Firm Ground

Firm Ground applies to a natural short-grass surface that is firm underfoot but may be slightly wet. Firm Ground (FG) studs are designed specifically for this playing surface and offer acceleration, comfort and enhanced traction, dispersing stud pressure evenly across the foot.

Artificial Grass

Artificial Grass surfaces (also known as an all-weather surface) usually consists of 3G (rubber crumb) or 4G (longer pile, combination of rubber/sand infill, more realistic to actual grass) and often includes Astro Turf (water or sand-based).

Boots made for Artificial Grass (AG) will be specifically designed for the extra abrasion associated with synthetic grass. Usually featuring more numerous and densely concentrated studs, sometimes they may vary in height for improved traction and be hollowed out to reduce weight and enhance cushioning.

Soft Ground

Soft Ground is used to describe natural grass surfaces that are wet and muddy and require the most aggressive traction. Boots made for soft ground (SG) have removable, replaceable screw-in studs and typically come in a six-stud configuration (4 at the forefoot, 2 slightly longer at the heel).

Soft Ground Pro

SG-Pro or Hybrid sole plates are for use on natural grass surfaces that are wet and muddy and require the most aggressive traction. Boots made with SG-Pro or Hybrid boots are comprised of a combination of conical screw-in studs and moulded studs, which are most commonly bladed. An increasing number of professional players prefer this soleplate for its superior level of traction, hence the name, SG-Pro.

Hard Ground

Hard Ground can vary between extremely dry grass, dirt or gravel and therefore will not allow conventional studs to penetrate the surface. Boots with Hard Ground (HG) sole plates utilise a harder TPU compound for enhanced durability and typically feature multiple slightly shorter, evenly dispersed studs for optimal pressure distribution.

Indoor

Indoor surfaces are used for small-sided games such as 5-a-side and Futsal and are usually flat, extremely hard and unforgiving. Indoor outsoles (sometimes known as IN, IT – Indoor Trainer or IC – Indoor Court or Indoor Competition) use non-marking materials such as moulded gum rubber (can be clear or coloured) and provide cushioning, traction, flexibility and durability.

Indoor shoes use pivot points, flex grooves and herringbone patterns for optimum movement and traction.

Turf Trainer

Turf, a synthetic-grass surface, usually applies to Astro Turf (sand or water-based). Playing on turf surfaces requires less cleat penetration, which is similar to the needs of a hard ground sole plate, and features a solid rubber outsole with numerous, small multidirectional lugs.

Turf cleats are also appropriate for play on very dry natural surfaces, hard dirt pitches or gravel.

Street

Street typically describes pitches or surfaces that are often found in inner-city residential areas. They can consist of varying hard surfaces such as tarmac, paved or hard-court areas surrounded by a cage. Shoes for play on Street pitches require a shoe with an extra hard-wearing rubber outsole, which is multi-lugged for grip and comfort.