I've just joined a new 6 a side league on an outdoor artificial pitch. I know there are lots of different types of artificial pitch and different boots are better for different surfaces. I don't know what type of pitch it is, the website just says 3G Astroturf, but as far as I know 3G pitches are the ones with the rubber infill which I don't think this one has, I reckon it's water based on account I was sliding all over the place wearing my indoor trainers. I know metal studs are banned though. I'm looking at getting a pair of mundials with the astro stud base plate but I don't know if they'll offer decent enough grip and I'll be better off with moulded studs instead... Any thoughts? And has anyone had a pair of mundials before, to vouch for them? I want a proper leather shoe that looks respectable, none of these modern gay colour flimsy plastic things all the big manufacturers are bringing out. What decent boots do you/have you worn?
I don't think it can be called 3G Astroturf if it hasn't got rubber crumb, Astroturf is a brand, rather than a description of the surface. I've played on a couple of surfaces round here, the multi use synthetic surface(which is like a carpet with sand in it) is crap and can only be used in trainers. The 3G(with rubber crumb) is much better, but I still used trainers, you can use studs or blades but they can be dangerous(I think a lot of brands do soft studs for use on 3G, which is safer), I'd be surprised if it was a water based synthetic surface, these are normally used for hockey, not football.
I currently play in two six a side leagues, one on a monday (at Ferriby) and one on a Wednesday(just started, not sure where it is yet). I got a pair of nike ones from sports direct, they're pretty decent and only cost £35. You can't have studs but i think you can have blades, you'd have to double check. It's the little black bobbly things that are a pain in the arse, they get literally everywhere. EDIT: Just found out the Wednesday one is at Sirius academy. No idea where that is.
I don't know why so many people wear studs for 5aside. What are they expecting the studs to go into? I always go with trainers, but you have to accept you're gonna be on your arse now and then when you play on these surfaces, especially when it's been raining.
If it's the sand covered pitch I recommend long sleeves and tracksuit bottoms. I've got a scar on my elbow from when I went over on that stuff.
Get some Puma King or Adidas Mundial Team trainers (Astro Turf/3G). Boots IMHO are too excessive for astro turf or 3G - the trainers will give you ample grip.
You can't beat copa mundial on 3/4G It takes a moulded stud perfectly. Better than any trainer you don't slip around and they keep out water when it's wet.. There a bit pricey about £75/80 next best is Puma King moulded you can get them for £55 ish .
If its a 3G pitch (which it sound like it is) your best bet is specialist AG boots http://www.lovell-rugby.co.uk/shop/Rugby-Boots/Ground-Type/Astro-Turf--or--3G#page=2 (ignore the fact its a rugby site, most of the boots are football boots and the prices are pretty good). Your second best bet (and significantly cheaper would be) moulded studs, the worst option would be trainers/non-studded boots, they offer no grip, especially on outdoor 3G pitches which are often damp, its easy to turn your ankle or over stretch wearing them. I have rugby training twice a week and 6 a side football once a week on a 3G pitch and have these: http://www.lovell-rugby.co.uk/Rugby...tball-Boots-Solar-Red-or-White-or-Night-Flash Their disgusting to look at and expensive but very good, I have a friend who works for Adidas and he gets samples to test all the time so I managed to get them for free. You can get the cheaper version for £44 on that site which isn't bad at all.
I'd even say moulded studs are excessive. I haven't ever slipped over on Astro Turf or 3G wearing Astro Turf trainers - other than by collision, which you would have fallen over regardless of what you had on your feet.
A grade 3 groin tear was enough to stop me ever wearing trainers on an artificial pitch again, it bloody hurts!
seriously.. I play on a similar 5-aside pitch and I use small and soft-studded Lotto boots. They're not really expensive.
Old school Puma King moulded stud. I play at the University (3G) and they are perfect. (and almost as important, Black)
I think it is used for hockey and football, I did go over on it and cut my knee up though, but didn't notice any evidence of sand and there was definitely no rubber crumb. I'm 90% on getting a pair of astro turf mundials, just thought I'd run it by on here first to see if anyone was more clued up which it seems they are. Google searches just turn up loads of wafflers saying to wear proper studded boots or blades and no real insight from anyone who's tried both (Astros and studs) or knows different.
I always used to play 5s in boots with soles like this. Weight and comfort wise they're like wearing a trainer but with a tougher top (and a bit hotter to wear): please log in to view this image If you get a decent pair they're great on any surface. I used to use mine for 5s and training on astroturf, and was quite happy wearing in 11s matches on wet grass in summer instead of studs (the ground would still be solid so studs wouldn't go in). In the end I even started playing winter games in them and didn't have a problem, although I suspect the playing on grass might have been helped by being a size 10 and weighing less than 11 stone at the time. Smaller feet/heavier might have made me slide a bit more with the reduced grip/increased momentum. Edit: Couldn't tell you who makes a decent pair at the moment, it's about 10 years since I bought any and it's probably something that suits your feet as much as anything else.
