Many people believe that if they already have a pair of indoor soccer shoes they will also be useful if they decide to play with them on artificial turf. Everyday, indoor and turf shoes become more and more expensive, making it hard to buy a pair for each different surface. Is it really necessary to do it?
So, can you wear indoor soccer shoes on turf? It is not a good idea to play on turf with indoor soccer shoes because they don’t provide the necessary traction for that surface. If you do it, you will probably play in disadvantage in comparison to other players that are wearing the correct shoes.
Indoor soccer shoes are made for indoor DRY hardwood surfaces. Most of indoor soccer shoes will be useful to play in concrete street soccer too. However, you’ll notice that, when the floor is wet, is like you were playing on ice.
Indoor shoes are not made to play on a totally different surface as an artificial turf carpet can be (that can sometimes be wet). The durability of the shoe can be affected and there are high chances you’ll be slipping off during the whole game.
What are soccer turfs made of
An Artificial turf is a rubberized green carpet that sits very close to the ground that simulates artificial grass (but is not the same). Turfs are usually very low-profile and a lot rougher than a normal artificial grass. Read my article: The BIG difference between turf and Artificial Grass.
However, this doesn’t mean that they are completely flat, they have their level of deepness to it, meaning that you’ll need some shoes that can provide the enough grip and traction when playing on it.
Sometimes, turf fields can be located outdoors, meaning that they can become wet playing surfaces. When wet, turfs can be very hard to play at because of the quickness of the game. They become super slippery surfaces even with the correct turf shoes.
Now just imagine that in indoor courts, when wet and wearing indoor shoes, they are slippery and dangerous, think about how it may be to play on a wet artificial turfs using indoor shoes… almost like an ice skating/hockey court.
Why you should buy turf soccer shoes
So you had a better idea of the difference between both soccer shoes, I took a picture of my turf shoes and my indoor shoes side by side.
As you can see, there is a big difference between both. The indoor shoes’ outsole is completely flat and rubberized to provide awesome traction in a flat court. Indoor shoes are not made to play on rough rubber carpets, meaning that the outsole can run serious danger of getting ruined.
In the other hand, the turf shoes have this small rubber “studs” so they can provide a good grip with the turf carpet, giving you the necessary traction.
Take into consideration that this are NOT the best soccer turf shoes out there. In fact, many times when playing in them on some turfs, I’ve been slipping around losing great in-game opportunities. This is because when I bought them, I didn’t realize that the rubber “bumps” or “studs” were not as thick as in other turf shoes. Because of this, my turf shoes couldn’t penetrate the turf correctly, making me slip off in many occasions.
It is important to know that Turf shoes can also be used on artificial grass surface because of their great similarity. This is a great advantage if you’re on a budget and need to buy some shoes that can work in most surfaces as possible.
They will not offer a very aggressive grip and traction with the surface as a shoe made with a specific Artificial Grass soleplate, but they will get the job done.
Also, turf soccer shoes are A LOT cheaper than most soccer cleats. Most soccer boots will cost average from 200 to 300 dollars while turf shoes can cost from 65 to 150 dollars.
What to look for on Turf Soccer Shoes
Here is a list of 6 things you should look for when buying a pair of turf soccer shoes:
- Comfort: Is the most important thing when buying ANY shoe. The idea is that you feel their your ideal shoes and that they don’t cause you any blisters. Some shoes may take a while to brake them in, causing you pain or blisters in some foot areas. However if after some time they are still hurting you, it is best to change them.
- Good fit: This will vary between each person. Some people may like a more close-tight to the feet modern fit while others will like a classy leather fit. The most important is that you feel satisfied with what you are wearing.
- Quality materials: There are many brands out there that just make turf shoes for the sake of doing it and do not care a bit about the quality they offer, creating very plastic-like cheap synthetics. When buying turf shoes you’ll notice the quality of the materials just by touching them. This is why I just prefer buying trustable soft leather turf shoes.
- Reasonable price: There are some turf shoes out there that are just stupidly expensive for the value they offer. Be careful not to choose an insanely expensive product. Usually 200 dollars for a pair of turf shoes is too expensive, surely there are same and even better quality products for 100 dollars less than that.
- Traction: I wouldn’t worry too much about this aspect. Most soccer turf shoes will provide a same good-level on traction on turf.
- Durability: Artificial turfs are super rough surfaces, and can easily tear up your shoes in short time. Be sure to search owner’s reviews on the shoes you want to buy before purchasing. Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Puma will surely offer great durable products.
Advice for new buyers
The best advice I can give you, based on my own experience, is not to waste your money on fake marketed boots that seem to be the best but aren’t.
One great example for me is Nike’s Turf shoes with dynamic Fit Collar. This is kind of a high-cutted heel that Nike claims offers a sensational sock-like feel for the players wearing it. This became a trend among soccer players so I decided to buy it. Here is a picture of my pair.
They look awesome but don’t feel quite the same. I had several blister problems and discomforts in the heel wearing them. The sad thing is that there are cheaper turf shoes out there that are exactly the same as this one but without the dynamic fit collar, that would have worked the same or even better.
What I am trying to say is not to fall in the marketing game from big brands. If there is something completely expensive for no apparent reason, just DON’T BUY IT. Always look for the best value for money shoe.
Related to Turf Shoes personally, I would stick with buying classic leather boots. In this way, I make sure that I will not receive a plastic cheap synthetic but a quality material that will mold to my feet.
Another advantage is that leather shoes are usually cheaper than most synthetic shoes and will offer the better value for money quality. I personally like a lot the soccer Turf shoes that the Nike Tiempo line develops.
I would recommend not to pay more than 125 dollars for a pair of turf shoes. In most cases there will be better deals on better shoes.
You can click here to see my pick for the best indoor and turf shoes. Usually, brands make these types of shoes with both indoor and turf soles available.
Final Thoughts
Don’t play with soccer indoor shoes on turf. You will be in a clear disadvantage in comparison to the other players that are wearing the correct shoes for the surface.
Indoor shoes have a flat surface and they offer zero traction on a artificial turf field. Also, they are designed for flat wooden surfaces and not rough rubber carpets meaning that the durability of the outsole can run serious danger of getting ruined.
Buying soccer turf shoes can be a great investment to have the best optimal grip and traction in a turf carpet surface. However, buying the best pair can sometimes be tricky because some brands sell their products at ridiculously high prices for no good reason. Try to always search the best value-for-money shoe.