The letters on a cleat tell you which surface it is built for. FG means firm ground (natural grass), AG artificial grass, MG multi-ground (both), TF turf (short pile artificial grass and hard surfaces), IN indoor and SG soft ground. If you play mostly on artificial grass, AG is the logical pick, and the FG vs AG cleats debate comes down mostly to how much grip you want and how much load you are willing to put on your knees.
Below we cover what each soleplate means, when to choose it and what goes wrong when you wear it on the wrong surface. Independent soleplate explainers break down the same codes in much the same way. The soleplate has little to do with how wide a cleat is, but a lot to do with which version you can actually buy. See also our page on wide turf soccer shoes.
What does FG mean on soccer cleats?
FG stands for firm ground, which means dry to slightly damp natural grass. The studs are molded, usually bladed or conical. It is the standard soleplate for grass fields.
On artificial grass, FG studs grip too hard when you pivot, which puts extra stress on your knees and ankles. The studs also wear down faster, and with some brands that can affect the warranty. If your FG pair spends most of its time on artificial grass, an AG or MG is the better call.
What does AG mean on soccer cleats?
AG stands for artificial grass. The studs are shorter and often round, and they spread the pressure across the whole plate. AG is designed for modern long pile artificial grass (3G and 4G), wet or dry.
If you train and play mostly on artificial grass, AG is your default. On short pile artificial grass with a lot of sand infill, a TF often works better.
What does MG mean on soccer cleats?
MG stands for multi-ground, built for both natural and artificial grass. The studs are shorter and often hollow and conical. One pair covers the game on grass and the practice on turf.
It is a compromise: in deep mud you get less grip than with an FG. Don’t expect an MG to handle every surface equally well.
What does FG/AG mean on Puma cleats?
Some Puma models carry a hybrid FG/AG label. That usually means a rounded stud that leans toward FG. Check the rules at your facility, because the label doesn’t override a ban on bladed studs.
What are turf soccer shoes (TF)?
TF stands for turf. The plate has lots of small rubber studs on a flatter, cushioned sole. Turf shoes are for practice fields, older artificial grass, blacktop and concrete. On long pile 3G they can slip when you accelerate or stop hard.
Which soleplate do you need for indoor soccer (IN)?
IN stands for indoor. The sole is flat gum rubber, made for hard indoor floors and futsal. On indoor artificial grass you don’t wear IN, you wear AG or TF. If you have wide feet and play indoors, your options are in indoor soccer shoes for wide feet.
Can you wear metal studs?
SG stands for soft ground, with long, often removable metal studs. They are made for truly soft, muddy grass fields. Rain alone isn’t a reason to wear them: under the mud the ground can still be hard, so the studs can’t sink in and press up into your foot instead.
Whether metal studs are allowed depends on the rules of your league, the age group and the club. Sources contradict each other, so check with your club or league before you buy. Our page on metal studs in soccer cleats goes into more detail.
Can you wear AG cleats on regular grass?
You can, but the studs are shorter and designed for artificial grass. On dry grass they often work fine, while on wet or soft grass you lose grip. If you play on both surfaces, an MG is the sensible middle ground.
Which soleplate is best for kids?
For youth players the choice often comes down to what’s available: youth versions of the lower tiers are usually sold only as MG, TF or IN. If your kid plays on both grass and artificial grass, MG is the easiest answer, because one pair handles both. If your kid plays mostly on long pile artificial grass, AG is the better fit. For sizing, see kids’ soccer cleat sizing.
Do you need more than one pair?
That depends on how often you play on each surface. If you switch between grass and artificial grass every week, two pairs (FG and AG) is the cleanest setup, and an MG is the compromise. If you only play on one surface, one pair with the right soleplate is all you need. The wrong soleplate costs you grip, but it also means more wear and, when you pivot, more stress on your knees and ankles.
If a soleplate doesn’t feel right, for example because of pressure points under the foot, stop playing in it. If the pain doesn’t go away, see a podiatrist or your doctor.
Which soleplate is best for wide feet?
The soleplate doesn’t change the width of a cleat. The AG and MG versions of the same model usually share the same last. But not every colorway of a top model comes in AG, and youth versions of the lower tiers are often only available as MG, TF or IN. So choose the surface first and the model second.
How do you tell which soleplate a cleat has?
The letters appear in the product name, in the store listing and often on the sole or under the tongue. Read the full code, for example FG/MG or FG/AG, because the same model can come in several versions. On a used pair or an older colorway, look at the studs themselves: long, often metal studs mean SG, lots of small rubber studs mean TF and a flat sole means IN.
FG vs AG cleats and the rest: which soleplate should you choose?
- Natural grass, dry to slightly damp: FG.
- Long pile artificial grass: AG.
- Grass and artificial grass with one pair: MG.
- Short pile, practice fields, blacktop: TF.
- Indoor courts: IN.
- Soft, muddy grass: SG, after checking the rules.
If you aren’t sure, the cleat advisor lets you filter by surface. Every model page also shows which soleplates are available.