Almost every player has experienced the discomfort of blisters from soccer cleats.
These little fluid-filled sacs are a considerable inconvenience while trying to train or play a soccer game.
The most prevalent cause of blisters from soccer cleats is friction, which causes the skin’s outer layer to break from the layers beneath. As a result, fluid begins to fill the space between the skin layers, leading to a blister that hurts and irritates.
Blisters develop as a result of friction between feet and soccer cleats. The force that is ultimately applied against the skin of the player’s feet is caused by the continuous rubbing that occurs as they walk, and run about while pushing their body weight into and against the structure of the cleats.
Though it might not be a cleat’s proximate cause, blisters can also form when weight is distributed unevenly by tight-fitting soccer cleats.
How To Prevent Blisters From Soccer cleats?
A common misconception among soccer players is that wearing thick socks will keep their feet free of blisters. If the toe area is narrow and presses on the toes, thick socks may not be sufficient to prevent blisters.
Keep Your Feet Dry & Clean
Wearing new soccer cleats increases the chance of developing blisters in the presence of moisture. Therefore, keeping your feet dry when playing soccer is a smart strategy to avoid blisters.
You can change into dry pairs of socks during a break or halftime by bringing extra pairs of socks to a soccer game. Washing and moisturizing your feet on a regular basis will keep them healthy and safeguard against blisters as you play.
Before putting on socks, you can dust your feet with talcum powder, they will be able to stay dry for long period.
Be Wary Of New Cleats
New soccer cleats have a high probability of causing blisters than older ones because the inner walls are still new and rather hard as opposed to those of soccer cleats that have already been used. The risks of sustaining blisters increase the longer you use a new pair of soccer cleats.
I wouldn’t recommend wearing your brand-new soccer cleats to a game or training because many people prefer to do that. You’ll probably end up with blisters all over your feet if you try it. In this situation, it would be your fault and not the cleats that you were sustaining the blisters.
You need to give the cleats sufficient time to get accustomed to your feet before you start using them. As far as I’m concerned, this practically applies to all shoes, not just soccer cleats. You can, however, take some measures to wear out your soccer cleats more quickly. Here, I’ll discuss them in more detail.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Hot Water Technique
Soccer players have been using the hot water method to break -in their cleats more efficiently and enhance comfort.
Most professionals adopt this technique to break-in their new cleats; players often use this method since they get new pairs of cleats practically every game, so they need to find out a technique to help them get adapted to their feet more efficiently.
The hot water method is quite simple to use, just adhere to these guidelines:
- 5 -10 minutes should be enough time to soak your cleats in hot water, the cleats shouldn’t be soaked completely.
- The water should be at or below the same level as the laces, to avoid damaging the glue holding the cleats together, make sure the water isn’t too hot.
- Remove the cleats from the hot water, then put them on.
- Use them for about 20 – 30 minutes around. After that, they will completely fit into the shape of your foot.
This is a wonderful technique that will improve the fitting of your cleats and lessen movement caused by the foot inside of them.
See the youtube video below if you don’t fully grasp how the technique work.
READ ALSO | Are Shin Guards Really Necessary In Soccer?
Be Cautious Of The Pitch Temperatures
A study was done in 2019 to evaluate whether artificial or natural grass caused more knee injuries. It was discovered that across all sports, athletes were 58% more likely to sustain an injury on artificial turf than on actual grass.
If you are playing on an artificial pitch, on a hot day when the outside temperature is between 90 and 100 degrees, the pitch will be hotter. Due to the fact that temperature has a significant impact on blister formation, this is something to consider.
The amount of sweat your body produces will match up to the temperature of the environment. Sliding on hot surfaces increases the probability of getting friction burns; you can even get blisters this way.
Due to the severity of this issue, some manufacturers now produce heat-shielding insoles to safeguard your foot’s sole from blisters.
We advise warming up your cleats before you put them on in the winter. Your cleats will become more comfortable because of the softening effects of the heat and steam.
Have A Second Set Of Cleats On Hand
Bear in mind that a heat-spot comes before a blister and you may feel one forming even before it appears. This commonly occurs with brand-new cleats. You recently bought them and you are so anxious to try them out. However, this is a bad idea because, as it was mentioned above, the new pair of cleats haven’t been broken yet.
I wouldn’t even advise wearing brand-new cleats to soccer training. It is better to put them on and walk around for a while with them, before high-performance training or exercise. Start slowly and progressively build your intensity; be careful not to be too aggressive with your efforts.
Always have a spare pair of cleats that you feel totally comfortable playing in and that are already broken-in.
Immediately take off your new cleats and switch to your old cleats if you ever start to experience any discomfort wearing the new ones.
It is preferable to completely avoid any form of a blister, rather than insisting on playing through a blister and maybe increasing your chance of sustaining an injury that could take up to two weeks to heal.
