for, are a traditional leather heritage styled boot, these generally accommodate a wider foot and do not use rigid synthetic materials.
What brand should I choose
This is a tricky question and it depends more on the individual boot silo, for example the Nike T90 range are very accommodating where as the Nike Mercurial not so much. From my experience if you have a wide foot try and avoid Adidas, they are more narrow and don’t offer much stretch.
Get the right fit
For years I have worn boots that are too long for me, when trying boots on I was wanting instant comfort from the second I put them on my feet, always remember that leather will soften and stretch after a couple of wears. Wearing boots that are too long can have a detrimental effect on your game.
The best boots for wide feet
Now I am going to list the best boots for wide feet, this is based on my experience with boots that I have worn or tried on.
** Check the updated 2018 edition of Best Wide Fitting Boot Options HERE **
#5 – Umbro Speciali
The Umbro Speciali range offer an excellent fit for the wide footed player. I have worn many different models of the Speciali and they have all fitted me well. The leather quality used is of a high quality and after a few wears really does offer a fantastic fit.
Find available pairs of Umbro Speciali.
#4 – Nike T90 Laser
The Nike T90 Laser range are well known to offer a nice fit for all foot types including players with wide feet. If you are looking for a boot with striking gimmicks you should have a look at T90’s. With the range now being discontinued it will be harder to pick up a pair of these, so act swiftly.
Find available pairs of Nike T90 Laser.
#3 – Puma King
The Puma King Top or Pro (the real King not the 2013 model) is a very well built football boot that is a great option for a wide footed player. The leather used feels quite stiff to start with but will soften nicely offering a boot with great comfort. The King has been worn by legends such as Maradona, Pele and Cruyff…..need I say more?
Find available pairs of Puma King Top.
#2 – Ryal Europa
The Ryal Europa’s leather and build quality are without a doubt second to none. The leather is super soft from out the box and after one wear they feel like they are part of your foot. These are a fantastic option for all foot types as they offer a nice custom fit and mould to your foot. Even though these are not number one on this list, the quality of these boots are the best I have ever come across.
Find available pairs of Ryal Europa.
#1 – Mizuno Morelia
The best option is undoubtedly the fantastic Mizuno Morelia, these boots changed my whole outlook on football boots. When I was a young player I couldn’t see past the big brands, even though they were too long and caused discomfort I assumed Nike and Adidas must be the best as they were the most well known and established brands. This was until I done some research, took what I thought was a gamble and ended up buying the most comfortable, highest quality boots that I had came across.
For a wide footed player, there really is no question that the Morelia offers the best fit. This does not mean they are no good for narrow footed players though, the reason being that the laces cover a large portion of the boot allowing a custom fit for all foot types.
Find available pairs of Mizuno Morelia.
Do you have a wide foot, if so what’s your best options? Do you agree with my list?
