These days, there seem to be more and more artificial turf fields popping up in our communities. Whether it’s a high school game, your local Sunday league match, or even just some pick-up fun with friends, it’s likely that you’ll find yourself playing soccer on artificial turf. So what are the best turf soccer shoes to ensure your game is on fire?
Read below for our comprehensive guide to the best turf soccer shoes. You’ll walk away knowing why turf soccer shoes are important and different than firm ground or indoor soccer shoes, and you’ll have an idea of the best artificial turf soccer shoes for you.
In a hurry? Jump straight to our reviews of the best turf soccer shoes.
- Our Pick: adidas Performance Mundial Team Turf Soccer Cleat
- Best Turf Soccer Shoe for Stability Seekers: PUMA King Pro TT
- Best Turf Soccer Shoe for Women: Diadora Women’s Capitano TF Turf Soccer Shoes
- Best Lightweight Turf Soccer Shoe: Nike Mercurial Superfly 8 Academy Turf Soccer Cleats
- Best Turf Soccer Shoe for Speed Seekers: adidas X Speedflow.3 Turf Soccer Cleats
- Best Turf Soccer Shoe for Wide Feet: New Balance 442 Team TF Wide Shoe
It’s easy to see why artificial turf has become so popular—it’s more durable and easier to maintain than real grass. An increasing number of schools and parks have adopted turf for these very reasons. In terms of durability and maintenance, artificial turf fields are great.
The most common turf surfaces are built using a combination of synthetic fibers and infill. Turf surfaces can therefore feel spongier than real grass, so traditional cleats aren’t as well-suited to grip these turf surfaces.
Turf soccer shoes, however, are specifically made to distribute even pressure throughout your feet while playing on artificial turf surfaces. This is key in helping to prevent injuries and to provide a greater amount of traction.
With the emergence of so many new turf fields, there’s now a wide variety of artificial turf soccer shoes on the market. This is a relatively new class of soccer shoes, so it may be difficult to determine what exactly you should be looking for. The good news is—we’ve got answers for you. Keep reading to see our review guide on how to select the best turf soccer shoes.
First Things First: Turf Soccer Shoes (TF) vs. Artificial Grass Soccer Shoes (AG)
When it comes to the different types of artificial turf surfaces—and the cleats that are best suited to them—there’s a lot of information to take in. So before we embark on our journey towards finding you the best turf soccer shoes, let’s make an important distinction.
Turf Soccer Shoes (TF)
If you’re playing on shorter turf surfaces, such as Astroturf or Hellas Turf, you’ll want a pair of turf shoes, which are identified by their short rubber studs and flexible soleplate. You’ll know you’re looking at a pair of turf shoes when it says Turf or TF next to the name of the product.
Artificial Grass Soccer Shoes (AG)
However, if you’re playing on a field with longer blades of synthetic grass, such as FieldTurf, you’ll want to look at artificial grass cleats. These artificial grass cleats are marked AG. You’ll also notice that many of the AG cleats on the market are hybrid versions, which means they operate as AG and FG (Firm Ground) cleats.
It’s important to note that turf soccer shoes (TF) are safe to wear on all types of artificial turf and grass fields. However, it’s not recommended that you wear AG cleats on shorter turf surfaces. AG cleats are also generally more expensive, so you’ll want to be sure they meet your highest needs.
For the sake of simplicity, we’ll focus only on TF shoes for this review guide.
If you’re looking for AG cleats, check out Best Firm Ground Cleats. If you’re looking for indoor soccer shoes, check out Best Indoor Soccer Shoes.
What Should I Look for When Buying Artificial Turf Soccer Shoes?
Types of Material
Knowing the types of material that a pair of turf soccer shoes have can help you assess how the shoes will fit and feel, especially after repeated use.
The majority of these artificial turf soccer shoes are composed of either leather or synthetic material, along with flexible rubber-studded outsoles. Turf shoes with leather can provide optimal comfort for your toes and feet because of their ability to stretch. Shoes made with synthetic material are typically lighter and more durable, but they aren’t as flexible as their leather counterparts.
You may also run into shoes that have materials like textile or mesh. If you see a pair of shoes that have inner textile linings or an outer mesh pattern, you can be sure that the shoes are designed to provide great breathability and sweat-wicking for your feet.
Shoe Construction
The way in which turf soccer shoes are constructed will influence your comfort level as well as your ability to perform with and without the ball at your feet. Features that you’ll really want to pay special attention to include uppers, toe boxes, insoles, and midsoles.
