Soccer cleats with a sock collar are trickier for wide feet than cleats with a regular tongue. The collar closes tightly around your ankle and you can adjust the fit less. If you have a wide foot, choose a model with a lot of stretch in the collar, a roomy opening and preferably laces.
Below you will read what a sock cleat is, why it disappoints on wide feet and what to look at when choosing. Also read laceless soccer cleats for wide feet, because the problems are similar. If you want to use your own insole, our overview of soccer cleats that fit insoles helps.
What are soccer cleats with a sock?
On a sock cleat, the upper continues up around your ankle in a sock-like collar, so the cleat sits around your foot like a sock. It gives a closed feel and good lockdown around the ankle. It feels snug and often goes together with knit or stretch material.
Many top models have a collar or a knit tongue, such as the Nike Mercurial with a Dynamic Fit collar, the Skechers SKX_2 and the Puma King 20. Not every model has a full sock collar, so look at how the opening and tongue are made on each cleat. A knit upper wraps around the foot instead of pressing, as on the Nike Phantom 6.
Are sock soccer cleats suitable for wide feet?
That depends on the model. A collar with a lot of stretch and a roomy opening can work well, while a stiff sock construction in synthetic material pinches. Fully stiff synthetic cleats squeeze wide feet. Our guide to preventing blisters from soccer cleats covers the symptoms.
The biggest drawback is adjustability. A knit collar or tongue is harder to adjust than a separate tongue with laces. For a high instep, a sock collar is often tricky, because you cannot make room. See soccer cleats for a high instep.
What should you look at in a sock cleat for wide feet?
- Stretch in the collar: a knit collar gives, but springs back. Pick one that does not pinch when you put it on.
- Opening: a wide foot has to get in easily. One source says a low-cut sock gives a wider opening than a high-cut one, but that is a single source.
- Laces: a cleat with a sock collar and laces gives a wide forefoot more room than one without laces.
- Last: the collar does not fix a narrow last. Pick a model with a wide forefoot first.
Is it hard to put on a sock cleat with a wide foot?
It can be. A wide foot or a high instep can struggle with the opening of a collar. Put the cleat on with thin socks, push your heel in first and pull the collar over your instep. Do not force it: a collar can tear, and a cleat that does not go on well will not fit well during play either.
Which sock or knit models suit wide feet?
Some models with a knit upper are named in the sources for wide feet. The Nike Phantom 6 has a knit tongue with stretch and is wide in the toe box, forefoot, midfoot and heel. The Puma Future 9 has a one-piece engineered knit with lots of forefoot room. The Skechers SKX_2 has a knit that gets softer with wear. See the fit rating on the Nike Phantom 6 and the Puma Future 9.
The Nike Mercurial and the adidas F50 are narrow and not suitable for a wide foot. See Nike wide soccer cleats for a line-by-line view.
What if the cleat is still tight?
Knit wraps around the foot and gets softer with wear, but it does not stretch permanently. Do not expect a tight cleat to become much wider. Try thinner socks and look at where the pressure sits. If the cleat is still tight after several sessions, it is not the right one. More in what to do when soccer cleats pinch. If the pain lasts longer than a few weeks, see a podiatrist or your doctor. We give fit advice, not medical advice. The cleat finder can suggest alternatives.