Shoes made specifically for indoor soccer and futsal offer a wide range of benefits over your regular trainers or running shoes.
The thin leather upper provides enhanced ball feel and control, while the rubber sole provides grip when changing direction at speed. They are also designed to support the ankle in ways a regular running shoe is not.
Below we outline the key things to look out for, along with some of our recommended products on the market.
Nike Mercurial Superfly 6 Elite
A very high-end boot and designed for speed, the Superfly Elite has a full flyknit upper with NIKESKIN applied strategically for ball control.
Soft and flexible, with sock-like comfort, this shoe is low-profile for speed. A rubber outsole features tri-star flex grooves to provide enhanced grip and comfort.
A removable ortholite inner-sole, combined with a solid yet low profile midsole, provides acceptable underfoot cushioning without compromising responsiveness.
PROS
- Very comfortable
- Responsive
- Flexible
- 360 degrees flyknit
- NIKESKIN on toe area
- Toungeless design
CONS
- Expensive
Adidas Samba Classic
The world’s most iconic indoor football shoe, the Sambal was created in 1950 for players to train on frozen outdoor pitches.
Manufactured with a leather upper, suede toe overlay and a textile lining, the Sambal is a solid, reliable indoor shoe, at an affordable price point.
The gum rubber outsole is renowned for being super grippy, while many players enjoy the rubber around the edge of the shoe for extra grip and durability.
The Classic is available in both black and white colour schemes.
PROS
- Comfortable
- Affordable
- Premium leather upper
- Very grippy sole
- Durable
CONS
- Heavier than other options
Nike Phantom VSN Indoor Soccer Shoe
Featuring Nike’s new Ghost Lacing to provide enhanced ball contact, The Phantom Vision Academy DFs are premium indoor shoes offering lightweight responsiveness and superior ball feel.
An ankle sock design hugs your foot and enhances support and comfort, while high-end non marking rubber provides great grip and Nike’s React Foam offers excellent cushioning.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Ghost Lacing
- Ankle Sock
- True to size
CONS
- Expensive
Adidas Nemeziz Tango
A unique and high performance indoor shoe from Adidas, the Nemeziz Tango offers superior flexibility and responsiveness
With an upper inspired by sports taping, the “Agility Bandage” is designed to provide rigid support where you need it while also being very flexible.
Lightweight and comfortable, the Nemeziz also provides improved breathability through a partially uncoated upper.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Responsive
- Comfortable
- Unique design
CONS
- Fixed insole
Nike Vapor X 12 Pro
A great mid-range option, the Nike Vapor X 12 is an impressive shoe integrating some of Nike’s high end technology, at an affordable price point.
Designed for speed and responsiveness, the Vapor X has a tongueless design offering a sock-like fit and comfort.
Nike’s new 3D HyperScreen print is applied to impact areas for enhanced ball control, while the a rubber outsole with tri-star flex grooves provides impressive hard court grip and traction, without compromising flexibility and performance.
A high-end, fairly low-profile midsole provides adequate cushioning.
PROS
- Affordable
- 3D Hyperscreen
- Tongueless design
- Removable insole
- Lightweight
CONS
- No collar wrap as found in higher end models
How To Choose Indoor Soccer Or Futsal Shoes
Below we look at the key things to keep in mind when on the hunt for a new pair of indoor soccer boots.
Futsal Vs Indoor Soccer Shoes
The shoe you need will be determined by the surface you are playing on.
Futsal is played on a hard wood or synthetic surface. Therefore, soft rubber soled shoes are the preferred shoe for futsal players.
The surfaces used in Indoor Soccer can vary, however it is usually played on wood, hard synthetic surfaces, or artificial turf.
In this article we focus on shoes suitable for hard indoor surfaces, as these are the most common, and the shoes are the most versatile.
Materials
Leather, synthetic leather, synthetic, and mesh, are the most common materials used in modern futsal and indoor soccer shoes.
Leather (and synthetic leather to a lesser extent) is generally going to provide the best comfort and durability over time, and will shape well to your foot.
Worth mentioning is that kangaroo leather is by far the most popular and superior type of leather used in futsal and indoor soccer shoes.
It is very lightweight, stretches and moulds to your foot, and is the best for ball feel and control, making it the preferred choice for professional footballers around the world.
Synthetics are generally more affordable and durable, but are stiffer, meaning the break in time can be longer and ball feel can be inferior.
Synthetic materials are, however, changing all the time, and the top manufacturers continue to come out with better and better products that often have many advantages over the more traditional leather uppers.
If you buy from a trusted brand, you generally get what you pay for in terms of material quality.
Breathability
Playing indoors in the heat of summer can be hot. Shoes that integrate mesh panelling can be a great option for those where overheating is a concern.
While some synthetic materials are breathable, others are not, so be sure to check carefully the materials used on your shoe if breathability is a priority.
Comfort And Fit
There’s no question that indoor soccer can be taxing on your body. And with hard floors, your feet bear more of the brunt than they do in the outdoor game.
It’s therefore important to ensure you have boots that fit you well, to provide adequate comfort and support, and are also cushioned, as to reduce the impact of your foot on the hard court surface.
It’s important to choose a shoe that will accommodate your foot shape. While soccer shoes are generally pretty snug, and designed to stretch in the shape of your foot over time, if you have wide feet you may consider shoes from Joma or Adidas.
Cushioning also plays a large role in comfort, especially if you are heavier than average or are prone to bruising your feet.
While more cushioned shoes will likely be heavier, they may be necessary for you to play a full game in comfort.
Another thing to keep an eye out for is shoes with removable insoles, allowing you to replace them with preferred insoles or orthotics.
