The introduction of indoor soccer means that fans can now play their favorite sport regardless of the season. Unfortunately, soccer cleats are not appropriate for indoor play. Soccer players need shoes that will work well on hardwood floors or turf. The question now is how you will choose the best indoor soccer shoes. This guide will help you in your search.
5 Best Indoor Soccer Shoes in 2020
| Shoe | Image | Material | Sole | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Performance Men's Samba Classic | Check Price |  | Leather | Rubber |
| Kelme Star 360 Michelin Mens | Check Price |  | Leather | Rubber |
| adidas Performance Men's Samba Millennium | Check Price |  | Synthetic Leather | Rubber |
| adidas Performance Men's Mundial Goal | Check Price |  | Synthetic | Rubber |
| Puma Men's Invicto Sala | Check Price |  | Leather and Textile | Rubber |
5 Youth indoor soccer shoes
| Shoe | Image | Material | Sole | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Samba Classic | Check Price |  | Leather | Rubber |
| adidas Performance Kids' Samba M K | Check Price |  | Leather | Rubber |
| adidas Performance Messi 15.3 | Check Price |  | Synthetic | Rubber |
| Nike Kids JR Mercurial Vapor XI IC | Check Price |  | Synthetic | Rubber |
| adidas Performance Kids' Messi 16.3 | Check Price |  | Synthetic | Synthetic |
What to Look for When Choosing the Best Futsal Shoes?
Indoor soccer shoes are specially designed for playing soccer on indoor courts like a gym, a basketball court, and other indoor sports facilities. These shoes are different from the traditional sneakers because they’re low-cut and their surface area is a bit harder.
One thing that you’ll immediately notice about good indoor shoes is the lack of studs. Instead, the shoes have a tread pattern that’s designed for maximum traction on the glossy surfaces of wood floors and turf.
There are several factors that you should take into account when choosing the best shoes for indoor soccer.
Quality of material
The quality of the indoor soccer shoe plays a large part in how it performs on the field. The shoes’ durability also hinges on the material used. The upper part of indoor soccer shoes is made from either leather, synthetic, or mesh. These materials are all sturdy and good for indoor games. Each has its own distinct look and feel. But which material is best depends more on what the player prefers.
Leather: This material is known for its softness and flexibility. It also molds well to the feet and stretches as the player breaks it in. Calfskin, kangaroo, suede and full grain leather are often used in making indoor futsal shoes.
Suede is the most basic of the four. It’s simply leather with the top removed to make it softer. Kangaroo leather is very comfortable and has an amazing feel. It is also known as k-leather, and it’s quite expensive but sadly not as durable as other leathers.
On the other hand, calfskin leather is similar to k-leather in touch, durability, and flexibility. It’s also better at retaining its shape and is more affordable. However, it weighs more than k-leather. Meanwhile, full grain leather is stronger and thicker than the two. It also weighs more than k-leather and calfskin but has a similar feel to the two.
Synthetic: This material is thinner, more durable, and lighter than real leather. However, it doesn’t stretch much, so it doesn’t really adhere to the foot’s shape.
Mesh: This is a thin, very light and breathable material. However, it provides less support to the feet.
Price
How much a pair of futsal shoes cost is undoubtedly a big factor for some players. The price tags of indoor soccer shoes vary, depending on the material, style, and size of the shoes. The difference in cost can range from a few dollars to hundreds, particularly if it’s from a popular brand. For example, Adidas’ and Nike’s indoor soccer shoes are generally more expensive than Puma’s. Nike’s high-end soccer footwear retails for $100 or more, with customized shoes even costing more than $200. Adidas shoes are not as pricey, but it will still set players back $180 or more. Meanwhile, some Puma shoes can be bought for less than $100. Interestingly, indoor soccer shoes for women are more expensive.
Shoe Size
Indoor futsal shoes are sized like regular sneakers. However, a tighter fit is better when it comes to these soccer shoes, so your standard shoe size might change. Indoor soccer shoes are designed with a narrower upper part for the player to feel and control the ball better.
