There are many foot injuries which football players develop as a result of overuse, pounding pressure, wet conditions and friction on the foot. We look at what you can do to look after the most important part of the body when it comes to football – the feet!
Football Foot Stress
Football puts a lot of stress on the feet due to the nature of the game. Sharp turns, quickly stopping and starting, often on hard or uneven surfaces, or in conditions which leave the foot soaking wet for 90 minutes.
In a typical match, footballers run for around 10 kilometres at fairly modest speeds, they sprint for about 1,000 metres, accelerate 50 different times, and change direction every five seconds or so. When running, a footballer’s body weight can be multiplied by up to 5 times, with the feet bearing the majority of this stress.
Some footballers wear football boots which are normally tight around the foot, often a size too small and some’ modern football boots are more frequently made of synthetic materials which are less breathable than leather.
So we know that our poor feet get a hard time of it, but hey, we footballers are tough, what the heck….
Well, no. Who wants to be watching their team from the touchline due to a foot infection? Or who wants a long term issue with corns, or ingrown toenails?
Symptoms
Tight football boots can chafe the skin and cause blisters which are not only painful and can put you on the injury list, they can also lead to infections which can cause many other issues.
Football boots which are synthetic and don’t allow the foot to breath, can lead to the growth and multiplication of odour-causing bacteria.
When your feet are subjected to pounding pressure caused by differing surfaces, the skin starts to dry out. If left untreated, it will crack and peel. Tiny fissures can develop that may even begin to bleed!
Preventative Measures
So much time and money is spent on deciding what football boots to buy and wear, but then the feet that go inside those football boots are neglected.
Foot Hygiene
Hot sweaty feet are part and parcel of football, so good foot hygiene is important in avoiding conditions such as Athletes Foot. Wash your feet regularly and dry them thoroughly.
Foot Conditioner has been developed to repair the damage that football inflicts on the feet. It helps revitalise your feet so they feel supple and responsive. It’s absorbed quickly and leaves no greasy residue so it starts working immediately and is easy to apply.
Wear the right socks
Studies have shown the importance of socks in preventing football injuries. There are socks available now that let the foot breath better in the football boot and prevent water from absorbing through the sock onto your foot. You can also get socks that help protect the’ metatarsal’ like the Metasox.
Wear the right football boot
Get the right sized football boot. Some football boots have a wide fit, other a slim fit, read up on the football boot before buying it.
Get the right football boot for the surface you are playing on. That may mean more than one pair of football boots a season, but its worth it.
Look at the material. Some upper materials do not allow the foot to breath, which as we know can cause problems. Consider the materials available within your budget and ask your team mates for their recommendations.
Check out Craig Johnston’s Tips on Choosing Football Boots
Do you have any tips? If so drop them in the comments section below.
I need to find a pair of wide fitting football boots for my son. In ‘Clarks’school shoes fittings he is an adult size 6, with a H width fitting which is very wide.
I have only seen wide fitting rugby boots advertised would these be O.K?
Most football boots he cannot offer to get on, even Nike feel a bit small.
hi, did you ever find something suitable? i have the same problem with my son. thanks
reply to helen
if he is a footballer you do NOT want to buy him rugby boots….puma are a good boot for wide feet, also quality leather. when you go to try the boot on, there should not be a gap in the shoe,, your foot should fill it for better control and co-ordination.
i wear one size too small, you may blister but you will get used to it and it will improve your play and accuracy, i am wearing size 7 puma kings currently this summer(moulded)and i usually buy adidas boots for soft ground, these aree narrow and sizes vary but just try different brands that you feal most comptable wearing.
thanks
ronaldoo;)
x
Hey need new boots. Been using adidas preds but they dont last too long. So thinking of changing brand even just model. Maybe adi pures? Or nike t90’s? I play across the back four of the defense. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Aaron
I need to get my son a slim fit boot. In clarkes he is a 3 E. What boots are slim fit ?
Nike’s Mercurial Vapor boots are often slim fitting – many ‘speed’ boots worn by fast players are often designed to be narrow to give the impression of speed.
That said, many boots have laces that reach a good way down (such as the Mizuno Morelia or the Umbro Speciali) which means you can tighten the boot all the way down the foot.
Hope that helps!
hi i need a wide fitting football boot can anyone reccomend any ?
I have wide feet and Mizuno Morelia are the only boots that I’ll wear.
My son has bad ankels,I need a AFL boot with a lot of surport.what do you think i should get for my son?
hi, mu question in: Are the f50/f10 good for wide feet ? Please, reply to me soon . Thanks, a lot !!
I have bought Adidas F30 and my son has out grown these boots in 3 months. He has a narrow foot and realised that this make is synthetic and will not stretch at all.
What leather soccer boots are available in a narrow fitting?
Hi which are the best boots to allow feet to breath – my son has very sweaty feet! He is a sixe 1G
Can anyone help me with a 3E or 4E boot
i need to buy a football boot ! which one is better ? nike mercurial vapor ix or the new f50? plz help