If you play Soccer, you know the game depends largely on the ground on which you play. Some days, it’s lush green, some days it is on firm ground, and maybe some days it is indoors on artificial turf. But to make the game memorable, choosing the right type of soccer cleats is important. Soccer cleats enhance performance by providing the right amount of traction, stability, and control on the ground. They support all the agile movements in different directions, allowing a player to run or turn without slipping or sliding. However, with the given range of options, it gets difficult to pick that perfect one! This blog will explain all the different types of soccer cleats and help you choose the right one for your game.

Type of Soccer Cleats for Every Surface: Vizari’s Offerings

Every soccer player knows that the ground impacts their performance, safety, and gameplay. Whether you are a seasoned player improving your game on an artificial turf, a learner practicing their skills in the dusty neighbourhood, or an athlete preparing for/competing in a game, different types of surfaces demand different kinds of soccer cleats. This is the logic behind the diverse range of soccer cleats that exist to provide optimal power and protection on particular surfaces. 

To ensure proper grip and prevent slips, the cleat’s outsole must be considered. Vizari Sports owns a comprehensive collection of soccer cleats designed to equip every player for different playing conditions and terrains. Let us see how their collection helps you dominate the different types of game grounds:

Firm Ground and Hard Ground Cleats

Natural grass is generally dry and hard. Those fields are sun-baked and are known as Firm ground or Hard ground. Thus, the type of cleats that are needed on such ground is called FG cleats or HG cleats. These cleats feature conical or bladed molded studs designed to penetrate the ground just enough to provide a suitable grip without digging too deep into the ground. This allows quick movements and runs, alongside empowering a good kick. 

Vizari Sports offers Boca FG Soccer cleats, Vizari Rio FG Soccer cleats, and Santos FG Soccer Shoes for such grounds. These designs are thoughtfully crafted to provide comfort and longevity, and are engineered soles that offer the desired grip on natural surfaces. These come with a synthetic upper, but if you are looking for a firm ground soccer cleat with a leather upper, then you must go for Vizari Classico FG soccer shoes.

Soft Ground Cleats: Traction for Wet Conditions

Sometimes pitches soak water due to heavy rains, and this mostly remains the same throughout the monsoon season. This is where the need for Soft Ground (SG) soccer cleats comes in. They are featured to have longer, often removable metal or plastic studs. These studs are designed to allow deeper penetration into the wet/soft natural grass surfaces in order to provide good grip and less slippage.

On soft surfaces, Vizari's Valencia SG Soccer Shoes are a game changer. These cleats are built with a TPU outsole and come with six removable aluminum studs. The studs ensure maximum traction and prevent slipping on wet playing fields. They even come with a spanner and extra studs for replacement, making you more prepared for challenging situations.

Turf and FG/TF Hybrids: Synthetic Surface Solutions

With the increasing popularity of artificial turf, you need different types of soccer cleats to be able to play on those grounds. Soccer cleats for artificial grounds come with a special outsole that does not put undue pressure on your joints. TF or turf cleats come with short rubber studs spread evenly across the outsole. This allows excellent grip and comfort on artificial grass without penetrating the ground. These rubber studs offer great grip both on the outdoor grounds as well on the indoor grounds.

With a range of dedicated turf cleats, VIZARI Tesoro turf cleats are a perfect choice. Younger players can also try Vizari Liga Turf Soccer Shoes for a comfortable and powerful gameplay. 

Indoor Cleats: Grip for Hard Courts

The indoor surfaces are harder than any other soccer surfaces we discussed previously. Using traditional cleats is not even imaginable for such courts. Indoor cleats or IC, come to your rescue here. There are cleats with flat rubber outsoles that provide exceptional grip and quick movements on hard surfaces. They prioritize power and agility even in tight spaces. 

Soccer Boot Buying Guide: How to Choose Soccer Shoes

Choosing the perfect pair for your soccer game should not be a challenge. To help you make the right decision, we have narrowed down the key factors that must be considered:

Playing Surface

The type of ground you are playing on the most is the key factor to consider. This will help you decide the type of outsole you need for that perfect grip on the ground. The following are the types of ground:

1. Firm Ground:

These are natural grass pitches that are dried and firm, thus you must consider conical or bladed studs for such grounds. 