This means that the shoe has to fit as close to the end of the foot as physically possible to ensure optimal performance and comfort. However, the tip of the shoe shouldn’t touch the toes. As a rule, every half-size will give you a length of around 4mm.
Width
Another important factor to consider when choosing the best shoes is the width. Your futsal shoe should be snug but not too tight. The foot should fit comfortably in the shoe. It should not be sliding around inside while you’re running a play.
Unfortunately, a lot of indoor soccer shoes are available in just one width. This could be a problem for those with wider feet. In this situation, shoes made from kangaroo leather are your best bet as they will stretch to accommodate your feet. It’s also a good idea to try on a variety of shoes until you find one with the best fit.
Comfort
As with any shoes, comfort should be a huge factor when you make your choice. This is particularly critical in soccer because players tend to run for 60 to 90 minutes per game. It’s important that you choose a shoe that fits snugly but won’t irritate your foot.
In order to pick the most comfortable indoor soccer shoes, you have to consider your feet’s size and shape as some brands tend to design their shoes narrower or wider than others. When choosing indoor soccer shoes, make sure that it fits well enough, so your feet are not moving around inside. It should also have good arch support and strong sidewalls.
Soccer players also need a lot of lateral support for their ankles as they make a lot of side-to-side movements during the game. You should also try to leave some space at the end of the shoe where your toes are supposed to touch for extra comfort. Watch out for any uncomfortable pressure points when walking.
Bear in mind that leather stretches with use, so factor that in your choice as well. But if you’re more comfortable with using synthetics, you can just go with your real feet size since this material doesn’t stretch as much.
Appropriate Style
Soccer players should also factor in their position in the team when choosing good indoor soccer shoes. Goalkeepers, attackers, and defenders have different needs when it comes to their footwear. For instance, goalies need shoes with impressive traction and major lateral support. This is because they’re always on the move, running from side to side as they track the ball. They also need a shoe with a clean strike zone.
On the other hand, attackers need a shoe with a vamp or clean strike zone since they’ll try to make goals. They also need shoes that are lightweight for easy maneuverability. Meanwhile, defenders need soccer shoes that are durable, have good lateral support, and offer a lot of protection for the feet. This could mean slightly heavier shoes with a harder casing.
Sole
Indoor soccer can be played on either an indoor court or turf. The type of playing field should also be considered when choosing the best shoes as it will determine the sole of the shoes needed.
Shoes for indoor soccer games have a flat sole made of gum rubber. The soles are designed to be pliable and have complex thread patterns to ensure maximum traction and resistance. More importantly, the rubber material means that the shoes won’t make a mark on the indoor court’s hardwood floor. They can also be used out on the street, but it’s not recommended.
Meanwhile, turf shoes are designed to be sturdier and have better traction than indoor court shoes. Turf shoes have rubber bumps protruding from the soles. They can be used on artificial turf or on natural fields with a hard surface as long as they don’t dig into the ground. You can also wear these shoes on outdoor turfs but don’t expect them to have the same grip as cleats.
Bear in mind that running shoes can also be used for indoor soccer. However, they’re not recommended and should only be considered as a last resort.
Top 4 Indoor Soccer Shoes Brands
If you’re wondering what are the best indoor soccer shoes, these four companies can provide you with the answer.
Adidas
Adidas has commanded the respect of the sports world for decades. The company is known for manufacturing top quality sports and leisure shoes. Aside from their running, tennis, and basketball shoes, Adidas is also known for having the best looking indoor soccer shoes in the business.
The company’s full-grain indoor leather soccer shoes offer maximum comfort and full support while models using prime mesh boast unmatched comfort and precision control. The shoes’ inner textile lining provides extra cushioning while an EVA insole ensures maximum comfort. Adidas indoor soccer shoes also come with rubber soles that provide excellent traction without leaving any mark on wood surfaces.
