If you're in need of the best soccer cleats for artificial turf, then look no further.
Astro soccer is an experience a world away from turf - meaning the best soccer cleats for firm ground will do you no favours. Not only does artificial turf have its advantages: your kit doesn't get quite so muddy and everyone feels a little faster on that kind of surface (even if some of us still couldn't outrun Per Mertesacker - yes, even with the big German defender now retired and 39), but having the correct footwear is simply of paramount importance.
Indeed, it's absolutely essential to use specifically manufactured cleats for artificial turf, rather than turf or soft ground, because they help to elminate the risk of injury. With FG cleats, some studs are more bladed and, therefore, more prone to getting caught in the ground when playing on artificial turf. That's bad news for your knees and ankles, because it could potentially lead to serious injury.
Fortunately, some of the best soccer cleats around have been adapted into artificial turf versions, with Nike, Adidas, Puma and Mizuno all making waves in these 'turf wars.
The quick list
While Nike has added conical studs to the Mercurial's AG soleplate, they still maintain the speed and aggressive traction in a similar way. Offering a barefoot feel, playing on artificial turf has never been better.
Gripknit is simply my favourite upper material of any cleats available on the market, and it features on the Phantom GX 2 Elite in abundance. They utilise the same conical studs used on the Mercurials.
Safety is clearly Puma's primary concern when it comes to the construction of the Future 7 Ultimate MG, with the stud placement focussed on reducing pressure throughout. They're great for wide feet, too.
Rubber fins litter the top of the Predator Elite, helping with control of the ball, passing and shooting. The soleplate has been reinforced to become more durable on artificial surfaces, too.
Boasting high quality materials thanks to its Japanese construction, the Mizuno Alpha is both super comfortable as well as extremely lightweight - both important features needed for AG.
Though Tiempos are now made from a synthetic material mimicking leather, they still feel exactly like the real deal. There's plenty of benefits to this, with a modern feel on top of a traditional design.
Best for speed
While the turf version of the Nike Mercurial Air Zoom Vapor 15 Elite features super aggresive studs, the AG version of the boot opts for a safer conical stud, aiding in twisting and turning on the field. This doesn't diminish the cleat's ability to offer great traction, with smaller blades on the outsole enabling a quick getaway.
The vapors have a great structure about them when playing on artificial surfaces, while they're still super lightweight. With an air zoom unit incorporated into the cleat, responsive is clearly of paramount importance.
I also loved the grippy texture on the upper of the cleat. Though extremely thin, offering a barefoot sensation with the ball, this extra bit of grip made dribbling that little bit easier, especially in wet conditions on more abrasive surfaces like artificial turf.
Best overall
An upgraded version of one of my favorite soccer cleats in the past few years, the Nike Phantom GX 2 Elite takes everything great from the first iteration of the Phantom GX Elite and improves it ever so slightly.
The unbelieveable Gripknit covering the entirety of the upper made controlling the ball that little bit easier, with it being a lot more noticeable than on the Vapors. This is essential for artificial turf, because the movement of the ball can sometimes be a little more unnatural than on regular turf.
These feature the same stud configuration as the Vapors, too, highlighting just how confident Nike are that they'll do more than an adequate job for you during training and games.
Best for wide feet
Super lightweight, Puma has adapted their popular Future 7 Ultimate to AG to great effect. With plenty of support on the upper, players are offered greater protection in smaller areas on the field - ideal for 5-aside - while there's a great structure about them that reduces pressure through joints.
Plus, they're comfortable straight out of the box and suitable for wide feet, while the texturing on the upper feels great when dribbling and passing as a midfielder.
I did find that, with there being a lot more studs on the soleplate when compared to the other AG versions on this list, traction was slightly impeded. While turning sharply felt as safe and as easy as ever, pushing off from a standing start didn't provide quite as much bite as I like.
Best for passing
With barely any difference to the Adidas Predator Elite FG, the AG version is undoubtedly one of the best choices on the market. They do offer slightly more support and reinforcement, though, in order to be better suited for artificial turf.
The soleplate is specially constructed for artificial turf, while the Primeknit collar makes them comfortable for playing, too. That's because the features help to reduce the impact on a harder surface, while also offering a great level of performance at the same time.
Best quality
Mizuno has left no stone unturned with the Alpha Elite, with the cleats providing structure, comfort and a lightweight feel. Constructed with premium materials, Mizuno has five separate layers on the upper to make playing on artificial turf pitches that little bit easier.
With a conventional tongue, these are also suitable for players with wide feet, while the upper does provide some stretch, too.
The Enerzy foam included on the cleats are designed to propel you forwards, but I found that the conical studs weren't as responsive as I would've liked. Lateral movements were certainly aided, but sprinting became a slight issue.
Best for traditionalists
With a newly-developed outsole, the Nike Tiempo Legend 10 Elite has been improved to make them even safer and better for playing on artificial turf. But, what's even better about them is that the stud configuration is largely the same as the turf version of the cleat, ensuring a consistent level of performance throughout the model.
Indeed, just the bladed studs in the heel have been replaced for conical ones, making twisting and turning easier underfoot, while the studs are hollow to provide better grip and less pressure through your legs. Plus, the upper still features everything great about the turf version of the Tiempo Legend 10 Elite, making them a suitable option for artificial surfaces.
They're better-suited for defenders and midfielders looking to make passes during the game, cover more distance and have a little bit more protection on feet.
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 colourful 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.
