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We are here to understand turf and indoor surfaces and what shoes are perfect for them. Turf and indoor soccer surface are completely different from each other. That’s why it’s much better to use shoes made for those specific surfaces. We are here to discuss can turf soccer shoes be used indoor?
Turf is a first-generation artificial grass. This surface has a carpet-like feeling. This surface is very harsh and rough. It has little to no depth since synthetic grass on turf is short. This surface can get hot during high-temperature days so they need shoes that can endure that.
On the other hand, an indoor surface is a hard synthetic surface. A lot of the time indoor soccer is played on basketball courts, in that case, the surface is wooden. This surface needs shoes without studs. Wearing studs can lead to constant slipping while playing.
In general, players are not fond of turf surfaces as it’s one of the hardest surfaces to play, plus players are always at risk of injuring themselves. Indoor soccer is gaining popularity, especially the FIFA sanctioned futsal. Indoor soccer was invented in North America due to players not being able to play in harsh winters.
Let’s understand both surfaces in-depth. Also, what is the difference between turf and indoor soccer shoes? Then we can easily answer if you can use turf shoes for indoor soccer or not.
What is an Indoor soccer surface?
Indoor soccer is lately gaining a lot of popularity. It’s a fast-paced sport and also arranging a soccer match on an indoor surface is also quite easier than a regular soccer match.
Indoor soccer fields are also smaller in size compared to regular soccer fields. This means less maintenance and reduced cost. A lot of the time indoor soccer is played on basketball courts. Most of the colleges in American come with a basketball court, so it’s easier for colleges to hold indoor soccer matches on these courts.
Indoor surfaces can be hardwood or synthetic grip surfaces. Sometimes American leagues use carpet turf as an indoor surface too. North American indoor soccer doesn’t have official approval from FIFA but is still played. This is why FIFA has its own indoor soccer format known as Futsal, which uses synthetic grip surfaces.
What is Turf Soccer Surface?
Turf is basically the type of artificial grass. But it differs quite a lot from modern artificial grass, which is the third generation of artificial grass.
Turf is still used in a lot of places as it’s cheaper than any other surface. It’s also easier to replace or maintain. It’s basically a carpet with very short artificial grass strands on it. The turf has no infill inside, so the surface has almost no depth.
It’s very hard and abrasive. You can even feel the cement floor underneath the turf, which makes it a very hard surface. Playing on this surface requires caution, and the chances of injuries are much higher than any other surface.
This kind of surface has a very high friction coefficient and restitution coefficient. This means it will be harder for players to move fast without proper shoes, and also, players will absorb more shocks than on a regular soccer field.
Indoor soccer shoes:
Indoor soccer needs shoes specifically made for it. The surface is plain and hard. Regular shoes with studs won’t work on this surface, as it has less area touching the ground.
When it comes to indoor soccer shoes it comes with a flat rubber sole. This sole sometimes has very small rubber nubs or patterns that help with traction and movement.
Indoor soccer is a fast-paced game, so players need to have agility. These shoes provide agility. They are also incredibly lightweight. You will mostly find these shoes in the low-top ankle as this provides unrestricted movement to players.
These shoes have just enough cushioning inside to keep the feet supported. These are also made from really high-quality leather and have a high touch rate. The vamp of these shoes has stitches or patterns to provide tremendous ball control.
Turf soccer shoes:
Turf is an altogether different surface compared to hardwood or synthetic surfaces. It’s a small synthetic grass blade on a plastic or rubber bed. So you cant use AG or FG shoes for this surface.
Turf shoes come with rubber molded studs, and they are smaller in size compared to others. Plus, these studs are present on the entire footbed to provide better traction.
This surface is slippery so having a lot of small studs helps in gripping. The studs are conical in shape as this shape provides the best stability, and taking turns is also easier in these shoes. Sometimes these shoes come with hollow studs to allow better lateral movement and avoid excessive friction.
Turf soccer shoes also come with extra cushioning as the surface puts a lot of pressure on the legs. These shoes are also a bit heavier because of that. Some brands offer extra layering on the toe box for better durability.
