It’s frantic, it’s high tempo, and it’s knackering. It’s Indoor soccer.
If you’ve never played it, you might think smaller pitches and fewer people on each side may slow down the game. But that is a massive misconception.
Indoor soccer is seriously demanding. You are constantly sprinting up and down, chasing your man to attack and defend, and in a confined space, things can also get quite physical.
That’s why you need a quality pair of indoor soccer shoes to provide you with the support and control you need to move the ball around the pitch in comfort and style.
If you play or are planning on playing a lot of indoor footy, make sure you pick up a pair of indoor soccer shoes that can up your game and support your ankles as you play. This guide will walk you through ten of the best indoor soccer shoes and give you some tips when purchasing your next pair of shoes.
Top 10 Best Indoor Soccer Shoes
This is the OG of indoor soccer shoes. The Samba is an icon of soccer and has stood the test of time since its original release in the 1950s. It was initially designed for soccer players to train on frozen pitches.
Unlike most other indoor soccer shoes, the Samba Classics feature a soft leather upper, which is tied together with multiple suede overlays, giving you maximum control over the ball. Plus, we loved its grippy gum rubber sole, making it easy to turn and pivot when playing on an indoor surface.
There’s a reason why these kicks have stood the test of time. They are simply one of the comfiest indoor soccer shoes on the market, giving you the best control on the pitch and some great style off it.
Pros
- Sturdy and durable shoes and they last for years
- Non-slip grippy rubber sole
- Great for playing in and are also very stylish
- Soft leather and suede upper give you great control over the ball
- Affordable indoor soccer shoes
Cons
- Suede upper is not great if it gets wet and can go hard and crack, although you shouldn’t play in these outside, as they are an indoor footy shoe
- Multiple users online have reported the sole of the shoe to break apart after increased use
Styled after the infamous Copa Mundia soccer boot, worn by Fraz Beckenbauer, Zinedine Zidan, Diego Maradonna, this is one of the best and most comfortable shooting trainers on the market.
Similar to the Samba Classic, it features a smooth leather upper which provides great control when shooting, and a split suede toe and heel, giving you that added support when turning and running. The best thing about this shoe is the support it gives you with it’s EVA sole cushioning that provides a spongy layer of support to stop you from damaging your heels and your achilles.
Plus the shoe has a soft interior lining and fits your foot like a glove, preventing you from feeling any chafing on your heel. This is a great option if you’re looking for full comfort and control.
Pros
- Another time tested shoe that is great for comfort
- Strong leather upper gives control over the ball
- Grippy gum sole prevents you from slipping
- Has an EVA cushioned sole for added comfort
- Soft interior lining that fits your foot like a glove
Cons
- Has a long tongue which can prove to be annoying when running, but this adds extra cushioning to your foot when you strike the ball
- Again its suede can crack if it gets wet
This is the OG PUMA shoe that is all about control and support. Perfect for a hard-hitting defender and you can use this cleat both indoors and on artificial pitches. Its grippy and toothed sole is great for twisting and turning, giving you ultimate control over your movements.
Again being made from leather, rather than synthetic materials, helps this shoe give great control and accuracy when receiving and making a pass.
The only downside is that they are a bit heavy compared to other trainers on this list, meaning I’d recommend them if you’re playing as a defender and are looking for a supportive shoe that will support your ankles when you go in for a tackle.
Pros
- Provide excellent support to your ankles
- Leather upper gives you great control to make and receive passes
- Grippy, toothed sole allows for a greater range of movements, compared to flat-soled indoor boots
- Can also be used on artificial soccer pitches
- Also great for people with wide feet
Cons
- A very heavy shoe, but is perfect for defenders looking to make big tackles
- The tongue on the shoe can also be very annoying, getting in the way if you strike the ball on your laces
This is a proper indoor soccer shoe, similar to the Nike Mercurial cleat made famous by the legend Christiano Ronaldo, it is a great option for any position on the field, providing support, accuracy, excellent grip, and allows you to explode off the line quickly.
Firstly the shoe has a soft and breathable internal cushion that molds to the shape of your foot giving you that added comfort you need when twisting and turning on the pitch. Speaking of comfort, we loved the added support this shoe gives your heel, with added padding situated below the arch of your foot and your achilles tendon.
The shoe has a grippy upper layer, meaning you’ll feel like Ronaldo, getting full control to move the ball around in the air when you shoot or take freekicks.
We think this is a great option for any midfield maestro, looking for a shoe that will enable them to move freely on the pitch, enough support to tackle, and greater command over the ball to control the match from midfield.
Pros
- Soft breathable internal sock liner provides cushioning to your feet
- Shoe provides added comfort needed to support your heel and arch of your foot
- Grippy upper layer provides great control over the ball
- Lightweight and allows you to break forward and explode off the line quickly
Cons
- Not great if you have wide or larger feet, as the shoe is fairly narrow
- Doesn’t have the grippiest of soles and the shoe’s rubber sole is also fairly flat, but this enables you to get under the ball more and do more tricks
Looking for speed and accuracy all in one? This could be the shoe for you!
