Soccer cleats, soccer boots, soccer shoes, firm ground shoes, football boots; whatever you call them, they are vital for playing the game of soccer or football. Since a lot of soccer fields and arenas are covered with artificial grass, you might be wondering if you can wear cleats or shoes on the material.
Yes, you can wear shoes or soccer cleats on synthetic turf.
With that said, however, you want to make sure that you know as much as possible about wearing shoes or cleats on artificial grass so that you can purchase the best protective footwear to work with the surface you’ll be playing on. There are different types of soccer shoes and cleats, and each type is made to help improve your game. They are specifically made to work with different synthetic grass surfaces.
Interchangeable cleats and molded cleats are best used with natural grass surfaces, where your shoes have to bite into the ground in order to create traction. Indoor soccer cleats and shoes are best used on sport courts, asphalt, concrete and gym floors. Turf shoes are specifically designed to be used on fields that are covered with synthetic grass.
If you are going to be playing on artificial grass, keep on reading to find out valuable information wearing soccer shoes or soccer cleats on this type of surface.
Playing on Synthetic Turf
Traditional soccer cleats are made to penetrate the surface of the ground. This is extremely important, as it provides traction when playing on natural grass, preventing slips and falls. However, when it comes to playing on artificial turf, traditional soccer cleats aren’t the best option. Synthetic turf blades are much tougher than natural grass blades. The mat that artificial turf is laid on is impermeable.
These two factors make traditional soccer cleats or shoes and synthetic grass a bad combination, as they won’t provide the traction that is needed on this material. They also don’t provide the proper comfort or support on fake grass. For these reasons, normal soccer clears are often prohibited on fields that are covered with turf. Why? – Because they wear down the surface of the turf.
What to Wear on Artificial Turf?
If you are going to be playing soccer on artificial turf, forego the traditional soccer cleats and instead, opt for turf soccer shoes.
Turf soccer shoes are specifically designed to be worn on artificial grass. They have harder outsoles than traditional soccer shoes. They also feature raised, dense, aggressive treads that are shallower than the blades or studs that are used on normal soccer cleats. Additionally, turf soccer shoes are not meant to permeate the mat underneath the surface of synthetic grass. Instead, they are designed to hold onto the dense surface of turf grass.
As a result, turf soccer shoes are much more effective on artificial grass than normal soccer cleats. Also, because they are designed to interact uniformly with the turf surface, turf soccer cleats are much more comfortable to wear on surfaces that are made of artificial grass.
Turf Soccer Cleats: Things to Consider
If you are planning on buying turf soccer shoes, there are certain factors that you should take into consideration before choosing the pair you’re going to purchase. The following factors will help you find the best turf soccer cleats to meet your specific needs:
- The fit. Of all the factors that you should take into consideration when shopping for turf soccer cleats, fit is the most important. They should fit snuggly, both in the heel and the toe. This will help to prevent your foot from sliding on the inside of the shoe, which is not only important for comfort, but it is also important for safety. Steer clear of shoes that are too narrow for your foot, as they will pinch and be extremely uncomfortable.
- Opt for genuine leather. Turf soccer cleats can be made of genuine or synthetic leather. The latter is the best option, because it stretches, allowing it to conform to the natural shape of the foot. With increased wear, you will have a more customized fit, which will increase the comfort of the shoe.
- Think about price. Turf shoes come in a wide range of prices. It’s important to remember that a higher price tag doesn’t necessarily mean a better shoe. There are plenty of affordable turf soccer shoes that are affordably priced and offer outstanding comfort and traction.
If you are going to play soccer on artificial grass, turf soccer cleats or shoes are one of the most important pieces of gear you will purchase.