Can you Play Indoor Soccer With Turf Shoes
If you are new to soccer, or any variation of the game, you might be wondering if you are allowed to play indoor soccer with turf shoes. Your footwear is the most important part of your soccer gear and equipment and as a player it is important to have the right type of cleats for the surface you plan to play on.
Turf shoes have short studs that are designed for artificial turf surfaces and usually they are not suitable for indoor soccer surfaces. Indoor soccer shoes, also known as futsal shoes, are specifically designed for smooth flat and hard surfaces, like those used in indoor soccer and futsal.
While you might be able to wear turf shoes on some indoor surfaces, investing in a good pair of indoor soccer shoes ensures better performance, comfort, and safety for your feet on any indoor surface.
When do you Wear Indoor Soccer Shoes?
Indoor soccer shoes—also known as futsal shoes—are made for flat, hard playing surfaces like gym floors, indoor courts, or low-pile carpet-like turf fields commonly found indoors. These shoes feature a flat, rubber outsole that offers grip and control on smooth flat surfaces.
You can also wear indoor football shoes on indoor artificial turf fields that resemble carpet, but they are not suitable for outdoor artificial turf or natural grass. For those surfaces, turf shoes or artificial grass (AG) cleats are the better options.
What are soccer turf shoes use for?
Soccer turf shoes are designed specifically for outdoor artificial turf surfaces, although you might be able to use them in some indoor turf surfaces. These shoes feature multiple short rubber studs evenly distributed across the sole to provide consistent traction and reduce the risk of slipping on synthetic turf.
What is the Difference Between Indoor Soccer Shoes and Turf Shoes?
When it comes to playing soccer on different surfaces, choosing the right footwear is important for performance and safety. Indoor soccer shoes and turf shoes are designed for two very different playing environments.
Turf shoes are made specifically for outdoor artificial turf fields, which feature short, dense studs spread across the sole for optimal traction on these surfaces. These shoes provide the necessary grip for quick movements on firm ground but can be slippery or uncomfortable on smooth hard indoor surfaces.
With that being said, some indoor facilities do have artificial turf that resembles a thin, carpet-like surface. On these types of fields, either turf shoes or indoor soccer shoes can work, depending on the specific surface texture and player preference.
On the other hand, indoor soccer shoes, also known as futsal shoes or indoor football shoes, are designed for indoor play on hard flat surfaces, such as on gym floors, indoor courts, or artificial turf fields. Indoor soccer shoes have no studs and feature a flat, non-marking outsole that offers better ball control, grip, and comfort on any hard surface, indoors or outdoors.
Summary
To summarize, there is a difference between indoor soccer and turf shoes and your footwear makes a huge difference on your safety and performance. In this blog post I covered when you can use indoor shoes, when you can use turf shoes, and the main differences between these two popular types of cleats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play with indoor soccer shoes on turf?
There are different types of turf surfaces and there is also a difference between turf and artificial grass surfaces. If you are playing on a thin and hard turf, usually used for indoor soccer, then you can use indoor soccer shoes, but if you are playing on longer turf, or even artificial grass, you will most likely need different cleats.
Is indoor soccer played on turf?
Sometimes indoor soccer can be played on turf. Other times indoor soccer can be played in gyms or hard surfaces. If you are playing futsal, which is a form of indoor soccer, then there are specific rules to follow.