The PUMA Zapatillas is one of the most lightweight and flexible indoor soccer shoes on this list. Made out of a synthetic upper and gum rubber sole, you’ll feel like you’re playing in your socks with this shoe!
Plus the shoe is built to give you the most explosive traction as you start your run, as its sole has a crease between your heel and your forefoot that separates as you take off, giving you greater grip, and the ability to explode past defenders into the box. These are one of the best indoor soccer shoes out there for any wingers, looking for a lightweight, dynamic shoe, giving you a full range of movements.
Pros
- Lightweight shoe that provides explosive traction
- Comfortable and its synthetic upper is still provides protection when you strike the ball
- Has a grippy sole designed to give you a full range of movement
- Contoured upper layer provides you with great accuracy in front of the goal
- Also are fairly cheap
Cons
- Doesn’t provide the greatest support, and are fairly flimsy
- Is a fairly narrow shoe and isn’t great for wide footed players
Stylish and sleek, just like the skills you’ll be pulling off when you don these trainers. Worn by skill maestro Lionel Messi, the Adidas Nemeziz wraps around your foot and ankle to give you the power to control and maneuver the ball with the lightest of touches.
The soft, synthetic upper on the shoe gives you amazing control of the ball while also making the trainer extremely lightweight.
The shoe itself is stunning and we love the minimal yet comfortable design, with your ankle being strapped into the shoe, again giving you better support around your achilles and greater control of the footy with the boot becoming an extension of your foot.
But the great thing about this shoe is the grip on the sole. The sole is flat and is covered in contours, giving you the traction to accelerate quickly while also enabling you to chip under the ball and pull off some wicked tricks. We recommend this shoe to younger players looking to get better at controlling the ball and learning new tricks.
Pros
- Provides for excellent control, and gives you the lightest touch
- Comfortable and breathable internal cushion
- Ergonomic tongue straps your foot into the shoe comfortably
- Embossed rubber sole allows you to get underneath the ball to perform tricks
Cons
- Not the most durable shoe and its thin synthetic material can easily tear and break on you
- Also not the best shoe for you if you like your ankles to be free when running in the boot
The Predator is probably the most famous boot in indoor soccer history, made famous by players like David Beckham and Steven Gerrard. It is all around, one of the best indoor soccer boots on the market, known for its power and precision accuracy, and is a great option for any midfielder who likes to shoot or play long through passes into your forwards.
Similar to the Nemeziz, the Predator 20.3 wraps around your ankle, locking your foot in to make the shoe an extension of your leg, giving you the best support and power in front of goal. The shoe is made up of a coated mesh upper that is embossed, particularly at your instep, to give you enhanced control with the ball at your feet.
Plus we loved the heel support this shoe gives you, with its robust, anatomically-designed heel, which is also cushioned to hold your foot in snugly. It is a great option to support your feet, but also give you a full range of movements.
Pros
- Embossed instep and laces on the shoe give you greater precision
- Ankle support locks you in providing more control
- The shoe is lightweight
- Plus it also has specially designed additional heel support
Cons
- Not a great option if you don’t like the additional ankle support, but this is something you’ll get used to overtime.
- Plus the rubber sole on this shoe can wear away fairly quickly if you’re playing a lot of indoor soccer.
This version of the Adidas Copa comes without the ankle support and is great for those still looking to take lethal shots at goal, without the annoyance of having ankle support getting in the way.
Similar to its previous namesake, this shoe has an embossed rubber upper, around your big toe, giving you greater control and power when you strike through the ball. Plus our favorite feature about this shoe is the breathable mesh lining that surrounds the back of your foot, keeping you cool during the game.
Reminiscent of Predators of old, this shoe is the classic midfielder’s trainer and gives you ultimate control over the ball, while also letting you hit some long-distance belters into the goal. It’s also a great option if you like to sit deep and play defenders into the box.
Pros
- Ankles are free in the shoe, giving you a great range of movement
- Embossed rubber upper improves shot accuracy and power
- Breathable mesh lining keeps your feet comfortable
- Lightweight shoe
Cons
- Shoe hasn’t got the most grippy sole, with very little embossing on the sole, the shoe doesn’t provide the most explosive traction.
- There is very little heel support in this shoe to protect your achilles, with only a thin layer of rubber separating you from the floor.
The Nike Bombax trainer is like a glove on your foot. It molds to the shape of your foot and allows you to twist and turn on the spot without worrying about rolling your ankle or jarring your knee.
The best bit about these indoor soccer shoes is that they are super lightweight, meaning they are a great option for any striker looking to play with their back to goal, turn and break through the defense.
Similar to the Mercurial, these indoor soccer shoes provide you with a lightweight option, but are slightly wider in fit, meaning that they are a great fit for people with big feet.