Wear Two Socks
Wearing two pairs of socks underneath each pair of cleats is a soccer player’s holy grail, as this offers a lot of insulation and cushioning. This is widely regarded as being a very efficient method of preventing blisters.
According to some, friction between the first layer of socks and the shoe is transferred to the second layer of socks rather than the foot directly.
Some players choose to cut the socks’ feet. This enables players to wear a pair of gripper, shorter socks below their cleats to keep their feet steady.
Lubricate Or Use Pad To Areas That Are Susceptible To Blisters
Any lube, such as petroleum jelly, can be applied to the parts of your foot where you know you are more susceptible to developing blisters.
The problem with this is that it can be difficult to do it without making a mess and it can be challenging to maintain the lube in place through the entire game. To hold it in position, try using gauze or a bandage.
This will reduce the chances of developing a blister by ensuring smooth mobility between the skin and the sock or cleats. Although there is no guarantee that this will work, it is a good idea to give it a shot.
You can actually buy commercially available blister bandaids from stores. But it doesn’t have to be that complicated. Take a piece of gauze and some surgical tape with you.
Apply the gauze to any parts of your foot where you often get blisters and tape it in place. The only drawback to this is that the adhesive tends to come loose as your feet start to sweat.
As a result, your padding might not remain in place for quite long and might even start to itch.
Moleskin is a suitable, more resilient substitute, you should be able to find this kind of cushioning in pharmacies. It is made of cotton that has been sheared to imitate a mole’s skin.
Use Antiperspirant Spray On Your Feet.
Although these two are sometimes mistaken, deodorant and antiperspirant are two different products. Antiperspirant keeps you from sweating that much, whereas deodorant merely works to eliminate smells.
Aluminum salts are used to do this, these restrict some pores, preventing access to some sweat glands. This makes it more difficult for sweat to leave your body, which leads to reduced overall sweat output.
Your feet tend to sweat profusely the most in three places: the spot between your toes, the heel, and the middle of the sole.
Before any soccer game or training, i advise getting an aerosol antiperspirant and spraying these three spots. Before putting your socks and cleats on, allow the spray time to completely dry.
Wear High-quality Socks
This is unquestionably the most crucial and valuable recommendation. You will play much better if you wear high-quality socks.
You should put on socks made specifically for playing soccer. Since regular socks are not designed to absorb sweat.
They are likely to result in significant foot slippage inside the cleat when your feet begin to sweat profusely. Consider the fact that foot slipping causes friction and results in blisters.
Moreover, because inexpensive stockings are so thin, your feet actually come into direct touch with the shoe’s insole, which, when coupled with moisture and sweat, creates the perfect environment for blisters to form.
BUY NOWThis is the reason why socks manufacturers in recent years have developed “grip socks.” Through the addition of rubber grip parts, grip socks are simply socks designed to lessen the degree of slipping inside soccer cleats.
Secondly, these socks are made to effectively absorb sweat in order to keep the foot dry and stop it from moving.
As you play, they are made to keep the sock from slipping, and blisters are less likely to form since the friction between your foot and the shoe is reduced.
In order to keep your shin guards in place during games, soccer socks often stretch well above the knee. A small compression element is relatively common in these leg regions, this facilitates blood flow around your limbs, which is essential for proper muscular function.
The best advice I can give you to prevent blisters is to invest in a decent pair of grip socks. With these grip socks, I’m confident that subsequent blisters won’t trouble you.
Soccer Cleats Maintenance
Through regular use, your cleats will experience significant strain. You need to clean and maintain them occasionally to keep them in the finest shape.
Keeping a loosely packed newspaper inside the cleats’ toes will aid them in maintaining their structure. The use of newspaper will also help in drying out any remaining moisture inside the cleats.
It’s crucial to clean your cleats after every use if you’re playing on natural grass. Smack the cleats together to remove any excess dirt, and then use a strong brush to remove the rest of the debris.
To remove any remaining dirt and debris clinging to the underside, use a toothbrush or soft sponge. The use of a wire brush will ruin the soles of your cleats, so avoid using one for this.
Use only water; do not use any chemicals or detergent, use a mild dish soap mixed with warm water if the dirt is particularly difficult to remove.
Prepare a small bowl of soapy water, then unlace your cleats. Your laces should be soaked in this and left to soak for ten minutes, then use a toothbrush to gently scrape away any extra dirt.
Wash the laces thoroughly in running water, then spread them out to dry.
A toothbrush can be used to clean your cleats’ upper side as well. Clean with a gentle soap solution and then dry off with a wet cloth. You can also use a cleaning eraser to wipe the fabric if they need a thorough cleaning.
