Soccer cleats can be a pain. Instead of your whole foot coming into contact with the ground, parts are left unsupported.
In this situation, you need to supplement the lack of support using insoles. The best insoles for soccer cleats can add comfort as well as stability to your shoe.
The top five best insoles for soccer cleats are:
Why You Need Insoles With Soccer Cleats
Soccer cleats aren’t supposed to be comfortable, you’re on that field to play. Well, that’s part of why you need them.
Pain Relief
Athletes have regular aches and pains, and insoles can help soothe them. Your feet are definitely overused, and it’s a matter of time before your muscles start telling you. Boom—you’ve got a full-blown case of plantar fasciitis before you know it!
Insoles keep your alignment healthy and correct, and they ensure your feet have adequate support. This rids you of the pain from existing injuries and any future ones.
Injury Prevention
As stated above, insoles prevent injury, but not just from muscles overworking. You’re running around out there, kicking a ball and sometimes missing. You need stable shoes, or insoles, that will prevent you from tripping over yourself and falling over.
Insoles can provide the balance needed to help prevent falls. It’s not foolproof, but it’s better than nothing. Without support, you may get hurt, and comfort plays a role in that too. Hence, insoles can provide comfort and support.
Performance Enhancement
Did you know that comfortable shoes can make you play better? From kicking accuracy to speed, your shoes heavily influence your performance. Ergo, you need comfortable shoes, so you’re left undistracted!
Plus, insoles can help you play better by enhancing your sensory feedback and reactions so you can move faster and with additional precision.
What To Look for in Insoles for Soccer Cleats
If you want the benefits stated above, then you need to ensure you choose the right insoles for your needs. Here are a few factors you should consider.
Heel Support
All insoles need support, but how much? Your pain levels should indicate that, but we always recommend getting the most supportive insole possible. This is to prevent future injuries.
However, you can go with a shallow cup if you have little to no pain if you wish. More pain will require a deeper cup with raised sides, possibly ones that create a narrow shape. This is to hold your heel in place, so slippage doesn’t cause injury.
Arch Support
You want your arches supported too, but you need to know your arch type first. To find this, take a bucket of water onto a light concrete ground, step in the water and make some footprints on the floor. Your footprint determines your arch type.
- High arches: Very little of your foot shape on the ground, large gap between foot and toe markings.
- Neutral arches: Your foot shape has a curved piece missing on the inside; there’s a small gap between foot and toe markings.
- Low arches/flat feet: Your whole foot’s shape is on the ground with little to no gap between foot and toe markings.
Breathability
Breathability is important in any shoe but vital in sports shoes. You need to ensure your feet have room to breathe so they don’t become sweaty, potentially fungal, and stink out your shoes.
Insoles with some odor control are a great idea, too, as they keep your shoes fresh and your feet feeling dry.
Thickness
Soccer cleats should fit snugly, but you don’t want them too tight. Pay attention to how bulky your insole is and if it’s hurting your feet, size up your shoes. If your shoes are now too loose, then it’s better to go with a thinner insole in your previous shoe size.
Width
Like shoes, insoles come for narrow and wide feet too. Ensure your insole fits your foot width; otherwise, it’ll be horrifyingly uncomfortable and even dangerous. If you put a regular foot in a wide insole, you could be slipping around in there and tripping.
If you need help determining your foot width, consider our article on what does shoe width letters mean. There you’ll find a width chart for men and women, and every shoe width available.
Size
Some insoles come as a “one size fits all” deal, which is fine if you don’t mind trimming the insole to get it into your shoe. However, we recommend finding one more suited to your size. Ideally, you don’t want an insole thin enough to cut easily. Plus, so much can go wrong when you’re trimming your own insole. It can be such a waste.
Comfort
Look for insoles with adequate padding. This may come as EVA foam, gel or some other foam material. Gel is excellent at massaging the heel and the ball of your foot, while EVA foam is supportive yet luxurious. Other foam types do the job too, but go for gel or EVA foam if you can for the most comfort and security.
