Our topmost choices for the best soccer cleats for high arches:
- Synthetic: Nike Zoom Mercurial Superfly 9 — a super lightweight speed cleat with a perfect blend of comfort, flexibility, support, and shock absorption. It has added ankle support through a Dynamic Fit collar.
- Modern leather: Nike Tiempo Legend 9 — a comfortable leather cleat with more lateral and ankle support than most soccer cleats.
- Classic leather: Adidas Copa Mundial — a legendary soccer shoe with comfort, support, and protection admired by players who have issues on their feet.
If you have high arches (also known as pes cavus), your foot will have instability, which can cause ankle sprains. It happens when your foot has full contact with the ground, and your ankle has no choice but to move to the side to get your balance.
The high-arched foot will add more pressure to the ball of the foot even when standing. Surprisingly, the actual cause of this problem gait may still be unclear. As a sign, many of the people who have high arches got it from birth.
However, if your foot is flexible and you do not have an abnormally high arch, there’s no need to worry about it. Just make sure you do not have any existing foot injuries, and you will be okay on the soccer field. In fact, we have seen many soccer players with high arches who can play 90 minutes without any issues.
But high arches can cause your body to be unable to distribute impact optimally. And if you experience foot pain because of high arches, you may need to wear orthotics to avoid impact-related aches and pains. One proven approach to prevent injury is to minimize your playing time on the soccer field.
RELATED: Best Shoes for Underpronation
Table of Contents
- What are the Best Soccer Cleats High-arched Feet?
- Best Football Boots for High Arches
- Best Insoles for Soccer Cleats
- Final Thoughts
What are the best soccer cleats for high arches?
The best soccer cleats for high arches are comfortable boots with remarkable cushioning in the heel and forefoot. They have roomier toe boxes so your toes can splay and generate power when pushing off in all directions.
Note: Wearing shoes with no arch support can cause supination. So to support the arch, you need an athletic insole for high arches. This type of insole will also provide a proper heel raise.
The shoe must have a flexible upper because the high-arch foot will push upward and cause a tighter instep. A soccer cleat with excellent ankle support will be a plus because it will help prevent ankle sprains to a certain degree.
If you need more stability, go for conical studs instead of blade cleats. Although with conical studs, you may have to give up a little on turning ability and grip on the ground because those are the qualities that make blade cleats most excellent.
If you want more impact protection, go for a leather upper. This material is soft and more durable than synthetic and will stretch to conform to the shape of your foot.
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The Best Soccer Cleats for High Arches
— Nike Mercurial Superfly 9 Elite —
Effective positions: Center Forward, Striker, and Winger.
If the Mercurial Vapor is a doctor-recommended soccer cleat for players who suffer from heel pain because of its perfect blend of comfort, flexibility, support, and shock absorption, its twin brother, the Superfly 9, can surpass it with its higher Dynamic Fit collar, which offers more ankle support and compression.
Nike Mercurial Superfly 9 shares the same DNA as the Vapor 15 and may provide a complete solution if you experience pain in your heel because of having high arches. It also has a firmer soleplate that can help prevent injury to the forefoot. This latest model now has a durable soccer-specific 3/4 Zoom Air unit, which cushions impact and generates an explosive, powerful take-off. It has a new speed cage inside, which provides optimal lockdown in all directions. It is lighter than its predecessor and now feels more padded and roomier in the midfoot area.
Shop Mercurial Superfly 9 at Nike »
— Nike Tiempo Legend 9 Elite —
Effective positions: Goalkeeper, Center Back, Sweeper, Defensive Midfielder, Central Midfielder, and Center Forward.
Although the models of Nike Legend are physician-recommended for problem gait like overpronation, an irregular running pattern associated with flat feet, it can also work well with high arches. In fact, any problem gait doesn’t allow the body to distribute impact optimally, and this leather cleat can address those issues.
According to some sports medicine physicians, the models of Nike Legend have more lateral and ankle support than most soccer cleats. They can fit wider feet, have comfortable footbeds, and stiffer outsoles that can prevent injury to the forefoot.
This new model is the lightest Legend ever made. It continues to use the legendary, soft kangaroo leather upper, which can provide protection against impact injury. The upper has a raised texture for extra grip on the ball, and soft foam pods underneath the leather for a more precise touch on the ball.
Shop Tiempo Legend 9 at Nike »
Cheaper alternative: Nike Tiempo Legend 9 Pro. It is $100 cheaper than the elite model. But it has quality materials and looks and feels very much like its top-end model.
— Mizuno Morelia Neo III Beta —
Effective positions: Goalkeeper, Center Back, Sweeper, Fullback, Wingback, Defensive Midfielder, and Central Midfielder.
Mizuno Morelia Neo III Beta is the most advanced Neo model, and Mizuno has made it lighter than its predecessor by around 8.5 grams. It has the perfect blend of technology and high-quality materials. You can even wear it all day and still feel comfortable even after removing it.
