Cyber Monday 2025 is here, and for a lot of people, AG (artificial grass) has become the default playing surface in the current era. Artificial surfaces are widespread, but many cleat brands seem to struggle when it comes to releasing cleats with AG-specific soleplates, with a majority still focusing on FG (firm ground) cleats.
Ask our experts all week through to Cyber Monday for their tailored advice
The quick list
A top choice owing to its comfort and versatile soleplate. New Balance updated the Multi-Ground (MG) configuration, unlike other brands that neglect non-FG options. Its slightly longer cleats allow use on firm ground. This comfortable cleat also offers a clean, thinly cushioned touch on the ball.
Comfortable and highly durable for artificial grass (AG). Crucially, its cleat layout is specifically designed for older 2G/3G AG pitches, addressing a common issue ignored by other brands. It also provides the enjoyable shooting experience that the Predator line is legendary for.
A strong option thanks to its soft, pliable upper and improved touch. Crucially, Skechers now offers a well-designed AG outsole with smaller circumference cleats to reduce drag on artificial turf, making it one of the better AG options available.
A comfortable, high-performing cleat with an excellent AG soleplate that rivals the FG version. Its slightly taller cleats work well on most types of turf, and the reinforced toe lining boosts durability on synthetic surfaces. Despite a poor heel quality, it offers a great thin touch and grip.
Highly rated in 2024, the Scudetta is now available with an improved AG soleplate. Its thoughtfully designed layout reduces stud pressure while maintaining excellent grip on artificial turf. The cleat retains its soft BIOTouch upper, thin touch, excellent midfoot stability, and comfortable heel cushioning.
A comfortable speed cleat with fantastic lockdown, thanks to the ZeroGlide lining. Its AG soleplate is well-designed and features the pressure-reducing Enerzy midsole. The upper provides a thin, premium touch. While the Japan model is expensive and the midsole lacks stiffness, the overall performance and durability make it a strong AG option.
Best overall
It finally happened. Many places declared the Sokito Scudetta as their cleat of the year for 2024, myself included, yet the aggressive cleat layout meant that it was too much for most people to wear on AG.
Sokito took their time designing the AG outsole, to make sure it was not just another AG outsole, but one of the best. The layout is well thought out, helping decrease cleat pressure while still allowing for great grip on artificial surfaces.
The rest of the cleat is still the Scudetta that wowed so many last year. The upper has this thin, light touch on the ball.
The BIOTouch forefoot wraps the foot yet is still soft and has a short break in period. The heel has good cushioning for a speed cleat without feeling like there is too much material.
I also always appreciate when a brand offers an extra lace hole in order to do a runner’s loop. The midfoot stability is excellent so that when you are cutting from side to side, your foot does not roll. The Scudetta is still probably my favourite cleat available and I am glad there is now an AG option so that more people have a chance to experience it.
Best lightweight
Starting with a cleat that returns from our Best Soccer Cleats for Comfort guide, the Furon V8 Elite MG is an easy choice for this list. This is partially because of the comfort aspect of the Furon, but also because New Balance is one of the few brands that not only has an AG soleplate option, but now has an updated MG (multi-ground) option.
I appreciate that the brand did not just make one AG soleplate for their cleats to use from the beginning, but actually updated it. A lot of brands are all too willing to constantly update their FG soleplates, while everything else gets forgotten about.
Although the cleats are a bit longer than other MG cleats on the market, this does mean that the cleats could be used on a hard ground field if needed, which is handy during the summer months. We also have to talk about the fact that the cleats are comfortable and offer a nice, thinly cushioned touch on the ball.
For me, the New Balance Furon V8 Elite MG is an easy choice for this list.
Best cleat layout
The Adidas Predator Elite is another cleat that makes it from our most comfortable cleats list. Instead of the Fusionskin upper however, this is the Hybridtouch upper model.
It is not as soft as the leather model, but the upper is still soft and breaks in quickly. It is also more durable than the leather upper option, which is useful for an AG cleat as AG surfaces cause a lot of heavy wear on cleats with a leather upper.
