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Astro-turf surfaces were a revelation and provide an excellent ALTERNATIVE to grass as you can still play soccer outside but do not have to worry about water-logged or frozen pitches.
Your Guide
Alex Waite
Yet, the firm design of astro-turf means you need the correct footwear to play effectively.
I’ve often found myself slipping and sliding around on the grainy surface of astro-turf when I’ve tried to play in regular trainers or soccer boots.
Your touch and controls a lot worse with incorrect footwear too so you must get your choice right.
Ensure your astro-turf boots have plenty of padding and are sturdy enough to ENDURE the wet and cold conditions you sometimes experience when playing outside.
As astro-turf is a harder surface, you must have plenty of padding to support your feet and ankles on this surface.
#1: Adidas Mundial
Adidas Mundial boots are extremely reliable on astro-turf surfaces and offer everything you need to succeed when playing on this surface.
The Mundials have plenty of padding and offer lots of comfort and they are very durable and fairly heavy duty, making them perfect for enduring all conditions.
The Adidas Mundials also help to improve your balance when moving in all directions and help with mobility when turning direction quickly.
The rubber studs are also perfectly designed to help your balance and prevent all that slipping and sliding.
Key Features
- Popular black and white style with three Adidas stripes
- Rubber soles for balance
- Kangaroo leather upper
- PU mid-sole improves durability
- Suede material towards bottom of shoe improves control
Specification
- Only available in black and white
- Large, foldable tongue
- Lace up fit
- Customisation available at extra cost
Pros
- Excellent materials used improves the durability of these astro-turfs
- Rubber sole and PU mid-sole offers extra support for balance.
- Iconic design with three white strips
Cons
- Require some breaking in as they are fairly heavy-duty
- More modern and sleek designs are available from other boots and manufacturers.
- Split-suede leather upper
- Synthetic lining for comfort
- NON MARKING gum rubber outsole for excellent grip on all indoor surfa
#2: Adidas Goletto 7
The Adidas Goletto astro-turf boots look similar to the Mundial design but they offer something different.
These boots are PERFECT for amateur players who simple want comfort and long-lasting boots for smaller sided games of football or training.
Golettos also offer a more affordable option too without compromising much of the quality or durability in comparison to other boots.
These boots are extremely well padded to provide the comfort needed for playing on astro-turf surfaces. A simple Adidas design also provides a classic feel to these popular boots.
Key Features
- Cushioned insole and ankle provide comfort
- Synthetic material used on upper, making them more breathable
- Rubber sole and studs support with excellent grip
- Large Adidas branding on one side and three stripes on the other
Specification
- Available in many sizes (6 to 13)
- Lace up fit
- Available in six different colours
Pros
- Affordable for amateur players (approx. £40)
- Offer excellent support and comfort for new players
- Good quality material makes them durable
Cons
- Basic design and style
- Heavy duty feel makes them less dynamic than other models
- Juniors soccer shoes for turf play.
- Regular fit
- Lace closure
- Lightweight synthetic upper
- Rubber outsole for g
#3: Puma Future 4.4
The Puma Futures have plenty to offer for the modern footballer.
Puma can modify these boots to perfectly suit your feet and playing STYLE and also make the laces to support your feet type so if you have larger and wider, or smaller and thinner, feet, for example, these provide a good option.
The all black design is modern and sleek. The Futures are made to be comfortable, lightweight and breathable and offer great support for mobility and agility of astro-turf surfaces.
Key Features
- Knitted sock above the ankle provides further support
- NETFIT material makes boots lightweight
- TPU outsole gives extra balance on harder surfaces
- Puma cat brand on heel of boot
Specification
- Available in sizes 6 to 11
- Customisable lace up fit available
- Variety of colours available from different sellers
Pros
- Customisation suits different foot types
- Lightweight design improves speed and agility
- Comfortable, close fit to feet
Cons
- Large heel can be restrictive when in possession
- Upper of boot can be slightly stiff so requires breaking in
#4: Nike Tiempo Legend VIII
The Nike Tiempo brand has proven to be a RELIABLE make of astro-turf boot for a long time and offers plenty of quality, style and comfort for harder and artificial surfaces.
