Kids’ Indoor Football Boots - Buying Guide

Choosing the right indoor football boots for kids in Ireland starts with understanding how traction, control, and comfort work on smooth indoor courts.

For parents, the key difference to look for is the non-marking, smooth rubber sole found on indoor football shoes (often used for futsal or sports hall leagues).

This buying guide explains how non-marking rubber soles deliver reliable traction, how indoor-specific uppers improve close control in tight spaces, and how proper fit and cushioning keep young players comfortable during fast-paced futsal and sports hall sessions.

TABLE OF CONTENT

A side-profile shot of a single, bright orange Puma Ultra Match indoor soccer shoe resting on a polished wooden gym floor. The shoe has a black Puma logo on the side and a textured upper. In the blurred background, large windows and a partial goal are visible.

What to look for indoor football boots?

  • Grip & Court Traction
  • Control & Touch
  • Comfort & Fit

Grip & Court Traction:

Non-marking rubber that grips on polished floors without slipping.

Control & Touch:

Upper materials and textures that help kids control the ball in tight futsal spaces.

Comfort & Fit:

Secure lockdown, cushioning, and flexibility for fast indoor movements.

In the table below, each boot is rated based on Traction, Control and Comfort

Top 10 Kids indoor football boots in Ireland

Kids’ indoor (IN/IC) boots with non-marking soles for school halls & futsal courts in Ireland.

Boot Model Brand Why Good Indoors (IN/IC) Traction Control Comfort Price* Where to Buy
Nike Jr. Tiempo Legend 10 Club IC Nike Trainer-like comfort with non-marking sole; great control. A A A ~€40–€50 Nike.ie, Sports Direct
Nike Jr. Mercurial Vapor 16 Academy IC Nike Speed feel; grippy outsole for sharp turns. A B B ~€60–€75 Nike.ie, Lifestyle Sports
Nike Jr. Phantom GX 2 Academy IC Nike Great control textures; futsal-friendly profile. B A B ~€70–€90 Nike.ie, Lovell Soccer
Adidas X Crazyfast .3 IN (Kids) Adidas Light build; non-marking grip for fast movement. B B B ~€65–€80 Adidas.ie, Sports Direct
Adidas Predator Club IN (Kids) Adidas Midfoot support; reliable indoor grip. A A B ~€45–€60 Adidas.ie, Elverys
Adidas Copa Pure II.3 IN (Kids) Adidas Leather touch; stable flat rubber sole. B A A ~€65–€80 Adidas.ie, JD Sports
Puma Ultra Match IT (Kids) Puma Fast transitions; nimble outsole. B B B ~€55–€70 Puma.com, Sports Direct
Puma Future Play IT (Kids) Puma Adaptive fit; versatile grip. B B A ~€50–€65 Puma.com, Elverys
New Balance Audazo v6 Junior IN New Balance Futsal-oriented cushioning; strong lockdown. A B A ~€45–€60 NewBalance.com, Elverys
Joma Top Flex Junior IN Joma Classic futsal flex; great ball feel. A A A ~€45–€60 Pro:Direct Soccer, Sports Direct
Kipsta Eskudo 500 IN (Kids) Decathlon Reinforced toe; grippy gum rubber. B B A ~€25–€35 Decathlon.ie

*Prices may vary. Always check for “IN/IC” & non-marking outsole.

Note: Prices and availability are subject to change. Please check the retailer's website for the most current information.

Quick buying checklist

  • Non‑marking sole: Required for most Irish school halls; prevents black scuffs.
  • Grip vs glide: Polished wood needs tacky rubber and good court patterns; too slick = slips, too sticky = clumsy turns.
  • Fit first: Snug heel and midfoot with a little toe room. Avoid oversizing “to grow into” — it causes heel slip.
  • Foot shape: Wider feet often like leather/adaptive uppers (Copa/Tiempo/Future).
  • If you also play on Astro: Keep a separate TF or AG/MG pair for outdoors; don’t use indoor shoes on rough tarmac/3G (they’ll wear fast).
  • Care: Wipe dust after sessions (dust reduces grip), air‑dry naturally, avoid radiators.

Stud/surface guide

Where indoor shoes (IN/IC) make sense — and where they don’t

  • IN/IC (Indoor): Flat non‑marking rubber for futsal, school halls, indoor domes.
  • TF (Turf): Rubber nubs for hard Astro/school yards; more bite outdoors than IN, but not for polished halls.
  • SG: Outdoor studs for sof tnatural grass ground; never indoors (unsafe for floors and kids).
  • FG: Outdoor studs for firm natural grass ground; never indoors (unsafe for floors and kids).

Indoor (IN) vs. Astro Turf (TF) Soleplates

Feature Indoor (IN) Boots Astro Turf (TF) Boots
Surface Indoor Halls, Gymnasiums, Futsal Courts. (Smooth, polished wood, rubber, or concrete floors). Older Astro Turf, School Yards, Street Cages. (Short, carpet-like pile, often abrasive and very hard).
Soleplate Design Non-Marking, Smooth Rubber Sole. Flat, often thin soles with shallow geometric patterns (like chevrons or hexagons). Numerous, Small Rubber Nubs. A denser pattern of small, short rubber studs or pimples.
Grip Mechanism Relies on total surface contact and the friction of the rubber compound to grip the smooth floor during quick cuts and direction changes. Relies on the tens of tiny nubs to get minimal purchase on the hard, synthetic carpet without penetrating it.
Safety & Comfort Essential for preventing slips on slick indoor floors and mandatory to avoid leaving marks on gym floors. Essential for spreading pressure across the entire foot, preventing "stud pressure" pain on the hard turf.

The Risk of Mixing Them Up

  • Using Indoor (IN) on Astro Turf (TF): The flat IN sole won't have enough grip on the rough, uneven surface of Astro Turf. It will feel slippery and unstable.
  • Using Astro Turf (TF) in a Sports Hall (IN): The small nubs on the TF boot will still transfer pressure directly to the sole of the foot on a hard, smooth indoor floor, potentially causing foot pain. More importantly, they may leave marks or lack the consistent, immediate friction needed for quick directional changes on a polished surface.

Choosing the correct soleplate for the correct surface is the most critical step in buying footwear for non-grass play.

FAQ

Are all indoor football boots non‑marking?
Most are, but always check the product page/outsole stamp for “non‑marking.”

Can my child wear indoor shoes on Astro (3G/4G)?
They’ll work in a pinch, but grip will be limited and outsoles wear quickly. Use TF/AG outdoors.

Are running trainers OK for indoor football?
Not ideal. They lack lateral support and have tread patterns for straight‑line grip, not futsal cuts.

Do we size indoor boots the same as outdoor boots?
Usually true‑to‑size in match socks. Some speed models fit narrow; try on if possible.

Gum rubber vs regular rubber — which is better?
Gum rubber grips polished wood well; modern non‑marking compounds also work on PU/vinyl courts. Prioritise non‑marking + traction pattern.

Written by Igor Koen

Author of the blog post. Image has been taken in wood. Man has black short hair, black jacket and military backpack
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