Finding the best football boots for narrow feet isn't too difficult a task if you know where to look, with an array of options currently available on the market to suit everyone's needs.
Having the right pair on your feet can make a huge difference to a player's game, with technologies and characteristics specifically targeted at areas of the pitch. While it largely doesn't matter which of the best football boots you choose, having ones that fit correctly and comfortably is of paramount importance. Fortunately, FFT has been dedicating itself to categorising designs to make football boot shopping an easier process, with guides on the best football boots for wide feet, the best football boots for strikers and even the best football boots for flat feet all covered.
But right here you'll find the best football boots for narrow feet...
The quick list
Notoriously slim and narrow, the Nike Mercurial Superfly 10 Elite is certainly no exception. Upgrades to the soleplate and materials on the upper make these an even better boot to wear, with the streamlined profile aiding in high intensity actions.
Featuring a traditional lacing system and tongue, the Adidas F50 Elite enables players to make these boots as tight as they want or need. This aspect also ensures that players are constantly locked into the boot, with quality materials in the lining helping, too.
Carbon fibre soleplates are rarely seen on football boots, but Puma has created an option that works incredibly well. While they might be too stiff for some, the responsiveness and lightweight nature of the Ultra 5 Carbon will have you speeding away from opponents.
Created using sustainable materials and certified vegan, the Sokito Scudetta is a new forray into the football boot market that has worked well. Already a relatively narrow boot, the materials used in the midfoot ensure they retain their shape over time.
Football boots created for speed are becoming increasingly comfortable, but the New Balance Furon V8 Elite holds that title right now. With the off-centred lacing system and one-piece upper, the boots feel like a second skin when put on feet.
Mizuno are renowned for creating some of the best-quality football boots on the market, and the release of the Alpha II is no exception. Aimed at quick players, naturally they're a lower profile and come narrower than most regular football boots.
Best overall
Mercurials are often synonymous with being narrow, and the latest Nike Mercurial Superfly 10 Elite is no exception. With a slim profile throughout, there's really no space whatsoever to be found when your foot is in the boot, making them perfect for players wanting to be as aerodynamic as possible.
With a redesigned upper using a thin layer of gripknit in the forefoot, the boots provide an already-barefoot feel with some added grip that any player who loves taking small intricate touches will enjoy. The heel area is made from atomknit as well which is an evolved, more breathable version of flyknit designed to be more comfortable while also shedding a few grams of weight. Flyknit does remain on the collar, however.
There's also a change on the outsole, with the air zoom cushioning unit now using a wave pattern to get more propulsion and comfort at the same time. The outsole also features aggressive evolved chevrons for traction when making quick cuts, which in my opinion helps make them phenomenal. With every stride you can feel the responsiveness of the outsole, providing this feeling of being propelled forward.
Best for lockdown
For players wanting superb lockdown, then the Adidas F50 Elite certainly shouldn't be overlooked. With the central lacing system, the boots provide a customisable fit and wrap around the foot brilliantly - ideal for narrow-footed players needing something a little tighter. Two different insoles are also provided to allow for more comfort or a more lightweight option.
Featuring Adidas' fibretouch along with the 3D sprintweb texturing on the upper, the F50 Elite provides a responsive touch on the ball that is also grippy, making them great when dribbling.
Like most speed boots, one of the F50's main features is the outsole. The 360 sprintframe mixes blades, chevrons and conical studs to create a versatile outsole made for a mix of speed and agility. All these things combine to provide a truly great football boot and one that any narrow-footed player would be more than happy with.
Best lightweight
If you are a player with a real need for speed while keeping everything compact, then the Puma Ultra 5 Carbon is an incredible option. The boot’s upper uses a synthetic weave with a grippy texture for an enhanced touch on the ball, which Puma calls grip control pro. I found this does a very good job at achieving its intention.
Great levels of lockdown, and thus keeping the boot narrower, through the pwrtape SQD knit on the tongue. This aspect is then doubled with the use of nanogrip technology on the insole, which helps keep your feet locked in place so every movement feels more focused and efficient.
Like many of the best lightweight football boots, the star of the show is the soleplate. Utilising a full carbon fibre outsole, these boots honestly provide a feeling like no other on the market. The best way to describe it is if you imagine a running spike but for football. Every stride is propelled forward, and while the carbon outsole is considerably stiff, there's always the cheaper Puma Ultra 5 Ultimate which is a similar option.
The most surprising thing about the boot is the level of comfort, offering an almost quilt-like feeling you wouldn't necessarily expect from a carbon fibre boot.