The Nike Academy range comes below their ‘Pro’ and ‘Elite’ range but still offers plenty of quality for your game on astro-turf surfaces.
Plenty of cushioning provides lots of comfort on hard surfaces, while the outsole provides sufficient grip on most surfaces.
Their sleek black design with iconic Nike tick running along the side of the boot gives the Tiempos that classic Nike feel and style.
Key Features
- Interior quilting for comfort
- Full grain leather
- Floating mesh around toe prevents injury
- Sock liner above ankles adds extra support
- Rubber outsole gives extra balance
Specification
- Available in six different colours
- Sizes 5.5 to 14 available
- Lace up fit
- Slim fit
Pros
- Good quality materials improve durability
- Well supported to prevent injury
- Very comfortable and help to improve touch and control
Cons
- Very tight fitting initially due to slim design
- Fly knit o heel adds little to performance or style
- Calf Skin Leather upper offering a soft and direct touch on the ball
- Molded Stitchless Upper enhancing comfort
- Hyperstability soleplate giving traction and speed off of the toes.
- Modern twist on a clas
#5: Nike Mercurial Superfly 7
The Nike Mercurial Superfly Academy boots offer a lightweight, comfortable fit which help to support speed and agility on astro-turf surfaces.
The cushioned insole and knitted ankle support give a snug fitting boot and firmly secure your feet in place when running, passing and controlling.
The rubber soles on the Mercurial Superfly boots provide superb grip under foot, perfect for those wet and wintery NIGHTS playing on artificial surfaces.
These boots have a simple design with a few subtle details which provides that modern feel of a football boot for players looking for something with style and a practical option while playing.
Key Features
- Moulded rubber studs improve grip
- Cushioned insole adds to comfort
- Knitted ankle support and sock liner inside boot
- Nike tick flows from front of boot along side
- Lightweight feel
Specification
- Lace up fit
- Available in three separate colours
- Sizes 5 to 14 available
Pros
- Lightweight build aids speed and agility
- Ankle support provides extra support and can prevent injury
- Excellent grip is suitable for astro-turf surfaces
Cons
- Can be hard to put on because of sewn in sock
- The Superfly isn’t very breathable, leading to excess sweating and overheating (possibly suitable for winter rather than summer)
#6: Mizuno Monarcida AS
The Mizuno Monarcida Neo AS astro turf boots offer a great quality pair of boots without compromising the quality and durability of these astro-turfs.
High-quality synthetic material is used for the upper boot which makes these boots long LASTING and touch against tackles and contact.
They are slightly heavier than certain alternative boots, but the boots are perfect for defenders or players who receive a lot of contact.
There are many different colours and designs available for this boot too so you can ensure great quality and style without spending a fortune.
Key Features
- Durable synthetic material on upper boot
- Dimpled, gum rubber out sole underfoot provides excellent traction and balance
- Zero glide removable sock liner adds extra comfort inside the boots and prevents friction.
Specification
- Medium width
- Sizes 7 to 12 available
- A variety of colours and designs are available
- Lace up fit
- Weight (approx.) 260g depending on size
Pros
- Very affordable at (approx.) £30
- Durable materials make these boots long lasting without compromising player comfort
- Medium width fit is suitable for a range of players.
Cons
- Upper boot is quite thick which can feel heavy when worn for the first time.
- Can feel tight on first couple of wears so require some time to break in properly.
- Wide-Fitting
- AS (astro training) model for training on soil and asph
Conclusion
If you regularly play on astro-turf surfaces then you must ensure you take the time to find the best fitting and most COMFORTABLE boots that suit your feet.
The consequences of blisters, friction and aching feet aren’t worth the hassle when choosing low quality or cheaper substitutes so be prepared to try out the boots that fit you the best.
Remember that balance and control is key on astro-turf, otherwise your feet will betray you on slippery surfaces.
If you are just starting out on you football journey then the Adidas Mundial or Goletto boots are a good start due to their durability and sturdiness for astro-turf surfaces.
If you are looking for something a little more advanced and modern, then the Puma or Nike boots may be more suitable for you.
