Indoor Soccer Cleats

You will likely need a good pair of indoor soccer shoes when you start playing one of the many types of soccer games enjoyed indoors. If you happen to live in a part of the world with 4 seasons, indoor soccer is the best way to maintain your skills and touch throughout the year. Luckily, more indoor facilities have installed world class quality artificial pitches where your outdoor cleats may perform just as well. However, not all indoor pitches are of the same quality. The choice will be up to you. Nonetheless, you first need to determine the type of indoor surface you will be playing on.

What are the Different Types of Indoor Playing Surfaces?

There are a number of different indoor playing surfaces in sports facilities today. Artificial carpet fields, hardwood surfaces, hard rubber and vinyl surfaces, and artificial turf fields are all common choices. Nevertheless, they all have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Indoor soccer surfaces are important for a number of reasons. The chosen surface affects the style of play , the ball’s responsiveness, the durability of the surface, the impact on injuries and it changes how players’ feet move and slide on different surfaces.

Indoor Carpet Turf

Indoor carpet fields tend to be thin and have less body to the material. Carpet fields tend to be harder with much less traction compared to a quality artificial turf playing surface. Falls on this turf are not forgiving and slides can lead to some serious burns.

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood floor playing surfaces are extremely common in school gyms, churches and older community centers. The playing surfaces vary from gymnasiums depending on the age and upkeep. The main concern for such a floor is the amount of traction provided. Albeit you get a smooth roll from such a flat surface, This smooth surface provides poor traction and can lead to slipping or falls in some cases. Falls are more forgiving on your body but slides are not as painful as in carpet or turf fields.

Rubber and Vinyl Flooring

Rubber and vinyl sport playing surfaces are as smooth and flat as hardwood floors surfaces. However, rubber and vinyl surfaces provide better traction than hardwood floors. Slips are decreased and your body takes a bit less impact on falls.

Artificial Turf

Artificial turf is a type of synthetic grass that is made to look like natural grass. It is used in many sports fields as an alternative to natural grass. Artificial turf is made up of polyethylene fibers and rubber infill. The fibers are usually made of polypropylene or polyethylene, and the infill can be either sand or crumb rubber. Artificial turf fields have less impact on injuries, have greater traction properties and are very responsive due to the cushioning action of the rubber infill. Albeit, you are still subject to potentially painful turf burns.

What are the Different Types of Indoor Soccer Cleats?

Turf soccer cleats are specifically made for artificial turf play. They are typically made with a rubber sole and shorter rubber studs which provide more traction on the artificial turf. They are less likely to slip on the artificial surface, an attribute which is important on turf soccer fields especially in wet conditions. These cleats are ideal for indoor or outdoor artificial turf fields.

Outdoor soccer cleats are generally made from synthetic material or leather with full length studs. This is your traditional soccer cleat. These types of cleats provide stability on uneven surfaces. They also provide excellent grip for better control on softer surfaces like grass, dirt or wet conditions. They tend to have slightly longer studs so the cleats will bite deeper into the pitch. These shoes are decent on quality artificial turf fields with deeper piles (length of artificial blades of grass). Use caution on shorter pilings since you may be more prone to rolling your ankles.

Indoor soccer shoes provide a more flexible sole and more cushioning. They are made of synthetic materials such as nylon and neoprene. These shoes tend not to fit as snugly as outdoor or turf shoes but this really is a personal preference. These shoes do not have any studs and have a flat sole. Therefore they are more prone to slipping and have less traction than outdoor or turf cleats. They are meant for use on indoor carpet turf and hard court surfaces such as rubber, vinyl and hardwood.

What are the Advantages of Indoor Soccer Shoes?

Indoor soccer shoes are a great option for players who want to play on indoor surfaces. They provide better performance depending on the type of indoor playing surface. This means you can play with more confidence on these different surfaces. There are many different types and styles of indoor shoes available in the market today but they all share a few common traits:

Indoor Flat Sole Shoes

Flat indoor shoes do not have cleats giving you better traction and protection from ankle rolls on harder flat playing surfaces.

Shorter Studded Cleats

Indoor studded cleats are normally shorter than outdoor cleats. Turf fields won’t grow long deep grass or get extremely soft.

Rubber Cleats

Indoor studded cleats have rubber or plastic studs on the bottom to help with grip on artificial surfaces.

Lower Profile

Decreases injuries relating to rolling your ankle or catching your cleat in the turf thanks to the lower profile of the cleats

Different Upper Materials

The upper can be made from synthetic material like mesh, nylon or polyester similar to outdoor soccer shoes.

Leather Shoes

Prefer a tighter form fit? Pickup a leather pair which will form better to your feet over time.

Variety of Styles

Available in a variety of styles and colors with matching laces to be able to match the team’s color scheme. Indoor shoes are often similar to an outdoor counterpart.

Since indoor shoes have lower profiles or completely flat soles, you will likely lose some traction on most playing surfaces. You do decrease your chances of rolling your ankle or catching your cleats in the turf. Nonetheless, it is important to stretch well since you are more likely to pull or overextend muscles due to the added slipping and sliding.