However, the biggest reason these Predators are included on this list is the fact that the stud layout is specifically designed for those older AG pitches that cannot take a stud as easily as a newer 4G surface can. This issue is something that seems to be ignored by a lot of brands when it comes to designing their AG options.
I really appreciate the fact that Adidas has a standard AG option along with this 2G/3G soleplate option. Of course, there is also the fact that Predator is one of the most enjoyable cleats in the market to play in when it comes to the shooting experience.
Best fit
This is probably the odd one on this list, as many people are still coming around to the idea that Skechers now make soccer cleats. However, the SKX 2 has been a game-changer for the brand in a lot of ways, with more than a few reviewers asking themselves if it could possibly be cleat of the year.
The upper has been much improved versus the previous model, and it is much softer and more pliable this time around. There is also the fact that the touch on the ball is nicer, too.
For many people though, one of the best changes is the fact that Skechers now offer an AG outsole option. What’s more, is that the outsole looks as if some thought was put into it.
What I mean to say is that often brands will give the cleats rounded studs and call it an AG soleplate. However, Skechers have not just shortened the stud length, but the circumference of the studs themselves is smaller.
This means that the studs are less likely to 'drag' when used on AG surfaces. I personally would prefer if the soleplate had a bit more stiffness through the forefoot, but that does not take away from the fact that this soleplate is one of the nicer AG ones on the market.
Best Nike
There is a bit of a theme with this list in that many of the cleats that appeared in our Best Soccer Cleats for Comfort guide appear here. It is no different with the Nike Phantom 6.
This is the best cleat currently on Nike’s line up and the cleat is enjoyable to use. We have also rated it the best cleat overall for 2025/26.
I really like the AG soleplate, even more than the FG plate to the point that I prefer the AG on grass surfaces over the Cyclone 360 soleplate that the FG model has. The cleats are slightly taller than ones found on other AG cleats, but it is still great for use on the majority of AG surfaces.
It may seem like a minor thing, but I especially appreciate the outer lining on the end of the toe because it helps protect the Gripknit from being torn up by synthetic surfaces, thus increasing the durability.
It is a shame that even on the AG models, the heel quality is still poor, as it stops the cleat from being easier to recommend. Still, we need to commend Nike for giving us a good AG option, as their Mercurial AG cleats are far too tall to recommend.
Occasionally, especially on dry days, the Gripknit can feel too grippy on the ball. Overall, though, the Phantom 6 is a great option for AG as it does just about everything you would want from a modern knit cleat: thin touch on the ball, great grip, and plenty of comfort.
Best Puma
Puma has been much-aligned over the last few years because their cleats have not received much acclaim. In spite of that, the Ultra 6 (as well as the Ultra 5) has a classic speed cleat feel which is harder and harder to find on the market these days.
What this means is that the upper is super thin and puts almost nothing between your foot and the ball. The lockdown is also good. There is a lot of stability in the cleat as well, but the trade-off is that the upper takes a bit longer to break in.
The heel cup is cushioned well, but it is also fairly stiff. However, the main reason this cleat makes this list is because Puma has probably the best MG soleplate on the market.
Traditionally, this is an area where Puma has excelled, and the current MG is no different. The studs are numerous (24 in total), which helps distribute pressure more evenly across the foot so that even on the hardest of AG surfaces, your feet will not feel cleat pressure.
The cleat height is also great as it is just long enough to give you grip while still allowing you to run comfortably in the cleats. More brands should learn from Puma’s MG soleplate.
Best lockdown
Almost no list would be complete without a Mizuno cleat. I could have chosen pretty much any Mizuno cleat, but I went for the Alpha as the durability is better on AG versus the leather options.
The lockdown is fantastic because of Mizuno’s ZeroGlide lining, which locks the foot into place. When combined with the ZeroGlide insole, grip socks are unnecessary and can feel like overkill.
The insole is also nicely cushioned, and the Mizuno Enerzy midsole is excellent at keeping pressure off of the bottom of the foot. I also appreciate the new external heel cup on the AG soleplate, and the soleplate itself is well-designed for AG surfaces.
