Soft Ground Or Firm Ground Boots? When To Wear Them
What is the easiest way to pick up an injury? The right answer is wearing the wrong type of boots on the wrong kind of pitch.
By answering the question above next time when you are buying football boots, make sure that you are going to get the right pair and that they are suitable for whatever surface you are playing on. Unfortunately, nowadays the range of boots is vast, and it might be very complicated and confusing when it comes to buying pair of football boots, especially if you are a new player or just buying for your kids.
When you are having a dilemma whether to buy astroturf or indoor boots, it’s not so tricky, because their names itself explains where you can use them. But when it comes to the differences between soft ground and firm ground boots, then the real confusion starts to emerge. So, that’s why I am here to show you what to look for and how to get prepared equally for dry turf and muddy pitches.
The Differences Between Soft Ground and Firm Ground Boots
The significant difference between those type of boots is the soleplate. At first look, these boots will look the same, but when you turn them around, you will notice that the studs are designed little differently to improve traction and grip on each surface.
The modern soft ground boots soleplate feature mixture of metal and plastic studs where the metal studs could be replaced with a new one if you lose some of them. While the firm ground boots soleplate its entirely covered with plastic studs in all shapes and sizes. Your choice of which one you will be using depends solely on the pitch you will be playing – whether its a dry, hard pitch or it’s wet and muddy.
Firm Ground Boots. What Are They? Where To Use Them?
Nowadays the most common type boots, firm ground boots (FG) feature bladed or conical studs which are made from plastic or hard rubber. Bear in mind that they can handle a little moisture, these boots are at there best when you are using them in dry, hard natural grass surface.
To improve the traction, balance and speed while you are out on a dry and hard pitch, these boots soleplate and the studs on it are strategically placed to distribute weight across your feet evenly. Whether you are going to buy conical, bladed or any other shape, they are made to perfectly penetrate firm ground surfaces, and they are non-removable which is great because you cannot lose any of the studs during a game.
When to wear: You can wear them on dry, hard or slightly wet natural grass pitches. Most of the nowadays models also can be used on 3G and 4G artificial grass pitches, and usually, they have “FG/AG” in their description.
When not to wear: Avoid to use them on wet or muddy natural grass pitches also not suitable for sand-based astroturf and indoor playing courts.
When to buy: Ideally you will be looking to purchase these boots during the summer months when the sun makes pitches dry and hard. Also, you could wear them during the winter on a frozen natural grass pitch.
Soft Ground Boots. What Are They? Where To Use Them?
Firm grounds boots will be absolutely fine most of the time when you are playing on grass. However, when the pitch it’s wet and muddy for the sake of your wellbeing, it’s better to have soft ground boots around you.
The soleplate of the soft ground boots features longer studs which will give you plenty of grip when you are playing on a wet or muddy pitch. The traditional boots utilise a classic 6-stud configuration, while the modern soft ground football boots design its mixture of plastic and metal studs, which is almost the same layout of the firm ground boots.
Apart from their larger size, the significant difference here comes from the use of metal studs which are interchangeable and unscrewable. The metal studs will give you stability and traction when you are playing on soft ground and also will allow you to make quick turns when you are playing even on a slippery and sticky pitch.
Frankly most of the time you won’t need these type of boots unless you are unlucky with the weather or the groundsman deliberately flooded the pitch. However, having soft ground boots on your side, it’s essential because if you have only firm ground boots, you won’t be able to stay up on your feet when you are playing in wet and muddy pitch plus risking to get yourself a nasty injury.
When to wear: Perfect for a soft, muddy or wet natural grass surface.
When not to wear: They are not suitable for any other surface, so never use them on firm, artificial or indoor surface.
When to buy: Ideally you will be looking to buy them in the autumn and winter months when the pitches are wet and muddy.
Playing On Both Surfaces. What Is The Solution?
I know that if you want a top quality pair of football boots, you have to cash out a lot of money and to have two pairs of them in most cases it’s almost impossible.
Unfortunately for serious players, there isn’t a way around this, and if you want to maximise your performance on the pitch, you really should have two pairs of boots for each surface. But for those who want to save a little money, my advice is to go for the firm ground boots because they offer much better value and you will get much more use out of them.
In the end, it depends entirely from you to make the judgment whether the pitch its too muddy or too dry and what boots you will use. So make sure that you make the right decision and maximise your performance on the pitch.
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Petar Leykov
I overall prefer firm ground boots because they have a lot more options of when to wear them unlike their soft ground counterparts because firm ground is a more popular type of ground. Do you think that soft ground gives you enough support on the soccer field and which type of these shoes do you prefer?
You are right. Firm ground boots are more popular because you can use them almost everywhere apart wet and muddy pitches where soft ground boots are designed precisely for that purpose. Personally, I have played with both types of boots, and i prefer the firm ground one while the soft ground boots will give you more stability in a wet and sticky surface.
While you can use most boots on any surface apart from maybe outdoor boots indoors because of studs you can generally get away with it.
Before the start of the season and because I play on different surfaces due to training being on 3g and games on grass I have brought 3 pairs. I also live in the UK so weather can change all the time.
I think you have got it to spot on with which boots are for what grounds, the only reason why each boot as a set surface is to with the traction.
Thanks for this guide I know some footballers will find this useful as I often get asked this question before our games.
Josh
Thank you for your comment, Josh. I completely understand what you mean. When I used to play football professionally, and I also had three pair of boots. One for artificial pitches, one for firm grounds and one for wet and sticky weather where nothing else then metal studs will help you. Nowadays I play only on artificial surfaces so-called 3G for fun, and I see that a lot of the guys use firm ground boots which are not the best option for that grounds because can cause severe injuries but if you feel comfortable with them then go for rubber studs.
Hey, I enjoy a lot while reading your guide and find it very useful for everyone. As we know to improve the traction, balance and speed while we are out on a dry and hard pitch, these boots soleplate and the studs on it are strategically placed to distribute weight across our feet evenly. I prefer firm ground boots because they have a lot more options of when to wear them unlike their soft ground counterparts because firm ground is a more popular type of ground.
I agree with you but if you are playing consistently and sometimes you have to go out on a wet and slippery pitch, you definitely will need soft ground boots as well around you.