Soccer cleats for orthotics only work if the cleat has a removable insole and enough volume. A lot of soccer cleats come with a thin insole that is sometimes glued in, so check that before you buy. You also want a cleat with a separate tongue, laces and a wide, stable last, because an insert takes up room.
Below we cover what an insert needs, which types fit in a soccer cleat, which models come up most often and how to pair a wide foot with an insert. This is fit advice, not medical advice. If you have pain or problems that don’t go away, see a podiatrist or your doctor.
Do orthotics fit in soccer cleats?
Not in every pair. Soccer cleats often have a thin insole that is sometimes glued down. You can only swap in an insert if that insole comes out. Putting an insert on top of the existing insole makes the cleat tight, especially over the instep.
For most models, nobody confirms whether the insole is removable, and it can vary by version. The product description often leaves it out, so check the product photos or ask the retailer.
For kids there is a simple test: pull out the insole and have your child stand on it. If the toes reach the edge, the cleat is too short. If they hang over the sides, it is too narrow. That only works with a removable insole, of course.
Which insoles fit in soccer cleats?
There are three routes, and each has its place.
Thin sport insoles for soccer cleats
Some thin insoles are designed specifically for soccer cleats and can be trimmed to size. They take up very little room, so they work in low-volume cleats. A soccer cleat is still a cleat with a flat plate, so the support comes from the insert and from picking the right model.
Custom orthotics from a podiatrist
Custom orthotics are made after an exam and a gait analysis, and they can be built for athletic shoes too. If you bring your soccer cleats to the appointment, the podiatrist can fit the insert to them. Sources say it takes about two to four weeks to get used to custom orthotics. For background on what an orthotic is and who needs one, a neutral encyclopedia entry on foot orthoses is a good place to start. Coverage and cost vary by provider and insurance plan, so check with your plan before you order.
An insert you already have
If you already wear an orthotic in other shoes, first see whether it fits without making your cleat tight. A thick insert in a snug cleat creates pressure points. If it causes problems, ask your podiatrist whether a thinner insert would do the job in your cleats.
Soccer cleats for orthotics: which models work?
Our verdicts are based on manufacturer information, retailer fit notes and player feedback. We can’t guarantee that every model has a removable insole. These are high-volume models with adjustable lacing, where an insert has the best shot at fitting:
- adidas Copa Mundial: thick, padded kangaroo leather on a classic wide last. It runs long and feels snug until the leather stretches.
- Nike Phantom 6: high volume, with a wide midfoot and heel. The knit tongue stretches, but it doesn’t give you much adjustment.
- Puma King 20: wide all over, with a wider soleplate. It runs short.
- Puma King Platinum: calfskin, a separate tongue and a wide last. Thanks to all that adjustability, an insert fits best here.
- New Balance 442 v3: a separate tongue on the Elite, a fairly wide fit and a roomy heel. The toe box is low, though.
- adidas Copa Pure IV: calfskin, a separate tongue and deep lacing on the laced version. Not the laceless one.
- Mizuno Morelia II: kangaroo leather with a separate tongue. The toe box is low.
In its guide for flat feet, one soccer publication actually picked a Pro version with a separate tongue over the Elite, because it is easier to adjust. That is a good rule of thumb: the separate tongue matters more than the tier on the box.
Pay attention to the base of the cleat too. A firm heel counter, a wide midfoot and a stable soleplate give an insert a solid platform. A narrow, center-weighted soleplate and a soft heel offer less support, insert or not.
An insert eats up volume. Pair it with a high-volume model and don’t let the cleat fit too snug. An insert in a cleat that is already tight will press on your instep. For a broader shortlist, see our picks for the best soccer cleats for wide feet.
If you also have a high instep, it gets harder. Pick a cleat with a separate tongue and laces, and create room with window lacing. There is more on that in our guide to soccer cleats for a high instep. If flat feet are your main issue, also read soccer cleats for flat feet.
How do you use an insert in soccer cleats?
- Pull out the insole and lay it next to your insert. The insert should match its shape or be trimmable.
- Put the insert in the cleat and try it on with your game socks.
- Lace up the way you would for a game and walk around for a few minutes.
- Notice where you feel pressure: on top of your foot means too little volume, on the sides means too little width.
- Check the retailer’s return policy before you wear the cleats outside.
If the cleat is too tight with the insert, don’t size up to make room. That only adds length and heel slip. Pick a model with more volume, or ask your podiatrist about a thinner insert. If you are considering a different size anyway, our size converter shows how sizes compare.
When should you see a podiatrist?
See a podiatrist if the pain lasts more than a few weeks or keeps coming back, or if problems in your foot, ankle, knee, hip or back seem tied to the way you stand or walk. A podiatrist starts with an intake, a physical exam and often a gait analysis. A sports podiatrist also looks at what you do on the field.
Bring your soccer cleats so the advice fits the pair you actually wear. Playing through pain, red pressure spots or recurring blisters is a bad idea. An off-the-shelf insert is no substitute for an exam when something hurts.
Socks and orthotics in soccer cleats
Thick athletic socks squeeze a wide foot, and an insert only makes that worse. When in doubt, go with a thinner sock, and always try on the cleat with the exact setup you play in. Grip socks can make up for a roomy cleat by up to about half a size, but they won’t make a cleat with an insert any roomier.
Soccer cleats with orthotics for kids
Kids grow fast, so an insert in a kids’ cleat needs extra attention. If you have concerns about your child’s foot posture, gait or pain, a podiatrist can help. For more on kids’ sizes and growing room, see wide kids’ soccer cleats.