Indoor vs Turf soccer shoes:
Now that we know about the indoor and turf surfaces, and the shoes we should use for them, let’s take a look at the difference between them.
1) Size
There is a noticeable size difference between both types of shoes. Indoor shoes have a flat sole and a thinner outsole. So they are smaller in size. These shoes also don’t require much ankle support on indoor surfaces, so the size is reduced even more.
Compared to them, turf shoes are bigger. These shoes come with studs for traction. Turf soccer shoes come with a bit thick soleplate as the turf surface puts a lot of stress on the sole. This outsole also has to take the pressure of studs. Turf being a difficult-to-play and injury-prone surface, shoes also come with ankle support that provides support during fast movements.
Overall there is a good bit size difference between these two types of shoes.
2) Comfort
When it comes to comfort, turf shoes trumps indoor shoes. Turf shoes come with better support and cushioning. Just like outdoor shoes, these shoes have a good insole that can absorb shocks. Turf shoes also provide a better fit. It helps your feet stay in place during movement.
On the other hand, indoor shoes have thin and flat soles. Playing for few hours in these shoes is bearable, but after that they start to become painful. A flat sole also means overpronation. So you can’t use these shoes casually. The material used to make the upper for indoor soccer shoes is of high quality. This provides a little bit of comfort and breathability to the shoes.
3) Weight
Turf soccer shoes are heavier than indoor soccer shoes. Turf shoes require many little things added to them for better performance. These things are not needed in indoor shoes.
Turf shoes come with a reinforced soleplate and high-quality rubber studs. Since turf shoes are used for playing outside, they also come with more durable and thicker material. These shoes also require some level of water resistance. All these things add to the weight.
Turf also being harsh surface require more cushioning to absorb the shocks. There is also ankle support present to avoid injuries. So it suffices to say all these things make turf shoes a bit heavier.
Indoor shoes are lightweight compared to turf shoes. These shoes have no studs plus a thin outsole, so there is no extra weight. These shoes also don’t require excess support or cushioning, so this helps with a lower weight. A light and flexible material is used for indoor soccer shoes.
4) Running capabilities
Indoor shoes are lighter and flexible. They are specially made for a fast-paced soccer game. So taking sudden sprints and turns is much easier in these shoes. Their sole also provided a great amount of traction. Most indoor surfaces are hardwood or synthetic, so rubber sole provides precise grip on these surfaces.
When it comes to turf shoes running at high speed is a bit risky and also difficult. Overall traction you get on indoor surfaces is much better than turf. Turf shoes are also heavier, so they don’t provide the agility that indoor shoes give. Rubber studs on turf shoes do provide traction and stability but are just not enough for sudden sprints.
5) Cost
Cost-wise, turf shoes cost a bit more than the indoor surface. Their manufacturing cost is more since it involves a lot of design factors and components.
Overall if you look online or in stores, sometimes indoor shoes cost more, and sometimes turf shoes cost more. There are no significant differences between them when it comes to price.
6) Durability
Turf shoes are naturally designed to last longer. Turf is a rough and hard surface. Shoes on turf can start wearing out pretty fast. This surface is also hotter than natural grass, so when heat created by friction is unimaginable.
Indoor soccer shoes, on the other hand, are less durable compared to turf soccer shoes. The material used is lighter and has a thin sole to give a kind of barefoot feeling. The shoes are focused towards performance, so it lacks durability. Not to say they are terrible, but they won’t last long as other shoes.
7) safety
safety-wise the turf soccer shoe wins. Turf soccer shoes come with a reinforced sole and extra layering for the toe box. The material is of higher quality as it has to endure a rough surface. It also has more shock absorption.
Indoor soccer shoes have basically no safety. Their upper and sole both are thin, and there is no other padding or cushioning inside, so you should avoid wearing these shoes anywhere other than the indoor soccer field.
