Our topmost choices for the best soccer cleats for flat feet and overpronation:
- Synthetic: Nike Zoom Mercurial Vapor 15 — the most famous soccer cleat recommended by some sports medicine physicians because of its perfect blend of comfort, flexibility, support, and shock absorption.
- Modern leather: Nike Tiempo Legend 9 — a doctor-recommended leather cleat for overpronation and flat feet because it has more lateral and ankle support than most soccer cleats.
- Classic leather: Adidas Copa Mundial — a supportive leather cleat with a battle-tested K-leather upper, a comfortable footbed, and all-conical studs that offer more stability and better performance.
Overpronation is the foot’s natural motion that forces the subtalar joint to roll inward at an increased angle during the stance phase. It causes over-flattening of the arch to help your lower limb adjust to the shock from the ground. This motion keeps your balance until the end of your step, where you push off almost entirely through the big toe.
Overpronation is, in general, caused by flat feet. And it can cause the body to be unable to distribute impact optimally. In fact, in a worse field condition, you can suffer pain in the foot, knee, hip, and lower back.
Overpronation has a potential problem that can lead to pain and injury since soccer belongs to high-impact sports where your foot always leaves the ground and returns with an impact of at least three times your body weight.
While most overpronators will have no issues on their feet, this problem gait can cause the foot to fatigue sooner than expected because when it rolls inward toward the arch, your lower limb will work extra hard to keep your balance.
RELATED: Best Soccer Cleats for Wide Feet
What are the best soccer cleats for flat feet and overpronation?
The best soccer cleats for flat feet and overpronation have the following features:
- They have excellent stabilizing support for extreme lateral and high-impact movements.
- They have remarkable cushioning and shock absorption.
- They have wider toe boxes that can allow your toes to splay comfortably and generate power at toe-off.
- They can minimize the effects of overpronation.
Important: If you need more arch support, replace the standard insoles with athletic insoles for overpronation. These overpronation insoles will also give you a proper heel raise. For the best performance, choose a top-tier soccer cleat.
Table of Contents
- Best Cleats for Overpronation and Flat Feet
- Soccer Insoles for Flat Feet
- Best Turf Shoes for Flat Feet
- Best Indoor Shoes for Flat Feet
- Final Thoughts
The Best Adidas Cleats for Flat Feet
Here’s a list of the best Adidas cleats for flat feet (in no particular order):
Adidas Copa Mundial
Adidas Copa Mundial is one of the most comfortable and supportive cleats for flat feet. It is one of the few soccer shoes where you can literally feel its support on the arch. On record, the Copa has at least 11 professional players using it in goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and forward positions. This leather cleat has a battle-tested K-leather upper that provides comfort and protection from any forceful impact. It has a comfortable footbed with a plate and studs that offer more stability and better foot function.
Shop On SoccerAnother excellent old-school leather cleat is Umbro Speciali Pro. It is more lightweight than the Copa but has a similar kangaroo leather upper with more stitch patterns that resist overstretching. It has a comfortable footbed and a soft removable insole with raised sidewalls from the heel through the midfoot.
Adidas X Speedflow.1
Effective positions: Center Forward, Striker, Winger, Defensive Midfielder, Central Midfielder, Attacking Midfielder, Left/Right Midfielder, Fullback, Wingback, Center Back, and Sweeper.
Adidas X Speedflow.1 is the most famous soccer cleat in any midfield position, where there is plenty of fast-forward motion, quick cuts, and all kinds of twists and turns. It is arguably the most agile speed cleat, which offers better support and stability on side-to-side movements. It has a super comfortable and pliable PRIMEKNIT upper with an Engineered Agility Frame, which provides an adaptive fit, lockdown, and stable support in all directions. And it has a broader soleplate compared to other speed cleats.
Cheaper alternative: Adidas X Speedflow.2. It is $120 cheaper than Speedflow .1 but has an upper material similar to the X Ghosted.1, although the soleplate misses out on Carbitex SpeedFrame technology.
Adidas Predator Freak.1
Effective positions: Goalkeeper, Defensive Midfielder, Central Midfielder, and Attacking Midfielder.
Adidas Predator Freak.1 is the most famous control soccer cleat. It handles the ball very well and offers a comfortable footbed, a supportive upper that goes with the foot in all directions, and an outsole that provides more stability on the ground when dribbling.
Going back in time, some podiatrists loved the Predator Lz and recommended it for the problem feet. Although there is now a new model, the Predator Edge (which looks like the Predator Lz), we still think the Predator Freak is one of the most comfortable and supportive cleats for flat feet.
Cheaper alternative: Adidas Predator Freak.2. It is $120 cheaper than Freak .1 but also has the 360° coverage of the sticky rubber spikes. It has a soleplate that looks very much like the Freak .1.
The Best Nike Cleats for Flat Feet
Here’s a list of the best Nike cleats for flat feet (in no particular order):
Nike Tiempo Legend 9 Elite
Effective positions: Goalkeeper, Center Back, Sweeper, Defensive Midfielder, Central Midfielder, and Center Forward.
