How to Choose Futsal & Indoor Soccer Shoes: Indoor vs Turf, Fit & Kids’ Sizing
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Temps de lecture 10 min
The right futsal shoe is the one made for the floor you play on: a flat, non-marking rubber sole for gyms and courts, in your usual size with about a thumb’s width of room at the toe.
Futsal shoes (often sold as indoor soccer shoes) replace studs with a flat sole because futsal is played on a smooth, hard court. In stores and on boxes, you’ll see two codes: IC (Indoor Court), a flat rubber sole for gyms and hard courts, and TF (Turf), a sole with small rubber studs for short artificial turf. Choosing the right sole type and fit matters as much as choosing the brand.
This guide explains IC (Indoor Court) vs TF (Turf) vs outdoor cleats, whether you can wear cleats indoors or futsal shoes on turf, how to choose between leather and synthetic uppers, how to get the right fit for adults and kids, and which futsal shoes we carry in Montreal and online across Canada.
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Not sure which sole to pick? Visit our Montreal store to try futsal shoes on with your own socks before you decide.
Match the sole to the floor. Choose IC (Indoor Court) for gyms and futsal courts, TF (Turf) for short synthetic turf, and outdoor cleats (FG) for natural grass.
Futsal shoes have a flat, non-marking rubber sole with no exposed studs. Most indoor soccer shoes also work for futsal. Look for IC or IN on the box.
Don’t wear outdoor cleats indoors or futsal shoes on turf. Cleats aren’t designed for indoor courts, and a flat sole doesn’t give the grip that turf needs.
Futsal shoes should fit with a snug heel and about a thumb’s width (1.25 cm)at the toe, checked standing up with your playing socks. From age 3, kids’ feet grow about one size a year.
Leather moulds to your foot over time, and synthetic is lighter and easier to clean. Dry your shoes away from heat, and wear them only on the surface they were made for.
Table of Content
Find Your Futsal Shoes in 2 Minutes Quick Comparison: Indoor Court (IC) vs Turf (TF) vs Outdoor Cleats The 3 Types of Soccer Shoes You Need to Know 1. Indoor Court (IC) Futsal Shoes 2. Turf (TF) Shoes 3. Outdoor Cleats (FG): Mad For Grass, Not For Indoor Courts How to Choose the Right Size for Futsal Shoes How to Care for Your Futsal Shoes Conclusion Frequently Asked Questions Related Readings
Find Your Futsal Shoes in 2 Minutes
Answer three questions:
- What floor do you play on? Gym, wood floor or flat indoor court: choose IC (Indoor Court), which some brands label IN. Short synthetic turf or harder turf fields: choose TF (Turf). Dry or slightly damp natural grass: choose outdoor cleats (FG, Firm Ground).
- Who is it for? Adults: browse our Indoor / Futsal collection. Kids and teens: browse youth footwear.
- What is your foot shape? Narrow, medium or wide. Some models fit more snugly than others, so see Fit and Sizing below.
Whatever you choose, match the sole to the floor. The same shoe won’t work well on every surface.
Quick Comparison: Indoor Court (IC) vs Turf (TF) vs Outdoor Cleats
| Feature | IC / IN (Indoor Court) | TF (Turf) | Outdoor cleats (FG) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole | Flat, non-marking rubber, no exposed studs | Patterned rubber sole with many small grip points | Studs, blades or plates |
| Best surface | Gyms, futsal courts, flat indoor courts | Short synthetic turf or harder turf fields | Dry or slightly damp natural grass |
| Hard indoor court? | Yes, made for it | Not the best choice | Not designed for it |
| Letters on the box | IC or IN | TF | FG |
| Our collection | Indoor / Futsal | Turf | Firm Ground |
See the difference: the turf (TF) sole on top has many small raised grip points. The indoor court (IC) sole below is flat. Check the sole before you buy.
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Not sure which one to choose? Start with the floor, then match the sole to it.
Playing on more than one surface? In our team's experience, many players keep two pairs: indoor shoes for winter and outdoor cleats for summer.
The 3 Types of Soccer Shoes You Need to Know
1. Indoor Court (IC) Futsal Shoes
Futsal shoes (also sold as indoor soccer shoes) have a flat rubber sole with no exposed studs. Skechers lists IC/IN (Indoor Court) for gyms, futsal courts and flat indoor courts, and Nike notes that indoor soccer shoes have textured rubber soles for maximum traction on hard surfaces. Look for a non-marking sole so it grips smooth floors without scuffing them.
That matches how futsal is played: the FA's Futsal Law 1 asks for a flat, smooth and non-abrasive surface, preferably wood or artificial material.
Futsal shoes vs indoor soccer shoes: they are close relatives. In our team's experience, most indoor soccer shoes also work for futsal, so check that the box says IC or IN. If you aren't sure, ask us in store.
Can you wear futsal shoes on turf? We don't recommend it. Skechers explains that a flat indoor sole doesn't give the grip needed for turf or grass.
Benefits:
- Made for hard indoor floors
- Non-marking sole
- Wide choice of models and youth sizes
Nike.ca
Pros of IC futsal shoes:
- Made for hard indoor floors: a flat rubber sole with no exposed studs, listed by Skechers for gyms, futsal courts and flat indoor courts
- Non-marking sole that grips smooth floors without scuffing them
- Meets the floor the game is played on: futsal courts are flat, smooth surfaces, so a flat sole is the standard
- Wide choice of leather and synthetic uppers, in kids’ and adult sizes
Cons of IC futsal shoes:
- Not for turf or grass: a flat sole doesn’t give the grip those surfaces need
- Indoor use only: if you also play outdoors, you’ll need a second pair
- Fit differs between models, so try a pair on before you buy
2. Turf (TF) Shoes
Turf shoes (TF) have a patterned rubber sole with many small grip points instead of long studs. Skechers lists TF for short synthetic turf or harder turf fields.