2. Soft Ground:

For the type of ground that is soft or wet, SG cleats come with removable metal or plastic studs so as to protect deep penetration into the ground and offer maximum stability. 

3. Artificial grass: 

If you have to practice on turf for a maximum number of times, then you must go for cleats with rubber nubs or studs spread across the outsole. They offer both grip and comfort without damaging the turf.

4. Indoor courts: 

Indoor surfaces are the hardest (mostly wooden), and it is recommended to choose cleats with flat, rubber outsoles for good grip and quick movements. 

Surface Condition

Now you understand the general characteristics of any surface, but what happens when there are specific conditions? If you are playing outdoors, there may be two conditions that can influence the purchase of the soccer cleats:

1. If you play on natural grass, the dryness or wetness of the pitch will be a major factor in deciding whether you should use FG or SG cleats.

2. If your outdoor turf has a new, lush grass carpet, then FG boots with round studs can also be chosen. Otherwise, it is safe to choose turf cleats for the best performance. 

Fit

The fit of the soccer shoes will also play a crucial role in keeping you focused on the game. For a top-notch fit, do check the following:

1. Your soccer cleats must feel snug, like a second skin. They should not have any extra, unnecessary space, nor should they be uncomfortably tight or biting. 

2. There should be proper cushioning in the heels to ensure a secure grip. 

3. There must be enough room for your toe to breathe. Too much space can lead to slipping inside the shoes, while too little will cause bruising. 

4. If you have a wide foot, choose wider fits to ensure proper comfort. 

5. Always try on boots with the type of socks that you normally wear for playing. Take a walk or jump while wearing your socks and shoes to check the fit. 

Material

The soccer cleats come in a variety of materials, like K-leather (kangaroo leather), man-made leather, or synthetic (non-leather) material. Although K-leather provides softness and a snug fit, its cost is typically high. Synthetic leather or man-made leather mimics the feel of original leather and is durable and light, too. They are comparatively affordable and do not absorb lots of water. Non-leather synthetic soccer cleats are usually the most affordable and durable options. They offer less flexibility but are an excellent choice for practice.

Soccer Cleat Bottom Types: Traction for Every Surface

What comes at the bottom of the soccer cleats is the outsole. It is the most important component of these cleats, and they decide how good your grip is or how swiftly you will move on the ground. The FG cleats come with conical studs that can penetrate dry grass easily and offer a stable grip. SG cleats, on the other hand, come with longer, removable metal/plastic studs that offer excellent grip on wet grass. 

If you need to play on turf, the cleat bottom features rubber nubs. The indoor cleats have a flat, rubber bottom for best traction and swift movements. 

Conclusion

With this blog, we assume you have an idea of the different types of soccer cleats that can deliver performance and safety. An ideal cleat will provide crucial traction for your playing surface, with controlled slippage and comfortable foot placement. Vizari Sports offers a full range to match your playing conditions, giving you the confidence and grip to dominate the pitch!

FAQ

Q. Is FG or AG better?

A: Both have different use cases. FG cleats are specially designed for natural grounds and can not be used on artificial turf. Their pointed studs can snag on the synthetic carpet, causing injury or damage to the turf. However, AG (artificial ground) cleats have different studs and soleplates, not suitable for natural grounds. 

Q. What type of cleats do soccer players wear?

A; Soccer players wear football cleats that are suitable for different types of surfaces. The most common types are Firm Ground (FG) cleats for natural grass, Artificial Ground (AG) cleats for artificial grass or turf, and Multi-Ground (MG) cleats for both.

Q. What are the three levels of soccer cleats?

A; Soccer cleat levels are decided on the basis of performance, features, and price. Elite tier refers to the top-performing, and the Club tier is the most affordable. These tiers represent the materials, construction, and technology used in the cleats.

Q. Is SG better than FG?

A; Both SG cleats and FG cleats are made for different types of surfaces. The SG cleats with longer studs are best for soft, wet, or muddy pitches, while FG cleats with shorter studs are ideal for firm, dry grass or solid surfaces.