Which soccer cleats are the best for turf?

Cleats make a difference when playing soccer on artificial turf

Many people may not realize that there are three different kinds of soccer cleats. Actually there are four, but we won’t be touching on indoor shoes, since they don’t pertain to playing outside.

The types of boots that I will be touching on are AG (Artificial Ground), FG (Firm Ground) and SG (Soft Ground). When it comes to these types of cleats, you won’t be able to tell the difference unless you look at the studs on the bottom of the boots.

Each cleat style is completely different from the other. Here’s a quick breakdown:

AG (Artificial Ground)

Companies tend to not offer a wide range of AG style cleats because they are so similar to the other styles. Instead you might see studs that are mix of AG and FG with both the bladed studs and rounded studs. Here’s a small breakdown of some of the top AG cleats.

FG (Firm Ground)

These boots have either bladed, conical studs or a mixture of both and designed for only natural grass surfaces.

SG (Soft Ground)

SG studs are like FG studs, but are longer for when you need extra traction when playing on a wet, soggy field.

Can you wear FG boots on artificial turf?

While FG cleats aren’t meant to be worn on artificial turf, a lot of pro players like Matt Sheldon of USL Championship side Tulsa FC do it any way for the benefit of having more traction on the field.

Now there is a higher risk of injury when wearing FG cleats on turf because it’s easier for your feet to get stuck in the turf and for you to sprain an ankle. But as Sheldon points out, many players feel like the risk is worth it.

If you’re looking for a good guide on which cleats are the best for you or your child, check out these guides from Dick’s Sporting Goods and Soccer.com.

Another thing you can do when shopping for cleats is search online for AG, FG or whatever kind of soleplate you are looking for when it comes to soccer cleats. You can also ask for help if you visit a store like Foot Locker.

Ultimately, the best thing to do is wear an AG boot for turf and FG boot for natural grass.