Uppers
The shoe upper is the part of the shoe that covers the foot. Why is this so important to consider? Well, when you’re shooting with power, attempting a line-breaking pass, or bringing a ball down that has some pace, the ball is frequently going to make contact with your shoe upper.
Turf shoe uppers are generally made from calfskin, goatskin, or k-skin leather. Some of the uppers you’ll see may be made from fully synthetic or synthetic leather material. And then you may also find that some shoes feature the brand’s patented technology which enhances things like ball control and shooting.
What you select should be based on your greatest preferences. Shoes that are breathable and lightweight usually are made with synthetic or mesh-patterned uppers while shoes that conform to the shape of your feet will typically have leather uppers.
Toe Boxes
The toe box is the part of the shoe that surrounds your toes. A good thing to look for here is how the toe box is shaped. If you have wider feet, you’ll want to make sure that the toe box is spacious enough to provide freedom for your toes. Rather, if you seek a pair of turf soccer shoes that gives you premium ball-to-feet control, then a slightly narrower toe box could be exactly what you’re looking for.
Insoles and Midsoles
When you see anything related to insoles or midsoles, you should be thinking about comfort and cushioning. Some turf fields can be rough, so you’ll want to make sure you have the proper cushioning to endure long games.
An insole is a type of padding that fits right underneath your feet. Midsoles are the layers of cushion that are built into the shoe. Both are responsible for helping you stay upright and injury-free. Good qualities to look for in good midsoles and insoles are shock absorption, spring, injury prevention, and comfort.
Reviews of the Best Turf Soccer Shoes
The soft touch and durable performance of one of the most comfortable soccer cleats on the market today promises to be one of the best soccer cleats you’ve ever owned.
adidas Performance Mundial Team Turf Soccer Cleat
Touch, control, precision, and style—these are just a few of the qualities that come with wearing this classic pair of soccer cleats. Modeled after the ultra-popular Adidas Copa Mundial cleat, the turf version of the shoe is equally reliable when it comes to performance.
The shoes’ uppers are made out of premium k-leather. This ensures that the shoes offer outstanding ball-to-feet control while being easy to break-in. And with its usage of Adidas Traxion outsole technology, these are turf shoes that’ll provide you with superior traction on all artificial turf surfaces.
Between the suede overlays on each toebox and the built-in EVA foam midsoles, you can count on the durability and stability of these shoes, even after extended use. It’s also quite an affordable pair of shoes given its level of high-quality materials and status.
Pros
- High-quality k-leather ensures great touch and feel of the ball
- Strong material makes them durable
- Very affordable relative to its high quality
- Suitable for men and women
Cons
- The adidas Mundial Team is not as lightweight as others on the list
- Because of a California ban on all products made with kangaroo parts, these k-leather turf soccer shoes cannot be shipped to California addresses
Though it may feel stiff at first, these turf soccer shoes will stretch and conform to the shape of your feet over time–providing unparalleled stability and comfort.
PUMA King Pro TT
Another turf version of a classic soccer shoe, the Puma King Pro TT is a great option as a versatile turf soccer shoe.
One thing you may notice about this shoe is that it can feel a bit stiff at first, but its k-leather upper will stretch and conform to the shape of your feet over time. The shoe is constructed with stability in mind— it’s got an elastic sock collar that makes it easy to slip on while ensuring a snug fit.
Due to the construction of the tongue and upper, it’s a shoe that may feel too narrow for those with wider feet. If you can manage the snug fit, these shoes can feel like a second skin, which will make passing and shooting feel like a breeze.
Pros
- Conforms to the shape of your feet
- Easy to slip on and off
- Close feel to the ball for prime shooting and dribbling
- Effective on all types of turf fields
Cons
- Not a great fit for wider feet
- Not available for sale in California due to K-leather construction
Best Turf Soccer Shoes for Women
Diadora Women's Capitano TF Turf Soccer Shoes
There’s a lot to like about these shoes, namely, their combination of comfort, feel, and durability.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
There’s a lot to like about these shoes, namely, their combination of comfort, feel, and durability.
Diadora Women’s Capitano TF Turf Soccer Shoes
Here we have the highly popular Diadora Women’s Capitano Turf Shoes. This is a pair of shoes that just flats out gets the job done – it’s no wonder they’re our pick for the best women’s turf soccer shoes.