The doctor-recommended best soccer cleats for overpronation and flat feet are the models of Nike Tiempo because they have more lateral and ankle support than most soccer cleats. This latest model has one of the most structured upper materials. Nike built it for comfort, speed, and support. It now has a redesigned soleplate and soft foam pods underneath its K-leather upper, which help lock the foot down through every change of direction.
On record, Nike Tiempo Legend 9 is the lightest Tiempo ever made. It is the most famous leather cleat, with at least 870 professional players using it in goalkeeper, defender, and midfielder positions.
Notable features of the Tiempo Legend 9:
- A soft K-leather upper that provides comfort and protection from impact injury.
- Soft foam pods underneath the K-leather upper create a better close-to-the-foot sensation than the previous Quadfit mesh.
- A subtle raised texture on areas where the foot meets the ball for better touch and control.
- A Hyperstability plate at the bottom for comfort and stability and 6 conical studs in the forefoot to help the foot function normally.
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 high-grade model.
Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 Elite
Effective positions: Center Forward, Striker, Attacking Midfielder, Central Midfielder, Left/Right Midfielder, Defensive Midfielder, and Fullback.
If you have plantar fasciitis or any heel pain, the doctor-recommended best soccer cleats for that injury are the models of Nike Mercurial Vapor because they have the perfect blend of comfort, flexibility, support, and shock absorption. This latest model is arguably the best Vapor ever made.
Nike Zoom Mercurial Vapor 15 is the most famous soccer cleat, with at least 2,354 professional players using it in defender, midfielder, and forward positions. It 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 for multidirectional movements. It is lighter than its predecessor by 10 grams and now has a more padded upper and is roomier in the midfoot area.
Other notable features of the Zoom Mercurial Vapor 15:
- A stiffer soleplate that can help prevent injury to the forefoot.
- Flyknit wraps your ankle in soft, stretchy fabric for a secure feel.
- Interior heel cushioning that ensures long-lasting comfort.
- NikeGrip technology on the insole prevents your foot from sliding.
If you want more ankle support, go for the Vapor’s twin brother, the Superfly 9, Nike’s elite offering with a Dynamic Fit collar that provides compression around the ankle and prevents small pebbles from getting inside the shoe.
Cheaper alternative: Nike Zoom Mercurial Vapor 15 Pro. It is $110 cheaper than the elite model. But it has plenty of technologies that can help you move fast in the air. This first takedown model also has the soccer-specific 3/4 Zoom Air unit, speed cage, and knit upper.
You can even go a tier lower and get the Mercurial Vapor 15 Academy, which only costs $85 but has the technologies that help you perform more efficiently on the soccer field. The Academy model has the soccer-specific 3/4 Zoom Air unit, speed cage, and NikeSkin.
Nike Phantom GT2 Elite
Effective positions: Center Forward, Second Striker, Attacking Midfielder, Central Midfielder, Defensive Midfielder, Center Back, Sweeper, and Goalkeeper.
If you have super wide feet, this soccer cleat is for you. Nike Phantom GT2 is an all-rounder that can do it all on the soccer field. It feels like the Mercurials, although maybe a bit better on side-to-side movements, which is a plus if you have a problem gait.
On record, Nike Phantom GT2 is the 4th most famous soccer cleat, with at least 1,019 professional players using it in defender, midfielder, and forward positions. It has the DNA of two excellent soccer cleats – the Phantom Venom and Vision and combines all their best technologies into one. Some podiatrists admired the Phantom Venom and recommended it for problem feet.
Notable features of Nike Phantom GT2:
- An updated design of the Generative Texture (GT) technology for better control of the ball.
- An open-arch plate for lightweight stability.
- A well-optimized new stud layout for the dynamic traction you need for quick changes in the lateral direction.
Note: Nike Phantom GT2 has a relatively flat shoe insert. So you may need an overpronation insole on this one for a proper heel raise and added support in the arch.
Shop On NikeCheaper alternative: Nike Phantom GT2 Pro. It is $120 cheaper than the elite model but has an almost identical Flyknit upper (with GT technology). The fit is also similar to its top-end model.
The Best Soccer Cleats for Wide Flat Feet
Here’s a list of New Balance soccer cleats with an option for wide width:
New Balance Furon V6+ Pro
Effective positions: Goalkeeper and Winger.
The Furon V6+ is the best soccer cleat of New Balance, and it is one of the most comfortable shoes this year. It has a well-made structure from the ground up. It has a Hypoknit upper with Fit Weave technology that offers great stability in all directions. The support around the heel is arguably the most comfortable among speed cleats.
New Balance Furon V6+ has a soft interior that provides long-lasting comfort with plenty of padding in the right places. It has a pro-level lightweight nylon plate with ribbed midfoot, offering plenty of stability through every change of direction. The soleplate is stiffer and helps prevent injury to the forefoot.
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.
