Best football boots and trainers for astroturf 2024: top Nike, Adidas and Puma choices for 5-a-side

Astroturf football boots and trainers are essential for playing your 5-aside matches, with boots engineered for grass pitches simply not geared to working on fake surfaces.

And while there are plenty of great football boots to choose from, opting for astroturf-specific boots or trainers will enhance performance for anyone semi-serious about having a kickaround with their mates. 

Perfect for harder ground, able to double on concrete, astroturf trainers are also extremely versatile. Nike, Adidas and many others have entered the 'turf wars game, too, each brand pushing one another to create better quality options for those after-work games.  

The Phantoms are the Nike boots that Kevin de Bruyne wears. Whilst we can't exactly promise that you'll morph into the strawberry-blonde super-assister in your local five-a-side, it's easy to see why KDB favours Phantom (and not just because he's contracted to).

These boots have a superb feel to them and suit anyone looking to pass or cross right down to the ground. Get whipping those balls in - Kun Aguero's waiting for you.

The Adidas Nemeziz 19.3 Laceless Astroturf Trainers follow in a long line. Ever since Adidas launched the F50 boots slap-bang in the middle of the 2000s, commentators have been searching for alternatives for "putting his laces through the ball".

This latest astroturf offering is some of the same. Yes, slip-on shoes are more associated with your grandad than a kickabout with your mates, but if you're looking for comfort, look no further.

Nike's Mercurial Superfly range is built for wingers and speedsters alike. The featherweight of the studded boot feels means you can forget that they're even on your feet - but what about the astro version?

Well, the sole is quite a bit heavier. Not that much heavier, but if you're looking for something based purely on the weight, you may be disappointed. Still, these are a top pair of boots and they look fantastic. 

There's nothing that can be said of Adidas Mundials that hasn't already been: an absolute classic in the football world, reminiscent of tournaments your dad still bangs on about as being so much better.

If you're looking to return to the days long before VAR, these are the astro boots for you. A little old school, but that's never a bad thing. 

The Puma Future 4.4 Mg football boots are incredibly futuristic and modern-looking. Puma aren't everyone's cup of tea design-wise - look at the meltdown when Manchester City's paisley kit landed - but it's impressive how they've positioned themselves alongside Nike and Adidas as one of the world's biggest brands in the last few years. 

It's easy to see why with these boots. Sleek, modern and bright, they're not out of place in the big leagues. 

Puma's King line is arguably their finest. These particular boots transcend the astro; they're cool beyond football.

The best thing about these boots is that they straddle the line between retro and modern: they're not completely from the dark ages - hey, you may want that vintage feel that the Mundials have - but they certainly look like they're from the good old days.

How we test football boots and trainers for astroturf

Our football boots and trainers are tested by an expert member of the team who is able to cut through the marketing jargon littered in boot releases straight to the nuts and bolts of why certain features may or may not work. We endeavour to provide simple yet detailed advice, because buying football boots can be a difficult task even at the best of times. 

When it came to testing the best football boots and trainers for astroturf, we went through as many pairs available to use to try and uncover our favourites. Some worked well – others didn't get out of the starting blocks. On this occasion, a number of us all wore a few different pairs each, due to the team's penchant for lacing up on a Tuesday evening for some after-work 5-aside. We then all came together to try and ascertain which were the preferred options, and which should be laid to rest. 

Each pair is put through its paces for several sessions, helping determine their true level of performance. Factors that are considered include comfort, stability, fit and feel.

How to choose the right football boots and trainers

The football boot market can be a bit of a minefield at the best of times, with an array of options available and brands championing the latest tech that will have you jumping higher, running faster and never miscontrolling a ball ever again. 

Ultimately, your choice should come down to what best suits you and your game. Below are some factors to consider when looking for your next pair...

Getting the right fit

Trying a pair before buying is always recommended, regardless of the surface you're playing on. You need to see how they shape up against your foot, which isn't always easy to do online. 

With sizes often varying in length between brands, it doesn't necessarily mean that an 8 in Adidas boots will mean an 8 in Nike boots will fit you. That's why we recommend trying on boots in person before parting with your hard-earned money. 

Styling

While there's an increasing amount of options available in the astroturf market, not every pair suits every player. So make sure you focus on the pair fitting correctly first before settling on which colour you want dazzling opponents on your feet.

After all, it's likely there will still be a number of options to complement exactly what you want - whether it be flashy and colourful or simpler and more traditional.