red and white adidas football boots

The Complete Guide to Football Boots by Surface Type

Published: 13/11/2020, updated: 15/01/2025

To ensure you have the best performance on the pitch, it is important to choose the right football boot for the right pitch. Not wearing the right football boot may lead to injury to yourself and other players. Wearing the incorrect boot can also lead to damage to the pitch.

Firm ground boot

Firm ground boots:

Which football boots are best for firm ground pitches?

FG (Firm Ground) boots are perfectly suited for firm ground surfaces – as well as multiple other pitch types. They are designed for surfaces where the grass is kept short. Ideal use is when the pitch is dry. Unlike standard soft ground boots, that tend to have 6 studs, FG boots tend to have multiple studs of different shapes and sizes.

What does 'firm ground' mean in football boots?

Firm Ground (FG) boots have been crafted especially for natural, short grass surfaces. Studs on these boots are safe for firm surfaces that may also be slightly wet, offering heightened traction by evenly placing stud pressure across the foot.

What are the best firm ground football boots?

Finding the best-suited firm ground football boot is important. A firm ground boot is tailored to the hard and dry conditions associated with spring and summer pitches. The best FG football boots will provide comfort and stability. Nike, adidas and PUMA have a variety of tiered firm ground boots suitable for all standards of player.

Can you wear soft ground boots on firm ground?

Simply put, SG boots should be restricted for use on soft/wet ground solely. Wearing SG boots on FG or artificial surfaces increases the likelihood of injury especially to the ankle areas.

Soft ground boot

Soft ground boots:

Can you wear firm ground boots on soft ground?

Ideally, FG boots should only be used on FG and 3G/4G pitches. However, they can handle slightly damp pitches but should be avoided when pitches are particularly wet as the shorter/moulded studs will struggle to generate as much traction through soggy grass and mud.

Which football boots are best for soft ground pitches?

Finding the right football boot for soft ground pitches is vital. Soggy grass and wet pitches are commonplace for the soft ground winter footballer and SG football boots, with their conical shaped studs, help to cut through the testing terrain providing a secure grip, ensuring you can play with freedom.

What is the best pair of kids' soft ground football boots?

Finding the best suited kid’s soft ground football boot is important. A soft ground boot is tailored to the wet terrains associated with autumn and winter football pitches. The best SG kid’s football boots will provide comfort and stability. Nike, adidas and PUMA have a variety of tiered soft ground boots suitable for all ages.

What are the best men's soft ground football boots?

It is imperative to find a well-suited soft ground football boot, as they are tailored to the wet terrains of autumn and winter football pitches. The best SG football boots will provide comfort and stability. Nike, adidas and PUMA have a variety of soft ground boots suitable for all standards of players.

What is the best pair of Nike soft ground football boots?

Nike boasts a wide variety of soft ground football boots tailored to the variety of positions on the pitch. The Nike Mercurial football boots is their speed boot range and the most popular, built for wide players and attackers. The 360-degree construction wraps around the foot for a secure fit whilst the soft-ground studs give great traction in wet conditions.

What is the best pair of adidas soft ground football boots?

One of adidas’ most iconic boots of all time, is their best-selling Predator range. The Predator 20.1 is engineered with adidas Demonskin technology which uses raised rubber spikes to deliver exceptional swerve when you strike the ball. An adidas Primeknit upper flows with the contours of the foot for increased comfort.

Indoor boot

Indoor boots:

Which boots are best for indoor football pitches?

Indoor football trainers are the only shoes suitable for indoor pitches. The tailored rubber sole of an indoor trainer is designed for safety, alongside optimised control. You should refrain from using any artificial or turf trainers indoor to avoid injury or floor marking.

What are the best indoor football shoes?

With a combination of control, comfort & traction, the best indoor football shoes can be found from the likes of Nike, adidas, Joma & PUMA. Shop Joma’s Top Flex 803 indoor football trainers

What are the best Nike indoor football shoes?

The Nike React Gato Indoor Football Trainers. These indoor football trainers have been engineered to offer responsive cushioning and unparalleled first touch. The Nike React foam midsole offers exceptional cushioning and energy response and the Nike Flyknit enhances control at high speeds.

What are the best adidas indoor football shoes?

The adidas Mundial Goal Indoor Football trainers - an unrivalled classic. Few football shoes define football hierarchy in the same way as the adidas Mundials. The K-leather provides an improved feel of the ball coupled with maximum comfort. The split suede patch to the front of the trainers increases durability.

What are the best indoor football shoes?

The best indoor football shoes comprise of a combination of control, comfort and traction. A variety of options are available at Sports Direct from brands such as Nike, adidas, PUMA and Joma. Check out Joma’s Top Flex 803 indoor football trainers.