Best for sustainability
The Sokito Scudetta is the newest kid on the block and has made a name for itself in a short amount of time, thanks to it being the first boot made mostly from recycled and biomaterials, as well as being certified vegan.
In the forefoot of the boot you have the biovamp material which is a soft leather-like material providing a cushioned touch on the ball, as well as a subtle haptic print to enhance grip in all weather conditions. What makes these best-suited for players with narrow feet is the non-stretch material used in the midfoot portion, which will retain its snug shape for as long as you need them.
I found that the outsole screams speed, with the mix of chevron studs and blades creating a blend of aggressive traction and stability. What's more, the traditional style tongue allows players to adjust the volume of the boot making it a great choice for narrow-footed players, as well as being cheaper than a lot of the competition’s elite tier boots.
Best for comfort
New Balance have done it again with the Furon V8 Elite, releasing one of the most comfortable football boots that is still considered a great option against other speed boots. Sporting a hypoknit upper - possibly my favourite material on the market right now - I found that the upper immediately moulded to the shape of my foot and required absolutely no break-in time. This hypoknit also has a subtle texturing to provide extra grip on the ball.
In the forefoot, there is a debossed print to create a larger surface area to control the ball, with the off-centred lacing system exacerbating the larger striking area. There's also silicone texturing on the instep to assist with grip. These elements all serve to provide a slightly dampened touch on the ball, but that doesn't detract from the barefoot nature of them.
Underfoot, the New Balance Furon V8 Elite features a lightweight nylon outsole that has slightly changed from the previous New Balance Furon V7+ Pro model. Instead of chevrons, the studs are now t-shaped to provide extra traction in sprinting, while the heel features an extra speed control stud which is meant to aid stability when decelerating. The best way to describe the boot would be like a running shoe with studs on the bottom.
Best quality
When it comes to the best quality football boots, then look no further than Mizuno's Made in Japan range, with the Alpha II another fantastic release from the brand utilising premium materials and expert craftmanship.
Featuring a thin synthetic upper with a subtle texturing that provides a barefoot feel for the ball while also being grippy, the Mizuno Alpha II Made in Japan offers a touch unlike anything I've ever experienced before. What is most unique about the boot is the lining, which has ZeroGlide mesh throughout, and also on the foam insole, which has a sandpaper-like texture that is immensely grippy. I've extensively covered some of the best insoles for football boots, and this lining competes among the very best thanks to the locked-in sensation it provides.
The outsole is also packed with tech, too. In the forefoot of the insole board there is KaVRO, providing a springboard that feels like you're being pushed forward with each step. It may look like carbon fibre, but is made from plastic fibres instead. At the heel you'll find Enerzy cushioning, to help provide a responsive feeling and absorb shock from heavy impacts.
I also like that the stud pattern is quite aggressive, being made up completely of triangular studs which provide a mixtureof speed and agility. The only downside to the boot is the expensive nature of them, but you are paying for a noticeable quality - and there's always the elite model which is still a very solid option.
How we test football boots for narrow feet
Here at FourFourTwo, our testing procedure is all about getting football boots on our feet and personally trying them out as many times as possible. One of our experts has routinely had issues finding football boots due to their flat feet, so they're well-versed in everything that is needed for similar players.
Each pair has been tested over a number of weeks, in various playing conditions, in order to get a proper idea of what they're like in terms of performance and feeling.
All of our reviews are honest (despite working with brands, nobody can "buy" a good review from us) and we always have real football players in mind when giving recommendations.
How to choose the best football boots
Finding the right football boot can prove a difficult task in the modern day, with each brand claiming they've created something with the best technology humanly possible. What we've tried our best to do, however, is cut through the marketing jargon right to the core of what each cleat is like.
Each individual will have preferences, though, so ultimately it is up to you what you choose. Whether that's based on fit, feel or even looks, there are multiple different factors to consider when making your next choice.
How to get the right fit for narrow feet
We'd always recommend trying a pair of football boots on before buying, especially if you have narrow feet. You need to see how they shape up against your foot, which isn't always easy to do online. Lots of boots on the market are created wider to suit different players, while others might not have the stretch you want from a narrow boot, so determining what they feel like in person is always helpful.
With sizes often varying in length between brands, it doesn't necessarily mean that an 8 in Adidas boots will mean an 8 in Nike boots will fit you. That's why we recommend trying on boots in person before parting with your hard-earned money.
When it comes to narrow feet, laceless boots aren't always the best option, either. The lack of laces means there's very little adaptability – they will either fit right or they won't, and there's nothing you can do about it, unfortunately.