New Balance 442 V2 Pro
New Balance 442 V2 Pro is the soccer cleat with the best value for money if you prioritize performance over cost. It is a top-tier model with a price of a takedown model. It performs better than Nike Premier 3 but is more expensive by $20. New Balance worked hard on this shoe, giving it a massive upgrade in fit, quality, and performance. It is significantly better than its predecessor, the 442 Pro.
This soccer cleat has a full kangaroo leather upper with a premium quality similar to some more expensive leather cleats. It has a well-placed stitch pattern designed for feel and comfort. Underneath it is a grippy synthetic suede lining and internal cushioned pillows, which enhance comfort and reduce foot slippage. It also has an Elite nylon plate, with all-conical studs, for high performance, extra stability, and an improved feel of the ball and field.
Shop On SoccerThe Best Mizuno Soccer Cleats for Flat Feet
Here’s a list of the best Mizuno soccer cleats for flat feet (in no particular order):
Mizuno Morelia Neo III Beta
Effective positions: Defensive Midfielder, Central Midfielder, Fullback, Wingback, Center Back, Sweeper, and Goalkeeper.
The Morelia Neo III Beta is the fastest and lightest leather cleat of Mizuno, but it is so comfortable that you can wear it all day without any issue. It has super soft and thin kangaroo leather in the vamp and thin synthetic material and BF (barefoot) knit on the tongue, which provides a comfortable, secure, and stable locked-in fit in the midfoot. The outsole has a lightweight mesh, which offers added stability and responsiveness. And underneath its classic soleplate are all-conical studs for optimal traction, pivoting ability, and better foot function.
Shop On SoccerCheaper alternative: Mizuno Morelia Neo III Pro KL. It is $210 cheaper than the Neo III Beta. But it also has a K-leather upper, a sockliner with rough coating, and a classic molded soleplate with plenty of stability and comfort.
Mizuno Morelia II
Effective positions: Defensive Midfielder, Central Midfielder, Fullback, Wingback, Center Back, Sweeper, and Goalkeeper.
Mizuno Morelia II is one of the most comfortable soccer cleats that may exist for as long as soccer exists. It is a classic-looking leather cleat with a modern fit, so it is better than the Copa Mundial at bringing the foot closer to the ball. It has the highest-quality full kangaroo leather upper, designed to conform to the shape of your foot, giving you a custom fit. And it has a comfortable footbed and soleplate with all-conical studs underneath, which allow better foot function and optimal traction and pivoting ability.
Shop On SoccerSoccer Cleats for Overpronation: Frequently Asked Questions
What soccer cleats are best for flat feet?
The best soccer cleat for flat feet has excellent support for lateral movements; the best lock-in around the ankle; is stable from the ground up; and can accommodate a wider foot. Great examples of these cleats are Nike Tiempo, Nike Mercurial Vapor, and Adidas Copa Mundial.
What are the best soccer cleats for knee problems?
If you have knee problems because of poor foot mechanics, you need to look for supportive boots with adequate arch support. If you can’t find that in a soccer cleat, you may need to use an orthotic insole to get rid of the problem. The best examples of the most supportive soccer cleats are Nike Tiempo Legend 9, Nike Mercurial Vapor 15, Adidas Copa Mundial, and New Balance Furon V6+.
Can you play soccer with flat feet?
Yes. Most soccer players with flat feet don’t have issues playing soccer. But the excessive inward roll of the foot may cause aches and pains in different parts of the body.
Soccer Cleat Insoles for Flat Feet
It is common for modern football boots to have a flat sole and thin shoe insert. And this will only worsen the condition if you have an injury in your foot. To prevent a potential problem, replace the standard insoles with soccer insoles for flat feet because they have the right contours for your feet and a proper heel raise.
Here’s a list of the best soccer cleat insoles for flat feet (in no particular order):
1. Superfeet Premium Black
2. Superfeet Premium Yellow
3. Spenco Ironman Train Insole
4. Spenco Total Support Original
5. Birkenstock Birko Sport
6. New Balance 3720 Arch Stability
7. VIONIC Oh Active Orthotic
8. VIONIC Oh Relief
9. Powerstep Original
10. Powerstep Comfortlast
See review for soccer cleat insoles for flat feet »
The regular insole of a soccer cleat is a perfect match to its components, but if you need more support, use the above soccer insoles.
Although orthotics can alter your touch of the special materials that make a clean ball contact, it will align your foot so you’ll have less tendency to get injured.
For severe overpronators, they will need special shoe inserts to put more support in the arch tendon of the foot.
Final Thoughts
Many soccer players who overpronate don’t have issues on their feet while playing soccer. But with the presence of flat feet, things can get more complicated. If you only experience the usual foot fatigue after every game, you can always wear your most comfortable soccer cleats.
However, if you experience foot pain during the game or training, the pain may come from a more serious problem. So you must visit your doctor before going back to the soccer field. Also, wear the best overpronation insoles for soccer to add extra cushioning and support.
You may also like:
