Sports usually require their own specific equipment, so that you’re well-prepared and geared up to practice it in optimal conditions.
Soccer is no different. You of course need a soccer ball and some comfortable clothes to play in, but the most important piece of equipment is by far the shoes that you wear.
Soccer is, after all, a sport played with your feet! It’s important, therefore, that the shoes you wear are appropriate for playing the sport, and well-adapted to the terrain you’re playing in.
If you’re used to playing soccer indoors, you might own some soccer shoes that work great for the indoor environment.
You might think that you can simply use those same soccer shoes when playing outside on an actual soccer turf, but the truth is: you can’t.
Or well, technically you can, you can play wearing whatever shoes you want. But you shouldn’t, because indoor soccer shoes aren’t designed to be optimal and appropriate for playing soccer on a turf.
In fact, wearing indoor shoes on turf will put you at quite a disadvantage compared to players that are wearing the right shoes, and you don’t want that, so you?
It’s cheaper to have a single pair of soccer shoes and use them for every terrain. But trust us, if you want to play at your best, it’s worth investing in the appropriate shoes.
Especially as you don’t really need to spend any money on any other special gear!
But let’s take a closer look at why indoor shoes aren’t appropriate for a soccer turf, and why you should buy some high-quality turf soccer shoes instead.
The design of an indoor soccer shoe
To understand why indoor soccer shoes aren’t right for playing soccer on turf, we first need to look at what indoor soccer shoes were actually designed for.
As the name suggests, they’re designed for indoor use. Which might not seem like a big deal at first: what’s the difference between playing indoor or outdoor? A lot.
Indoor floors are usually very smooth, and never get wet. This means that there’s barely any need for traction on the shoe, leading to indoor soccer shoes being designed with a smooth sole.
This works great for indoor terrain, as they’re comfortable and effective.
However, it makes them too smooth for outdoor turf, and it leaves them with nowhere near enough traction to stop you from slipping whenever the surface is wet.
Basically, indoor soccer shoes are designed for dry hardwood surfaces, and the only outdoor surface they could be used on would be a concrete street.
Their design can be very similar to running shoes or indoor sports shoes, and to many, this average sports shoe look makes them usable for any soccer situation.
However, a soccer turf is not hard, and it can often get wet, rendering them uncomfortable and useless when it comes to playing at your best.
Plus, they probably wouldn’t last very long when used out on a soccer turf, meaning you would just have to buy another pair anyways! Definitely worth getting the appropriate shoes right from the start!
Soccer turf
We’ve made it pretty clear that indoor soccer shoes aren’t apt for use on an outdoor soccer turf, but why?
Sure, a turf isn’t a dry hardwood surface, which is what the indoor shoes are designed for...but would they really be that useless on a turf?
What exactly is a turf made of to render them so ineffective? Let’s take a closer look and find out.
A soccer turf is an artificial rubberized green carpet that is essentially designed to simulate grass. So basically...fake grass.
A lot of soccer teams play on turf rather than a real field, because the turf is a lot easier and cheaper to maintain, and it can be controlled to ensure it’s always good to play on.
But then, why not simply call turf artificial grass?
Well, turf is slightly different from the artificial grass used in other scenarios. A soccer turf has a lower profile and is closer to the ground, as well as being a lot rougher in texture. Everything about them has been designed to optimize the conditions for soccer-playing, which is why you should also optimize your gear to match!
Despite turfs being low-profile and flat, they’re deep enough that indoor soccer shoes will not be able to provide you with the necessary traction.
You are a lot more likely to slip when playing, and if the turf is wet, you might as well be running on ice!
The design of a soccer turf shoe
Okay, so indoor soccer shoes are a big no for playing soccer on a turf. But what do soccer turf shoes have to make them so apt? How have they been designed? Let’s take a look!
The biggest design difference between indoor soccer shoes and turf soccer shoes is that the turf soccer shoes have rubber studs integrated into the sole, instead of them being smooth and flat.
