How Should Kids Soccer Cleats Fit?

As a parent of a young athlete, you want your child to have a positive experience playing the sport they love. Having a quality pair of youth soccer cleats with the right fit is crucial to keeping them comfortable on the field and safe from injury.

Get help with choosing the best soccer cleats for kids and see how CURREX® CLEATPRO™ insoles can make your kid’s cleats fit better and help prevent injuries.

In This Article

• Choose the right size
• Consider soccer insoles
• Know your child’s position
• Shop by field type
• Ask the coach
• When to buy new cleats for kids?
• FAQs about soccer cleats for kids

Choose The Right Size

Children’s feet grow fast, which makes it difficult to find well-fitting soccer shoes for kids. The key is to balance comfort with the extra room they need to grow. Most parents will size up when buying kid’s cleats, but using insoles in soccer cleats can help fill in that extra space and maintain the snug fit kid’s need for proper control and quick movements.

You’ll know you have the right fit when your kid can try on their cleats before you buy them. Different brands have varying sizes and styles, but kid’s soccer cleats are unisex, ranging from toddler’s sizes to size 5 for older kids. Cleats with laces have apo more adaptable fit if your kid has wide or narrow feet while laceless cleats won’t provide as much support.

Consider Soccer Insoles

CURREX CLEATPRO insoles help secure a better, more comfortable fit in your kid’s cleats so they can play to their full potential. Our Dynamic Arch Technology™ with a stabilizing heel cup delivers a perfect fit, wrap, and lock for complete control with a customized feel.

With dynamic support and non-slip SuperGrip to encourage healthy, secured movement, CURREX soccer shoe insoles help prevent injuries like sprains or blisters that could affect your kid’s game. Premium cushioning also targets pressure zones to provide relief and helps manage moisture so your kid can have fun and focus on playing their best.

CURREX CLEATPRO insoles for kids are trimmable and include our extra small (XS) sizes that fit a child’s soccer shoe size 3 to 4.5. For larger sizes, see the men’s sizing options or, if your child or teen wears adult shoes, follow the standard options for men and women.

Know Your Child’s Position

Kids under 12 will likely play multiple positions so they can gain experience playing the entire pitch. Therefore, it’s more important to buy kid’s cleats that simply fit their feet best.

Youth soccer players who are U12 and up may play specific positions that determine what cleats they need and which features to look out for, including:

• Forwards, wingers, and strikers need lightweight cleats for maximum speed and agility.
• Midfielders will want cleats with cushioning and traction for enhanced comfort plus control.
• Defenders need durable, comfortable cleats with enhanced protection for their toes.
• Goalkeepers require cleats with lots of traction and a large vamp, or strike cone, for precise, powerful kicks.

Shop By Field Type

Soccer cleats for kids vary by the type of turf or surface your child plays on. Buying the wrong kind will not only put them and their teammates at risk of injury but you’ll likely have to return them. Here is what type of kid’s soccer cleats you might need based on where your child plays:

• Firm ground cleats are the most common, built for play on natural grass fields with pronounced studs that dig into the softer soil.
• Artificial grass cleats are made for artificial grass fields with shorter, conical studs for better mobility and even weight distribution.
• Multi-ground cleats for little and big kids have different types of studs that help kids move more easily on firmer dirt, grass, or frozen fields.
• Turf shoes have rubber studs and extra cushioning for better control and comfort on shorter, more carpet-like artificial turf.
• Indoor soccer shoes are more sneaker-like with flexible, non-marking soles designed to grip indoor playing surfaces.

Ask the Coach

Still stuck trying to decide which soccer cleats to buy your kid? Go to the expert and ask your child's soccer coach if they have any recommendations. The coach will understand what your child needs based on their playing style, position, and the field type.

When to Buy New Cleats for Kids

Youth soccer players often need new cleats when they outgrow their old ones. Cleats that are too worn or don’t fit will not perform right on the field, which can cause pain and discomfort.

Soccer cleats might hurt your kid’s feet in the beginning. It’s important to understand the difference between cleats that are snug versus the wrong size. With the right size soccer cleats for kids, CURREX sports insoles help improve fit without interfering with the cleat’s design.

FAQs About Buying Kids' Soccer Cleats

Whether you are new to youth soccer or need more advice on picking the best soccer cleats for kids, here are a few frequently asked questions to make shopping for cleats easier:

Who makes the best soccer cleats for kids?

Some of the top brands of soccer cleats for kids include Nike®, adidas®, New Balance® and PUMA®. Like CURREX CLEATPRO insoles, these high-quality brands are worn by players at every level including professional soccer athletes.

See our Ambassadors & Athletes page to learn why professional athletes love wearing CURREX insoles.

Should you size up for kids' soccer cleats?

Yes, in most cases parents will size up by at least one size when buying soccer cleats for young players. If you have an older kid whose feet are growing at a slower rate, you may not need to size up.

Cleats should fit more snug than a running shoe so that the foot is not slipping around, causing blisters and potential injury. They should be able to wiggle their toes in the toe box, which may or may not mean sizing up.

What age should kids start wearing soccer cleats?

Ideally, kids who are 5 years of age or older playing outdoor soccer should wear soccer cleats. Toddlers and children under five do not need to wear soccer cleats.

Are metal cleats allowed in youth soccer?

Metal cleats are generally not allowed in most academies across the country due to the risk of injury from getting cleated or side tackled. Ask your kid’s coach whether they can wear metal cleats.

Can kids use the same cleats for soccer and football?

While kids can wear soccer cleats to play football, it is not recommended to wear football cleats to play soccer. Learn more by reading the differences between soccer and football cleats.

Give Your Kid the Advantage with CURREX Insoles

The right pair of soccer cleats will make a big difference in your child’s enjoyment of the sport. Give them the advantage of a comfortable fit with less fatigue and better performance with CURREX CLEATPRO insoles for youth soccer cleats.

CURREX is not affiliated with Nike®, adidas®, New Balance®, PUMA® or any other shoe manufacturers. Reference and trademarks used above are example brands of junior cleats for youth soccer shoes that CURREX insoles may work with.

References:

How to Buy Soccer Cleats: Fit, Features, Field Surface. (2022, August 11). adidas US.

6 Tips for Buying Soccer Cleats for Your Child. (2021, November 15). Total Soccer.

15 Best Soccer Cleats for Kids in 2023. (2023, March 20). Soccer.com.