This leather cleat competes with any speed cleat and is arguably the best option if you want leather material. It will give you a modern feel, and the soft upper will bring your foot closer to the ball for better touch and control. This boot has a modern soleplate with all-conical studs, which offers optimum traction and pivoting ability.
Shop Morelia Neo III Beta at Soccer »
If you want a more old-school design with a modern feel, get Mizuno Morelia II. It competes with any leather cleat legend. This high-grade boot has a classic-looking soleplate with all-conical studs for better performance.
— Mizuno Rebula Cup —
Effective positions: Center Back, Sweeper, Fullback, Wingback, Defensive Midfielder, and Central Midfielder.
Mizuno Rebula Cup is arguably the most comfortable Mizuno leather cleat today. It is wide-fitting and has perfectly placed conical-like stabilizer studs, which deliver plenty of grip and stability for multidirectional movements. The upper is super soft kangaroo leather and offers a modern close and comfortable fit. It has padded zones, which add comfort to the soft interior. The soft padding also enhances your control of the ball.
— New Balance Furon V6+ Pro —
Effective positions: Goalkeeper and Winger.
New Balance Furon V6+ has one of the best lock-in support thanks to its Fit Weave technology in the upper that adds more stability to your acceleration and side-to-side movements. It has arguably the best cushioning and supports around the heel as well. It has great flexibility and has an option for width for super wide-footed players.
This cool and good-looking speed cleat is an upgraded Furon V6. It has a soft lining and is well-padded (like PUMA Ultra 1.2) from heel to forefoot. It has infiniGRIP technology on the removable insert that locks the foot down and reduces foot slippage. Also, its nylon soleplate offers plenty of stability and a firmer ride that can help prevent injury to the forefoot.
Shop Furon V6+ Pro at Soccer »
Cheaper alternative: New Balance Furon V6+ Destroy. It is $95 cheaper than the Furon V6+ Pro. But it feels fast, agile, soft, and comfortable like its high-grade model. This first takedown model also has a Fit Weave stretch upper and Nanofront sock liner.
— PUMA FUTURE 1.3 —
Effective positions: Striker, Center Forward, Central Midfielder, Defensive Midfielder, Fullback, Wingback, and Goalkeeper.
PUMA FUTURE 1.3 is an agility soccer cleat designed for control and speed. It is well-structured in every part of the upper, which offers excellent support for multidirectional movements. It has the best adaptability features and offers comfort in all directions.
This soccer cleat has a second-generation FUZIONFIT+ technology that compresses and locks the entire midfoot area without restricting the freedom of movement each time you speed up and make an explosive side-to-side maneuver. This latest model has a more comfortable upper than its predecessor. And it is now Neymar Jr’s new soccer cleat.
Cheaper alternative: PUMA FUTURE 2.3. It is $70 cheaper than FUTURE 1.3. But it has premium materials and looks almost identical to its high-grade model. It also has a FUZIONFIT technology and a similar soleplate as its top-end model.
— Adidas Copa Mundial —
In the past, when comfort and protection were a top priority, Adidas Copa Mundial was a superstar. Soccer greats admired this shoe and had worn it in countless professional matches as proof that it can pack a punch when you require high-level performance. And even today, some elite players still use it in major competitions.
Adidas Copa Mundial is a default choice for people who have issues on their feet. It has a soft kangaroo leather upper that molds to the shape of your foot, a comfortable and supportive bed, and a classic plate with molded conical studs that provide multidirectional traction and stability.
— Adidas Predator Freak.1 —
Effective positions: Goalkeeper, Defensive Midfielder, Central Midfielder, and Attacking Midfielder.
Adidas Predator Freak.1 has more premium materials than the product it replaces. Being a control cleat, it offers not only excellent control of the ball but also allows your foot to handle the field very well. It is one of the best cleats for dribbling.
Among the models of the Predator Freak, the mid version offers more support around the ankle and heel. It has an option for pink color, which looks aggressive and best-looking (you’ll love it even if you don’t like pink).
This soccer cleat has a soft lining with padding in the right places. The outsole will give you a solid base with good flexibility. The soleplate also features new traction studs that lean toward the conical shape, which could add more stability to your foot.
Shop Predator Freak.1 at Soccer »
— Adidas X Speedflow+ —
Effective positions: Striker, Center Forward, Winger, Central Midfielder, Left/Right Midfielder, Defensive Midfielder, Fullback, Center Back, and Wingback.
If you don’t believe in laceless cleats, this one will make you a believer. Adidas X Speedflow+ is a new speed cleat that will replace the X Ghosted+. And it is better than its predecessor.
This laceless cleat now uses a more pliable and strong Primeknit upper to replace the Fluroskin material of the X Ghosted. Underneath it is a new Engineered Agility Frame, a technology that wraps the foot and provides structured support that gives multi-directional stability.
