Football Studs For Kids: Buying Guide
Buying football boots for kids can be really confusing and if you don't play football yourself, the different types of boots available can be mind boggling. This simple guide will break this all down for you so you can find the perfect kids football boots to suit the pitch type, your budget and your child’s style.
There are five basic stud types for kid’s boots: firm ground, soft ground, turf, indoor and artificial ground. I'll cover each of these in detail and show you the cheapest prices for each style.
The Importance of the Right Studs
The aim of a football sole is to provide a good grip for the pitch the player is playing on, while allowing them to easily manoeuvre and reducing the risk of injury.
It can be extremely dangerous to use the wrong type of boots on the wrong surface so if your child plays on a variety of surfaces it may be worth investing more than one pair of boots.
Firm Ground Kids Boots (FG)
What are they?
Firm ground boots have a plastic sole with plastic or hard rubber studs moulded into it. They tend to have the following types of studs:
- Moulded studs come in various shapes, traditionally they were conical but now they can be hexagonal, arrow-shaped or anything else the manufacturers can imagine.
- Bladed studs have a greater surface area than the moulded version which some players prefer as it reduces the stud pressure and gives them greater traction.
- Mixed studs offer the best of both worlds, using a combination of conical and bladed studs to benefit from the advantages of both stud type.
Best Surface Type
Dry or slightly wet grass pitches where the grass is well mowed. Many modern firm ground boots can also be used on 3G or 4G pitches too but will inevitably end up with an insole full the little rubber particles.
Don’t use on...
Indoor pitches, they will offer no traction at all and they'll look like Bambi on ice!
Soft Ground Kids Boots (SG)
What are they?
Soft ground boots are the most traditional type of boots with metal screw-in studs or a mixture of these and a few moulded studs.
- 6 stud pattern: This is the traditional stud formation, 2 metal studs at the back of the sole and 4 at the front.
- Mixed Studs: This more modern formation replicates the firm ground soleplate formation of more studs and a combination of moulded studs and interchangeable metal studs.
Best Surface Type
Wet and muddy outdoor pitches, they offer great traction and are perfect for the winter months.
Don’t use on...
Anything other than a wet muddy pitch, they will be very uncomfortable and pretty sore.
Artificial Ground Kids Boots (AG)
What are they?
As more and more pitches switch to 3G and 4G the demand for a specific artificial ground boot has grown. Artificial ground can be extremely damaging to boots so they are more durable and have more studs than a firm ground boot which can make the boots stiffer to wear but also last longer.
Best Surface Type
3G or 4G artificial pitch
Don’t use on...
Grass pitches or indoor, they won’t have the traction you need for a grass pitch whether it’s firm or soft and they are both dangerous and slippery to use indoors.
Astroturf Kids Boots (Turf/TF)
What are they?
Astroturf boots are more like a trainer in construction and flexibility but they feature multiple rubber pellet like studs on the soleplate which offers grip on water or sand based pitches.
Best Surface Type
Sand or water based astroturf. They can also be used on 3G pitches.
Don’t use on...
Indoor pitches. Many parents mistake turf boots for indoor boots as they look quite similar but since indoor pitches can get very slippy you shouldn’t risk using astroturf boots as they don’t have the right traction for that surface.
Indoor Kids Boots (Futsal)
What are they?
Indoor boots are very similar to a trainer in construction (and are often referred to as football trainers). They have a flat, non-marking rubber sole but look like regular football boots from above.
Best Surface Type
Indoor courts
Don’t use on...
Any other surface than an indoor court. 3G or astroturf pitches will ruin these boots, plus they don’t have enough grip for grass pitches.
And there you have it—everything you need to know to get your child the right football boots for the right surface. Whether you're gearing up for muddy winter matches or indoor futsal fun, choosing the correct studs can make all the difference in both safety and performance.
Still feeling a bit wobbly on which boots to buy? Don’t worry—I've got more guides to help you nail your decision, like our Surface Type Guide and our round-up of the Best Kids Boots of the Year. Think of us as your boot-buying assistant!
Happy boot hunting, and here’s to fewer slips and more goals!
