Best football boots for flat feet: The latest ranges from Adidas, New Balance, Mizuno and more

FourFourTwo recommends football boots for flat feet
The best football boots for flat feet (Image credit: Future)

We know you're looking for the best football boots for flat feet - why else would you be here? FourFourTwo lists the best deals out there for your Cyber Monday buying ease.

One of the more overlooked aspects when searching for boots is finding ideal ones when you have flat feet. However, there are more options on the market than many people realise. It is just a matter of doing a bit of research, which I suppose you are doing right now!

The quicklist


Best fit

Mizuno Morelia II / Mizuno Alpha II / Nike Phantom 6

Mizuno Morelia II (Image credit: Andrew Lockhart)

Mizuno Morelia II Made In Japan

Japan's most popular boot for wider, flatter feet due to its deep lacing and neutral, adaptive kangaroo leather fit

Specifications

Colourways available: 2-5
Studs: FG, SG, AG
Sizes available: UK 5.5 - 12
As worn by: Sergio Ramos, Joao Felix, Hector Bellerin, Tijjani Reijnders

Reasons to buy

+
Incredibly comfortable
+
Deep lacing system makes for a highly adjustable fit
+
Almost as light as a speed boot
+
Classic design, yet feels modern on feet
+
Quality is almost unmatched
+
Wave Lacing System helps with improved lockdown

Reasons to avoid

-
Incredibly expensive for the Japan edition
-
Other boots offer good quality for far less
-
While Elite model is available, quality difference is stark
-
AG model not available in Europe
-
AG model also has poor stability

Naturally, the Mizuno Morelia makes this list. A lot of players in Japan do tend to have wider and flatter feet, so it makes sense that the most popular boot in Japan works well for people whose feet are flatter and wider.

One of the things that needs to be appreciated here is that the Morelia is a very deep lacing system, which allows a lot of adjustability in the overall fit. This allows you to still have a tighter fit around the ankle while still letting you adjust and loosen up the boots wherever they feel overly tight.

The boot itself also has a fairly neutral shape overall, and when accounting for the soft kangaroo leather upper found on the Morelia, the boot will shape to your foot, rather than forcing you to get used to the shape of the boot. Probably the easiest choice if you want something very neutral.

Best structure

Adidas Copa Icon II boots in white on green grass

Adidas Copa Icon II (Image credit: Andrew Lockhart)

Adidas Copa Icon II

Updated and reinvigorated with a clear improvement made

Specifications

Colourways available: 2
Studs: FG, AG
Sizes available: UK 4 - 13
As worn by: Declan Rice, Bernardo Silva, and Alexis Mac Allister

Reasons to buy

+
Highly adjustable fit for various foot shapes
+
Break-in period is minimal
+
Touch on the ball is natural
+
FG/AG outsole makes the boot handy for multiple ground types
+
Has a good amount of midfoot stability for such a soft boot
+
Price is low for the performance and comfort on offer

Reasons to avoid

-
Best soleplate option, the hard ground soleplate, is Japan only
-
Heel could use slightly more cushioning

Another one that appears on multiple lists, the Copa Icon II can kind of do it all. It is another boot with a fairly neutral shape, and just like the Morelia, it has a deep lacing system to help with adjustability and fit.

The reason some may prefer the Copa Icon II over the Morelia is more down to the soleplate. The Icon II has a much more modern soleplate, and the addition of an external counter can be handy for people who want to have a stronger heel counter to help reduce fatigue in the heel.

The one drawback with the Icon II for people with flatter feet is that the midfoot is a synthetic leather. That being said, it is still on the softer side and might not be that much of an issue, but it is something to be aware of. Overall, however, the Icon II is an easy and excellent choice because of its out-of-the-box comfort and neutral shape.

