Indoor Shoes for futsal and indoor football

A flat rubber sole for grip on parquet

The Indoor sole, marked IN or IC (Indoor Court) depending on the brands, is flat, made of soft rubber, and designed with patterns that grip onto a smooth floor. It is primarily non-marking: it doesn't leave black marks on the gym floor, a requirement for many venues. Its low profile places you closer to the ground, enhancing the feel underfoot, which is crucial when you control and play the ball with the sole. The most advanced models add cushioning foam in the midsole, as the parquet is unforgiving on heels and knees throughout a match.

Your pitch is outside? Change your sole

As soon as you leave the gym, the flat rubber loses its usefulness. 5-a-side football centres on carpet or stabilised surfaces require Turf shoes with studs, while outdoor pitches with artificial grass are played with AG soles. For natural grass, choose moulded FG studs for dry conditions and screw-ins for wet ground when it rains. The Pitches page compares all these soles side by side.

Futsal: what the shoe should bring to the game

Futsal is played five-a-side on a pitch the size of a handball court, with a fast game, a lot of sole passes and close-range shots. The shoe must provide a precise touch rather than heavy protection: a flexible upper, a reinforced toe that withstands abrasion on the floor, and a stable heel for stopping without slipping.

The leather remains very popular among indoor players for its contact with the ball; Mizuno features it on its Morelia Neo Sala and adidas on the Mundial Goal, a classic with a leather upper, suede toe and rubber sole. Synthetic uppers, which are lighter, appeal to those who play at speed.

Top Sala, F50, Predator: choosing your indoor shoe

• adidas Top Sala and Super Sala: two models dedicated to indoor use, with a non-marking rubber sole, for everyday futsal.
• adidas F50 Hyperfast: the indoor version of the speed shoe, lightweight and close-fitting, available even for little ones with laceless versions.
• adidas Predator: the choice of players who strike and control, featuring a foldable tongue design that hides the laces in the Fold-Over Tongue versions.
• Mizuno Morelia Neo Sala: the futsal version of the Morelia Neo, appreciated for its lightness and upper that hugs the foot, available in Pro or Elite versions.

When to replace your pair of futsal

Futsal is mainly played in winter: Black Friday and year-end holidays are the time to replace a worn rubber before indoor matches in January. Winter sales follow, then the French Days dedicated to football shoes in spring, and summer sales, perfect for preparing for the return to training in the gym. Throughout the year, shoe promos and clearance deals offer good bargains on Indoor models.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you wear indoor shoes for outdoor sports?

On asphalt or stabilised surfaces, the soft rubber wears out very quickly and grips poorly as soon as the ground is dusty or damp. Keep them for indoor use and keep them clean: a pair worn outside will bring gravel onto the gym floor.

Why does my indoor sole slip on the parquet?

Most often, dust from the gym has settled on the rubber. Wipe the sole with a damp cloth before the match and during breaks; if the patterns are smooth, the rubber is worn and it's time to get a new pair.

What's the difference between IN and IC?

No difference in principle: IN stands for Indoor and IC stands for Indoor Court, both ways to describe a flat sole for an indoor surface. The designation mainly depends on the brand and model; the use remains exactly the same.

Do you need to take half a size up in futsal?

Generally not: indoors, the precision of touch requires a snug fitting shoe, with no space that causes the foot to slip. Just leave a little room in front of the toes and opt for leather, which stretches a bit and conforms to the shape of the foot.

Are indoor shoes suitable for children?

Yes, it's actually a great introduction for futsal schools and gym sessions. Adidas offers mini laceless versions for kids, easy for them to put on by themselves, with the same non-marking sole as adult models.