Use a dry cloth or towel to gently blot up any extra moisture, and the cleats must be given enough time to naturally dry.
Avoid the urge to put them in direct sunlight or on top of a radiator to accelerate the drying process. This may result in the material stiffening and the cleat’s adhesive drying up and losing strength.
In my article on how to remove foul smells from soccer cleats, I address the best and most tested ways to maintain soccer cleats.
How To Take Care Of Blisters From Soccer Cleat?
For a blister from soccer cleats to heal adequately, it often takes at least a week, and even at that, it will itch slightly. However, if the blister is severe enough, it will take two to three weeks before your feet function normally or until you’re able to at least wear your cleats without discomfort.
The concern is that the duration of time it takes for the blister to form doesn’t ache nearly as much as the time that comes once it begins to heal.
Blisters are a common occurrence despite being completely preventable, which is why so many players ended up with them.
The simplest approach to avoiding a blister is to prevent it from forming in the first place. Blisters are not immediate injuries; they may take some time to form, and they do not appear out of anywhere, therefore prevention and observation is vital.
But what should you do if a blister still forms? What is the most effective way to treat them? The primary recommendations for treating blisters are as follows:
- Use a bandage or piece of gauze to cover the blister to stop further irritation from shoe friction. Make sure to position the bandage or piece of gauze so that it covers the blister from friction while also allowing the blister to breathe.
- One of the most common home treatments is to soak the blister in green tea, as anti-inflammatory materials are found in green tea. Just put your feet in a bowl with three green tea bags and a tablespoon of baking soda to soak them. Prior to soaking your feet, remember to let the water cool off for a bit.
- Aloe vera is also an essential substance with anti-inflammatory properties, commonly used for sunburn. It will help to reduce blister soreness and redness.
- Remove any bandages when you are at home to allow the blister to breathe and dry more quickly.
- Do not pop the blister on your own, as blisters usually subside on their own within a few days.
- Make sure your hands or the tool you’re using are clean before you decide to do it.
- Avoid exfoliating the skin’s top layer, this layer prevents the blister from excessive friction from the cleats.
How Do You Drain A Blister?
Although it is not advisable, you may occasionally need to drain your blister. We would always advise getting in touch with a medical expert and having them handle it for you. In the worst-case scenario, please only attempt to do it yourself as a last resort.
- Washing your hands and feet with warm water and antibacterial soap is the first action you must do.
- Use iodine or equivalent antiseptic to clean the blister and the skin surrounding it.
- Sterilize a sharp needle with this antiseptic as well.
- Poke a few holes in the blister’s top layer, just beneath the skin’s surface.
- Let the liquid slowly drain from these pores while applying light pressure as necessary.
Be extremely cautious not to rip the skin’s top layer off. Apply an antibiotic ointment or fluid to the wound to disinfect it. To keep any foreign objects from entering the open site, cover it with some clean gauze.
Over the next few days, keep an eye on the blister. Please get in touch with a doctor if you have itching or swelling, redness, pus, or inflammation. These are all symptoms of an infection, which if unchecked, could escalate into a very serious condition.
If none of these occur and the wound seems to be healing well, that’s a positive sign. Use tweezers and scissors that have been sterilized to delicately remove the top layer of skin.
How To Reduce Pain From Blisters?
The first step is to get rid of anything exerting pressure on the blister. Start by removing any cleats or other restrictive objects.
In order to let the blister breathe as much as it can, you should leave it open. We advise covering it with a bandage or moleskin if you know it will likely come into touch with anything.
If it hurts a lot, soak the blister in lukewarm water for about 20 minutes for a few hours, this is extremely helpful if the blister itches or hurts. Making a flannel damp and wringing off the water before laying it over the blister is the best way to do this.
Aloe vera gel can also be used at this time to speed up the healing process.
Should My Soccer Cleats Be Tight?
You want your cleats to feel responsive, which means they should be snug fit without being too tight (that they restrict blood flow to your feet) or too big because it could lead to tripping issues or cause your foot to slide around, which could lead to blisters.
It is highly advisable to choose a snug fit than you would in other shoes when buying soccer cleats. Soccer cleats experts advise going for one-half of the size. For instance, you should buy “size 10” cleats if you usually buy “size 10 ½”.
Due to the reduced space between your foot and the cleats, your foot will be more stable inside the cleat. Do not stress yourself too much because the material will gradually stretch and adapt to your foot.
Your cleats shouldn’t extend past the size of your biggest foot more than ¼ inch, this is because wearing cleats that are too big for your feet tends to increase the probability of injuries.
Final thought
It can be a lot of fun to play soccer with brand-new soccer cleats, but only until your feet start to hurt at odd spots.
If you don’t want to experience the discomfort of blisters, it’s crucial to take effective measures as soon as you start to feel the symptoms.