Hey guys, I have always played with natural grass cleats and in the last 4 years I've been playing sunday league stuff but it's been on field turf (the new kind with the beads). I've been using just grass cleats on it and I haven't really had a problem, maybe I sometimes feel my foot can't get below the ball enough. So I am in the market for new cleats and am thinking of trying out field turf ones. Anyone use them, are they worth it or is the difference really barely noticeable? Is it worth losing the flexibility of playing on grass with them?
It's a bad idea to use regular cleats on turf. They give you too much traction (yes, there is such a thing), and if you have a lot of explosive power, it can be really bad for your knees. If you're just strolling around, I suppose it doesn't matter much, but if you play hard they're a big no-no in my book.
There is definitely a difference between turfs and a firm ground shoes. One of my teammates recently remarked, "Once you go flat, you never go back." (Flat being turfs) and we play on grass/dirt. I've noticed a lot of bigger guys (tall/muscular, not necessarily fat) prefer turf shoes. With turfs, there is less pressure on your foot because it is spread out over more of the foot, but you lose traction. I'd recommend turfs for the artifical grass, but I've also seen a lot of guys play in cleats on it, so it is personal preference.
I would agree - it's mostly personal preference but there's something to what loden says, too. I prefer flats myself - far more control with the ball once your shoes have broken in nicely. My Sambas rock once they're worn in. I can do stuff in indoor that would be far tougher to pull, moves/tricks-wise, during outdoor play.
hmm interesting, thanks. I definitely feel pressure on my feet some times that I never noticed when I was in school on grass. I assumed it was just an age thing though. Thanks everyone for the tips!
I play in Nike Indoor shoes (flats with little rubber bumps on the sole). They not have an upper of a regular clear so that they don't feel like boats like the Sambas. They give me excellent touch and control, especially with the bottom of my foot. Playing on nice flat turf is all about ball control anyway.
I won't wear regular cleats on turf. Like mentioned before the turf "grabs" more meaning things like turned ankles, twisted knees and the infamous "turf toe" are fare more likely. I wouldn't wear regular flats either which some seem to like on turf. Shoes like Sambas and some of the others are meant for hard surfaces like gym floors or courts. They will slip on turf in hard turns/cuts. I always wear a turf. I've worn the turf version of Adidas Copa's for years. They have the feel of a full flat but have a sole covered from heel to toe in turf "cleats". The smaller cleats won't grab as much as a full blade or stud but provides enough traction for artificial surfaces to not slip as much as if you were wearing flats. I also like them because the sole is soft not rigid which is good for players like me who like to use the bottom of the foot for close control and quick changes.
I like turf shoes for turf and on most natural surface/hard ground I find my turfs work just as well (Nike R10s) so to me it's worth the purchase.
ARGH well i purchased some Nike Tiempos with turf studs so i'm waiting for them in the mail. will report back how they work out
I would go with turf shoes on astro turf, because from my experience you have better traction with them on.
Please note, there are different types of turf cleats. The most common have little round studs. Like many have commented, these sometimes slip. However, some companies make turf cleats with patterns that provide better traction. After several different cleats, I settled on Nike Strikes. The pattern on the bottom goes in different directions and after using them over a year, I have not slipped. I don't know if Nike still makes Strikes, if not check out pictures of the Nike Mercurial Victory I'VE CR TF. Hope this helps!
Not all places will allow molded shoes. Screw-ins and anything with metal are supposed to be used. I use turf shoes on dry grass fields, not molded, because it reduces the ground pressure on my feet. Twice the contact area halves the pressure. For big guys, it makes a big difference. For dry synthetic fields you could even use flats. For knee injury prevention, I don't use any more cleat than necessary. Advantages I find with turf shoes-- comfort less risk of knee injury easier to control drag-backs There is no loft to synthetic fields, which is why it is harder to strike low on the ball. Turf shoes don't make it noticeable easier than molded shoes. Your toe is going to be pointed down on an instep drive so the small difference in cleat length is not going to make a significant difference in the long run.
Thanks for the advice. I settled on Artificial Ground Nike Tiempo Mystics. They are freaking fantastic. They are studs but little round ones and a lot of them. I can tell you I instantly felt that my feet were more comfortable in the game and I never got the sharp pains in my foot at all in the 2 games I have played with them so far. Definitely does feel like my weight is better distributed. I play on turf with the beads, i dont know what its called. Also, my crosses and free kicks were much better. Perhaps its in my head but also maybe I am finally able to get under the ball better. Definitely worth the buy, thanks!
Anyone have any experience using turf shoes on hard dirt/grass? I've lately started using FG after using AG cleats for a while and they're hurting my feet more than the AG cleats did. Will TFs give me enough traction? (Have already blown out each knee once, so I'm concerned most with preventing injury)
I believe it on all accounts. There are less pressure points so it's a more comfortable ride. I feel the same way about the quality of my striking with my turfs.
I have worn turfs outside out of neccessity in the past. Never again. You do not get the traction you need. The surface has to be perfect and even then you won't get the footing you want. I wear firm ground cleats all the time now. They are harder on the feet but I am used to them now.
From experience, when the ground is rock hard and patchy, firm ground cleats are like wearing ice skates to me.
I agree with that. And I would love to wear my turfs all the time. They are way more comfortable but the cleats really do give me better traction. An occasional slip is going to happen on any surface. I make it a point to get out onto the field, especially if it's new to me, and get a feel for how the surface is going to react. I try to get all over the field because it's rare to find one that is consistent throughout the entire surface. It helps. I wish there was a shoe I could put on that it wouldn't matter or that I could afford to have a shoe for every condition like some of the kids I coach. Actually I don't think I would do that even if I could afford it. I already carry around too much crap as it is.
One time I played on melting snow and ice on frozen ground. I had cupa mundial turf and, because I was trying to save money, a cheaper pair of cleats. At half time I changed to the turfs because the footing was horrible in any shoe (no cleat is going to get traction on frozen ground), but the kangaroo skin still let me control the ball under the worst conditions. Trying to play the ball with the less flexible upper on the cheaper shoe was too frustrating. It made me greatly appreciate the kangaroo skin uppers. As a side note, we were playing an early spring friendly against a team in a much higher, more competitive leauge. They beat us easily, but It was really fun seeing the players deal with the conditions and the degree of control required when any quick movement is impossible. Really good training! Aren't we all a little bit crazy or is it just me