Football boots for orthotics only work when the boot has a removable insole and enough volume. Plenty of football boots come with a thin or glued-in insole, so check before you buy. Look for a separate tongue, proper laces and a wide, stable last too, because an orthotic takes up room.
Below we cover what an orthotic needs from a boot, which types of insole suit football boots, which models come up most often and how to combine a wide foot with an orthotic. This is fit advice, not medical advice. If you have pain that will not go away, see a podiatrist (chiropodist) or your GP.
Do orthotics fit in football boots?
Not in all of them. Football boots often have a thin insole, and sometimes it is glued in. Only if you can take that insole out can you put an orthotic in its place. An orthotic laid on top of the existing insole makes the boot tight, above all over the instep.
For most models it is not confirmed whether the insole comes out, and it varies from version to version. The product description often does not say. Check the product photos or ask the retailer.
For children there is a simple test: take the insole out and have your child stand on it. If the toes reach the edge, the boot is too small. If the toes hang over the side, it is too narrow. This only works if the insole is removable.
Which orthotics and insoles fit in football boots?
There are three routes, each with its own purpose.
Thin sports insoles for football boots
You can buy thin insoles designed for football boots, many of them trimmable so you can cut them to match your insole. They take up little space, so they suit boots with limited volume. A football boot is still a boot with a flat soleplate, so the support has to come from the insole and from your choice of model.
Custom orthotics from a podiatrist
Custom orthotics are made after an assessment and a gait analysis, and they can be made for sports footwear too. Take your football boots to the appointment so the podiatrist can match the orthotic to them. Getting used to a custom orthotic usually takes a couple of weeks. Costs and any cover vary by clinic and by your own insurance, so ask the practice directly.
An orthotic you already own
If you already have an orthotic for other shoes, first see whether it fits without making the boot tight. A thick orthotic in a snug boot creates pressure points. If you have symptoms, ask your podiatrist whether a thinner orthotic would do for your football boots.
Which football boots are suitable for orthotics?
Our verdicts are based on manufacturer information, fit notes from retailers and what players report. We cannot guarantee for every model that the insole comes out. These are models with plenty of volume and adjustable lacing, where an orthotic has the best chance:
- adidas Copa Mundial: thick, padded kangaroo leather on a classic wide last. It runs long and feels tight at first until the leather gives.
- Nike Phantom 6: high volume, wide midfoot and heel. The knit tongue has some stretch, but it gives you little to adjust.
- Puma King 20: wide from heel to toe, with a wider soleplate. It runs short.
- Puma King Platinum: calfskin, a separate tongue and a wide last. Thanks to its adjustability, it copes best with an orthotic.
- New Balance 442 v3: separate tongue on the Elite, fairly wide with a roomy heel. The toe box is low.
- adidas Copa Pure IV: calfskin, a separate tongue and deep lacing on the laced version. Not the laceless one.
- Mizuno Morelia II: kangaroo leather with a separate tongue. The toe box is low.
A good rule of thumb: a separate tongue counts for more than the tier on the box. A Pro version with a separate tongue can be a better choice than an Elite with a knit or laceless build, because you can adjust it.
Look at the base of the boot as well. A firm heel counter, a wide midfoot and a stable soleplate give the orthotic a solid platform to work from. A narrow, centred soleplate and a soft heel offer less support, even with an orthotic in.
Wide football boots for orthotics: how much extra room do you need?
An orthotic takes up volume. Pair it with a high-volume model and do not let the boot fit too snugly. An orthotic in a boot that is already tight presses on the instep.
If you have a high instep as well, it gets harder. Go for a boot with a separate tongue and laces, and create room with window lacing. There is more in our guide to football boots for a high instep.
If your main issue is a fallen arch, read football boots for flat feet as well. For the bigger picture on width, see the best football boots for wide feet.
How do you use an orthotic in football boots?
- Take the insole out and lay it next to your orthotic. The orthotic should be the same shape or trimmable.
- Put the orthotic in the boot and try it on with the socks you play in.
- Lace up as you would for a match and walk around for a few minutes.
- Feel where the pressure is: on top of the foot means too little volume, along the side too little width.
- Check the retailer’s returns policy before you wear the boots outdoors.
If the boot feels too tight with the orthotic in, do not go up a size to gain room. That only adds length and heel slip. Choose a model with more volume, or ask your podiatrist about a thinner orthotic. The football boot adviser can narrow down the models based on your complaint.
When should you see a podiatrist?
See a podiatrist if the pain lasts more than a few weeks or keeps coming back, or if problems in your foot, ankle, knee, hip or back seem linked to the way your foot sits. A podiatrist starts with an intake, a physical examination and often a gait analysis. A sports podiatrist will also look at what you do on the pitch.
Take your football boots along so the advice can be matched to the boots you actually wear. Playing on through pain, red pressure marks or repeated blisters is not a good idea. An off-the-shelf insole is no substitute for an assessment if you have symptoms.
Socks and orthotics in football boots
Thick sports socks pinch wide feet, and an orthotic makes that worse. If in doubt, go for a thinner sock and always try the boot with the exact combination you play in. Grip socks can make up for a roomy boot by up to about half a size, but they will not make a boot with an orthotic any roomier. Our page on football boots with a sock for wide feet goes into this in more detail.
Football boots with orthotics for kids
Children grow fast, and an orthotic in a kids’ boot needs extra care. If you have concerns about your child’s foot posture, gait or pain, a podiatrist can assess them. For kids’ sizes and growing room, see football boots for kids with wide feet.