The Field Guide

Soleplate Guide

Understand the soleplate codes and choose the right boots for the surface you play on.

Firm natural grass, from dry to slightly damp.

Usually moulded studs spaced for grip and release in grass.

Soft, wet or muddy natural grass.

Longer studs, sometimes replaceable metal-tipped studs, designed to penetrate soft ground.

Synthetic grass pitches specified for the particular boot.

Often more numerous, lower-profile studs to distribute pressure on artificial grass.

A manufacturer-defined mix of outdoor surfaces.

Often a low-profile, multi-stud pattern; the design varies by brand and model.

Hard, dry natural ground where the maker specifies HG use.

Typically shorter moulded studs to reduce pressure on firm, compacted ground.

Short-pile artificial turf or hard outdoor playing areas, depending on the maker.

Dense, shallow rubber nubs instead of long studs.

IC/IN

Hard indoor court surfaces.

Flat, grippy, often non-marking rubber outsoles without outdoor studs.

Code	Surface	Typical Sole
FG	Firm natural grass, from dry to slightly damp.	Usually moulded studs spaced for grip and release in grass.
SG	Soft, wet or muddy natural grass.	Longer studs, sometimes replaceable metal-tipped studs, designed to penetrate soft ground.
AG	Synthetic grass pitches specified for the particular boot.	Often more numerous, lower-profile studs to distribute pressure on artificial grass.
MG	A manufacturer-defined mix of outdoor surfaces.	Often a low-profile, multi-stud pattern; the design varies by brand and model.
HG	Hard, dry natural ground where the maker specifies HG use.	Typically shorter moulded studs to reduce pressure on firm, compacted ground.
TF	Short-pile artificial turf or hard outdoor playing areas, depending on the maker.	Dense, shallow rubber nubs instead of long studs.
IC/IN	Hard indoor court surfaces.	Flat, grippy, often non-marking rubber outsoles without outdoor studs.

FG

Firm Ground

Playing Surface: Firm natural grass, from dry to slightly damp.
Sole & Studs: Usually moulded studs spaced for grip and release in grass.
Keep In Mind: FG does not automatically mean artificial-grass compatible. Check the exact boot's manufacturer guidance before using it on synthetic turf.

Soft Ground

Playing Surface: Soft, wet or muddy natural grass.
Sole & Studs: Longer studs, sometimes replaceable metal-tipped studs, designed to penetrate soft ground.
Keep In Mind: Avoid hard pitches and artificial turf unless the manufacturer explicitly approves that soleplate.

Artificial Grass

Playing Surface: Synthetic grass pitches specified for the particular boot.
Sole & Studs: Often more numerous, lower-profile studs to distribute pressure on artificial grass.
Keep In Mind: Artificial pitches vary in pile and infill. Check the manufacturer's approved surface for the exact model; an AG label is not a universal guarantee.

Multi-Ground

Playing Surface: A manufacturer-defined mix of outdoor surfaces.
Sole & Studs: Often a low-profile, multi-stud pattern; the design varies by brand and model.
Keep In Mind: MG is not a universal all-surface rating. For example, PUMA lists some MG boots for 3G artificial grass and hard natural ground, while other MG models list only 3G.

Hard Ground

Playing Surface: Hard, dry natural ground where the maker specifies HG use.
Sole & Studs: Typically shorter moulded studs to reduce pressure on firm, compacted ground.
Keep In Mind: Do not assume HG is suitable for every artificial pitch; verify the particular outsole.

Turf

Playing Surface: Short-pile artificial turf or hard outdoor playing areas, depending on the maker.
Sole & Studs: Dense, shallow rubber nubs instead of long studs.
Keep In Mind: Turf shoes are not the same as AG boots for deeper modern artificial grass; check the pitch and maker's advice.

Indoor Court

Playing Surface: Hard indoor court surfaces.
Sole & Studs: Flat, grippy, often non-marking rubber outsoles without outdoor studs.
Keep In Mind: Not designed to dig into natural grass or deep artificial grass.