Nike
No brand is more synonymous to sports than Nike. It undoubtedly has the most stylish, comfortable, colorful and coolest indoor soccer shoes around. Like their other counterparts, the company’s indoor soccer shoes also make use of Dynamic Fit Collar, Brio Cables and NikeSkin technology.
Nike indoor soccer shoes use a synthetic leather upper for support and unmatched flexibility. The shoes also come with a full-length outsole that offers maximum traction without leaving any marks behind. Nike’s indoor soccer shoes are also one of the most comfortable footwears around, thanks to the midsole’s contoured sock liner that gives additional cushioning.
Puma
This multinational company has been making waves for decades, and its soccer shoes are continuing that tradition. Puma is touted to have one of the lightest futsal shoes around, which use fine synthetic leather in the upper part.
The external heel brace gives indoor soccer players additional support and stability as they run around the court. Meanwhile, the sole boasts of a TPU-injected contour for extra protection and a rubber outsole for excellent traction.
Puma also has heavier indoor soccer shoes made from suede. Despite the extra weight, these are still unmatched in speed and control.
Joma
Joma might not have the same name recall as Nike or Adidas, but the Spanish company can definitely hold its own when it comes to new indoor soccer shoes. Their high-quality footwear utilizes fine suede leather for a soft but strong fit. Favored by players from FC Barcelona and Inter Movistar, Joma shoes are sturdy, flexible, and perfect for hardwood floors and turf.
What is the Difference between Futsal Shoes and Turf Shoes?
Futsal soccer shoes are markedly different from outdoor soccer shoes because of the playing fields on which they will be used. However, there are also some subtle differences between indoor soccer, futsal, and turf shoes.
Futsal indoor soccer shoes often have an outsole made from gum rubber. They’re designed for playing soccer or futsal in gyms or basketball courts which have hardwood floors. The rubber soles are perfect for speed and maintaining traction while ensuring that the floors remain slick and unmarked. This is why the best indoor shoes look like sneakers, only lighter. They can also be used as street wear.
The best futsal shoes also use rubber outsoles with low profiles so players can have a firm grip on hardwood and turf. They’re also very light since futsal is played at a frenetic pace.
Meanwhile, the soles of turf shoes are equipped with heavy-duty rubber soles with patterns or studs to improve traction. Since artificial turf is harder, players need stronger outsoles that will provide them a stronger grip on the ground. Turf shoes can actually be used as back-up shoes during soccer training.
The Advantage of Indoor Soccer Shoes
Some might be tempted to play indoor soccer using their tennis shoes or cross trainers. However, the hardwood floor or turf causes the ball to roll faster than it would on grass. Therefore, players have to move faster and more accurately. This is where the best shoes for indoor soccer have the advantage.
Indoor soccer shoes provide better balance than cross trainers. Players need to have their feet closer to the ground when cutting and turning. The flat soles of top futsal shoes provide a more stable base, giving players extra support. It also prevents ankle injuries.
The best soccer indoor shoes are also designed to give players improved ball control. The upper part of the shoes is usually made of thin leather and synthetic materials, giving players a better feel of the ball. Meanwhile, the shoes also have flaps that cover shoelaces, minimizing any interference that could affect the accuracy of the kick.
The tread pattern of indoor soccer shoes is also different from running shoes. They have lower profiles and use herringbone or interlocking triangle patterns under the ball of the foot to enhance traction. Gum rubber and patterns are used to withstand all the cutting, turning, and one-leg balancing that soccer players do during the game.
Whether you’re serious about indoor soccer or you just play during weekends, you have to take the time to choose the best indoor soccer shoes for you. It will help protect you from injuries as well as improve your game.
Sources:
Soccerworld, Picking Proper Soccer Shoes
Livestrong, The Advantage of Indoor Soccer Shoes
Youtube, Soccer Tips : How to Buy Youth Soccer Turf & Indoor Shoes
