For kids’ soccer cleats, size by the bigger foot, measured standing and with soccer socks on, and leave about 3/8 to 1/2 inch (8 to 12 millimeters) of growing room. Sources name margins that differ, but for soccer cleats it is wise to stay at the low end, because too much length causes tripping and less control.
Below you will read how to measure, how often, how to see at home that a cleat is too small, and what to do with wide feet. For kids with a wide foot there is a page of its own: wide soccer cleats for kids. If you want to spend less, look at lower tiers of wide models in our guide to affordable wide soccer cleats.
What size soccer cleats do you choose for a kid?
Measure your child’s foot and pick the size that fits the bigger foot. Measure in the evening, with soccer socks, while your child stands. In the evening feet are at their widest, and thick soccer socks take up room.
Some brands advise half a size extra for kids who wear thick soccer socks. That is not a fixed rule for every brand. Youth sizes run in their own range, so compare the brand’s chart instead of guessing from a street shoe size. How to measure length and width is explained in how to measure your foot width, and our size converter helps with the comparison.
How much growing room should kids’ soccer cleats have?
Sources differ. One retailer cites 8 to 12 millimeters based on podiatrists, another source says 1 to 1.5 centimeters, about a thumb width, and a third source says 13 millimeters, though that one is not well checked. In inches, that is roughly 3/8 to 1/2 inch at the low end.
For soccer cleats it is wise to stay at the low end of those margins, around 8 to 12 millimeters. That is our interpretation of the sources and not a fixed rule. Too much room at the toes causes tripping and less control of the ball, and a big gap at the heel causes blisters.
How often should you measure your child’s foot?
Kids grow fast, and a growth spurt can add half a size at once. As a rough guideline, and therefore uncertain: measure every two to three months up to age four, every three to four months from four to eight, and every four to six months from eight to twelve. Always measure at the start of the season and after the winter break, and every three months during a growth spurt. For indoor soccer different soleplates and often a different fit apply, see indoor soccer shoes for wide feet.
How do you see that kids’ soccer cleats are too small?
Kids often do not complain. So watch for signals: red spots on the toes or heel, tripping or not wanting to walk, and a child who suddenly wants to play less. You can also check at home if the insole is removable:
- Take the insole out of the cleat.
- Have your child stand on it.
- If the toe print touches the edge, the cleat is too small.
- If the toes hang over the side of the insole, the cleat is too narrow.
On many kids’ cleats the insole is removable, but that has not been verified for every model. Read also about soccer cleats that are too small or too big.
Should you buy a size bigger for growth?
A little room is good, a whole extra size is not. A cleat that is too big gives heel slip and less feel for the ball. Choose the size where the margin is right and measure again after a few months. When in doubt, buy a new size more often rather than a cleat that is far too big.
Which soccer cleats for kids with a wide foot?
For wide kids’ feet, the Nike Phantom runs consistently wider in youth sizes according to sources, while the Mercurial is the narrowest Nike. New Balance has a 442 Academy Junior in Wide, though availability can vary. Mizuno sells the Monarcida Neo III Select as wide fit. See the Nike Phantom 6 for the details.
How do you try on kids’ soccer cleats?
Try them on at the end of the day, with the socks your child plays in. Have your child stand upright with the laces closed, and feel with your thumb where the longest toe sits. Let your child run and turn a bit as well: does the heel stay in place and can the forefoot not bulge out sideways? Look at the soleplate too: for youth it is often MG, TF or IN, see FG vs AG cleats.
Which material suits kids?
Leather stretches, which is nice for a growing foot. Synthetic hardly stretches, so the size has to be right from the start. Read leather or synthetic soccer cleats for the trade-offs.
When should you see a podiatrist?
If you doubt your child’s foot posture or gait, or if there is pain, frequent tripping or uncertainty about the size, you can see a podiatrist or your doctor with your child. This is fit advice, not medical advice.