Artificial boot

Artificial grass/astroturf boots:

Which football boots are the best for astroturf pitches?

For astroturf or artificial grass, 3G football boots can be worn as well as football boots designed specifically for artificial grass. Boots with blades must not be worn but boots with short hollowed studs can.

What are the best astroturf football boots?

The versatility of AstroTurf boots makes them suitable for any artificial or indoor surface, with adidas, Nike and PUMA all tailoring their grass football boot designs to their artificial football boot lines.

What are the best Nike astroturf trainers?

The Nike Mercurial Academy DF Astro Turf Trainers – developed with a non-marking rubber outsole, with moulded studs to guarantee exceptional grip. The Dynamic Fit collars provides secure lockdown of the foot whilst retaining a sock-like sensation in the upper, offering perfect control of the ball with ease.

What are the best adidas astroturf football trainers?

adidas offers a variety of Astroturf trainers that mirror the same lines as their grass pitch boots. The latest release of the adidas X Ghosted .3 Laceless Astro Turf Trainer has been developed with adidas Speed Skin upper to enhance on-pitch speed. The boots have an EVA midsole for lightweight comfort, a reduced heel height to relieve heel pressure and moulded studs for maximised traction.

Can you wear firm ground football boots on artificial grass?

Modern FG boots are suitable for 3G/4G pitches due to their shorter/ moulded studs. However, FG boots aren’t suitable for any sand-based pitches and pose a safety hazard.

Can you wear indoor football shoes on astroturf?

Indoor football shoes do not provide the necessary grip and traction needed for an AstroTurf/artificial grass surfaces, as they are crafted for flat, dry pitches, and therefore it is not recommended that you wear indoor trainers on turf pitches. The durability of the outsole of an indoor trainer can also become seriously damaged if worn on turf.

3G pitches:

Which football boots are the best for a 3G pitch?

Artificial grass (AG) football boots are the most suitable choice for playing on 3G pitches. Firm-ground (FG) and Astroturf boots can also be worn, but for the best performance and stability, the most suitable option is artificial grass football boots. Boots with a plastic soleplate or moulded studs are recommended.

What is a 3G football pitch?

3G stands for Third Generation and is a form of artificial football pitch made up from rubber crumb and synthetic grass. 3G pitches feature no sand, as found in older generation pitches, and therefore reduce the likelihood of friction burns.

Can you wear football boots with studs on 3G football pitches?

The best option is to stick to artificial ground (AG) football boots when playing on artificial pitches. Most blades/full studded boots are banned from artificial venues, as they not only damage the turf but also pose a potential threat to safety.

What is the difference between 3G and 4G pitches?

3G (Third Generation) pitches are constructed from three elements – synthetic turf, sand infill and rubber infill and performance infill. 4G (Fourth Generation) pitches are made from synthetic turf. 3G pitches are currently the most popular.

4G pitches

Which football boots are best for 4G pitches?

Artificial Grass (AG) football boots are the best choice when it comes to playing on 4G pitches. AG boots are designed specifically for the latest generation of synthetic surfaces. AG boots tend to have hollowed out studs to absorb the harsh impact of artificial pitches. FG boots are also an option for 4G pitches as these have moulded studs.

What is a 4G football pitch?

4G stands for Fourth Generation and is a form of artificial pitch made up from synthetic grass. The difference between 4G and 3G pitches is that 4G pitches don’t require any infill such as the rubber crumb found on 3G pitches.

Can you wear studs on a 4G pitch?

Moulded or plastic studs found on AG and FG boots are suitable for most synthetic pitches. Whereas the studs found on SG boots aren’t suitable as they not only damage the turf but pose a potential injury risk.

Can you wear firm ground boots on a 4G pitch?

Most FG boots are suitable for 4G pitches.

Grass pitches:

Which football boots are best for grass pitches?

In traditional winter conditions, soft ground boots are best when it comes to playing on grass pitches. Soggy grass and wet pitches are commonplace for the SG winter footballer and SG football boots, with their conical shaped studs, help to cut through the testing terrain providing a secure grip, ensuring you can play with freedom. Harder ground grass pitches are more suited to FG boots. A firm ground boot is tailored to the hard and dry conditions associated with spring and summer pitches. The best FG football boots will provide comfort and stability. Nike, adidas and PUMA have a variety of tiered firm ground boots suitable for all standards of player.

Can you play on artificial grass in firm ground boots?

Artificial grass boots are crafted with shorter, hollowed out studs in comparison to FG boots, to offer excellent grip and to take strain off joints and knees. Playing in firm ground boots on artificial grass can lead to shocks through the joints.