Artificial grass football pitches are quickly becoming more and more popular in the UK, which comes as no surprise when you consider the range of benefits that come with artificial sports surfaces. They’re low maintenance, can be used in all weather conditions, and are very hard-wearing and durable. However, if you’re going to be playing on a 3G or 4G artificial turf pitch, it’s crucial that you choose the right kind of football boots.
Wearing the incorrect type of footwear can damage the playing surface, increase your risk of injury and affect your overall performance on the pitch. So, before you buy your football boots, you need to know what to look for.
Let’s take a look at how to choose the best football boots for artificial turf and what you should avoid.
Avoid Metal Studs
One of the most important things to keep in mind when purchasing football boots to be used on artificial turf, is to never buy boots with metal blades or full metal studs. In fact, many artificial pitches have rules in place which prohibit players from wearing boots with this type of soleplate. Not only do these studs and blades damage the turf, but they can actually impact your performance and increase your risk of getting injured during play.
Blades and full studs were designed to be used on a natural grass pitch, as they can penetrate the soft ground and provide the player with grip. On an artificial pitch, this extra traction can actually cause your boots to get stuck in the surface. You could damage your joints or become injured when trying to turn quickly due to the lack of rotation, as your body weight may end up going one way, with your foot stuck in place.
Consider Plastic Studs
For a football boot to be suitable for use on artificial turf, it must have a plastic sole. This means that you can consider plastic studded footwear such as firm ground boots or artificial grass boots. These types of boots are perfect for artificial grass thanks to their conical studs. The boots can move and rotate freely without causing any damage to the surface. They give the player good grip and, often, the studs are actually hollow to keep them super lightweight.
What Are Firm Ground Football Boots?
Firm ground boots are a great option for artificial grass pitches. They have soles which contain plastic moulds and, as long as these moulds are short in length, they won’t cause any damage to the artificial surface. They offer plenty of grip and minimise the risk of injury. They can be used on both artificial grass pitches and natural grass pitches, however, you should aim to purchase boots with a reinforced toe as those without can actually wear away quite quickly.
We recommend: NikePremier 3 Firm-Ground Football Boot
Artificial Grass Football Boots
Arguably the best type of football boot for a 3G pitch is the artificial grass boot. This type of boot is designed specifically for artificial grass pitches and they are brilliant for improving performance and preventing injury. They have a similar look and feel as firm ground boots, but they have extra grip for 3G turf and have more cushioning. The studs are hollowed out, helping with shock absorption.
We recommend: Adidas Copa Pure.1 Artificial Grass Boots
Talk to AS Sports About Football Pitches
Are you considering installing your own artificial grass football pitch? We can help. We provide a range of Third Generation (3G) synthetic grass systems suitable for football and rugby pitches, from the grass roots right up to the professional level. Check out our football pitch installations for more information and get in touch today.
If you’re looking for an industry-leading football pitch for those football boots then contact us to have a chat with a member of our team and see how we can help with your next project.
