A child with wide feet needs a boot that is wide in the last and still leaves growing room, without jumping a full size up. Junior versions of the Nike Phantom 6 run consistently wider, the New Balance 442 exists in a wide fit and the Mizuno Monarcida Neo III Select is sold as wide fit. Measure often, in the evening and in football socks.
Selected with the same logic as the boot advisor, from the boots we rated.
The widest Nike last, with extra height in the toe box and a roomy heel. The knit upper stretches.
Official wide fit version
Mizuno describes this version as wide fit, with soft synthetic leather and a light build.
Wide throughout the boot with a high toe box. The last is roomy in the forefoot and also suits a flat midfoot.
Official wide fit version
Fairly wide with a roomy heel and a separate tongue, meant for wider or flat feet. New Balance offers the 2E width.
Leather forefoot, U-shaped throat and deep lacing: a roomy and adjustable fit.
Wide fit kids football boots need to be wide in the last and leave 8 to 12 millimetres of growing room for the longest toe. Do not buy a size up to get width: a longer boot makes children trip, costs them control of the ball and does nothing for the width. The junior models that come up most often are the Nike Phantom 6, the New Balance 442 Academy in a wide fit and the Mizuno Monarcida Neo III Select.
Below you will find how to spot a boot that is too narrow, how to measure at home, which junior boots work and which do not. The list at the top of this page gives our current picks for kids’ wide feet.
Children rarely complain, so you have to look. Red marks on the toes or heel, a child who keeps taking the boots off before the whistle, tripping and a reluctance to run are all signals. A foot that spills over the edge of the soleplate also points to a boot that is too narrow.
There is a simple check you can do at home:
A child with a wide foot usually feels pressure on the little toe and the ball of the foot. If the pressure is on top of the foot, a high instep is part of the picture. We cover that combination in our guide to football boots for a high instep.
Plan for 8 to 12 millimetres between the longest toe and the front of the boot. Sources differ on the exact margin, and some everyday shoe advice goes up to 1.5 centimetres. For football boots we stay at the lower end, because a boot with too much length makes a child trip and lose control of the ball.
Buying boots that your child will grow into over two seasons is therefore a poor idea. A boot that is too roomy lets the foot slide, which causes blisters and makes a young player hesitant. It is better to pick a model that fits now and to measure more often.
Feet grow quickly. As a general rule, children grow one to two shoe sizes a year from about age three, and a growth spurt can add another half size. Girls tend to have their spurt a little earlier than boys, and feet are usually fully grown in the mid to late teens.
As a rough guide, worked out from those growth patterns:
These are guidelines, not fixed rules. If you are unsure about your child’s foot posture, the way they walk, pain or frequent tripping, see a podiatrist or your GP.
Measure in a way that matches how your child plays.
Football socks are thick. Some brands suggest an extra half size for children to allow for that and for growth. That is not a licence to go up a full size: the 8 to 12 millimetres of growing room stays the target. For women and girls with a broad foot there is a separate page on wide fit football boots for women.
Our verdicts are based on manufacturer information, shop fit notes and player experience. We do not run lab tests. Each model has a reason attached.
The narrow speed lines are not suitable. The Mercurial junior is the narrowest Nike, and the junior versions of the F50 and the Ultra are narrow too. For a child with wide feet, skip them.
Look at the tongue and the laces on every candidate. A separate tongue and deep lacing give the most room to adjust. Laceless boots are not recommended for children with wide feet or a high instep.
The material decides how much the boot gives. Leather stretches and moulds to the foot, synthetic leather hardly at all. Knit wraps around the foot and stretches under pressure, then springs back. For a child with wide feet, leather or a soft knit is therefore kinder than a stiff synthetic upper, such as the sock-style construction on many entry-level boots.
Do not expect a tight synthetic boot to loosen up. If it is too narrow in the shop, it will still be too narrow after two matches. In that case choose a different model rather than a bigger size. The Kipsta Viralto II Leather is an example of a leather boot for children that does not cost much.
Run through these points before you order:
A good moment is at the start of the season and after the winter break. Measure again and try the boots on. If they still fit, there is no reason to replace them.
If the toes reach the front, the foot hangs over the side or your child complains, it is time. During a growth spurt that can happen faster, so check in between. Boots that get used all winter on soft, muddy grass also wear out quicker than you expect, so look at the studs and the upper as well as the size.
The soleplate decides where your child can use the boot, and junior versions are not always available in every soleplate. Junior versions of lower-tier models such as the Academy often come only as MG, TF or indoor. For 3G and 4G pitches, which most grassroots teams use through the winter, choose an AG, MG or TF soleplate.
An FG soleplate is made for natural grass. When you shop, filter on surface and size, not just on the model. Our guide to which soleplate to choose explains the codes. Many leagues and school pitches have their own rules about studs, so check those before you buy.
If your child combines wide feet with a high instep, you want a boot with volume and a separate tongue. The Phantom comes closest, because the junior version runs wider and the knit tongue gives. Parents of children with this foot shape often find it hard to get a boot that fits. Once you have found a model that works, stay with it and buy the next size in the same line.
The same rules apply to the youngest players, but their feet grow faster. Measure more often, keep the growing room at the lower end of the margin and choose a boot that is not heavy. There are fewer specific models for the smallest sizes, so look for a wide, supple boot that does not pinch and that you can adjust easily with the laces. Our page on choosing a kids’ boot size covers the sizing side in more detail.
Foot shape does not change at the Irish Sea, so the advice is the same on both sides. Check the UK kids’ and junior size on the box against your own measurement, because sizing can differ slightly between brands. For a personal top three based on your child’s size, complaint and surface, use the football boot adviser.
The junior Nike Phantom 6 runs consistently wider, the New Balance 442 Academy comes in a wide fit and the Mizuno Monarcida Neo III Select is sold as wide fit. Steer clear of the narrow speed lines such as the Mercurial junior.
No. A longer boot does not add width, and it brings tripping, heel slip and less control. Choose a model that is wide in the last and leave 8 to 12 millimetres of growing room in front of the longest toe.
Aim for 8 to 12 millimetres between the longest toe and the end of the boot. Some sources suggest up to 1.5 centimetres for everyday shoes, but for football we stay at the lower end, because too much length makes children trip and lose touch on the ball.
As a rough guide, every 2 to 3 months up to age 4, every 3 to 4 months from 4 to 8 and every 4 to 6 months from 8 to 12. During a growth spurt, check every 3 months. Always measure in the evening and in football socks.
Take the insole out and have your child stand on it. If the toe print reaches the edge, the boot is too short. If the toes hang over the side, it is too narrow. Red marks, tripping and a child who keeps pulling the boots off are also signs.
Look for a separate tongue, deep lacing and a tall toe box. The junior Phantom runs wider and has a knit tongue that gives. Laceless boots are not suitable.
Yes. Pick a boot with an AG, MG or TF soleplate in a wide model, such as the Nike Phantom Academy or the New Balance 442 Academy. Junior versions of lower-tier boots often come only in MG, TF or indoor soles, so filter by surface and size.
Usually, because the last is often the same as on the top version. The upper is thicker and stiffer, so the boot feels tighter. Always try them on and pick the model with a separate tongue if you are unsure.