Reviews of the Best Insoles for Soccer Cleats in 2021
Our Overview
With CLEATPRO, the clue is in the name. Not only that, but Currex has insoles available for all manner of sports from soccer to cycling. Plus, the company has many sports brand partners, so you know this is the true top pick.
Another element that makes these a true top-of-the-range choice is their unique arch-type feature. As you’ve read above, arches need different levels of support depending on their height: this one insole model encompasses all three.
It’s not one of those annoying “one insole suits all arches” deals that are always a lie. You can select your arch type and size, and receive an insole for your needs. Customers appreciate this feature.
They also appreciate the insole’s anti-slip design and extreme stability. While the heel cup is not very deep, one side of the insole grips your shoe; the other your socks. This keeps your foot in place while navigating the soccer field.
Along with the stability, the insole is made to help ease pain and reduce fatigue and pressure on your feet. This is meant to improve your performance and prevent injuries, which users feel works well.
The only complaint customers have is that the insoles don’t work as well for flat feet as they do for other arch types. Some also felt the insoles could do with being more durable. Besides that, the insoles were functional, breathable and helped ease the cleats’ sensation on the feet.
Pros:
- Select your arch type for the perfect supportive insole.
- Extremely non-slip.
- Breathable.
- Reduce cleats’ pressure on your feet.
Cons:
- Low arch version isn’t as good as the others.
- Durability isn’t perfect.
Our Overview
Here are the insoles to select if you already have foot issues you’d like to get rid of. They’re made to reduce the pain of pre-existing plantar fasciitis, and customers feel they do this well.
These insoles are made for tougher shoes, like boots, but will work well with cleats thanks to their unforgiving nature. The insoles have a wide and flat shape to ensure your feet get ample support, as well as your arches and heels.
Speaking of support, this pair is exclusively for high arches and helps with pronation issues caused by that arch type. This, in turn, helps with joint pain caused by foot ailments or cleat pressure. However, some users felt the support is placed too far forward, where others felt no such incorrect pressure.
The cleat pressure will remain with some amplification for about a week after purchase. You may feel annoying pressure with these insoles until you break them in. They have a long break-in period, so start with wearing them for a few hours at a time, then increase.
There’s some massaging gel in the heel and around the ball of the foot, so if the shoes get too uncomfortable, try to focus on only feeling those areas. These areas are made to massage your feet while the rest of the insole is antimicrobial foam, keeping you clean and dry.
If you dislike the gel, or perhaps the long break-in period, no worries. The shoes have a one-year warranty, so you can send them back at any point or replace them if you feel you have a faulty model.
Pros:
- Massaging gel components.
- Lots of toe support.
- Great for pain relief.
- One-year warranty.
Cons:
- Long break-in time.
- Uncomfortable arch for some people.
Our Overview
If you want your relief from cleats to be all padding-based, then these are the insoles for you. They’re made of thick memory foam to take away all pressure of the pointy bits on your shoe.
Two seconds after taking your feet out of the shoes, the memory foam springs back into place, so they feel like new with each wear.
As well as providing support, the insoles have a small heel cup and some support for neutral arches. However, users say the heels could do with more cushioning when standing for long hours or engaging in lots of footwork.
Users also complain of sweaty feet with these insoles, which are a given with memory foam as it reflects heat. Many state that it’s a worthy price to pay for such a luxurious, soft, no-pressure insole, though.
Pros:
- Fast rebound.
- Always feel like new.
- Removes all pressure from the cleats.
- Adequate support in the heel.
Cons:
- Not enough cushioning for some users.
- Your feet will sweat.
Our Overview
Here are some excellent, thin insoles that work well in tight-fitting and narrow shoes. They’re tough but comfortable with carbon underneath for incredible stability, but on top, they’re foam for comfort.
The foam extends to the sides, where it becomes thinner and floppier to curl up inside narrow shoes. You won’t need to cut these insoles to make them fit your soccer cleats. Despite these thin edges, however, the insoles remain stable and comfortable, as they should.