These rubber studs are able to grip onto the turf carpet, and they’re what provides you with a better traction when playing soccer.
They give you a lot more control over your running and movement, and they’re great at avoiding any slipping, including when the turf is wet from the rain.
What’s also great about turf soccer shoes, is that they are very versatile in use when it comes to similar terrain.
That means that they can also be used on artificial grass, and sometimes even on a real field (although there are better shoe options for those scenarios too).
So while you absolutely do need to buy different shoes for indoor soccer and playing on turf, you don’t necessarily need to buy yet another pair of soccer shoes for playing on other outdoor terrains similar to the turf.
And, turf soccer shoes are one of the more accessible and affordable options when it comes to soccer shoes, so they really are worth it!
Buyer’s Guide for turf soccer shoes
If we’ve convinced you that you really do need turf soccer shoes for your soccer playing, then you now need to know what to look for when buying a pair.
After all, you might as well aim to get ones that meet a high standard of quality and that cover all of the basics!
Here is a small list of the factors you should take into consideration when buying turf soccer shoes, and of the different features you can look out for:
Comfort and fit
This is a pretty basic factor to consider, but we cannot stress enough how vital and important it is when choosing your soccer shoes. In fact, it’s vital for any shoes that you ever need to buy.
If they’re not comfortable, they’re not suitable for you. Shoes have to fit you properly without hurting or causing any damage.
There’s a lot of tricks and tips out there on whether you should go a size up or a size down on certain types of shoes, but do not listen to these.
You should buy shoes in your size, so that they’re a comfortable fit for you: not too tight and not too loose.
Affordability and value
Soccer shoes tend to be more expensive the higher quality they are, which can be an issue for those on a budget.
However, there’s no need to spend a big amount of money in order to get a good pair of turf soccer shoes.
In fact, turf soccer shoes are one of the most affordable and good value types of soccer shoes, and they have a versatile use that gives them a good run for their money.
However, going for the cheapest pair might end up being expensive, as they might not be as durable or as good. It’s all about finding the balance.
Focus on getting a high standard quality on the important features, such as the rubber studs and the durability of the materials, and be lenient on other features that don’t need to be as good.
Materials and overall quality
The higher the quality of the materials are, the better the shoes will be overall.
It means they will be more comfortable, more durable, and usually, better designed.
It can be worth investing a little more in some higher grade shoes, as they are guaranteed to last you for longer and to serve you better.
Traction
One of the most important features of turf soccer shoes, and something that you should prioritize above all else, is the traction.
Having a good grip on the turf surface is what makes these soccer shoes good and appropriate in the first place, so pay very close attention to the quality and design of the rubber studs.
They can be bigger or smaller, and there can be more or less spread out over the sole, depending on your preference or need.
It’s always a good idea to talk to an expert or with an experienced soccer player, to see which design will work best for you.
Durability
The durability of the turf soccer shoes is linked to the materials they are made of, and the overall design.
It’s good to prioritize durable shoes, as they will last you a longer time and therefore save you from having to buy another pair too soon.
Design and style options
Since you’ll be wearing these shoes everytime you play soccer on a turf, you might as well like them!
Soccer shoes come in many designs and styles, with different color options and brands to catch your eye.
It might not seem like a super important thing, but liking your own shoes will make you more confident in them, and is likely to improve your playing in turn!
In Conclusion
So, can you wear indoor soccer shoes on turf? The answer is no, or at least, you shouldn’t. Indoor soccer shoes are designed for dry hardwood surfaces, and feature a flat and smooth sole.
Playing on a turf requires you to have shoes with a good grip and traction, to stop you from slipping and falling, and to offer you a higher control while running and playing.
Turf soccer shoes are designed for this, featuring rubber studs that offer the necessary traction.
In order for you to play at your very best, and not be at a disadvantage, you should 100% buy some turf soccer shoes for playing on turf, and stick to the indoor soccer shoes when you’re playing on hard smooth surfaces.