Frustratingly, there are few things that hold the cleat back. The first is that there seems to be very little stiffness through the midsole, which means the cleats do not have much stability.
The second is that the Japan-made models are ridiculously expensive. There are a lot of positives however that make up for a lot of this.
The Elite model is cheaper than others on the market. The upper breaks in quickly and has a nice, super-thin touch on the ball.
While the Japan model obviously has amazing quality, even the upper on the Elite model feels premium. It is great that a cleat that looks like this is this comfortable, since speed cleats traditionally have focused more on performance than comfort, but the Alpha 2 has both.
How we test soccer cleats for artificial turf
Each pair of soccer cleats goes through a vigorous testing process by one of our team, who leaves no stone unturned in their pursuit of the best cleats around. On this occasion, our tester wore each pair on a number of occasions during their 5-aside and 11-aside matches on artificial turf, giving them a clearer picture of what did and didn't work.
Some clearly worked well, as we mention above, while others are far from being our favorites. Factors we consider especially important are comfort, stability, fit and feel, with how safe they perform on artificial turf also another key consideration. After all, injuries feel a lot more common on the surface.
How to choose the right soccer cleats
There are an array of options available on the soccer cleat market, with each brand claiming they've produced the ultimate option featuring the best technology that you simply cannot overlook.
That's not always true, though. At the end of the day, your choice needs to take into account what suits you best and works best with your game. But there are still some important things to consider when making your decision...
Getting the right fit
We've all been there, finding what we think are the perfect soccer cleats only to find that they don't fit, the material creates blisters on your feet and you're dreading putting them back on again.
That's why we'd always recommend players go to a physical store to try cleats on, regardless of the surface they're playing on. Each cleat will fit the shape of your foot differently, which is pretty impossible to gauge online.
Styling
Once you've found a pair of cleats that fits snugly on your foot, it's time for the fun part: choosing the color and style you want to rock up to games in. So many different colorways of the same model are now released on a seemingly monthly basis these days, meaning there's always something for everyone.
After all, it's likely there will still be a number of options to complement exactly what you want - whether it be flashy and colorful or simpler and more traditional.
Leather or synthetic
Most artificial turf cleats are only available in synthetic, due to the way the soccer cleat market is heading and the costs involved adapting leather turf versions into AG. Still, there are a few leather-imitating cleats available, with other kangaroo leather options always reliably stocked.
Best Soccer Cleats For Artificial Turf: FAQs
What kind of cleats are best for artificial turf?
AG cleats are usually the best bet for artificial turf as they are designed specifically for that type of ground. Hybrids can be found too, known as AG/FG cleats, which are also a good option to go for. But, major manufacturers like Nike, Adidas and make suitable soccer cleats for artificial turf. Overall, we think the Sokito Scudetta AG are the best soccer cleats for artificial turf.
Can you wear soccer cleats on artificial turf?
In short, yes. You will probably need specific cleats for artificial turf as opposed to natural or field grass. This is because metal studs, which give you added grip on natural turf, can damage artificial grass and are less effective. Specific AG cleats will also provide the necessary comfort, traction and durability that artificial turf demands.
Major boot manufacturers do make soccer cleats specifically for artificial turf, and you can even find hybrids, which work well and are suitable for both artificial and natural turf. If you check out our guide above, you'll find the best soccer cleats for artificial turf.
What kind of football boots are best for artificial grass?
Ideally, you want specific cleats for artificial grass, so anything that features the letters AG is a good indication that the boots you're looking at are suitable. You can also get hybrid boots, which are suitable for both artificial grass and natural grass. You'll usually see the letters FG/AG next to them, which indicate that they're suitable for both. Soccer cleats suitable for artificial turf will typically feature rubber studs, whereas football boots with metal ones are better suited to natural grass.
What studs are best for astroturf?
Rubber studs. If you're playing on astroturf, you'll want rubber studs as they provide the necessary comfort and traction on that playing surface. Longer, metallic studs are designed to dig into the ground, which isn't possible on astroturf, so you'll want AG cleats with rubber studs to meet the demands of playing on astroturf.
