The first on the long list of don’ts for outdoor soccer shoes is never to wear them on concrete. This is because concrete surfaces have a coarse surface that will wear the studs and reduce their efficiency on the pitch.
Also, with each step you take, you will feel the pressure of the molded studs under your feet. Therefore, walking for a prolonged period on concrete with outdoor soccer cleats will not only ruin the cleats but can also leave blisters on your feet.
With indoor soccer shoes, it is a different ball game. Since the soles of indoor soccer shoes are closer to your regular soccer shoes, can you use them on concrete without any negative consequences?
Key Takeaways
- Indoor soccer shoes have soles that look like those of trail runners which make it easy to believe that they can be used on concrete
- You can use indoor soccer shoes on concrete but that may affect their durability
- Futsal soccer shoes will give you better performance on concrete compared to AstroTurf soccer shoes
The simple answer is that you can use indoor soccer shoes on concrete. However, there is a caveat for doing this—which you should adhere to or pay a stiff price for it. Keep reading as we reveal all the rules you must adhere to when using indoor soccer shoes on concrete.
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Can you use indoor soccer shoes on concrete?
While you cannot use outdoor soccer cleats on concrete without ending with painful blisters, you can use indoor soccer shoes on concrete without suffering the same fate.
The first thing that you should know is that indoor soccer surfaces can either be smooth or covered with AstroTurf. The sole design for either of the surfaces differs slightly.
Indoor soccer shoes are best for playing indoor soccer where the surface is smooth like in futsal. Indoor soccer shoes have flat soles that improve grip and traction on smooth surfaces.
On the other hand, turf shoes are best for indoor soccer where the surface is covered with AstroTurf. Turf shoes usually have rounded rubber studs scattered all over the soles.
These rubber studs mimic the studs found on outdoor soccer cleats. Their aim is to improve traction on AstroTurf—just like the hard studs on outdoor soccer—without ruining the turf.
While you can use either a futsal soccer shoe or turf soccer shoe on concrete, you will be safer using the former.
When turf soccer cleats are used on concrete, the friction created between the hard concrete and the rubber studs each time you swing your foot and the soles graze the ground will cause the rounded rubber studs to wear out quickly.
Once the rubber studs wear out, you will end with a smooth surface that increases your risk of sliding or slipping. You can use futsal shoes on concrete without having to worry so much about wearing out the soles.
However, when you play with a pair of futsal shoes with dirt or mud-covered soles, you will struggle with traction too. Therefore, when using futsal soccer shoes on concrete, make sure the soles are free from mud.
After using indoor soccer cleats on concrete, it will be a bad idea to take them back indoors. After a few weeks of use on concrete, the soles should have worn significantly that you will not get the right traction on indoor surfaces, thereby increasing your chance of sliding and falling.
What should you consider when you use indoor soccer shoes on concrete?
To increase the safety of using indoor soccer shoes on concrete, there are a number of factors that you need to consider apart from the soles.
Soles
Indoor soccer shoes have rubber soles. This is arguably the most important factor to consider before picking a pair of indoor soccer shoes for use on concrete.
The flatter the sole, the better performance you will get with the indoor soccer shoe on concrete. Also, pay attention to the depth of the lug. Shoes with shallow lugs will outperform shoes with deeper lugs.
Comfort
Regardless of the type of soccer cleat that you want to buy, comfort should always be the first thing on your mind. A soccer cleat that is not comfortable will cause you problems on the pitch.
To successfully use indoor soccer shoes on concrete, they need to be comfortable. While you should not expect indoor soccer to be super comfortable when used on concrete, the level of comfort still needs to be above average.
If you want to use your indoor soccer shoes like regular shoes, you need to know that it was not designed for that. Indoor soccer shoes may start to hurt when you wear them for protracted periods.
Protection
The right pair of indoor soccer shoes for use on concrete should have some form of reinforcement in the midsoles. There is always that danger of kicking the ground while trying to kick the ball.
The result of this action on concrete is usually more severe on concrete compared to when it happens on turf. The extra reinforcement on the midsole will help to cushion the impact and prevent the most severe outcome.
Durability
We mentioned earlier that the durability of your indoor soccer shoes will reduce significantly when you use them on concrete. However, that doesn’t mean that your indoor soccer shoe should need replacement after every soccer game.
Even when indoor soccer cleats are used on concrete, they should be able to go several months before they will need replacement. This can only be possible if you choose indoor soccer shoes that are highly durable.
When it comes to durability, soccer shoes made from full-grain leather tend to last longer compared to those made from synthetic materials. Unless you want to be shopping for new soccer cleats every week, durability is something you should take seriously.
Upper
While the upper of an indoor soccer shoe is not one of the critical factors you should consider when you want to use it on concrete, the design of the upper can affect your overall performance on concrete.
Indoor soccer shoes with embossed upper will offer you better ball control than those with smooth upper. For concrete, you will be safer with shoes with thicker and longer upper.
On that note, high-cut indoor soccer cleats will be safer for use on concrete than low-cut indoor soccer cleats. If you should scrape your feet anywhere on the concrete, high-cut designs will protect you better.
| Features | Editor’s Rating |
| Sole | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Comfort | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Protection | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Durability | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Upper | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Before you leave
The truth is that a lot of people wear indoor soccer shoes casually—and many people do that already. However, when planning to wear them for soccer, you have to make your decisions carefully.
Soccer involves a lot of burst movements and swift changing of directions. You need the right soccer shoes to keep your feet glued to the playing surface.
With the wrong soccer shoe, you risk losing your balance and falling to the ground. Such an accident may not only cost you physical pain but may also make your team lose the game.
Believe it or not, bearing the burden of a match loss is the worst feeling that every soccer player dreads. It has directly or indirectly led to the death of soccer players.
Hi there, I’m Jay.
Soccer is everything in my life! My friends and I have created this blog with all our enthusiasm, passion, and understanding after years of playing pro soccer. Hope you will enjoy it!