Soccer players have to run a lot, and this puts a lot of strain on their feet. This is where soccer cleat insoles come into play. Soccer cleats usually come with a removable thin generic insole, but it’s always a good idea to provide your feet with some extra support by wearing a more sophisticated insole.
The best insoles for soccer cleats are:
- Physix Gear Full Length Orthotic Inserts
- Currex CLEATPRO
- Storelli SpeedGrip
- Superfeet CARBON
We can all agree that the insoles that come standard with two hundred three hundred dollar boots nowadays are quite simply not very good. They’ve never been anything more than a thin layer of foam and a liner on top so they often compress very quickly, they wear out really quickly sometimes they even tear apart. For that reason, many soccer players are in the market for replacement insoles for their boots.
So, what exactly do you gain by using insoles in your footwear?
Why Should You Buy Insoles for Your Soccer Cleats?
- Reduce the Risk of Injury
Your feet are the foundation of your body. You should always be sure that your shoes provide them with sufficient support. Generally, many people tend to overpronate when walking or running. This means that your foot rolls inward when you move. This can lead to problems with flat arches. Soccer players are especially vulnerable to this because they have to run a lot, having to do sharp direction switches. Flat arches don’t sound too severe, but having this issue can lead to knee, hip, and even lower back problems and aches. While soccer insoles do not heal injuries, they can be a very effective way to prevent potential injuries.
Many soccer players often don’t realize the overpronation as they become used to it. But this problem will impact their ability to play at a top-level in the long run, not to mention the injuries that can be caused by it as mentioned above.
Insoles for soccer cleats come with an arch support design that helps to limit pronation, which is ideal for soccer players with flat feet. This means that your foot stays closer to its natural position, which decreases the risk of any foot-related medical issues. By using soccer cleat insoles, you will give your arches enough support to avoid this problem.
- Your Cleats Will Fit You Better
When you use insoles in your soccer cleats, it’s possible to make them more adequate for the size of your foot. If the inside of your shoe feels loose while moving, you can get yourself a thicker insole. If it’s a bit tight you can buy a thinner one. If the generic insole that comes with your cleat feels just right, you can always buy an insole that has the same thickness. The difference is that the generic insole provides less support for your foot. A better fit will also give you more confidence when you move, which can also decrease the risk of injuries.
Insoles can even prolong the life of your cleats, as you don’t have to buy a new pair if the cleats get thinned out or stretched out after extensive use. By using a proper pair of insoles you can adjust your fit to your existing shoes without having to buy new ones.
A shoe that fits you well is also more than welcome because loose footwear often creates some painful blisters.
You can read more in my article on how to properly size your soccer cleats.
- They Come With Antimicrobial Materials
When we run, we sweat. Soccer cleats usually get completely soaked by the end of the game. And the bacteria love this environment. They multiply and produce some nasty smells. There are many ways to tackle this problem, but one of the better methods is to use insoles that have antimicrobial attributes. Some manufacturers even claim that their insoles kill up to 99.9 percent of bacteria. This should be more than enough to keep your shoes from gaining smell.
- You Can Improve Your Game
Soccer cleat insoles function as a sort of cushion when you play, so you’ll gain a slight advantage when running and jumping. You should feel a bit more flexible.
Also, since your shoe will fit you better after you put the right insole inside, your foot will have a much better grip. In professional soccer, if you are sliding, you have a disadvantage against other players. That difference can be vital.
- Shock Absorption
Another great property of the shoe insole is that it enhances your foot’s natural ability to absorb any impact. This can be beneficial in two ways. First off, your feet will be less tired. A good chunk of the force that would usually transfer to your foot should get absorbed by the insoles.
Also, the lifespan of your soccer cleats will get prolonged for the same reason. The insoles act as a shield for your footwear.
- They Make Your Cleats More Comfortable
The soccer cleats that have their generic insoles often suffer from the lack of material that provides comfort. It can be alright for a while, but this can get quite uncomfortable when wearing your cleats for longer periods.
Insoles are there to provide you with comfort that your cleats don’t have when you buy them. They are thicker and intended to make any footwear more comfortable. Using them in your cleats will allow you to concentrate on your play rather than thinking about the sore spot on your foot the entire game.
How to Choose the Best Insole for Soccer Cleats?
When choosing the right insoles for your cleats, it’s important to know what to look for. Comfortability, arches support, size, thickness, and antimicrobial properties come to mind first. These are the categories that you should take into account the most when buying insoles. So, what are your options?
– First, you need to buy the insole that fits your shoe size. You also have to gauge the necessary thickness of the insole. As we already mentioned, it’s possible to choose the right model by considering how much spare space your foot has when you take on your cleats. If it’s a loose fit, you can buy a thicker insole. If your cleats feel a bit tight, go for a thinner one. Of course, if you’re satisfied with your current shoe you can always buy one with the same thickness as the standard insole that originally came with your cleats. Cleats that have a perfect fit should provide you with better ball control and smoother movements.