Plus this shoe also has a gum rubber sole, that is contoured throughout and has a pivot point at the ball of your foot, giving you greater traction to explode off the line and break down opposition defenses.
Pros
- Fits the shape of your foot
- Grippy sole allows you to twist and turn in all manner of directions, without the fear of spraining your ankle
- Lightweight and are great for those who want to increase their speed
- Great for those with Wide feet
Cons
- Synthetic upper provides padding but doesn’t give you the best control over the ball, providing minimal control
- The heel has very very little support, meaning your feet can get sore after playing on hard surfaces like concrete
Modeled after the infamous boots designed for the 1994 world cup in the U.S., these trainers emulate the iconic swoosh logo that has been seen around the world since. I think the most iconic player to wear the Tiempo, was the Brazilian Ronaldinho, who showed off his unparalleled level of control on the pitch while wearing the cleat equivalent of these trainers.
The best part of these indoor soccer shoes is the soft leather upper. It smoothly wraps around your foot giving you padding and control from your toes to your instep, but the leather is supple and slightly contoured giving you that Ronaldinhio-esq touch when you control the ball.
Plus the shoe also gives excellent grip with its rubber sole and EVA support and laces up to enclose your foot in the shoe comfortably.
Pros
- Comfortable design
- Breathable interior shoe lining
- Grippy rubber sole and comfy EVA support
- Lace-up closure means your foot is snug inside the shoe
- Supple leather upper gives you maximum control over the ball
Cons
- Very narrow shoe and aren’t great for people with wide feet
- The leather also stretches after a few uses so make sure you buy the right fitting sized shoes
Best Indoor Soccer Shoes – The Only Buying Guide You’ll Ever Need
Here are our top tips on what to look out for when buying your next pair of indoor soccer shoes.
Heel Support
It’s vital to protect your feet when playing on hard surfaces. Having a good thick sole underneath your foot with special EVA cushioning can reduce the shockwaves coming up your legs, damaging your achilles and ankles. Check out the Adidas Mundial Goal for a shoe with the best foot support.
Control
Indoor soccer can be a very fast paced game. You might be playing 5 or 6-a-side on a small indoors pitch and have typically very little time to receive and redistribute the ball.
That’s why you’ll need a good shoe that can enable you to quickly and easily control the ball and pass or shoot. Check out the Nike Tiempo x Genio II for a shoe that is built to give you extra control.
Grip
Similarly if you’re looking to break the line and torment defenders, you’ll need a shoe that will let you gain traction off the ground and inject more pace into the game. Check out the PUMA Zapatillas for a shoe that can give you that extra speed.
Lightweight Shoe
For the more skillful and fast players out there, you’ll be looking for a shoe made of a synthetic material that is lightweight and feels like you’re wearing socks. Plus lightweight indoor soccer shoes like the Adidas Nemeziz can give you better control over the ball to show off your skills.
Ankle Support
Now this depends on personal preference, but some might want to purchase a trainer that has ankle supports built into the shoe. For example, having an ankle support on the Adidas Predator 19.3, gives the player more precision when shooting and gives the ankle more support when running.
Best Indoor Soccer Shoes - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an indoor soccer trainer and an astroturf cleat?
Astroturf cleats can be used on both artificial glass and indoors. The main difference between the two is the rubber sole of the astroturf shoe which usually has more grip and an array of small rubber studs on the sole. Indoor soccer cleats usually have a flat based sole, designed for giving better grip on indoor pitches.
Do you have to wear special shoes playing indoors soccer?
Not always, but the majority of the best indoor soccer shoes are designed to not leave marks or smudge the floor you’re playing on. But if you’re looking to perform at your best, definitely purchase a pair of indoor soccer shoes as their flat, grippy soles are perfect to help you control the ball easily on the hard indoor surface.
What is the best brand of indoor soccer shoes to buy?
I have been lucky to trial a number of brands from Adidas to PUMA and they all proved to be great indoor soccer shoes. But it depends on what sort of player you are and what position you’re playing in.
Personally I love Adidas as I have always valued the quality of the shoes they produce and the Predator has always been my favourite shoe boot as a midfielder myself.
How to Make the Right Selection
I love playing indoor soccer and I love it even more when I play well. That’s why I enjoy playing with the best kit as purchasing the best kit to optimise the type of game you want to play can really give you a lot more confidence and help you play a lot better.
For instance, if you’re looking for speed as a winger, you should definitely look to purchase a set of Adidas Nemeziz over a pair of Tiempo’s. But as a defender, you should really look to purchase something a bit more sturdy and protective, like a pair of Adidas Sambas.
Ultimately it all comes down to the game you want to play, but one thing to always remember is to make sure you’re comfortable in the indoor soccer shoes you’re playing in!
What are your favourite indoor soccer shoes? Let us know in the comments!
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