Indoor Soccer Cleats: Everything You Need to Know

Indoor soccer is a fast game that requires the players to have a firm connection to the ground, or they could miss a scoring opportunity or even harm themselves.

The best way to prevent these outcomes is to learn about indoor soccer shoes, understand what they can do for your game, and choose the best pair for you.

So what should you know about indoor soccer shoes?

Indoor soccer cleats are footwear specifically designed to provide indoor soccer players with an appropriate grip for the artificial turf surface used in indoor soccer. The shoes allow the players to move quickly in all directions and respond swiftly to the ball’s movement.

Indoor soccer cleats are a unique and fascinating style of shoe. However, if you want to play the game effectively, it pays to understand how to take advantage.

Read on, and I’llI’ll show you what you need to know about indoor soccer shoes.

Post title over image of indoor soccer shoes

Indoor Soccer Shoes

You might have mistaken these shoes for fancy street footwear in the shoe store, but they are functional shoes that come in various styles people love.

Unlike other cleats, indoor soccer shoes have different, heavier soles that feature multiple patterns on the bottom that are crucial to a player’s movement.

What is Special About Indoor Soccer Shoes?

You might not think there is a big difference between different types of soccer cleats, but you would be wrong.

A few significant alterations to indoor cleats make them for unnatural surfaces, like astroturf, and forego the old-school soccer cleats for grass.

Once you know the differences, they are easy to distinguish.

A few things that make indoor soccer shoes unique are as follows:

  • Soles – The soles on indoor soccer shoes are one of the things that make them different. Outdoor soccer shoes have deep spikes meant to grab onto the grass as they move. The soles on indoor shoes have several small nodules or impressions that allow them to get traction on the turf.
  • Construction – Another thing that makes indoor soccer shoes unique is their construction. They follow conventional methods but have reinforced spots along the arch for lateral movement. In addition, they could have reinforced heels and toe caps.

Indoor soccer shoes are unique because they have to work on surfaces other than natural grass. Like a basketball court, the floors could be hard or made with artificial turf that attempts to simulate grass.

However, the soles are what makes them the most special.

They are constructed like other soccer shoes but have reinforcements in different areas.

women playing indoor soccer
Indoor soccer game

What’s the Difference Between Indoor and Turf Soccer Shoes?

The soles and cleats are the most significant differences between indoor and turf soccer shoes.

Protrusions from the sole of turf soccer shoes, known as cleats, are needed to get traction from the grass and earth. Indoor soccer shoes do not need cleats as they are used on a hard surface.

In addition, there should be more surface area for indoor shoes to grab the floor or astroturf. So, indoor shoes have less pronounced teeth in favor of heavier soles that have patterns for traction.

How to Choose Indoor Soccer Shoes

Now that you know what indoor soccer shoes are used for and how they are made, it is time to discuss how to choose them.

The same principles apply to buying outdoor soccer shoes, but you must consider several factors.

The Surface Impacts the Style of Indoor Soccer Shoes

The most important thing to consider when picking out indoor soccer shoes is the type of surface used.

For example, if you are playing on a surface that simulates grass, the design of the soles on the shoe will be necessary.

If you aren’t prepared, you could face injury or injure another player.

The two surfaces most common with indoor soccer are as follows:

  • Turf – Turf soccer shoes need a different sole than hardwood. The bottom looks like tiny bumps and simulates outdoor soccer spikes. The main difference is they are rounded to give cushion and traction on the plastic grass surface.
  • Hardwood – Hardwood indoor soccer shoes are closer to sneakers than cleats. They have a bottom with a typical pattern, like basketball shoes, and are flexible. They are also light shoes that some folks mistake for regular walking shoes.

A pair for each surface is best if you are on a travel team.

Some areas could have several courts together that are a mixture of surfaces.

Remember that turf soccer shoes are covered with nodes along the bottom, and hardwoods have a pattern for traction, like a basketball shoe.

Indoor soccer game from perspective of goalie
Indoor soccer game

Materials are Another Critical Aspect of Indoor Soccer Shoes

The materials from which indoor soccer shoes are made significantly impact their performance.

Like the soles, two options are most prevalent, but subchoices allow the players to pick a shoe that works best for their style of play. 

The most common materials used when constructing indoor soccer shoes are as follows:

  • Leather – Leather is one of the most used materials in shoes. Indoor soccer shoes made from leather are comfortable, will be around for a while, and will conform to your foot over time. The downside is that they are heavier than synthetic shoes and could require a bit more upkeep.
  • Synthetic – Synthetic indoor soccer shoes are often extremely light and could degrade quickly. They are often rigid shapes that never conform to you; some players say they feel like socks. They are easy to clean, and high-end brands could last longer but cannot compare to the durability of leather.

Indoor soccer shoe materials are critical to getting a shoe that fits you and your play style.

When shopping, remember what you need from the shoe and how much you can spend. Expensive shoes don’t always last the longest, and cheap shoes could have faults that lead to injury.

Fitting of Your Indoor Soccer Shoes

The fit of your shoe brings the picture into focus.

There could be flashy shoes that are light as a feather, but if they don’t fit correctly or conform to your foot, they could be a waste of time and money.

Knowing how they should fit you is critical info that you must know before buying.

