How to Choose the Right Size: Your Ultimate IDA Cleat Sizing Guide

Shopping for new boots during the busy season? We know that choosing the right size can feel a little overwhelming–even if you “always wear the same size.” The truth is: sizing isn’t always straightforward. And that’s because feet aren’t one-dimensional, and neither is fit.

So, to help you feel confident in your decision, we’ve gathered our top tips straight from our Product Research & Development Lead. From using your everyday shoe size as a baseline to making the most of our Volumental sizing tool, here’s your step-by-step guide to finding your best IDA fit.

Start With What You Know: Your Women’s Footwear Size

Your day-to-day women’s footwear size is the best starting point.

Not sure whether your current cleats are in women’s sizing or unisex/men’s sizing? Here’s a quick trick:

• In the US, unisex/men’s sizes typically run 1 to 1.5 sizes lower than women’s.
• Example: You wear a women’s US 8 in everyday shoes but a US 6.5 in your cleats → your cleats are almost certainly in unisex/men’s sizing.

If you’re still unsure, check the CM measurement printed on your cleat’s label or listed in their size guide online. This is one of the most reliable ways to compare across brands–just be sure to confirm whether the listed CM refers to foot length or product length (most modern guides list foot length).

Your next step:
Find the sizing guide for the shoes that fit you best, locate the corresponding foot length (in cm or inches), then see where that measurement lands on the IDA size chart.

It’s not a perfect science–every brand fits differently, and even different models within the same brand can vary. But this will get you most of the way there.

Next Level Accuracy: Use Our Volumental Foot Sizing Tool

Starting from scratch or want more insights? Take advantage of the Volumental tool on each product page.

Just look for the Volumental logo and/or “Size guide” above the size options on the IDA product you’re looking at and follow the prompts. 

If you’re able to complete the foot-scanning portion, even better. You'll use your phone to snap a few photos of your feet next to a sheet of printer paper and that will give Volumental the data it needs to determine your foot length, width, and how your dimensions compare to the average population.

Why Fit Preference Matters

Your fit preference plays a huge role in your final size. For example:

• Snug fit / no space at the toe
  More common among elite and experienced players.
  
• Roomy fit / thumb’s width at the toe
  More common among youth players whose feet are still growing along with amateur players and those playing a sport that requires less foot-ball interaction (like rugby).
  

Volumental’s recommended size is based on data collected from real players: their scans, their foot dimensions, and their preferred size. When you input the model and size of your favorite-fitting cleat or sneaker alongside your foot scan, you’re helping the tool understand whether you’re a “snug” or “roomy” player or if you’re in the middle!

Volumental takes all this into account–but ultimately, you know your feet best. Treat the recommendation as a very strong starting point, then adjust based on your preferences.

How to Interpret Your Recommendation

A few general guidelines:

• If you like extra space
  And you’re at the upper end of the foot-length range of the recommended size  → consider going up a half size.
• If you like a snug, locked-in fit
  And you’re at the lower end of the range → sizing down can give you that tight, responsive feel.

Don’t Forget: Width Matters Too

Length is only one piece of the puzzle. Your foot width also plays a huge role in comfort and performance, which is why we include an average width range for each size in the IDA guide.

And here’s where things get interesting: it’s completely normal for your ideal length and ideal width to fall into different size ranges.

Example

• Your foot length aligns with a US 6.
  
• Your foot width lines up closer to a US 8.
  

What now? Aim for the happy medium.

• If you prefer a roomier feel, you may lean toward a US 7, or even toward the US 8 if snugness bothers you.
  
• If you prefer a snug fit, the US 6 or US 6.5 might still feel great.
  

The same logic applies if your feet run narrower than average: you may want to consider sizing down to achieve that secure wrap around the midfoot.

Still Not Sure? Order Two Sizes

If you’re able to, ordering two sizes and keeping the one that fits best can be the simplest solution. And returns are much easier than exchanges (for both you and us!). Plus, IDA offers a 30 Day Free Wear Trial with free return so you can be confident the shoe you buy fits just right.

The Bottom Line

Feet are complex, and sizing shoes–especially performance footwear–isn’t as straightforward as looking at one number. Your length, your width, your fit preference, and the style of the cleat all play a role.

But with your starting shoe size, our fit guide, and the Volumental tool, you’ll have everything you need to choose the size that helps you feel confident, comfortable, and unstoppable on the pitch.