We thought we’d change our focus from football boots to turf shoes for this article, since the recent popularity rise in ‘fives’ and futsal has resulted in companies releasing a whole range of different shoes available for you to wear on turf. In this article we’ll argue whether you should wear firm ground, or stick with the rubber outsole, and highlight the five best contenders that you should be looking to purchase for your five a side games.
Generally, there are two types of astroturf: 3G and sand based. The 3G is the turf that contains the little rubber pellets, covering an artificial grass pitch. The sand based turf is basically just a carpet with sand on it. As technologies have developed, 3G has become the main turf contender and as such players are at a huge dilemma in what type of boots to wear. In the past, players were restricted to purely rubber soled shoes for the sand based turf, but now that 3G is more common, the use of firm ground boots on turf has become a popular option.
But is it always wise to wear firm ground boots? Well, quite frankly, it depends on the stud configuration. Boots such as the CTR360 Maestri IIs with a bladed soleplate are almost dangerous to use on 3G, and can result in injuries. I personally have been on the receiving end of a nasty knee injury because I wore blades and it really wasn’t pleasant. However, if you’re the owner of a Conical stud patterned football boot (for example, the Adidas Copa Mundial), then it’s absolutely fine to use them on 3G.
If we turn our attention to the rubber soled turf shoes, there are some benefits and negatives to this choice too. Many players feel that wearing this type of boot on 3G just doesn’t provide them with enough grip, like a firm ground boot would. You do lose a bit of traction, and in wet conditions it can lead to slipping and sliding everywhere. But then you have to consider that rubber soled shoes can be used on both types of turf, 3G and sand, and are generally a great deal cheaper than firm ground boots.
Which one would I recommend? Personally, I can’t play on turf without using firm ground boots. However, I must stress that you pick yourself a Conical stud patterned football boot. These tend to be more heritage style boots, but it’s really for your own safety. It may be tempting to wear blades on turf, and some people get away with it, but it just hugely increases the chances of an injury and I don’t think it’s worth the bother really. However, if you’re on more of a budget, there are some quality rubber soled shoes that you can purchase that are designed for small sided games.
Which are the best boots to wear then?
1. Nike Bomba Finale
Nike’s mix between the T90 and CTR360 in a turf shoe has proved to be a popular one – and for good reason. The upper of the shoe is made from an extremely thin, pliable kangalite, and the fit mimics a Nike Mercurial Vapor more than a Laser. Weighing in at just over 10 ounces, the technology on the shoe is designed to help you make your passes and shots accurate and true. The outsole features a unique layout for a turf shoe, and is designed to help you reach your max speed as quickly as possible. The Nike Bomba Finale would be a solid choice for any budding 5 a side player with an RRP of £74.99.
Now it’s the turn of Adidas’ specialist futsal shoe! The upper of the shoe features a breathable mesh material, covered in an usual substance which is used to enhance touch and control in any conditions – similar to Nike’s latest technology on the CTR360s, set to be later added to the rest of the Nike range. The outsole of the shoe features Adidas’ renowned AdiPrene technology – something that I loved when wearing these shoes. Perhaps not as professional as the Bomba Finale, the price tag reflects this at a cool RRP of £47.
3. Pantafola d’Oro Piceno Vitello
Definitely the premium shoe in this list, coming in at an RRP of £109.99, the Pantafola d’Oro Piceno Vitello boasts a wonderful K-Leather upper which is regarded as one of the best in the world. Crafted by hand, Pantafola as a brand are loved by many top pros of the past, with names such as Bergomi, Capello, Di Canio, Klinsmann and Mancini all having worn them. Finishing the package off is a durable gum rubber outsole which is designed to provide optimal traction on turf and hard ground. If you were indeed inclined to splash out on a pair of Pantafola d’Oro Piceno Vitello futsal shoes, you would be guaranteed quality.
4. Nike Tiempo Legend IV FG
You can really wear any boot on 3G turf, but the best to wear are ones with conical studs or specifically made for 3G pitches. There are are many boots that fit this criteria, but do you have a certain pair of boots you wear on synthetic pitches?
About Jon Nicholson
What is this based on Jon?
You Should make an article on how to remove The scuffs you get from wearing them on 3G
Is it a leather boot?
Or you could just got for artificial grass soul plate?, there a little hard to find in terms of choice but there designed for those pitches, even powerleague freindly which blades are not allowed.
The new ctr 3 has the maestri in AG which is decent!!!
I played on 3G with blades and I got more traction than conical ones now I playing in adipure 11nova sometimes I do lose a bit of grip but I think it’s because there to much rubber pellets
You forgot to mention the nike mercurial glide, have to be one of the best shoes i’ve had the pleasure of using on 3g turf.
Synthetic Adizeros work really well on turf. I’ve used them for about a year on almost nothing but turf. No discomfort and they have about as much wear as you’d expect on fg. Really pleased with them.
What injuries are you more at risk for if you use blades?
knee and ankle injuries from too much traction.
About getting stucked to the ground?
I use my FG Predator LZs and adipowers and they’ve served me perfectly well
All of next years Nike’s top level boots are coming out in AG soleplates too
looking forward to IX Vapors in Ag!
Hi, I really like this post
I have read about the use of blade studs in turf and played both conical and blades, I feel both comfortable. When you talk about injuries caused by using blades, it’s because blades can cause slips or being stucked at turf?
Could be compared with the use of SG solepaltes in dry condition fields?
Thank you.
Blade have more grip so you would get injured by pulling a muscle because your leg gets caught up in the turf.
I think my SG Copa Mundials prefoem the best for me… For some reason you feel like you on stilts, so I have better vision of the pitch… (With just a little stud pressure)
I’ve used CTR I and II, adiPowers, and leather adizeros on turf with no problems at all…
I’ve go the Nike Tiempo Mystics in White/Gold with the AstroTurf sole, and they are incredibly doft and comfortable even about 10 months on! The comfort helps a lot with the quality of your touch and play overall, and the leather cushions touches much better than the plastics of say F10s which are quite cheap looking. So you don’t really need to buy the full Tiempo Legends for a really comfortable range of the silo, as these are great and only cost £60 upon release, often about £40 2 months later!
Oh dear *got, *soft. Alos I havn’t worn the F10s so don’t be put off by my guess that the touch on them is as slipperry in the wet and poor in the dry as I suggest.
I picked up a really bad SIJ (sacroiliac joint) and ankle injury from using my pred x’s on turf. I played for 5 years on grass, then last year I started playing on turf pitches for competitive play and training. I’ve been injured for nearly a year and have yet to recover (haven’t played competitively for 11 months). I never took a hard tackle. The Deep, Bladed studs really give too much traction on the turf, they allow you to stop faster and start faster than your body allows. And if the turf is too old, you’re basically standing on the top of the blades. And the hard turf is not forgiving on the body. In dirt & grass pitches, the ground gives so you don’t take all the force. The SIJ is one of the primary suspension systems in the body, so it was damaged as a result.
I also play futsal on concrete, but those shoes all have cushioning built into the heel and the traction doesn’t come close.
Take my advice, if you are gonna play competitively on turf and you heavily rely on your acceleration and speed, get a AG plate or turf shoes. I’m using the adi5 and I’m really enjoying it. It doesn’t have the same feel and fit as a cleat, but it still gets the job done. I can still generate the strikes and crosses I need.
Just wear your normal cleats and a pair of Jacks Shoe Jackets by Lamont Sport (www.lamontsport.com). They work the best, by far.
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Monty Everett
President