Many insoles are often very very bulky which doesn’t work well in a low-profile tight-fitting boot. They can also be too thick which lifts your heel up too high which completely screws everything about the fit of the shoe.
Also, it’d be better to look for trim-to-fit insoles if you have difficulties finding a better fit for you.
– Arch support is also important, so always check the descriptions provided by manufacturers. Your insole should provide your foot with enough arch support to relieve you of any foot pains or accompanying medical problems. Some insole models are flat and they could be inappropriate for your needs as they are primarily meant for walking shoes and comfort. It’s better to protect your feet more with good arch support.
Of course, you have to evaluate your feet first. Do you have flat feet or very high arches? You can refer to the following video.
– Enhanced stability is also very significant. The heel cup should match the shape of the soccer shoe in order to offer as much stability and grip as possible.
– The level of cushioning is also something that you have to consider. Proper cushioning not only protect against blisters but also helps with shock absorption when the feet hit the ground.
– The material of the product is also important. If your cleats have any smell problems, you should go with the antibacterial insoles. Moisture-wicking properties can always come in handy if you sweat a lot. Also, try to aim for the most comfortable solutions. If the insole feels nice when you put on your shoe, it will probably be a good purchase. There are many models with soft foam or gel pads which provide extra comfort. Your cleats will feel like a different shoe after putting these in.
Of course, insoles only by themselves can not do wonders. You have to take proper care of your feet in order to make the most out of your insoles. Wearing shoes with proper fit or soaking your feet in cold water after an intense game are measures that enhance the overall benefits that soccer cleat insoles offer.
Generally, when you are in the market for soccer insoles you should address first your individual problem and then try to find the best product to help you resolve that issue.
To help you, we have listed below the best insoles for soccer cleats.
The Best Insoles for Soccer Cleats
Not every insole will fit you accurately or give you the comfort required. Not every insole is made for soccer cleats but with the following options, it is very possible to find one that fits your needs.
Physix Gear Full-Length Orthotic Inserts
Physix Gear’s insoles are available in all shoe sizes. They provide high arch support and balance the force structure of the foot. This product is a great solution for people that are experiencing problems with flat feet and runner’s knees. These insoles can also help with correcting abnormal walking patterns and lower back pains.
High-quality materials that are used ensure that your feet are very comfortable. They are a good fit for soccer cleats, as they come with an ultra-thin design, but they can be used in all types of footwear.
These inserts also come with a great non-slip feature that will keep the heel of the insole securely in place. They provide shock absorption, and the deep heel cradle provides great stability.
These insoles are made specifically for soccer players.
They provide you with better maneuverability and control. The comfort of your feet will be increased while playing.
The main feature of this product is injury prevention. Your feet will be less pressured and fatigued. Also, these insoles reduce the stress that can affect various joints, tendons, and ligaments.
The grip technology will also reduce the slipping of the inserts. Stability is also increased because this product fills the void between foot and shoe.
Furthermore, you can choose between various sorts of this insole model, depending on your arch type.
Storelli SpeedGrip
Storelli’s SpeedGrip insoles are specifically made for soccer players.
They are effective in both dry and wet conditions. These insoles are made to strengthen the foot’s grip so that the player gains an advantage when playing. They also come with a non-slip feature that grips your socks really nicely and does definitely help to eliminate slippage.
This product is designed to replace the generic soccer cleat insoles which aren’t optimized and can often have some traction problems. The insole is only 3 millimeters thick so they can fit perfectly to every soccer cleat.
It comes with a heel cup that is designed to keep the foot locked in place in every environment.
Superfeet CARBON
These are thin and strong insoles intended for athletic and tight casual shoes.
They are made from lightweight high-density foam which helps you stay comfortable in often tight athletic shoes. The shape of the insoles is very thin and versatile.
The insole has a structured heel cup that helps stabilize and support the foot.
Closing thoughts
You’re probably asking yourself why don’t some of these big brands, especially on their high-end products, include an insole that offers a little bit more structure or maybe a little bit more support than just a regular flat piece of foam. The simple answer to that question is that it would be more expensive for them which they’re not looking to do. Secondly, they wouldn’t necessarily get more sales because of more support added to their product as it’s not something most people would care about whatsoever. These days people are much more concerned about colors the way the product looks.
There is always the option of getting custom-made orthotics for yourself. You’d have to go see an orthopedic doctor and get custom insoles. But they can be quite pricey anywhere from 100$ to $400 or even more expensive depending on exactly what you’re getting. Often custom orthotics can be very bulky and don’t necessarily fit that well in most soccer cleats because the heel generally tends to be lifted a little bit and they also tend to be very very stiff. So depending on what cleats you have, they don’t always work too well so in order to get that extra support.
Having said that the best option would be to go and by a pair of new insoles for your shoes.
Generally, soccer cleats have a very tight fit. So any insole that you use should not be too thick and bulky as it would ruin the whole fit of the shoe. For that reason, the best option would be insoles that are specifically designed for soccer cleats such as Currex CLEATPRO and Storelli SpeedGrip.