Best neutral shape

Adidas Predator Elite FT Leather / Adler Yatagarashu

Adler Yatagarashu (Image credit: Andrew Lockhart)

Adler Yatagarashu

Offers the widest, most neutral fit with a full kangaroo leather upper for instant comfort and shaping

Specifications

Colourways available: 3
Studs : FG
Sizes : UK 5.5 - 10

Reasons to buy

+
Premium quality for not a premium price
+
Handmade in small batches in Nara, Japan
+
Old school look with some modern touches
+
Leather is super high quality
+
All leather upper allows for super personalised fit

Reasons to avoid

-
Sizing runs a whole size long
-
Custom Duties when importing
-
Heel could be taller
-
Soleplate needs an upgrade
-
No AG specific outsole

The Adler Yatagarashu has probably the most neutral shape out of any boot on this list. On top of this, it is also wider than any other boot in the guide.

It is also a full kangaroo leather upper, so it will take almost any shape. One of my favourite things about the boots is that the break-in period is so quick that they feel ready to go almost immediately.

The flip side of the full K leather upper is that there is not a lot of side-to-side stability, so if you prefer to have some structure, it might be best to choose another boot. Also, the extra ReaLine insoles are fairly handy and do offer some extra support.

They are not for everyone, but they provide more support in the middle of the foot rather than the arch. In terms of pure fit and shape, it is difficult to choose anything else. Just make sure you check sizing guides beforehand.

Best knit

New Balance Furon V8

New Balance Furon V8 Elite (Image credit: Subomi Kushanu)

New Balance Furon V8 Elite

Suits flat feet due to multiple width options and a soft, adaptable knit upper, with an MG soleplate available

Specifications

Colourways available: 3
Studs: FG, SG, MG
Sizes available: UK 3.5 - 13
As worn by: Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Eberechi Eze, and Sadio Mané

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent Comfort
+
Responsive, grippy soleplate
+
Comes in medium and wide fits
+
Socklike touch on the ball
+
Soft and comfortable heel
+
Quick break-in period
+
Comes in two different widths

Reasons to avoid

-
Stability could be better
-
Break or stability stud is gimmicky
-
Short lacing lacing system leaves little room for adjustability

The fact that the Furon comes in multiple widths is a huge selling point here. I think brands underestimate how many people need access to different widths.

The flip side of this is that, as a knit boot, there is not a lot of stretch available to the upper. This means that you are somewhat confined to a predetermined shape. The lacing system is also not very deep, so there will not be as much variation in the fit.

In spite of those two issues, I still think that the Furon is a great recommendation for flat feet. Part of this is because the arch area of the boot is soft and breaks in easily.

The other part is that the upper as a whole gets soft easily, so your foot does not feel overly constrained in the boot. There is also the fact that there is now an MG soleplate option, which means you can get a soleplate that will help distribute pressure on the bottom of the foot better, thus increasing overall comfort.

Best value for money

New Balance 442 V2 Pro

New Balance 442 V2 Pro (Image credit: New Balance)
The New Balance 442 Pro offers a neutral fit, adjustable floating tongue, multiple widths, and a simple soleplate, making it a great value choice

Specifications

Colourways available: 4
Studs: FG, SG
Sizes available: UK 3.5 - 13

Reasons to buy

+
Relatively inexpensive
+
Comes in widths
+
Deep lacing system means fit can be adjusted
+
Short break in period
+
Can often be found on sale
+
Extra lace hole for runner’s knot

Reasons to avoid

-
Leather upper has been discontinued
-
Nylon outsole can get overly soft
-
Heel cushions are awkwardly positioned

As has happened with our Best Football Boots for Wide Feet, we have once again featured the 442 Pro. I chose the Pro over the Elite since the Pro has a floating tongue and allows for more adjustment to the fit.

The Pro can also often be readily found on sale, making it great value for money. Add this to the fact that you can still get different widths means that it is an easy choice for this list. The fit is fairly neutral as well, with not much pressure against the arch of the foot.

You also have a very neutral soleplate, which means there are no weird stud shapes to think about. The only really frustrating thing is the fact that they stopped making them with a leather upper. The leather models can still be found, and the newer synthetic is fairly soft; I just personally prefer leather.

