During the course of playing soccer, you probably wondered why there are different shoes for indoor and outdoor soccer. Do they really differ, or is it just a marketing ploy? It is indeed true that they are different in several ways, such as in profile, material, grip, and many other aspects.
In this article, we discuss the six key differences between indoor and outdoor soccer shoes. In the end, we will also address a couple of common questions regarding these two types of shoes. Let’s start.
By the way, if you are looking for an indoor soccer shoe you can read this article: things to consider before buying an Indoor Soccer Shoe for Wide Feet.
Contents
Differences between Indoor Soccer Shoes and Outdoor Soccer Shoes (An in-depth look)
1. Profile
The profiles of indoor and outdoor shoes are entirely different. Outdoor surfaces are often rough and uneven. Ankle support is therefore essential for outdoor shoes. In addition to the ankle support, several structures throughout the shoes make them high-profile shoes.
In indoor soccer shoes, the ankle support is minimal to nonexistent. The indoor ground is usually even, so additional support is unnecessary. Thus, indoor soccer boots tend to be low-profile.
2. Presence of Studs
There is never a pair of outdoor soccer shoes that are not equipped with spikes or studs. It is a mandatory feature for outdoor boots because of the grass surface.
Grass can be a slippery surface where it gets difficult to change directions when playing soccer. The spikes provide adequate frictional force to facilitate easy direction changes and prevent slippages.
Having studs on indoor soccer shoes makes no sense. The majority of indoor soccer games take place on flat hardwood surfaces. Shoes with spikes will hinder a player’s performance and, more importantly, damage the floor.
There are, however, some indoor soccer shoes with little nubs on them. Those are suitable for playing on indoor carpet turf.
3. Impact Protection
Basketball shoes are more likely to have impact-protection features as basketball athletes jump a lot. While soccer shoes are not primarily designed to protect players against impact, indoor shoes have to offer moderate impact protection.
Jumping to head the ball and landing on the hardwood floor can hurt your feet. In that case, the material of indoor soccer boots encloses and cushions your feet from impact.
There are grass fields on the outdoor grounds. The grass is soft enough not to hurt your feet on impact. Even if some of them contain hard surfaces, the spikes of outdoor shoes will absorb the impact.
4. Grip’s Source
A soccer athlete cannot perform required movements such as dribbling without grip. No matter if you are playing indoor soccer or outdoor, grip is essential. However, the methods to maintain grip are completely different for indoor and outdoor soccer shoes.
The grip factor of indoor boots relies more on the material. For instance, rubber is a well-used material for these shoes due to its decent grip. Moreover, indoor shoes incorporate houndstooth patterns and nubs on the bottom to enhance traction.
Having spikes (metal studs) is enough for outdoor shoes to provide the players with adequate traction.
5. Weatherproofing Capability
A big advantage of playing indoor soccer is that you do not have to worry about the weather. Whether the weather is drenched with rain or it is hot and humid, you can enjoy some soccer comfortably indoors. Thus indoor shoes do not have any weatherproofing features.
You will encounter rain today or tomorrow if you play soccer outside. Outdoor soccer shoes are made from synthetic materials for such weather conditions. The shoes are able to resist water damage thanks to these materials.
6. Ground Contact
With sufficient ground contact, indoor shoes allow the user to achieve a good degree of grip. The more contact the boots have with the ground, the less likely it is that you will fall. This enables players to perform even the most challenging movements.
Most indoor soccer shoes are flat. The flat nature allows them to maintain ample contact with the ground.
Unlike indoor soccer shoes, outdoor ones rarely touch the ground. This is due to their spikes. They create a gap between the shoes and the ground. Having this gap is crucial when playing on a grass surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Indoor Soccer Shoes Good for Outdoor Soccer?
No, indoor soccer shoes are not suitable for outdoor soccer. Let’s figure out why.
For indoor shoes, manufacturers use flat soles. Despite their good performance on hardwood floors, these soles will not deliver adequate traction on grass. This will prevent you from moving comfortably, and in worst-case scenarios, you may fall countless times and injure yourself.
On the other hand, most indoor shoes are not waterproof. The inevitable rain will cause serious damage to your boots.
Overall, it is not a smart idea to play soccer outside while wearing indoor soccer shoes.
2. Can I Wear Outdoor Soccer Shoes Indoors?
Although you can use outdoor soccer shoes indoors, you have to take into account a few factors first.
In the first place, you should ask the ground staff whether the players are permitted to wear outdoor shoes that have studs.
Following the permission, consider the grip requirement. On an indoor pitch, the ball moves differently. Your outdoor shoes should have enough grip to keep up with the ball’s movement.
Perhaps the last thing you should consider is the number of slippages you face. If you are not careful, the studs can cause you to slip numerous times. This often results in ankle injuries.
Based on these factors, you can decide whether you should use outdoor soccer shoes for indoor soccer.
Final Words
The article clearly illustrates how different outdoor and indoor soccer shoes are. There are many differences that you cannot overlook, such as grip, studs, and ground contact.
Therefore, it is ideal to wear indoor shoes only on indoor surfaces and outdoor boots only on outdoor surfaces. It will prevent unnecessary damages to your shoes, allowing them to last longer.
What is more comfortable for you, indoor soccer shoes or outdoor ones? Leave your vote in the comments.