Football Shoes Nike Small sided

What is the Small Sided category at Nike?

Small Sided refers to Nike shoes designed for small-sided game formats: futsal, indoor football, street or small synthetic pitches. Unlike cleats designed for full-sized pitches, these models use smooth or short-studded soles, suitable for hard surfaces and the close foot placements typical of these environments.

Here, you'll find both indoor shoes for playing in gyms and more versatile turf models, which can be used on abrasive synthetic pitches or outdoors on stabilized surfaces.

Indoor or turf: how to choose based on your playing surface?

The choice mainly depends on the surface you play on most often. An indoor sole, smooth or made from fine rubber, is suitable for indoor floors and synthetic surfaces, providing grip without excessive sticking. A turf sole, with small multidirectional studs, is designed for abrasive synthetic pitches, especially outdoors.

If you regularly switch between indoors and outdoors, a turf model is often the most versatile, even if it sacrifices a bit of the specific comfort of a pure indoor sole.

Streetgato and other Nike ranges: which shoes for which use?

Nike offers several ranges depending on the terrain and style of play. Here's how they differ:

• The Streetgato is specifically designed for street football and futsal, with a construction similar to a skate shoe adapted for the ball.
• The Mercurial Superfly and Mercurial Vapor are intended for full-sized pitches, in molded or synthetic versions, for players who focus on speed.
• The Phantom targets ball control and technical precision on natural or synthetic grass.
• The Tiempo focuses on leather and comfort, for players who prioritize foot stability on full-sized pitches.

If you mainly play in small formats, the Streetgato or the turf versions of these ranges are the most suitable. For use on full-sized pitches, check out the complete selection of Nike shoes.

How to correctly choose the size of your small sided shoes?

Futsal and street shoes generally fit closer to the foot than cleats, enhancing ball feel. If you're torn between two sizes, go for the one that usually fits you best in everyday shoes rather than cleats, which are often a little larger.

Also consider the thickness of your socks: indoors, many players wear thin socks, which can influence the fit feel.

When to take advantage of the best deals on Nike Small Sided shoes?

Several times of the year focus on the best opportunities for football shoes, including small sided ones. The Black Friday comes first in the year, followed by the year-end holidays, winter sales, the French Days in spring and summer sales.

To keep track of these key times, you can check the Black Friday, Sales and Deals pages on the site, or their dedicated sections for shoes: Black Friday football shoes, Sale Shoes and Clearance Shoes. If you're looking for a model available quickly, the Shipped in 24h page lists pairs ready to go. To discover the latest arrivals, the New Football Shoes page is updated with the latest releases.

Frequently asked questions

Can you play five-a-side football with regular cleats?

This is not recommended: molded or screw-in studs grip poorly on an indoor surface or on hard synthetic, increasing the risk of slipping or sudden foot blockage. An indoor or turf sole is designed for these surfaces and offers more suitable grip.

What is the difference between a futsal shoe and an indoor football shoe?

They generally refer to the same type of product, as both terms are used interchangeably to describe a shoe with a smooth or thin sole suited for gym floors and indoor synthetic pitches.

Are Nike Small Sided shoes suitable for running outdoors on asphalt?

An indoor pure sole wears out quickly on asphalt and is not designed for that use. A turf sole, with its small rubber studs, copes better with this type of surface and is more suitable for occasional outdoor use.

Do you need specific shin guards for playing futsal?

Futsal is often played with thinner or shorter shin guards than those used on full-sized pitches, as the contacts differ and comfort takes precedence over protection against stud tackles. However, this choice is personal and depends on the level of play.

How to maintain futsal shoes made of canvas or synthetic materials?

A cleaning with warm water and a soft brush is usually enough to remove dust and dirt from the surface accumulated indoors. It's best to let the shoes air dry, away from direct heat, to avoid distorting the upper or weakening the glueing.