Step 1 of this guide is a glossary to help you, the soccer player, better understand the type of soccer shoes that are out there and to determine which style of soccer shoe best fits your game and the field on which you play. Clicking on a shoe type will also take you to a list of those soccer shoes we have available.
Step 2 will provide some guidelines to help you find the correct size to ensure proper fit. For a soccer player, a proper fitting shoe is a game essential.
Whether you call them soccer shoes, soccer cleats or soccer boots - most of the time you are referring to a firm ground shoe. Firm ground is the classic soccer shoe with cleats and studs designed to provide traction and stability on most outdoor soccer fields. These shoes may also be called molded outsoles. Firm Ground or molded boots generally have a series of non-removable PU or TPU studs that are either bladed or conical in shape. Whether you choose a boot with conical or bladed studs is a matter of personal preference. Firm Ground shoes are the most versatile, work on almost all field conditions and what most players choose to wear.
Soccer shoes created for playing on hard fields. Hard ground shoes are also frequently used on artificial turf. Hard ground soccer cleats generally have a large number of short studs that are usually evenly distributed across the entire outsole. With a rubber outsole, the hard ground soccer shoe is designed to be extremely durable. The short, circular or bladed studs of hard ground boots offer stability and traction, yet create cushioning.
An indoor soccer shoe will generally feature a gum rubber flat outsole. They are created for playing indoor soccer or futsal in a gym or rec facility, but will also work for leisure and street wear. These shoes generally feature a lower profile fit and look like a lightweight sneaker. The rubber outsoles of many indoor boots will feature a herringbone pattern or design to promote traction while playing indoors. Some indoor soccer facilities will also require indoor shoes when playing on artificial turf to help preserve the turf.
Lifestyle shoes are the shoes you wear when you're not on a soccer field. Created for everyday wear, the lifestyle shoe is also know as a street shoe. The lifestyle footwear you will find on SOCCER.COM is generally designed to suit a soccer player's style. On SOCCER.COM, you will find everyday footwear from your favorite soccer brands.
Running shoes are essential for every soccer player. To maintain the general fitness level required of a player, an off-the-field training regimen is required. Running shoes are a staple in any soccer training routine. Most running shoes have a durable rubber outsole, provide excellent cushioning and feature a breathable nylon upper.
Soccer sandals are great for post-game and leisure wear. Sandals are easy to slip on after a game while still wearing your game socks and shinguards. Wearing a soccer sandal is also an easy way to preserve your soccer cleats pre-game and an easy way to immediately slip off your shoes when that whistle blows and the game is over. Many sandals created especially for soccer players feature massaging nubs to help comfort tired feet. Soccer sandals are generally made of a durable rubber, feature an adjustable strap and many have cushioning footbeds.
Soccer shoes created for soft ground play are sometimes referred to as having detachable cleats. As the name implies, soft ground boots often have detachable studs that can be screwed on and off and replaced easily. Replacement studs are usually sold separately. The cleats on a soft ground boot are usually made of TPU or PU and often have metal tips. These aluminum-tipped studs offer durability on wet, soft fields. Many soft ground boots with their exchangeable and removable studs can be customized for playing conditions and fields.
Often the same thing as a running shoe, training footwear usually features a durable rubber outsole. Some training shoes will features a soccer shoe upper paired up with a rubber training outsole. Training shoes offer comfort and cushioning for your soccer training routine. 
Turf shoes or turf boots usually feature an extremely durable rubber outsole. Turf shoes often feature small rubber studs or patterns on the outsole to improve traction on hard, natural fields and artificial turf. Turf boots are also great for soccer training and can be used as a back up pair of shoes for play on hard surfaces.
Women's soccer shoes are designed on a narrower last or foot mold to better fit the female soccer player's foot. Many female soccer players choose to wear a men's soccer boot, but soccer shoes created especially for the women's soccer game can offer a better fit and women's specific performance technologies.