The upper construction is the major update to this new model, and it feels more supportive than its predecessor. Having a more elastic upper material, the X Speedflow+ can now fit wide feet. Regarding the soleplate, it looks identical to the X Ghosted+.
If you want a custom fit around the instep area, go for Adidas X Speedflow.1, the new model with the same DNA as the Speedflow+ but with a lacing system that can give you more freedom in securing your boots.
— Umbro Speciali Pro —
This classic leather cleat ticks all the boxes in comfort. It has a soft kangaroo leather upper that can shield your foot from an impact because it’s thicker than any modern leather cleat. The upper has plenty of stitching, which can prevent overstretching of the leather as you play.
Umbro Speciali Pro is suitable for even wide-footed players. It has a comfortable footbed with a thick and mushy removable insole that has raised sidewalls that run from the heel through the midfoot, which help give extra support on the medial and lateral sides of the foot. It has all-conical studs that provide stability and help the foot function better.
Even though your foot’s biomechanics may change as you grow older, sticking to your most comfortable shoe is often a brilliant choice.
If you are looking for better comfort and support during practice, choose turf soccer shoes. These shoes are more flexible than regular soccer cleats. Turf shoes enable you to move easily because of the smaller rubber protrusions with very little spacing.
Turf soccer shoes also absorb shock better than regular soccer cleats. However, the game may only allow you to use turf shoes during practice and not during competition.
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The Best Insoles for High Arches
It is common for modern football boots to have a super flat sole and thin insoles. And this will only worsen the condition if you have an injury in your foot. So to prevent a problem, replace the standard insoles with insoles for high arches because they have the correct contours for your feet, a proper heel raise, and enough support in the arch area.
Here’s a list of the best insoles for high arches:
1. Spenco RX Orthotic
2. Spenco RX Full Arch Cushion
3. Spenco Total Support Gel
4. Spenco PolySorb Cross Trainer
5. Spenco PolySorb Walker/Runner
6. Superfeet Premium Berry
7. Superfeet Carbon
8. Superfeet Premium Green
9. Superfeet Premium Orange
10. Sof Sole Athlete Performance
See our full review of these insoles for soccer cleats »
If you over-supinate because of high arches and experience foot pain, you’ll need special shoe inserts to provide the right responsive support. But even though orthotics will align your foot with less tendency to get overuse type injury, they can alter your feel of the ball and the touch of special materials that make a clean ball contact.
Final Thoughts
Many soccer players with high arches can complete the game with no issues on their feet. They will only need comfortable soccer cleats with roomy toe boxes and a flexible upper during such cases. And for added stability, conical studs will be a better choice.
But if you suffer foot pain while playing because of high arches, the pain may come from a more severe problem. So you must visit your doctor before resuming your training. Also, wear shoe inserts for high arches and limit your playing time on the soccer field.
Soccer Cleats for High Arches: Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put insoles in soccer cleats?
Yes. But first, make sure that your soccer cleats have removable insoles so you can replace them easily with new ones. Replace the old insoles with athletic insoles only. Athletic insoles tend to be thinner and offer excellent support at top speeds.
Can cleats cause ankle pain?
Low-quality soccer cleats with poor cushioning can cause all sorts of foot pain. And if you have a problem gait or foot deformity, they won’t give you the support you need. So invest in a good soccer cleat because they promote foot health.
What makes a soccer cleat good?
Soccer cleats must have a firmer outsole so you won’t feel the studs pushing upward, causing pain to the foot. A stiffer outsole can also prevent injury to the forefoot at take-off. Moreover, a good soccer cleat has a comfortable and supportive upper. For more impact protection, use a leather cleat.
Why do my cleats hurt my feet?
Ill-fitting and poorly-made soccer cleats can hurt your feet. While you must choose the soccer cleat with the snuggest fit, make sure it doesn’t feel uncomfortable on your feet. A stiffer outsole is very important to prevent the studs from pushing against your foot. A comfortable footbed and a supportive upper with a soft lining may also help prevent foot pain and blisters.
Do soccer players wear insoles?
Soccer players may wear special insoles if the standard insoles don’t work. The best insoles for soccer are athletic insoles. If you have a problem gait or foot deformity and the standard insoles don’t provide comfort, finding your best insoles may require a recommendation from your sports medicine doctor.
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I know you said the cleats above are in no particular order but what would be your top 5? Due to my budget, I want to get a pair that will last a long time and help me with my injuries.
Hi Nick. If you want a pair that will last a long time, it must be leather, although leather must be cared for properly. Leather softens with use and molds to the shape of your foot, giving it a custom fit. Leather also provides more protection than synthetic, although it may be limited to only a few models like the Adidas Copa Mundial and New Balance Furon. If you prefer synthetic, among the most comfortable, which can protect your injuries, are models of Nike Tiempo and Nike Mercurial Vapor.