Choosing which cleats should be within your budget, be a good fit, and also look good can sometimes be challenging, especially when you don’t have enough knowledge about them.
And not just the fit or looks; the material, outsole, and insoles also matter a lot when buying new cleats. Choosing firm ground cleats is also the same case.
So, exactly what are firm ground cleats? How do they compare to other cleats, like soft ground cleats (soccer & football cleats), etc.? Let’s see.
What Are Firm Ground Cleats?
Firm ground cleats are mainly exclusive to natural grass fields and grounds, which are mostly dry, rough, and hard surfaces.
But why the natural grass only? Well, firm ground cleats offer great traction and experience on natural grass fields, which positively affects the players’ performance.
FG cleats are designed, so they don’t pierce through the ground during the game, and you all know why that’s essential for a player.
Moreover, you won’t see many professional players playing on firm surfaces (natural grass fields).
Emerging players mostly play on these fields because the game organizers find it easy to maintain firm grounds like these compared to soft grounds.
FG cleats provide a good grip on the ground, as their sole studs are exactly as piercing on the ground as they need to be.
That is why the outsole of the FG cleats should be your priority when buying a new pair of cleats.
It is believed that firm ground cleats are among the most bought soccer cleats in the world, and one of the main reasons for that is their multitasking and adaptability.
Not only do these cleats perform well on firm surfaces like natural grass, but also on soft ground and artificial grass. That’s why players prefer them over others.
However, hold on a moment. While it’s true that you can wear FG cleats on artificial grass, it’s not recommended by experts, as there’s still a risk of a foot injury.
What’s The Difference Between Firm Ground And Soft Ground Cleats?
Firm Ground Cleats:
- Mostly used on firm ground surfaces, like natural grass fields and parks.
- FG cleats generally adapt to any surface and provide good traction.
- Firm ground cleats have irremovable studs on their outsoles.
- The studs/spikes of FG cleats are mainly made of hard plastic or rubber.
- FG cleats’ studs are distributed on the outsole to share the weight equally.
- The studs are pointed and blade-shaped.
- You can’t remove the studs/spikes.
Soft Ground Cleats:
- Mostly used on soft ground surfaces, which are properly maintained and looked after.
- While you can wear SG cleats on firm ground surfaces if you want, it’s not recommended. So, it’s better to avoid it.
- You can change/replace SG cleats’ studs.
- SG cleats’ studs/spikes are made of metals and hard plastic.
- Soft ground cleats used to have four studs at the front and two at the back, but the latest SG cleats are also designing them like FG cleats.
- Metal studs are pointed and conical to pierce through the ground properly.
These were the core differences between firm ground and soft ground cleats. Feel free to share your thoughts about it in the comments.
FAQs:
Is Firm Ground And Hard Ground The Same?
With some minor differences, yes, firm ground and hard ground are the same. You can wear your firm ground cleats on either of these grounds.
Can Firm Ground Boot/Cleats Be Used On Grass?
Of course, you can use firm ground boots/cleats on grass, but remember to keep an eye on the grass’ moisture. If it’s wetter than usual, avoid wearing FG cleats, and bring SG cleats if you can.
Why Do Pros Wear Soft Ground Cleats?
Because of the soft ground surface, they play on. Most professional football or soccer grounds are well maintained and looked after, making them wetter than usual firm/hard surfaces.
That’s why pros prefer to wear soft ground cleats on these slightly wet fields to keep traction and make sudden movements on the ground during the game.
Conclusion:
This was a detailed definition and comparison of what firm ground cleats are. Let’s summarize the whole article.
Firm ground cleats are primarily used on hard/rough surfaces like natural grass but can also be used on soft surfaces like artificial grass.
The studs of FG cleats cannot be removed or changed and are made of hard plastic and rubber.
I hope you find this article helpful. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Thanks for reading.
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