8) Material
Indoor soccer shoes are made from light and thin material. Mostly genuine natural leather is used as it gives the highest touch rate. Kangaroo leather is favorite amongst players.
Sometimes brands use synthetic leather too, but their performance is not as good as natural leather. The sole is made from high-quality rubber, which gives precise traction on indoor surfaces.
Turf soccer shoes also come with natural or synthetic leather. It’s usually thicker. The sole is made from rubber and is incredibly durable. These shoes also come with a bit of padding and cushioning inside. The toe box sometimes comes with an extra layer as they are prone to wearing out faster. Overall material used good quality and waterproof.
9) Design
Turf soccer shoes have a more classic design. They resemble regular soccer shoes in a lot of design elements. They also look more sporty.
Indoor soccer shoes look like casual shoes or sneakers, and some brands even add some elements to give it aggressive styling. These shoes are designed to deliver performance in high pace games.
Can Turf Soccer Shoes Be Used Indoor?
The short answer is no. Indoor and turf are totally different surfaces that require different shoes. Turf shoes come with studs which means playing on the hardwood floor with these shoes will be like playing slip and slide.
Indoor soccer shoes have higher ground contact, which is lacking in turf soccer shoes. This will make the playing experience terrible. It will also hinder your performance. The indoor soccer game is face-paced, and turf soccer shoes are not appropriate for it.
The extra padding on the toe box and insole will also mess with ball control. The weight of these shoes is more than indoor soccer shoes which decrease the agility and swiftness of players.
These studs will also damage indoor surfaces, but more often than not, officials will not allow you to play with turf shoes on indoor surfaces.
Buying a good pair of indoor soccer shoes is recommended if you want to play on indoor surfaces. This is one surface where going with any type of shoes doesn’t work at all.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can you wear turf shoes on gym floor?
You can, but I wouldn't recommend it. Although turf shoes are sturdy and stable, when it comes to the gym floor, you need shoes that have higher ground contact, and turf shoes don't have that. You don't want to risk injuring yourself because of studs.
- Are turf and indoor soccer shoes the same?
No, they are not. There are many differences between them. The material used, the sole, and the overall construction of these shoes differ. Turf shoes also come with rubber studs all over the underfoot area, whereas indoor soccer shoes have no studs but have a high-quality rubber sole. Turf soccer shoes also come with more ankle and heel support compared to indoor soccer shoes. It's much better to use them on intended surfaces to avoid the risk of injury.
- Can you wear turf shoes as regular shoes?
I wouldn't recommend doing it. Turf shoes have rubber studs that will start wearing out on concrete and tar roads. Also, most soccer shoes are designed to deliver performance, and sometimes that comes at a cost. These shoes will never be as comfortable as your regular casual shoes. At some point, the lack of ground contact due to studs will start bugging you. If you use them on some smooth surface like tiles or a marble floor, there is almost a guarantee of you falling and hurting your back which is not worth the risk.
- What shoes should I wear for indoor soccer?
Brands make indoor soccer shoes specifically for indoor soccer. Most of the time abbreviation IN is mentioned beside the product name, which means they are perfect for indoor surfaces. Look for good-quality shoes that come with a high touch rate and excellent traction. Indoor soccer requires a lot of running and sudden movements, so flexibility is critical too.
Conclusion
As we reach the end of the article, I genuinely hope all your doubts and queries regarding this subject are cleared. Maybe you are trying to buy turf shoes and wondering if you can wear them on indoor surfaces, or you already have turf shoes and you want to wear them on indoor surfaces, whatever may be the case, I feel those questions should be gone by now.
Indoor and turf are two different surfaces and gameplays which require different types of shoes for you to do better. It’s always better to use the shoes that are made for the intended surface, as they can give you the most performance and highest amount of safety.
A lot of the leagues or centres won’t even allow you to play with turf shoes as it can damage the indoor surface or leave marks on it that need to be cleaned. The indoor surface is one of those kinds, where having indoor soccer shoes is a must, and anything other than that just won’t cut it. I wish you all the best and hope you enjoy this beautiful game.