Indoor soccer shoes hanging up on hook
Indoor soccer shoes

A few things to consider when fitting indoor soccer shoes are:

  • Does it Hurt? – One of the first things you should look for when trying new soccer shoes is pain. If there is pain when you walk or when placing it on your foot, chances are it does not fit. Pain is a massive indicator of shoes rubbing against your ankle or being too tight on your heel.
  •  Is there a Gap? – Your indoor soccer shoe should fit with a tight heel and ankle with a gap of ¼ or ⅛ inches at the toe. This gap allows your toes to breathe and stretch out to grip the shoe. If there’s no gap, your toes will have pain and cramp the shoe during matches. 
  • Does Your Foot Fit? – Your foot must fit in the shoe comfortably in all directions. The length is significant, but does the width fit also? The shoe isn’t for you if your foot is not tight at the heel and comfortable from front to back.

Fitting the shoes is an integral part of the process.

You should put time and effort into shopping for shoes as they could be a factor in winning or losing.

Run around in the shoe store, jump the benches, or take a stroll to ensure no pain and that the appropriate gaps are maintained.

Can You Wear Regular Shoes for Indoor Soccer?

You should not wear regular shoes for indoor soccer. Indoor soccer shoes have specific features that make them ideal for an indoor soccer game. Regular shoes do not have these features and can limit your performance on the field.

Don’t go into a high-speed indoor soccer match with the wrong shoes, as your ankles and feet could sustain injury.

There are several reasons for this, and you save yourself from these injuries by knowing what they are.

A few reasons that you should not wear regular shoes for indoor soccer are as follows:

  • Injury – The most prominent reason to avoid using regular shoes on the indoor pitch is your risk for injury. The game moves fast, and if your shoes weren’t constructed for moving in multiple directions, you are placing your hips, ankles, and knees in a rough situation.
  • Rules – Some indoor soccer fields prohibit street shoes on their turf or hardwoods. There is a substantial risk for regular shoes to eat up astroturf and leave marks on hardwoods. In addition, scuffs aren’t suitable for the surfaces, and keeping the shoes out is more manageable than repairing the problems.
  • Purpose – Indoor soccer shoes were created for indoor soccer. This means they were designed to let the athlete move in any direction at high speed while supporting the ankle and foot. If the shoe isn’t purposely built that way, you could have trouble with explosive moves and handling the ball.

In the same way, you cannot wear outdoor soccer cleats for indoor soccer.

You can, however, wear the same shoes for both indoor soccer and futsal. Although the two games are different in a number of ways, the type of surface the games are played on allows a player to wear similar shoes.

The Best Indoor Soccer Shoes

The fun part about getting new shoes is the shopping. It creates excitement and lets you know the season is approaching.

The best indoor soccer shoe for you is the one that fits you and your budget.

If you need a pair of each, the fun in shopping is doubled, and now that you know what you need, it won’t take long to get the shoes of your dreams.

No matter what position you play in indoor soccer, you will find a suitable pair of shoes for you here.

Adidas Mundial Goal

One of the most popular indoor soccer shoes is the Adidas Mundial Goal. It has a hex pattern on the bottom for traction on turf and courts, and it is a light, durable shoe. It can be made in either leather or synthetic and comes in the standard three Adidas colors.

People love to wear the Mundial.

It is a stylish shoe that looks like every other Adidas but has a discolored heel that people love. In addition, it is a dependable shoe that soccer players can feel safe spending their money on.

Adidas Predator Edge 4

A stylish and practical soccer shoe is the Adidas Predator Edge 4. Adidas has a surprising hold on the indoor soccer shoe game, and the Pred 4’s are often mistaken for casual sneakers. They are stylish while also being able to perform with soccer shoes well above their price point.

Style isn’t the only thing the Predator Edge does well.

They have a reinforced heel and arch, which gives the athlete a solid platform to change directions quickly while staying protected from ankle or foot strains.

Predators are nice street shoes as well. They fit with several different styles and come in some striking colors.

Diadora Capitano

Diadora Capitano sounds like an indoor soccer shoe that would cost thousands of dollars, but it is one of the most affordable shoes on the market.

They have a firm rubber sole with a hardwood style pattern and a synthetic upper resembling leather. They come in flashy colors and are light and airy.

Capitano is a popular shoe because it is affordable and has incredible potential.

The synthetic upper has layers of mesh, making it breathable and allowing your toes to spread out as it has a wide toe box. These are favored by people who are hard on shoes as they can use them and move on to the next pair with little financial stress.

Puma Super Liga

The indoor soccer show Super Liga by Puma is another iconic indoor soccer shoe that people go crazy over.

The Super Liga is also popular because it is affordable and made from leather. Leather indoor soccer shoes are durable, and the Liga has a built-up rubber sole that allows players to use them for much longer.

The Puma Super Liga has a style that looks like the Adidas Samba, one of the first popular indoor soccer shoes. It also has reinforced areas around the arches and heel which help protect the athlete’s ankle.

Conclusion

Indoor soccer shoes differ from standard cleats by having a different surface on the bottom and much larger soles.

They have nodules or patterns on the sole, creating a better environment for traction than the tall spikes in outdoor soccer shoes.

In addition, they have reinforced heels and arches to support movement and prevent injury.

Choosing the right indoor soccer shoe for you requires that it fits correctly, is made from quality materials, and doesn’t cause pain to your feet or ankles while wearing it.

In addition, you should always test out shoes in the store by running or recreating soccer movements to ensure they are worth spending money on. 

SOURCES

http://athleteaudit.com/how-to-choose-indoor-soccer-shoes/

Ben Clayfield

Hi! My name's Ben. I've played, watched, read about, and enjoyed soccer throughout my life. I really enjoy finding out more about the game I love and sharing it with you all. Find out more about me here - Ben Clayfield

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