Some players, especially older adult players may even choose to wear indoor shoes with a flat sole to play on turf. This decreases your traction especially on quick sudden turns and movements. However, this significantly decreases the chances of injury due to your foot or leg catching, overextending or rolling on plays. Many players nursing injuries or prone to these types of injuries find this totally worth the trade off.

Additionally, some older adult players nursing injuries may choose to wear their studded turf shoes to play on outdoor or longer artificial turf. Again, you may lose some traction however you decrease the chances of incurring or recurring injuries.

With these traits in mind, it’s easy to see how indoor soccer shoes are a great option for players who want to enjoy some form of indoor soccer.

Disadvantages of Indoor Soccer Shoes

Indoor soccer cleats have a few minor disadvantages as well.

• Indoor soccer shoes may not be as comfortable and light as other types of outdoor soccer shoes. Some indoor shoes may not have the same amount of cushioning or support that other types of soccer shoes have. The quality and cost of your cleats will affect this level of comfort.
• They are made for playing on hardcourt and artificial turf surfaces and not ideal for use on natural grass.
• The selection of quality indoor soccer cleats is much smaller compared to outdoor shoes.
• You have to carry another pair of soccer shoes in your equipment bag.

Albeit these are not very serious disadvantages, you should still consider them.

How to Choose a Quality Pair of Indoor Soccer Shoes

There are many different types of indoor soccer shoes, and they vary in their purpose, design and quality. The best way to find the right pair of turf soccer shoes for you is to know what surface you will be playing on, what type of soccer you are playing and what features you want in your shoe. There are many factors to consider when choosing a pair of turf soccer shoes.

These factors include: the price, comfortability, style, durability, traction, weight and size. You should also consider how often you play or if you have any medical conditions that may require certain features in your shoe such as arch support or orthotics. A good way to find out which brands offer these features is by reading reviews from other customers who have purchased them before or researching the main brand websites.

Price

Prices of indoor soccer shoes can vary widely depending on the quality and durability. Brand names offer a wide selection. of high quality, durable and comfortable shoes from low to high end.

Comfortability

The inside of indoor soccer shoes are typically padded less than regular athletic shoes. This allows players to have a better feel for the ball as well as increased comfort when playing on artificial turf.

Style

There is a wide selection of styles in turf soccer shoes from more casual designs to more fashion forward styles. Ensure you don’t sacrifice too much comfort and fit for style.

Durability

Indoor soccer shoes are typically made with a durable synthetic material that is meant to last. You may need multiple pairs depending on the different types of soccer and fields you play on. Since the shoes are used indoors they tend to last a lot longer since they are not subject to the elements as well.

Traction

A lot of different brands feature different traction patterns in their indoor cleated soccer shoes. Even flat soled indoor shoes have different patterns, materials and traction qualities. Some help control slipping better than others. You may need to experiment with different models and brands to determine which one you prefer the best.

Weight

Weight can vary significantly in turf soccer shoes. A lot of brands offer models that are lightweight and are meant to be durable. Adidas offers some great quality indoor shoes and cleats.

Size

There are a lot of different sizes in turf soccer shoes as well. This is due to the wide range of models that are available and the differences in sizing for some brands. There is also a wide selection of styles and prices available in indoor soccer shoes.

How to Save Money on Indoor Soccer Cleats

Indoor cleats are crucial to indoor soccer. The quality and style of the shoe will affect performance, comfort, and safety. For some folks, your image and style may just be as important. Do your research before purchasing a pair. This important investment will last you many years. There are many ways to save money on indoor soccer shoes without sacrificing quality or performance. Here are some tips that will help you save money while still buying a good pair of soccer shoes:

1. Buy online: Online stores offer discounts on their products that you cannot find in retail stores
2. Shop around: Compare prices at different stores and try outlets before making your purchase
3. Consider buying used if budget is tight: Buying used can be a lot cheaper than new and is better for the environment because it reduces waste and saves resources
4. Look for clearance sales or liquidation sales online or physically to pick up some great deals on shoes

Conclusion

In conclusion, indoor soccer shoes are versatile especially if you play in a part of the world with 4 seasons. It is vital to keep a quality pair (or two) of indoor shoes in your soccer kit. It is extremely important to know what type of soccer you are playing, the different types of soccer cleats and types of fields you are playing on so that you can find the right pair for your needs. There are some disadvantages to adding another pair of soccer cleats specifically for indoor surfaces. Nonetheless, the advantages of a good pair of indoor soccer shoes far outweighs the disadvantages.

It is important to take your time to research and find the perfect pair of indoor shoes for your feet. It’s always a great idea to save a few dollars on your purchase but don’t sacrifice too much on quality and comfort to save a few dollars. A solid pair of indoor shoes can last you many years since they are primarily used indoors. More importantly, a quality pair of indoor shoes can potentially save you from some nasty injuries.

If you recently geared up with a new pair of indoor soccer shoes and are looking to break them in, list yourself today on Subsneeded. List and showoff your skills, set your availability and take bookings from teams desperately looking for a goalkeeper or quality player. If you are a team in desperate need of players looking to join your indoor team on a new beautifully installed artificial turf field, check out our extensive listing of free agent players.