At the same time, though, I do appreciate how deep the heel cup is, as this means it is easier to get a thicker replacement insole in there. If you are struggling with deciding what to get, the 442 Pro is probably one of the easier choices out there.


How we test football boots for flat feet

Here at FourFourTwo, our boot testing procedure is all about getting boots on our feet and personally trying them out in kickabouts, training sessions and matches. Our writers test each pair over a number of weeks, in various playing conditions, in order to get a proper idea of what they're like on a football pitch.

This is the best way to find out if boots are better suited for firmer or softer ground, what level of traction they offer and how else they're geared towards improving a player's game. We're passionate about football boots and regularly attend launch events and Q&As to get as much information as possible from manufacturers and designers before we begin.

All of our reviews are honest (despite working with brands, nobody can "buy" a good review from us) and we always have real footballers in mind when giving recommendations.

How to choose the best football boots

With the football boot market a minefield of jargon championing the latest tech, we've tried to cut through as much of the marketing speak as possible to provide you with honest, solid reviews. We'll try to provide you with enough information so that you can make an informed decision, but, ultimately, it is up to you what you choose.

Preferences can depend on the fit, feel, look and what suits your game the best. There are a range of different factors that need to be considered when choosing, though...

Leather or synthetic

When it comes to flat feet, leather options are generally safer. That's because they offer slightly more support across your entire foot than the lightweight, minimalist designs often seen on synthetic boots, ensuring your flat feet don't become an issue.

Plus, the leather is more likely to conform to the shape of your foot, helping to eliminate any issues you might have with your lack of arch. This means you are less likely to get injured.

Synthetic options can work well, however - it just depends on the shape of the boot and what support is offered through the soleplate. Skechers, for example, is a brand synonymous with comfort in the everyday shoe market, and have managed to transfer that expertise into their football boots.

Styling

There are a number of great options available on the market, but that doesn't necessarily mean every boot is suitable for players with flat feet. It's best, therefore, to focus on the correct fit and feel first, before worrying about the aesthetic you're preferring.

Indeed, brands release multiple colourways of each boot these days, meaning you're never short of options with whatever style of football boot you choose.

Getting the right fit

We'd always recommend trying a pair on before buying if you have flat feet, otherwise you risking spending a lot of money on something that doesn't even work with your foot type. Finding out how they fit in person is much better than trying to guess online, especially when the market is littered with so many options that could see you make the completely wrong decision.

Sizing often varies between brands, too, with Adidas UK 8 football boots differing to what a UK 8 from Nike fits like. Before parting with your hard-earned money, it's always wise to try every pair on in person.

Best Football Boots For Flat Feet: FAQs

What are the best football boots for flat feet?

If you want to check out the best football boots for flat feet, you should read through our guide above. However, we think the Mizuno Morelia II Made in Japan is the best fit for flat feet. This is due to their deep lacing and neutral, adaptive kangaroo leather structure.

Are flat feet good for football?

There's no right or wrong type of foot for football and a person's foot shape won't determine their footballing ability. People with flat feet may experience trouble with balance and stability. However, people with flat feet are able to play football and there are boots on the market that are made to accommodate flat feet.

Which brand is best for flat feet?

This is a tricky question to answer, as you can see, six different manufacturers feature in our guide to the best football boots for flat feet. If you're looking for the best overall, consider brands like Mizuno and New Balance, as they feature in our guide above as well as our guide to the best football boots. They also make several lines of boots worth getting, more generally.

If you want to look away from those two brands, Adidas also makes top football boots and features above, and, if you're looking for a brand you may not have heard of, then Adler's Yatagarashu is worth considering, as their Morelia II boot offers the most neutral and widest fit.

Is Nike good for flat feet?

In short, yes. Their Phantom GX 2 Elite boots featured in our guide last season as the best overall, but they also have several lines of boots worth considering, regardless of your foot shape. Nike is one of the top football boot manufacturers in the world, so it's no surprise that they accommodate flat feet too. If you want to check out more of what Nike has to offer, you can scroll through our guide to the best Nike football boots on the market.

Andrew Lockhart
Freelance Writer
With contributions from