Knowing the difference between the various pitch surfaces you can buy soccer cleats for can be confusing. So, here’s a simple breakdown so you can buy the right cleats for your next adventure on a soccer field.
Firm Ground (FG)
Built with studs shaped like blades that help dig into natural grassy terrain for excellent grip, there’s nothing more popular on the market. Firm-ground options sell well because they’re ready to go whatever the weather as a cleat for all seasons. So whether you’re baking in the summer sunshine or frozen underfoot in the winter, these will have you covered.
Soft Ground (SG)
Soft ground cleats are designed for longer, muddy grass, making them ideal for playing in rainy places like the United Kingdom. Crafted with conical studs both longer and more rounded than the typical cleat, the soft-ground option helps you dig in and avoid slippage in wet conditions.
Multi-Ground (MG)
Designed to deliver the best of both worlds between firm and soft ground options, multi-ground cleats look to ensure that you won’t trip up whether you’re playing on robust or rubbish turf. While they’re built to tackle most surfaces, there is a caveat to their overall quality. Despite their versatility, their shorter studs have less grip than you’d find elsewhere.
Artificial Ground (AG)
Synthetic surfaces typically offer greater resistance than natural grass, meaning cleats are crafted with short hollow studs to help transition the natural impact of the body without causing lasting damage to joints. Be wary of the kind of cleats you’ll need, with varieties frequently adapted to suit 3G, 4G or even 5G pitches.
Astro Turf (TF)
It’s easy to confuse the perceptions of artificial grass with astro turf, given that both deliver simulated experiences compared to authentic pitches. But there’s more than meets the eye, with both possessing crucial differences in make-up and thus requiring a different kind of cleats to specialize with. These bring short rubber studs into play and bouncy soles to allow for additional spring in your step.
Indoor Court (IC)
Also known as futsal cleats, these are specifically designed to deliver fluid experiences on hard flooring, leaving black marks behind as a thing of the past. Their rubber soles are specifically designed to do just that, while an additional bounce to the bottom helps enhance natural reactivity.
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