If you are struggling to find soccer cleats that fit you comfortably or find that too many pairs are squeezing your feet in too tightly, you'll want to find the best soccer cleats for wide feet.
Having the right cleats can make a huge difference to a player's game, with certain ranges specifically designed for those that require a little additional comfort and breathing room. FFT has been dedicating itself to categorizing designs to make cleat shopping easier for you. If you're simply looking for the best soccer cleats out right now, the best soccer cleats for defenders or even the best soccer cleats for flat feet, then we have you covered.
But right here, it's all about the best soccer cleats for wide feet...
The quick list
Thanks to the two-piece construction, the upper conforms to all foot types - helping allow for extra room for wide feet. The soleplate reduces pressure through the foot, too, while the touch and feel of the cleat specifically stands out.
Featuring natural leather throughout the cleat, the Adidas Copa Pure 2.1 fit like a glove and stretches perfectly to the shape of your foot. I found them especially comfortable thanks to the extra padding in the leather, too.
Whil the Predator Accuracy.1 isn't the latest model in the iconic range, they're undoubtedly the best for wide feet. Midfielders seeking aid from the great rubber element coverage and a roomy toebox need look no further.
Traditional and modern at the same time, the Nike Tiempo Legend 10 Elite is now comprised of a synthetic upper - though that doesn't detract from the traditional shape and protection they offer. The upper is also pliable and stretchy.
Offering a sock-like playing experience, as well as plenty of space and volume, the Puma Future 7 Ultimate are both comfortable and accomodating. The repositioning of the Pwrtape technology has certainly helped improve comfort.
Iconic cleats from the 1970s, these have barely changed in the intervening years - though they're still as brilliant as ever and a fan-favourite among traditionalists. The leather is soft, supple and brilliant for wide feet.
Best overall
One of the best releases of the last year, the Nike Phantom GX Elite is one of my favorite cleats available on the market right now, especially when considering the best soocer cleats for firm ground. Kitted out entirely with modern features, the Phantom GX has the added advantage of suitably fitting wider feet.
The Gripknit that forms the upper is the one of the most unique and effective pieces of innovation of the last few years, and expertly contributes to the width of the cleat by wrapping around the entirety of the upper and sitting atop the lacing system to create two distinct pieces of material. Soft and pliable, I also loved that the cleat was instantly comfortable - even with my wide feet!
In the Phantom GX, Nike have introduced cutting edge technology to a cleat without sacrificing anything in terms of comfort or excluding those with wide feet. It is no wonder that this a model that is so highly regarded by many. Sure, there's a new release in the Nike Phantom GX 2 Elite - but I'd always recommend the flagship model first.
Best leather
In a market filled with one-piece uppers comprised knit materials around the lacing area, the Copa Pure 2 is a traditional two-piece upper with a separated tongue in a U throat construction. I found this build makes the cleat a lot more accommodating for those with wider feet, with the separated tongue being a lot less restrictive than the one piece/knit combination in terms of adjustability.
A generous amount of natural leather on the cleat ensures there is the capacity for it to stretch more than alternatives with no leather at all after longer wear-time, with my pair conforming perfectly to the shape of my foot within a few hours.
Plus, the leather in the Adidas Copa Pure 2.1 is concentrated towards the forefoot while also continuing around the midfoot, ensuring it has the ability to stretch in areas that are most likely to cause problems for those with wider feet. Not only that, but the soft calf skin leather that covers the forefoot of the cleat helped deliver me a comforting and cushioned touch on the ball that I'd expect from a Copa - regardless of the generation. Certainly a worthy inclusion in this guide, and also a model which made it into our best soccer cleats for comfort, too.
Best for midfielders
While 2024 is the 30th anniversary of the Predator and the recent release of a new model, the Predator Accuracy is still a better option for wide feet. There may be subtle improvements to create an overall superior cleat with the new Adidas Predator Elite, but it's slightly narrower and is therefore bested by the Accuracy in this particular instance.
I found that the Predator Accuracy had a generous amount of width in the toebox, with an overall volume that makes them a lot more suited to players with wide feet. Sure, the newest release is arguably one of the best soccer cleats around, but it's just not as roomy as the Accuracy.
Plus, great savings are to be had on the Accuracy, with it no longer being the latest generation of the Predator. So, not only are these brilliant for wide feet and among the best soccer cleats for midfielders, they will also be kinder to your pocket than most of the latest offerings from the big brands. They're slightly cheaper than the laceless version of the Adidas Predator Accuracy+, too, for another added bonus.
Best for defenders
Nike’s heritage cleat, the Tiempo Legend 10, has transitioned away from a natural leather upper and instead opted for a synthetic material called Flytouch Plus. Made to mimic the fit and feel of natural leather, the Flytouch Plus material that makes up the upper of the Tiempo Legend 10 is soft, flexible and relatively stretchy, making them a well-suited option for wide feet.
