Will soccer shoes damage artificial turf?

Will soccer cleats damage artificial turf?

Artificial football turf has become the preferred choice for schools, clubs, and community sports fields worldwide due to its high durability, all-weather usability, and low maintenance costs. The widespread adoption of artificial sports turf has also made "whether football boots will damage the turf" one of the most pressing concerns for players and field managers. Different stud designs have significantly different effects on the turf; choosing the right football boots not only ensures safety during the game but also extends the lifespan of the artificial turf.

I. The Popularity of Artificial Football Turf

1.1 Current Status of Artificial Sports Turf Applications

According to the latest statistics from FIFA, 68% of professional football training fields and 75% of school sports fields worldwide have adopted artificial sports turf, with artificial football turf accounting for over 80%. Compared to natural grass, high-quality artificial football turf is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP), with soft and realistic grass fibers. Its bottom structure balances elasticity and drainage, and its annual maintenance cost is only one-third that of natural grass. However, data from ASTM (International Society for Artificial Turf) shows that improper use of football boots is the leading cause of damage to artificial turf—fields using incorrect cleats experience a fiber breakage rate as high as 63%, directly shortening the lifespan by 2-3 years.

1.2 Pain Points in Artificial Turf Use

• Confusing Spike Selection: Most players are unaware of the appropriate spike types for different playing surfaces, leading to turf damage due to the indiscriminate use of metal spikes.
• Delayed Damage Repair: Minor damage is not addressed promptly, gradually developing into more serious problems such as "bald patches" and "base cracking."
• Insufficient Maintenance Awareness: Neglecting daily cleaning and regular maintenance accelerates turf aging.

II. The Impact of Different Soccer Studs on Artificial Turf

2.1 Metal Studs/Blades: The "Number One Killer" of Turf

Metal studs (including SG soft studs) are commonly found in professional natural grass matches. Their sharp and hard material is extremely destructive to artificial turf:

• Directly pierces the grass fibers, increasing the breakage rate by 42%, resulting in "bald patches" in the short term;
• Damages the bottom rubber base and infill layer, reducing the turf's cushioning performance by 50%, increasing the risk of player sprains;
• Long-term use can clog the turf's drainage holes, causing water accumulation problems.

Therefore, 98% of artificial turf suppliers and field managers worldwide explicitly prohibit the use of metal studs, and some fields display "No Metal Studs Allowed" warning signs.

2.2 Differences between FG/AG/TF spikes

AG spikes, used specifically for artificial turf, are used in over 90% of artificial turf fields in football powerhouses like Europe and South America. They not only protect the turf but also reduce the risk of slipping by players through optimized spike density, resulting in a 28% reduction in sports injuries compared to FG spikes.

III. How to Precisely Select Soccer Shoes for Artificial Sports Turf?

3.1 Selection Based on Field Type

• Professional Competition-Grade Artificial Soccer Turf (FIFA Certified): Prioritize FIFA-certified AG spikes with 8-10mm spike length and ≥12 spikes, suitable for high-density grass fiber structures.
• Amateur/School Artificial Sports Turf: Choose round FG spikes (6-8mm spike length), balancing grip and turf protection for better cost-effectiveness.
• Indoor/Children's Artificial Turf: TF spikes are essential, with spike length ≤5mm to avoid damaging the soft grass fibers and children's feet.

3.2 Adjustment Based on Usage Scenarios

• Wet/Slippery Weather: Choose AG spikes with anti-slip treads to enhance drainage and prevent slipping.
• Long-Term Training: Prioritize AG spikes made of durable materials to reduce the indirect impact of spike wear on the turf.
• For Children: In addition to TF spikes, choose styles with soft toe caps and turf-specific infill granules to enhance safety.

IV. Artificial Soccer Turf Damage Repair & Daily Maintenance Techniques

4.1 Damage Repair Steps

(1) Minor Damage (Single grass strand breakage / Small amount of grass strand loss)

• Tools: Turf-specific glue, pressure roller, scissors;
• Procedure: Trim the broken grass strands to a flat surface, apply artificial grass glue to the base of the grass strands, press firmly to secure, and allow to stand for 24 hours before use.

(2) Moderate Damage (Localized bald patches of grass / Minor damage to the substrate)

• Tools: Cutting knife, matching turf block, stitching thread, glue;\
• Procedure: Cut along the damaged edge into a regular shape, replace with a matching turf block, secure the edges with stitching thread, apply glue to seal, press firmly, and allow to cure for 48 hours.

(3) Severe Damage (Large area of ​​grass strand loss / Substrate cracking)

• Treatment: Contact a professional artificial turf maintenance team to replace the surface grass strands or the entire substrate to avoid secondary damage from self-repair.

4.2 Daily Maintenance Guidelines

• Weekly Cleaning: Use a vacuum cleaner or rake to remove residual cleats, dirt, gravel, and leaves from the turf surface to prevent clogging of the infill layer;
• Monthly Inspection: Focus on checking for grass fiber shedding, base elasticity, and drainage performance. Repair any minor damage promptly;
• Annual Maintenance: Perform a full compaction treatment once, replenish any lost infill particles (quartz sand + rubber granules), and check the turf edge fixation;
• Special Maintenance: Clean up any standing water promptly after rain to prevent prolonged soaking and subsequent base aging.

With daily maintenance, the lifespan of an artificial soccer turf can be extended by 3-5 years, and annual maintenance costs reduced by 40%.

V.  FAQ

(1) Can artificial sports turf be repaired after being damaged by soccer cleats?

Most minor and moderate damage can be repaired using professional methods (such as gluing grass fibers or partial replacement), and will not affect its use after repair. If the base has a large area of ​​cracking, it is recommended to replace the damaged area to prevent further damage.

(2) Which is more suitable for artificial soccer turf, FG studs or AG studs?

AG studs are the preferred choice! AG studs are specifically designed for artificial turf, distributing force more evenly, causing minimal damage to the turf, and offering superior grip and safety. FG studs are only suitable for harder artificial turf and perform poorly in wet, slippery conditions.

(3) Does artificial turf require special maintenance when children play soccer?

Yes! Children's fields should use soft grass fibers and highly elastic infill granules. Sharp debris should be removed weekly, and the grass fiber's stability should be checked monthly to prevent grass fibers from falling off and being accidentally ingested by children.

(4) Can metal studs never be used on artificial turf?

Yes! The hardness and sharpness of metal cleats can directly damage the grass fibers and base structure, causing irreversible damage even with short-term use. Furthermore, most fields explicitly prohibit their use, and unauthorized use may incur turf repair costs.

(5) Is the maintenance cost of artificial turf high?

Not high! The annual maintenance cost of high-quality artificial soccer turf is only 1/3 to 1/2 that of natural turf. This mainly includes replenishing infill granules and minor repairs. If the right cleats are chosen to minimize damage, maintenance costs can be further reduced.

VI. Summary

The widespread adoption of artificial turf has provided football with a more convenient and stable field option. The key to protecting this turf lies in "choosing the right football boots" and "proper daily maintenance," both of which can effectively extend its lifespan. Prioritize boots with AG (aggregate) studs and avoid metal studs, as this improves athletic performance and reduces turf damage. Field managers should strengthen public awareness campaigns, provide clear signage, and conduct regular maintenance to ensure the artificial sports turf continues to provide its value.

From stud selection to turf maintenance, every detail is crucial to sports safety and the sustainability of the field.