Increasing injuries from U13 up from various reasons but it should be considered the shoes and surface your child plays on to prevent injuries.

Anonymous wrote:So to summarize, AG cleats are safest on turf fields and grass fields.

Exactly. I didn't start focusing on this until about 10-11 though because that was around the age their movements started becoming dynamic enough that it would matter. Obviously kid dependent, like if you have a early bloomer.

Anonymous wrote:So to summarize, AG cleats are safest on turf fields and grass fields.

Exactly! And they have plenty of traction for almost every player and every field in the DMV.

So to summarize, AG cleats are safest on turf fields and grass fields.

Boot Sole Plates
Firm Ground (FG) - For grass playing surfaces only! In most cases with the higher end model, you may violate the warranty if you wear them on turf surface. Traditionally, few open-ended bladed studs allow for better traction on grass surface. Generally, 8 to 10 contact points (studs).

Artificial Grass (AG) – Is a thick turf that looks more like grass and has some pliability within the surface. May be worn on grass or turf surfaces. Generally, 12 or more contact points (studs). AG studs are conical in shape, that is hollowed out in the center or closed bladed (triangle shaped). This allows for better traction on the synthetic surfaces and doesn’t hold the boot in place when turning, which leads to reduced chance of a non-contact injury. The studs are about a quarter inch shorter than FG studs.

Turf (TF) – The surface is typically composed of three layers – padding and backing material at the bottom, infill in the center (pesky turf rocks), and artificial grass blades on top. The grass blades are made of plastic. Turf boots may be played on both traditional turf and artificial grass. Not recommended for use on FG surfaces as it provides very little traction and will cake up with dirt and debris. Multiple short little teeth along the surface of the sole plate which provides traction and all TF and AG surfaces.

Multi-ground (MG) – This sole plate is generally good for both TF and FG surfaces and is designed for a less aggressive feel. These studs are much shorter than the FG plate with 10 to 20 plus contacts. Example, the Puma Future 7 Ultimate (MG) is one of the better models reviewed. This boot is not available in the US. Generally, the better and higher rated AG and MG boots are available overseas because they do not wear TF boots. For example, the Puma Future 7 Ultimate (FG/AG) listed on most US web sites is completely different than the Puma Future 7 Ultimate (MG). The studs/contact points are completely different, and it really makes a difference.

Manufacturers of Soccer Boots – Focused on the two brands that seem to have the most options available. There are so many manufacturers to choose from and you need to figure out what works best for you. No matter what, when you are looking to invest in new boots, plan to spend some time and find the version that best meets your kiddo’s requirements within specific price ranges. The last thing I thought about was the color. It does make a difference. Black boots are HOT! Late Spring and through the early fall, black boots cook your feet. I bet someone will think, hey, this will warm my toes. No, it won’t, it will COOK them. Just throwing it out there for consideration. Below is some info on a few of the manufacturers and articles on studies related to non-contact injuries on playing surfaces and the type of boots. Enjoy.


Nike
Nike makes three models of boots based on toe box, materials, and width of foot. Here is a quick breakdown. They provide multiple tiers of boots from the top being Elite to the basic Academy. Here is a link and best describes the breakdown of the different tiers; Nike has come out with boots designed for women and they are the Luna’s.

Phantom – This boot has a wide toe box. Typically has extra ball traction knit designed into the inside of the front of boot.

Mercurial – These boots provide a narrow toe box with a true to foot fit and light weight in the elite vs the academy tier.

Tiempo – Made of a composite and or kangaroo leather firm upper. For a more traditional type of boot that only comes with laces. Sorry, there is no slip-on option with these boots. All about stability.


Adidas
Adisas makes three models of boots based on toe box, materials, and width of foot. Here is a quick breakdown. They provide multiple tiers of boots from the top being Plus (+) to the basic League. Here is a link and best describes the breakdown of the different tiers; https://www.worldsoccershop.com/guide/soccer-cleat-price-tiers#adidas. Sorry, no women designed specific boots.

Predators - This boot has a wide toe box. Typically has extra ball traction surface designed into the front of boot.

X – The X’s and the current model Crazyfast are synthetic boot upper with a narrow toe box that provides the true to fit feel. They also have a second tiered system going from .1 to .3 along with Elite to League. So much to track.

Copa - Made of a composite and or kangaroo leather firm upper. For a more traditional type of boot that only comes with laces. Sorry, there is no slip-on option with these boots. All about stability.