I found that the build of the cleat itself is what makes it accommodating for those with wider feet, with its more traditional shape ensuring that fitting into these comfortably shouldn't be a problem.
While the Flyknit upper is not quite as flexible as leather, it is is flexible enough to be comfortable and unrestrictive. With a shift to a more modern and sleeker one-piece construction, Nike has created a cleat that features the best of old-school heritage and modern technologies - all whole welcoming those with wide feet through the general shape of the cleat.
Not only among the best soccer cleats for defenders, the modernisation of the Tiempo means that players such as Jamal Musiala and Frenkie De Jong have also opted for them in recent times.
Best for comfort
The Puma Future is a range that has steadily improved with every generation over the past few years and, crucially, it has consistently been perfect for those with wide feet. The latest iteration of the model, the Future 7 Ultimate, follows the same pattern with an elevated design and continuation of the soft and stretchy Fuzionfit 360 material - making them ideal for players seeking extra space in their boots.
Most notably, the Puma's Pwrtape has been repositioned, with the technology concentrating more centrally rather than on the sides of the boot, as was seen on the Puma Future Ultimate. This helps to improve lockdown, while also ensuring flexibility in the upper is enhanced, too.
What I loved most about these was that wearing the Future 7 Ultimate was as close to a sock-like feeling as anything I've worn before, so I'm definitely not surprised that they're accommodating for players with wide feet. As a result, they challenge the best lightweight soccer cleats, seeing them firmly earn a spot in the best soccer cleats for strikers as well. nature.
Best for traditionalists
A list like this would not be complete without mentioning the Adidas Copa Mundial: the best-selling soccer cleat of all time. These do what a pair of cleats are supposed to do, with the traditional two-piece construction and separated tongue synonymous with its 1979 release date.
This build lends itself well to a more universal fit, with the Copa Mundial's ability to stretch once broken in providing a perfect fit for all ranges of foot types, largely thanks to the natural leather featuring throughout the cleat.
We may not see many professional players wearing these on the field anymore, but regardless of advancements in technology and the seemingly constant releases of new models, the Copa Mundial will always be seen on pitches across the world. And deservedly so.
How we test soccer cleats for wide feet
Each pair is tested by an expert member of the team who lives and breathes soccer cleats. They're able to cut through the marketing minefield to the core positives and negatives of each cleat, providing simple yet detailed advice for all players regardless of level.
On this occasion, our expert with wide feet tested every cleat available on the market, choosing which ones worked for them and which ones didn't. In depth knowledge of the market means that factors that are important to consumers - such as wide feet on this occasion - are highlighted and presented in as clear a way as possible.
Each pair is put through its paces for several sessions across a range of different surfaces, helping determine their true level of performance. Factors that are considered include comfort, stability, fit and feel.
How to choose the best soccer cleats
The soccer cleat market can be a bit of a minefield at the best of times, with an array of options available and brands championing the latest tech that will have you jumping higher, running faster and never miscontrolling a ball ever again.
Ultimately, your choice should come down to what best suits you and your game. Below are some factors to consider when looking for your next pair...
Leather or synthetic
When trying to work out what pair of cleats suits you best, the material of the upper is a vitally important factor to consider. Generally, though, when it comes to wide feet, leather is the safer option.
Leather offers a traditional fit, moulding to the shape of your feet. It is also soft, pliable and durable. This can make them a superior option than synthetic cleats for players with wide feet.
That's because most synthetic uppers will be slightly thinner and offer less padding than their natural leather counterparts. While they can offer a much closer connection to the ball, they're also restrictive and offer little in the way of stretch.
Fortunately, if you want the best of both worlds and have wide feet, then leather-imitating synthetics might be the way to go. Representing the perfect in-between, leather-imitating synthetics are often more lightweight than natural offerings, but come with much of the same comfort and pliability.
Getting the right fit
I urge any player with wide feet to try a pair of cleats on before they buy them, because there's a greater risk they might not fit unfortunately. Seeing how they shape up against your foot is essential, and is something that isn't always easy to do online.
Leather soccer cleats are often better for players with wide feet because they stretch and conform to the shape of your foot a lot better, but some modern cleats with synthetic uppers have greatly improved in stretchiness in recent years. For that reason, laceless options aren't necessarily the best option - they lack in adaptability due to there not being any laces, so either they fit or they don't.
When it comes to the actual size of your cleat, that can also change fairly dramatically between brands. For those who are a size 9 US in Nike cleats might need to go up or down a full size in other manufacturers, so don't just assume your shoe size translates ubiquitously. That's another reason why I'd always recommend trying cleats on in store before taking the plunge.
Styling
This is the area where personal preference comes into play. After finding the cleats that fit you right, are made of your preferred material and are what you envisage playing in week after week, styling is another factor to consider.
30 years ago, you'd be lucky to find a pair of cleats that weren't black. Nowadays, there are colorways galore - even for the exact same model. Whether it's a flashy pair that are sure to make you stand out, or a more subtle and minimalist colorway, there's certainly something for everyone.
