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Looking for a decent pair of soccer shoes suitable for playing on turf or artificial surfaces can be a confusing business these days. Not because of the lack of shoes available but rather because there are so many to choose from. While the big-name manufacturers such as Nike, Adidas and Puma may have the lion’s share of the market, they are not the only choices you have when it comes to selecting the best turf soccer shoes that meet your specific requirements.
So how do you go about choosing your next pair of turf shoes? The following is a brief guide as to what to look for in terms of the boot’s construction and other details to be aware of, as well as a list of our six favorites.
Top 6 Turf Soccer Shoes Overview Chart
| Picture | Name | Uppers | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. adidas Performance Mundial Team Turf Soccer Cleat | Leather | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 2. adidas Predator 20.3 Turf Soccer Shoe | Synthetic Leather with Mesh | $$ | 4.5 |
 | 3. Diadora Men's Capitano TF Turf Indoor/Outdoor Soccer Shoes | Synthetic Leather and Polyurethane | $ | 4.3 |
 | 4. PUMA King TOP TT Turf Soccer Shoes | PUMA Lite Leather | $$$ | 3.9 |
 | 5. ASICS Men's Copero S Turf Soccer Shoe | Synthetic Leather | $$ | 3.6 |
 | 6. Nike Tiempo Genio Men's Turf Soccer Shoes | Leather | $$$ | 3.5 |
What to Look for in the Best Turf Soccer Shoes
It may be stating the obvious but, as a general rule, the more the shoes cost the more you can expect in terms of quality, ball touch and overall performance.
The Upper Body. The upper body of turf shoes is made from either leather, synthetic material or a toughened plastic called Polyurethane (or PU and sometimes TPU).
- Leather is the more expensive option but gives a better fit and is more comfortable to wear as it is more supple than PU but wears out quicker than its plastic counterpart.
- Synthetic Leather. Nowadays almost indistinguishable from the real thing with the added bonus of being cheaper and more durable.
- Polyurethane boots are cheaper to produce and longer-lasting than leather. However, the savings on price are offset by the comparative hardness of the boots surface and a decreased sense of touch when controlling the ball.
The Sole. Invariably, the soles of turf shoes are made of rubber. It provides good grip on a variety of artificial surfaces including Astroturf, synthetic grass and hard ground. The studs or cleats on turf shoes are shorter (sometimes barely noticeable) and more condensed than those used in outdoor soccer boots and are designed for traction and grip on hard surfaces.
Note: Although some cheaper shoes use plastic soles and studs these should really be avoided. Not only is the grip poor but plastic studs tend to sharpen over time and can cause injuries.
Top 3 Best Turf Soccer Shoes Reviews
1. Adidas Performance Mundial
The Performance Mundial turf shoes are our undisputed favorite and with good reason – or reasons. Not only are they perfect for use on synthetic grass but are also excellent on indoor soccer pitches and Astroturf.
The leather uppers give a perfect sense of touch on the ball and hug our feet without being stiff or hard as is the case with some synthetic shoes. The cushioned surface of the boot takes the impact of even the hardest shots but still delivers the power.
Although goals are not guaranteed with these boots, you are at least assured of excellent quality. For the price, as they are really two boots in one, you can’t go wrong with Adidas Mundials whichever type of soccer you play.
2. adidas Predator 20.3 Turf Soccer Shoe
The adidas Predator is a relative newcomer on the turf soccer scene but has made quite an impact. For a shoe with a synthetic upper they get some substantial performance. The grip and control are great, and they look great at the same time.
Because they’re synthetic they will likely fit a little more snug than an adidas leather shoe might, so you’ll want to take that into consideration in your sizing.
We liked the higher top that fit snugly around our feet. The material was soft enough to give us a sense of stability while still being able to make our cuts and have a great feel for the ball.
These may not have the traditional quality of the Mundial, but they’re still a really solid boot. If you’re on the fence, we suggest giving them a try.
3. Diadora Capitano Turf
The Diadora Capitano shoes run the Adidas Mundials close in terms of quality and comfort. Although I have reservations about Polyurethane boots, the difference is small and these shoes are extremely well-fitting and comfortable. They may even be too comfortable as the padding could make them feel bulky.
The Capitano also use a multitude of studs on the rubber sole but not as many on the Mundials. However they do tend to grip really well on both Astroturf and indoor courts.
All in all, the Capitanos are excellent turf soccer shoes and deliver everything you need and expect. If you don’t want the expense of leather boots then the Capitanos are as close as you can get in terms of softness and fit.