IDA Sports – Boots for Women. This is a new company that specializes in boots made for women and most of their products are AG.


Dated but good information
Mass General Brigham, Turf vs. Grass Injuries: What Athletes Need to Know, January 30, 2024
https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/n...ts-injury-prevention


Understand Ortho - The Impact of Cleats & Artificial Turf on ACL Injuries, May 31, 2023
https://www.understandortho.com/article/the-i...urf-on-acl-injuries/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is 16, plays about 1/2 grass and 1/2 turf with MLSNext. He has never never had a problem with AG cleats on either surface. Many Nike, Adidas and Puma MG "Multi-ground" cleats have way more traction than I, as a parent, am comfortable with. Consider how great the original Adidas Copa Mundials and recent Nike Tiempos work, and you'll know that's enough traction. I consider many modern cleats too dangerous for youth soccer where firm grass and turf are the day to day realities. Professionals play on watered natural grass fields, which is a different need. Consider the knee slides pros pull off when they score and you'll realize your kid may never need pro-length spikes in plastic or metal - at least not while they're a kid.

So you always buy AG, and they are fine on grass field.

For the last couple of years, yes.

Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is 16, plays about 1/2 grass and 1/2 turf with MLSNext. He has never never had a problem with AG cleats on either surface. Many Nike, Adidas and Puma MG "Multi-ground" cleats have way more traction than I, as a parent, am comfortable with. Consider how great the original Adidas Copa Mundials and recent Nike Tiempos work, and you'll know that's enough traction. I consider many modern cleats too dangerous for youth soccer where firm grass and turf are the day to day realities. Professionals play on watered natural grass fields, which is a different need. Consider the knee slides pros pull off when they score and you'll realize your kid may never need pro-length spikes in plastic or metal - at least not while they're a kid.

So you always buy AG, and they are fine on grass field.

For the last couple of years, yes.

Yes, in addition to being the safest option on artificial grass, AG are great on grass.

Look at the classic Copa Mundials by Adidas. Copas were the world standard for decades when fields were all grass and often softer than they are now because they lacked modern drainage. Copas had plenty of traction with short round studs. And copas cylindrical studs are close to those of many AG models today.

Anonymous wrote:DS is 16, plays about 1/2 grass and 1/2 turf with MLSNext. He has never never had a problem with AG cleats on either surface. Many Nike, Adidas and Puma MG "Multi-ground" cleats have way more traction than I, as a parent, am comfortable with. Consider how great the original Adidas Copa Mundials and recent Nike Tiempos work, and you'll know that's enough traction. I consider many modern cleats too dangerous for youth soccer where firm grass and turf are the day to day realities. Professionals play on watered natural grass fields, which is a different need. Consider the knee slides pros pull off when they score and you'll realize your kid may never need pro-length spikes in plastic or metal - at least not while they're a kid.

So you always buy AG, and they are fine on grass field.

DS is 16, plays about 1/2 grass and 1/2 turf with MLSNext. He has never never had a problem with AG cleats on either surface. Many Nike, Adidas and Puma MG "Multi-ground" cleats have way more traction than I, as a parent, am comfortable with. Consider how great the original Adidas Copa Mundials and recent Nike Tiempos work, and you'll know that's enough traction. I consider many modern cleats too dangerous for youth soccer where firm grass and turf are the day to day realities. Professionals play on watered natural grass fields, which is a different need. Consider the knee slides pros pull off when they score and you'll realize your kid may never need pro-length spikes in plastic or metal - at least not while they're a kid.

We buy AG but my son is a big kid (6'3) and I worry about knee/ankle/leg injuries. For a skinny little kid, it probably doesn't make much difference.

Anonymous wrote:So would you buy "MG" to wear to play on artificial grass/turf fields or would you stick to "AG"? There are a lot fewer "AG" options.

we used MG this past year and they were great. Not sure we care about MG vs AG. It’s almost impossible to find either in the US. AG is slightly more common. Anything that’s says FG/AG is probably just marketing. The futures are dreadful on AG but advertise to do bit by example.

So would you buy "MG" to wear to play on artificial grass/turf fields or would you stick to "AG"? There are a lot fewer "AG" options.

Here you go:

https://brand.assets.adidas.com/capi/enUS/Images/soccer-cleat-buying-guide-2023-blog-image-01_221-1009194.jpg

And why are some cleats described as "FG/MG" ? Isn't the point of "MG" that they are good on artificial grass?