The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Footwear for 3G Pitches

Understand the Surface of the 3G Pitch

Before deciding on footwear for a 3G pitch, it’s so important to understand the surface that you’ll be playing on. Playing on a 3G pitch is a completely different experience to playing on a grass pitch. This is because 3G pitches are made up of synthetic grass fibres and little black rubber granules which cause the ball to move much more predictably across the pitch. However, the artificial materials of the pitch are naturally more abrasive and can cause excessive wear and tear on footwear that isn’t suited for it. Unless you’re planning on buying boots every 6 months, you should always look for footwear with durable soles and materials that can withstand the demands of the 3G pitch. No one pitch is the same, with pitch size, surface and quality differing from ground to ground. If you’re a football fan looking to experience new grounds and stadiums across the country, be sure to check out Fan Lounge for up-to-date info on all 72 professional clubs in the football pyramid.

Choose the Right Type of Studs

So now you have an understanding of the type of surface that a 3G pitch is, let’s move on to the selection process. When choosing footwear for a 3G pitch, you need to make sure that you are picking boots with the right type of studs. 3G pitch boots have more studs than your regular grass boots, and these studs are generally shorter too. This allows for more stability on pitch, and helps you avoid those embarrassing slips in game. To ensure you’re achieving maximum performance on pitch, you should be looking for footwear with either moulded or screw-in studs that are no longer than 13mm. As well as this, you should make sure to avoid footwear with metal studs, as these can damage the surface of the pitch and are not allowed in most leagues.

Consider the Position You Play

Another factor to consider when choosing footwear for a 3G pitch is the position you play. This is a point that can be easily overlooked, but one that is no less important as the studs. For example, goalkeepers need to be looking out for 3G pitch boots that provide the most stability when diving and shot-stopping, such as those with a wider sole. Further up the field, strikers require something different however. Quick turns and changes of direction while playing up front means boots with a more aggressive stud pattern would be more ideal in order to gain that extra bit of traction on pitch. So, before jumping into a purchase, make sure you have a think about your specific needs on the pitch.

Look for Comfort and Support

So you’ve identified the type of studs you need to suit your game-style, now what? Comfort and support should be your next priorities when choosing footwear for a 3G pitch. You need to be looking for shoes with great cushioning and padding to protect your feet from impact and reduce the risk of injury. According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, poor cushioning and padding in boots is one of the most common reasons for ankle injuries in football, so you need to make sure your new boots are excelling in this area. It’s always important to try on your boots before you buy them, because there is nothing worse than playing football with bad boots. Blisters, foot pain, and even long-term foot problems can all be caused by playing in uncomfortable boots.

Don’t Forget About Style

When choosing footwear for a 3G pitch, it’s important to consider not only comfort and support, but also style. Nothing feels better than stepping out on the pitch in a fresh pair of predators. While offering little measurable performance boost, clean boots on the pitch will have you feeling like prime R9. Many brands offer a variety of colours and designs to choose from, so you can find a pair of shoes that not only feel great but also look great on the field. Feeling confident in your footwear can give you that little bit of an extra boost of motivation to hit that last minute winner in your 5-a-side match, So, take the time to explore different options and find a pair of football boots that match your personal style and make you feel unstoppable on the pitch.