The Different Types of Soccer Cleats Explained
This article is part of the What to Know about Soccer Cleats series.
Soccer, the most popular sport in the world, is played on various surfaces. Each surface requires specific footwear to keep all players safe and provide the necessary traction and support. Playing soccer on grass, artificial grass, or turf requires specialized footwear, yet many players and parents are confused about the type of soccer cleats or shoes needed for the season. Our Footwear Experts explain the different types of soccer cleats and shoes so you can decide which type is right for you.
What Are the Different Types of Soccer Cleats?
Soccer footwear is broken up into two main categories—soccer cleats and soccer shoes.
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- If you’re playing on long grass or artificial grass, you’ll wear soccer cleats.
- If you’re playing on short turf or court surfaces, you’ll want to wear soccer shoes.
Firm Ground (FG) Soccer Cleats
Firm ground (FG) soccer cleats are the most common type of soccer cleats available on the market. Designed for natural grass surfaces, they work well on dry or slightly wet grass fields. With firm ground cleats, the studs are slightly longer than other types of soccer cleats. They typically have non-removable molded studs, which provide more stability, support, and control on firm ground surfaces.
Multi-Ground (MG) Soccer Cleats
Multi-ground (MG) soccer cleats are ideal if you play on different types of surfaces—natural grass and artificial grass. With multi-ground cleats, the studs are slightly shorter and more evenly distributed across the sole. This means that they can grip longer grass or artificial grass surfaces when making quick cuts. With the advancement in artificial grass fields, these provide reliable traction if playing on 3G or 4G fields.
Turf Soccer Shoes
Turf soccer shoes are designed for thin carpet turf or thin indoor fields. They have shorter rubber studs than multi-ground cleats for better traction on thin turf surfaces. The rubber studs also provide a more comfortable fit and better cushioning, protecting the feet from injuries on the harder surface.
Court Soccer Shoes
Court soccer shoes are designed for hard surfaces. Indoor soccer shoes are lightweight, low profile, and have a flat rubber sole, which provides better grip on indoor surfaces. These shoes also have a thin layer of cushioning for added comfort. Indoor soccer shoes are designed for futsal or soccer games played on an indoor court or outdoor concrete.
Can I Wear Turf Soccer Shoes on Artificial Grass?
Although it is best to have soccer cleats specifically designed for the pitch on which you are playing, you may be able to get away with wearing turf soccer shoes on artificial grass. However, the shorter rubber studs will not perform as well as cleated shoes.
Can I Wear Multi-Ground Soccer Cleats on Turf?
Artificial turf is shorter and harder than artificial grass. You should not wear multi-ground soccer cleats on turf because they are too hard and too long for the short, firm turf. Doing so could damage your cleats or potentially cause injury due to improper traction.
Once you understand the four main soccer cleat types, you can start your search. If you have additional questions about the different types of soccer shoes or how to choose the right pair of soccer cleats, contact a Footwear Expert at your local ERLEBNISWELT-FLIEGENFISCHEN.