Users feel the insoles function well, stating that the shock absorption is as fantastic as it’s meant to be. It manages to take pressure off the feet and dampen the feel of the cleats, despite the insoles’ overall low-profile, thin design.
Many customers feel these are the perfect insoles for all foot shapes, as they function fine for wide and narrow feet alike. However, you should note they’re made to support neutral arches, so although they’re great for any shape, they’re not best for various arch types.
Though speaking of arches, people with lower arches complain that the carbon underneath the insole digs into their feet. Another irritation users had with them was that they squeak.
Pros:
- Supportive.
- Thin enough so they won’t bulk up small shoes.
- Works for wide and narrow feet.
- Incredibly stable.
Cons:
- Squeaky.
- Carbon may dig into low arches.
Our Overview
If you’re looking for something more medical-grade, this is a great pair of insoles to choose. Not only are they recommended by podiatrists, but they’re made to combat several medical issues.
One issue they tackle is plantar fasciitis. They do this by providing adequate support for the arch, especially for flat feet. Then further back, this one has the deepest heel cup of all the insoles we’ve reviewed today. This keeps your heel stable, preventing heel spurs, Achilles tendonitis and more.
The material itself is medical-grade, so is sure to last a long while, withstanding whatever the soccer field throws at it. Another feature applicable to the soccer field is that the insoles sport a non-slip top and bottom so your foot and the insole will stay in place.
Lastly, the material is antimicrobial, great for sweaty soccer feet.
Now for the bad: there’s almost no cushioning! These insoles are focused more on long-lasting support, so the cushioning is almost non-existent. We recommend you wear thick socks with these if you want some cushioning.
Users note another error is in the width. While they’re available in men’s and women’s sizes, these insoles are better for men. They’re too wide for many female customers, and this isn’t material you can trim easily.
So if you’re a man or a wide-footed woman who doesn’t mind a lack of cushioning, then these insoles are top-notch. If you fall outside that narrow box, we’re afraid you should look at the other insoles on this list.
That said, wearing thicker socks will add some bulk to your feet, ladies, if you really want to give these a try.
Pros:
- Super supportive.
- Medical-grade material.
- Deep heel cup.
- Fantastic for flat feet.
Cons:
- Too wide for most women.
- No cushioning, which caused pain for some customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Put Insoles in Soccer Cleats?
Yes, you can put insoles in soccer cleats. The shoes usually come with a generic, unsupportive insole which many players encourage you to remove and replace. You’ll want to replace this with something comfortable, stable and durable.
Why Do My Cleats Hurt My Feet?
Cleats aren’t the most supportive, so the most likely cause of pain is a strain injury. This includes Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and more. To combat this, you can invest in a preventative insole that will keep your feet stable and comfortable throughout wear.
Should Soccer Cleats Be Tight or Loose?
Cleats should fit snugly. You need to ensure your feet gain adequate support. Consider going half a size down in soccer cleats, wearing thick socks or investing in a thick insole. Never wear cleats so tight that they hurt or restrain your feet, though, and always wear your correct size in other types of shoes.
Can Cleats Go in the Washing Machine?
We understand that after a while, your cleats start to stink, but never put them in the washing machine! Ensure you have insoles you can wipe down or wash, and if possible, get antimicrobial insoles, so there’s a significant odor reduction in the shoes. As for washing cleats, do them by hand, and air dry them at room temperature.
How Long Should Soccer Cleats Last?
The shoes themselves should only last about 6 months, so you’ll be replacing them twice a year. Insoles won’t make them last longer, although you may not need new insoles for every new pair of soccer cleats. Some of the insoles above are guaranteed for a year, so you’ll be able to use them in two pairs of cleats over 12 months.
The Best Insoles for Soccer Cleats
The best insoles for soccer cleats are the Currex CLEATPRO. They’re made for the sport by manufacturers with lots of specialty sports insoles, and customers love them.
As they reduce pressure and fatigue, you can play better for longer with airy feet that don’t slip around in the shoes. You have ample support regardless of your arch type and are sure to play a good, comfortable game with these on.
