You prevent blisters from soccer cleats mostly with a cleat that fits. Friction comes from a heel that slides, a forefoot that pinches or a seam that presses on a fixed spot. Slow break-in, the right socks and acting early on a red spot help as well.
Below you will read where blisters come from and what you can do about them. This is fit advice and not medical advice.
How do blisters from soccer cleats form?
Blisters form from friction and pressure in the same place. In soccer cleats this happens mostly in three spots: the heel and Achilles tendon in a cleat that slides, the side of the little toe and forefoot in a cleat that is too narrow and the toes in a cleat that is too short.
New cleats cause more trouble, especially leather that still has to shape itself. You see a red spot first. Do not leave it at that, because playing on makes it worse.
How do you prevent blisters in new soccer cleats?
- Choose a cleat that fits. Check length, width and heel, see how soccer cleats should fit.
- Break leather cleats in slowly, first at home and then at a light practice. See breaking in soccer cleats.
- Wear the socks you play in, without an extra thick layer that compresses the forefoot.
- Keep your socks and feet dry.
- Stop at a red spot and let it recover before you play on.
How do you prevent blisters on your heel?
Heel blisters usually come from a cleat that slides. A heel lock lacing holds the heel, see what to do when your heel slips out of your cleat. Grip socks can help with a cleat that is slightly roomy, up to about half a size. If the cleat is far too big, exchange it.
How do you prevent blisters from a cleat that is too narrow?
Blisters on the side or on the little toe point to a wide forefoot in a cleat that is too narrow. A wider cleat is the real fix. See soccer cleats for narrow feet for the opposite case and our brand pages for wide feet. With wide feet, thick socks can pinch even more, so choose thinner ones.
Do blister bandages, tape or petroleum jelly help?
Some players put a blister bandage or tape on a known hot spot or rub on petroleum jelly. That can reduce friction for a while, but it does not solve the fact that the cleat does not fit. Try it at practice first, so it does not start to shift in a game.
We have no strong source that recommends any one of these. See them as temporary help and not as a solution.
Which socks help against blisters?
Thick socks are not always better. With a cleat that already fits snugly, choose a thin sock. With a cleat that is slightly roomy, a mid-thick or thick grip sock works. A sock that is too thick compresses the forefoot when your foot swells in the second half. With a wide foot, choose a thinner sock.
What do you do about blisters that are already there?
Stop doing what caused the blister, or cover it with a bandage. Give the spot rest and do not play on in the same cleat if it hurts. Look at where the cleat rubs and adjust the lacing or the sock. A cleat that gives a blister in the same spot every time does not fit. If you are considering a cleat with a sock collar, first read about soccer cleats with a sock for wide feet.
If a blister is infected, will not heal or new ones keep coming, see your doctor or a podiatrist. Do not play on with pain. Which models score well on comfort is covered in our overview of comfortable soccer cleats.
When do blisters mean the cleat does not fit?
When blisters keep coming back in the same spot, do not lessen after several sessions or also appear in other shoes. Then it is not a matter of breaking in. Look at where the pressure is and choose another last, see soccer cleats that pinch.
If you have had pain in your feet for more than a few weeks or keep getting blisters, have your feet looked at by a podiatrist or your doctor. For advice tailored to you, use the cleat advisor.
Blisters from soccer cleats in kids
Kids rarely complain until it hurts, and their feet change fast. A cleat that gave no trouble in the spring can rub by fall. Check the heel and little toe after practice, and measure again at the start of every season. Our page on wide kids soccer cleats explains how much growing room to allow.