Can soccer cleats be worn on turf?
Without natural soil, cleats may not allow optimal performance since they are not penetrating the surface to get the desired grip. The answer to can you wear cleats on artificial turf then is yes, but with a caveat. You'll still get the benefits of an artificial turf field, but the cleats won't function the same.
Using molded cleats on turf can destroy the artificial surface, which pretty much ends the turf shoes vs cleats debate for most players.
You can wear trainers on artificial turf if you prefer and they give you enough traction but turf cleats will grip the ground more effectively.
Turf soccer shoes are also an option to wear on hard, dry natural grass surfaces, as well as the new, long-bladed artificial grass surfaces.
Turf cleats are baseball and softball shoes built with a rubber nub or tread pattern that looks more like a sneaker than a spike. These comfortable kicks are designed for better grip and traction on artificial turf. As a result, turf cleats are best for playing and training on this type of surface.
It is recommended that all players wear legal, molded-sole soccer shoes or turf shoes. Metal or metal-tipped cleats are not allowed. Shoes with toe cleats are not allowed to be worn (typically found on softball or baseball type cleats). The toe cleats may not be cut off in an effort to circumvent this Law.
They are your best partners on hard grounds and AstroTurf. The rubber studs distribute your weight better. Personally, I do prefer using them on mud grounds because offer a much better grip but it does void the warranty on the product.
The outsole of the shoe is what makes turf and grass cleats different. The purpose of the outsole is to adapt to various surface conditions. Since turf's conditions are generally consistent, turf cleats do not have significant gripping elements.
In general, your cleats are supposed to be tight. Well, maybe “snug” is a better term. You don't want boots that are so tight that they cut off circulation to your feet, but you want them to feel responsive, which means they should be very snug.
If you're playing on turf fields, you have to wear turf shoes/ Normal cleats aren't an option out of respect for keeping the field's integrity.
Can you wear turf shoes for outdoor soccer?
Turf shoes are also great for soccer training and can be used as a back-up pair of shoes for play on hard surfaces. Flat Bottom/Lifestyle/Running Shoes: These shoes have a durable rubber outsole, provide excellent cushioning and feature a breathable comfortable fit.
AG soccer cleats have soleplates designed for artificial grass. Turf shoes have short studs that are uniformly distributed all over the sole. Using AG boots on turf won't give you any traction.
Generally speaking, a soccer cleat will fit true to regular shoe size. That said, some players (especially elite-level athletes) prefer their boots to fit much more snug than, say, a pair of running shoes. This is because elite-level athletes tend to prefer a more sensitive touch on the ball.
Astro turf boots, commonly referred to by the shortened phrase TF, are footwear specifically designed to provide the best experience for players on Astro turf surfaces. This synthetic playing surface offers an alternative to traditional turf and other artificial grass.
Choose the shoes that fit the larger foot. Yet, you should not buy cleats any larger than a thumb width beyond your child's big toe. This will ensure that your child's feet will have room to grow without the cleat being too large and affect your child's ability to run or play.
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.
Soccer shoes can be worn for Little League baseball, but baseball shoes CANNOT be worn for soccer. If you're going to buy your child one pair of shoes for both sports, buy soccer shoes. In our youth soccer league, referees are instructed to check the cleat pattern of each player's shoes before a game.
Why is there no toe cleats in soccer? There are no toe studs/spikes in soccer cleats because of safety reasons. Various soccer regulatory bodies such as FIFA have strict guidelines for soccer equipment that is meant to protect players and avoid any serious injuries.
But the flipside is that the right pair of cleats becomes extremely important. There's a reason, after all, that most of the world calls it “football.” If you don't protect and support your feet appropriately, comfort and performance will suffer.
If there's even a tiny possibility that people can fall from a height on your artificial grass, then padding is a must. Foam shock pads help prevent injuries by cushioning and absorbing the impact of falls.
Do you put anything under turf?
Generally, in places with a mild climate, you can use the following: type 1 stone, gravel, crushed rock, decomposed granite, or any stones or rocks smaller than 3/8 inches as a base. Around 3-4 inches of the base material is needed to improve drainage and avoid slumping.
Installing the Synthetic Turf
Using 5” or 6” nails, nail down one side of the turf. Space nails out approximately 4” around the perimeter and seams and about 1” from the edge. Nail the turf approximately 18” – 2' spacing in the middle.
So, is artificial grass safe for kids? The answer is yes, and you can ensure the highest level of safety by including a shock pad (to reduce the risk of injury with falls) and by selecting a non-toxic, high-quality turf infill free from allergens, dust, and heavy metals.
Specifically, players have a 28% higher rate of non-contact lower extremity injuries when playing on artificial turf. Of those non-contact injuries, players have a 32% higher rate of non-contact knee injuries on turf and a staggering 69% higher rate of non-contact foot/ankle injuries on turf compared to grass.
Grass will eventually give, which often releases the cleat prior to reaching an injurious load. On synthetic surfaces, there is less give, meaning our feet, ankles and knees absorb the force, which makes injury more likely to follow.”
Use a roller to firm the soil, but don't compact it. This will create a smooth surface for the new turf.
Unless in exceptional circumstance we recommend loose-laying artificial grass over fixing it down. For the vast majority of applications we believe loose-laying is the professional way to install artificial grass for the following reasons: Artificial grass can expand and contract with heat fluctuations.
Geotextile paper is the most commonly used underlayment for artificial turf, which is also called a geotextile mat. When installing artificial turf, it is very important to install the geotextile paper under the turf. There are many reasons for installing the geotextile underlayment.
The primary reason soccer players prefer grass over turf is the reduced risk of injury. Turf causes more non-contact injuries than grass across every body part, from the head and shoulders to the knees and toes. For soccer and American football players, their lower bodies are most vulnerable.
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.
Can you wear flat shoes on turf?
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.