A new season. A new pitch. A new pair of boots?

With a new synthetic pitch at JL Murphy, it's important our players have the right boots - for player safety and performance. We have drafed this guide - it may also  be worth doing your own research to ensure you get the right boots for the season. In the end this comes down to the choice of the player (and/or parent). There are plenty of articles (see examples below) that tackle this issue – with most aligned to this guide. You can also ask shoe retailers if you want more information. 

The club has drafted this guide to help with the choices that are out there. 

Summary

Further below is more detail, but the key points include: 

• Artificial Grass (AG) boots: In 2025 almost 100% of training and most games will be on the JLM Synthetic, and AG are best for safety and performance. If you are looking to buy new boots, these are the go-to.

• Multi-Ground (MG) boots: MG are also OK (and are designed to cover all surfaces to a good standard) but with the majority of play on JLM synthetic, AG may be preferred.

• Firm Ground (FG) boots: Your current boots are likely to be FG - whilst they can be used on synthetic, MPFC does not recommend FG for regular use on synthetic pitches (as they can cause injury / strain).

• Soft Ground (SG) boots: SG have long conical metal studs, and are not permitted on JLM Synthetic.

One pair or two pairs?

• For the majority of players, one pair of boots is absolutely fine. If considering one pair, then we recommend Artificial Ground (AG). Multi-Ground (MG) is also a good option, but with 80% of play on synthetic, AG may be preferred.

• If considering two pairs, then look to Artificial Ground (AG) and Firm Ground (FG). But AG will be fine to use when occasionally playing on natural grass.

Where can I buy the right boots? 

As well as retailers such as Rebel Sport or Ultra Football there are plenty of online shops - simply google “Football Boots AG Artificial Grass”.

Below is some further background and a high level guide to choosing the right pair of boots:

Background

JL Murphy (JLM) Reserve Pitch 3 is MPFC Juniors Home Pitch. For the past 15 years JLM  has been our  base for weeknight training, Saturday morning “Intraclub” (social football) – and all our Saturday/Sunday Home matches. The pitch has recently undergone a massive redevelopment, upgrading the pitch from a grass pitch (that struggled with use, became waterlogged and barely limped through a season) to a brand new 4G Synthetic (Artificial Grass) pitch, able to be used year round.

This move to a synthetic pitch has been a long time coming -  with MPFC working with key stakeholders for the past 5 years to secure the investment - and is a massive step forward for the Club.

With this move comes some changes to the way we work, but also raises and important question for players, especially when it comes to footwear:

What kind of football boots do I need for the new JLM Synthetic?

Consider the guide below (based on our own online research). But we also advise players/parents to undertake further research if they have any questions.

• Best choice

Artificial Grass (AG) boots. AG boots are specifically designed for artificial surfaces like 3G and 4G pitches. They have shorter, rounded (conical), and often hollow studs that distribute pressure evenly, providing excellent traction without penetrating too deeply into the surface. This design reduces the risk of injury and enhances comfort during play. Tip: Try to buy AG boots with reinforced toes (as boots can wear more quickly on the artificial grass).

• Not recommended

Firm Ground (FG) boots. FG boots are designed for natural grass pitches. They typically have bladed or conical studs that dig into firm, dry ground, providing stability and grip. While FG boots can be used on some artificial surfaces, they don’t offer the same comfort or safety as AG boots on 3G or 4G synthetic pitches -  as the moulded, often bladed, studs can catch on the turf, causing injury.

• Not permitted

Soft Ground (SG) boots. SG Boots are not permitted on the JLM Synthetic. SG boots are specifically designed for soft, wet, or muddy natural grass. They feature longer metal studs that provide superior traction on slippery surfaces. However, SG boots are not suitable for artificial pitches like JLM Synthetic, where they can cause damage to the surface and increase the risk of injury due to excessive grip due to the long (often metal) studs. SG boots are rarely required (or available) in Australia.

[Opposition players wearing SG boots may be permitted, but MPFC Players using JLM Synthetic regularly are not permitted to wear SG boots.]

• Worth considering

MultiGround (MG) boots: MG Boots are a versatile option designed to perform reasonably across different surfaces, including 3G, 4G, and natural grass. They feature a mix of stud shapes and sizes, providing decent traction and comfort on both artificial and grass pitches. But with the majority of training and games on synthetic AG is the preferred choice for safety and performance.

So do I need two pairs of boots?

• One pair of boots? Most players will only need one pair of boots. Artificial Ground (AG) boots our preferred choice - these are suitable in most Australian pitches and conditions. Multi-Ground (MG) boots are an OK alternative, and can provide a good balance of traction, comfort, and durability across most surfaces. But with the majority of 2025 on the JLM Synthetic, our view is that AG is most suited. 

• Two pairs of boots? If you can invest in two pairs of boots, we would go for AG boots for training and home matches on the JLM 4G Synthetic, and FG boots for away games on natural grass. This combination ensures optimal performance and safety across the majority of surfaces.

I already have some boots. How do I know if they are OK for JLM Synthetic?

If you already have boots, but are not sure whether they are suitable, the key consideration is the size and shape of the studs.

• If the studs are smaller, rounded (conical) then they should be OK for use on JLM Synthetic.

• If the studs are conical, but long/metal (SG) then these are not permitted as they can cause injury and damage the pitch.

• If the studs are bladed (or non-rounded) then it is strongly recommended you avoid using them on JLM Synthetic as they can cause injury.

Where can I buy the right boots? 

As well as retailers such as Rebel Sport or Ultra Football there are plenty of online shops - simply google “Football Boots Artificial Grass AG” (or similar).

Further research

It may be worth doing your own research to ensure you get the right boots for the season. There are plenty of articles (see examples below) that tackle this issue – with most aligned to this guide. However, you can also ask shoe retailers if you want more information.

Some useful videos here:

Video 1: Are YOU making this BIG mistake? AVOID injuries with this tip - FG or AG boots

Video 2: Best Boots for Turf and AG Fields

Video 3: The Ultimate Soleplate Guide For Football Boots

And articles below:

https://www.soccerworld.net/service/footwear-ground-type/

https://www.twentytwomag.com/articles/guide-sg-fg-ag-tf-football-boots-explained

https://www.prodirectsport.com/soccer/articles/buying-guides/complete-guide-to-football-boot-ground-types/

https://www.footy.com/blog/boots/boot-surface-type-guide/

https://www.unisportstore.com/stories/50483-football-boots-for-artificial-grass-guide-to-ag-football-boots/

https://www.lovellsoccer.co.uk/blog/post/football-boot-sole-plates-explained

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