How to Determine Soccer Footwear Size

Soccer shoes may be the most important piece of equipment needed to help a player perform at their best. The right pair of soccer shoes will prevent players from slipping and sliding all over the field. It is important that soccer shoes fit well so that it does not cause harm to the player or their team.

1. Do your soccer shoe shopping in the afternoon. At this time of day, your foot has swelled to its normal size because of heat and various activities done in earlier in the day.


2. Bring shin guards and the type of socks you wear while playing soccer with you. This will help in making sure your new shoes allow room for both without being too tight. 


3. Ask to have both of your feet measured. If this is not a possibility start trying on shoes based on your street shoe size and work from there. Most soccer shoes are sized similarly to street shoes but the upper is narrower than street shoes to help players in keep control of the shoe. It is likely that you will have to go up a size or even a few sizes to get the right fit. If you end up measuring yourself, measure sitting down, not standing.


4. Lace your shoes as if you are getting ready to play soccer. Insert shin guards into your socks. If you are wearing ankle protection shin guards than put them on before your socks. 


5. Get up and walk around for a few minutes. The shoe should fit you snugly. There should be a 1/4 to 1/2 inch gap at the between your toes and the top of the shoes. The sides should be snug as well but still comfortable. If the shoes are not snug on the sides ties them tighter or switch to another pair of shoes that are more similar to your foot shape.