There’s a lot to like about these shoes, namely, their combination of comfort, feel, and durability. Its polyurethane synthetic upper is exceptionally soft and bendable. This is what provides that pristine touch and feel of the ball, while the strong EVA foam and anti-abrasion rubber studs give you comfort and durability.
The synthetic upper and spacious toebox make it a great pair of shoes for wider feet. It’s also one of the more affordable options you can find on the market. Overall, this is a great bang for your buck.
Pros
- Lightweight and breathable
- Spacious enough for wide feet
- Strong inner support for shock absorption
- Very affordable
Cons
- Can fit too wide or feel too spacious for some
- Soft and bendable material that helps the shoe stretch so it can adapt to its wearer
If you’re looking for turf soccer shoes that are ultra-lightweight, flexible, and reliable, then you’ll definitely want to check out these turf soccer shoes.
Nike Mercurial Superfly 8 Academy Turf Soccer Cleats
If you’re looking for turf soccer shoes that are ultra-lightweight, flexible, and reliable, then you’ll definitely want to check out these turf soccer shoes. As one of the few artificial turf soccer shoes available from Nike’s popular Mercurial line, these shoes are as dependable as they are stylish.
The shoe features a synthetic upper along with a textured pattern. The result is a durable shoe that is breathable and lightweight whilst being able to maintain tight control of the ball.
Just by looking at the shoes, you’ll notice that it has somewhat of a unique boot opening. The ankle closure is flexible enough to slip your feet in easily, but it’s also strong enough to provide protection and security for your ankles.
This is another pair of shoes with a narrower toe box, so you’ll just want to be sure that you’re comfortable with a tighter fit if you’re interested in trying these out.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Great ankle protection
- Nice ball-to-feet sensation
Cons
- May feel uncomfortable to break in initially
- Narrower design and toe box may be uncomfortable for some
Every single part of the shoe is designed to ensure optimum freedom and stability so that you can be as quick and agile as possible.
adidas X Speedflow.3 Turf Soccer Cleats
Perhaps the most representative quality of this turf soccer shoe is right there in the name –speed. Always at the forefront of cutting-edge soccer products, Adidas crafted this turf soccer shoe to provide optimal speed and quickness for your game.
The shoes are designed with Speedskin-textile uppers, a combination that makes them feel unbelievably lightweight and airy. They’re also constructed using a flexible four-way stretch material. Every single part of the shoe is designed to ensure optimum freedom and stability so that you can be as quick and agile as possible.
EVA padding on the inside and back of the heel will help you protect your ankles while making sharp movements. The rubber-studded outsole is of compact nature, so it does a great job maintaining traction on short and long artificial turf surfaces.
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight
- Flexible material
- EVA cushioning provides great comfort and shock absorption
- Superior traction on all turf surfaces
Cons
- Sizing can run small
- Can feel too narrow for some
Best Turf Soccer Shoe for Wide Feet
New Balance 442 Academy Turf Soccer Shoe - Wide Width
Primarily made of calf-skin leather, these shoes are an excellent option if you have wide feet and comfort is a high priority.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Primarily made of calf-skin leather, these shoes are an excellent option if you have wide feet and comfort is a high priority.
New Balance 442 Team TF Wide Shoe
Finally, a turf soccer shoe on the list that’s tailor-made for wider feet! These shoes are an excellent option if your highest priority is comfort. It’s a shoe that’s primarily made of calf-skin leather, which gives it a great combination of flexibility and comfort.
The moldable EVA inserts ensure that the shoes adapt to your feet. So you can have confidence that your feet will not bother you after a long period of running, jumping, and cutting.
Weighing in at about 10.8 oz, it’s a relatively lightweight shoe given the amount of stability and comfort that it provides. The laces do come a bit thin, so you may have to tie them a bit looser to take pressure off the top of your feet.
Pros
- Very spacious for those with wider feet
- Comfortable cushioning so you can play for long periods without pain
- Provides stability and is relatively lightweight
Cons
- Can feel a bit bulky
- Not as durable for those with great speed and power
Final Thoughts on the Best Turf Soccer Shoes
Artificial turf is here to stay, so it’s only natural that we adapt to the times by finding a good pair of artificial turf soccer shoes. As you can see, there are many options for you to choose from, each with their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Hopefully, this review guide has given you a nice starting point to navigate this new world of turf soccer shoes.
If pressed, my pick for the best all-around turf soccer shoes are the Adidas Performance Mundial Team Turf Soccer Cleat.
This classic pair of turf soccer shoes is reliable and helps with your touch, control, and overall style on and off the pitch.