Because those grip points are made for turf, the right floor matters. Skechers says turf shoes are “not the best choice for indoor courts.” If you play futsal on a hard court or in a gym, choose IC. If your indoor facility has a turf field instead, TF is the one to look at. Ask the facility what the floor is before you buy.
Benefits:
- Grip points made for short synthetic turf
- Also suited to harder turf fields
- The right choice when your indoor facility has turf instead of a hard court
Nike.ca
Pros:
- Grip points made for short synthetic turf
- Also suited to harder turf fields
- The right choice when your indoor facility has turf, not a hard court
Cons:
- Not the best choice for indoor courts, according to Skechers
- Not interchangeable with IC: if you play on a hard court and on turf, you’ll need two pairs
3. Outdoor Cleats (FG): Made for Grass, Not for Indoor Courts
Outdoor cleats have studs, blades or plates built to dig into grass. [Nike] notes that outdoor soccer shoes have spikes on the sole, and [Skechers] lists FG (Firm Ground) for dry or slightly damp natural grass.
Can you wear outdoor cleats indoors? They aren’t designed for it. Indoor soles have no exposed studs, so they are not designed for a gym or futsal court. Ask your facility about its footwear rules before you buy.
What to do instead: wear IC futsal shoes indoors and keep your outdoor cleats for the field.
Benefits:
- Made for natural grass
- Wide choice of model
- The shoe for outdoor soccer
Nike.ca
Pros:
- Made for natural grass
- Wide choice of models
- The shoe for outdoor soccer
Cons:
- Not designed for indoor courts
- Check your facility’s footwear rules before you buy
- You’ll need a second pair if you play both indoors and outdoors
How to Choose the Right Size for Futsal Shoes
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Futsal shoes should fit snug at the heel, with room for your toes. Check the fit standing up, with the socks you play in. Sizes vary by brand and model, so use the checks below and the brand’s own size chart.
Fit check for futsal shoes
| Check | What to look for | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Toe room | About a thumb's width (1.25 cm) between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe, checked standing | Canadian Paediatric Society (kids); our team's experience (adults) |
| Heel | Snug, so the foot doesn't slide forward | Canadian Paediatric Society |
| Material | A small crease when you pinch the shoe while standing shows there is room | Canadian Paediatric Society |
| Socks | Try them on with the socks you play in | Our team's experience |
| Kids' growth | From age 3, feet grow about one size a year, so check the fit often | Canadian Paediatric Society |
How to Care for Your Futsal Shoes
A few minutes of care after each session keeps the sole clean and the upper in shape. Nike’s guide says to wear shoes only on the surface they were designed for.
Steps
- Brush off loose dirt after you play.
- Wipe the upper with a damp cloth and mild soap in warm water. Use a soft brush on the sole.
- Leather uppers: wipe with a cloth and skip the soap, which adidas says can dry leather out.
- Laces: take them out and wash them in a mesh bag, cold and gentle. Wash the shoes themselves by hand.
- Dry them indoors, away from direct sun, hair dryers and tumble dryers. Stuff them with newspaper to hold their shape.
- Store them dry, in a breathable bag.
What to avoid
- The washing machine for the shoes themselves (Nike)
- Bleach and harsh chemicals, which degrade synthetic materials (Nike)
- Scalding or boiling water, which can loosen the glue (adidas)
When to replace them
There is no fixed lifespan: it depends on how often and where you play. In our team’s experience, it’s time for a new pair when the sole is worn smooth and loses grip, when the upper tears or separates, or when the cushioning is gone.
Sources:
- Nike, How to Clean Soccer Cleats → https://www.nike.com/ca/a/how-to-clean-soccer-cleats
- adidas, How to clean your football boots → https://www.adidas.co.uk/blog/865932-how-to-clean-your-football-boots
- Premium Soccer, How to Clean Soccer Cleats → https://premiumsoccer.com/blogs/soccer-news/how-to-clean-soccer-cleats
CONCLUSION
The right futsal shoe is the one made for your floor. Choose IC (Indoor Court) for gyms and futsal courts, TF (Turf) for short synthetic turf, and outdoor cleats (FG) for natural grass. Then check the fit standing up, with a snug heel and about a thumb’s width at the toe.
IC futsal shoes have a flat, non-marking rubber sole with no exposed studs, made for hard indoor floors. TF shoes have a patterned rubber sole for short synthetic turf and are not the best choice for indoor courts. Outdoor cleats are made for grass and are not designed for indoor courts. Leather or synthetic is a choice about fit over time, feel and care.
Premium Soccer carries futsal and indoor soccer shoes from Nike, adidas and PUMA in Montreal and online across Canada. Not sure which sole you need? Come try pairs on in store with your own socks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are futsal shoes?
Futsal shoes have a flat, non-marking rubber sole with no exposed studs, made for hard indoor floors. Skechers lists IC/IN (Indoor Court) for gyms, futsal courts and flat indoor courts.
Are futsal shoes the same as indoor soccer shoes?
Mostly yes. In our team’s experience, most indoor soccer shoes also work for futsal. Check that the box says IC or IN.
What is the difference between futsal shoes and turf shoes?
Futsal ( IC) shoes have a flat sole. Turf ( TF) shoes have a patterned rubber sole with many small grip points, made for short synthetic turf. Skechers says turf shoes are not the best choice for indoor courts.
IC or TF for my indoor facility?
It depends on the floor. A hard court or gym floor needs IC. A turf field needs TF. If you’re not sure, ask your facility what the surface is.
Can you wear outdoor cleats for futsal?
We don’t recommend it. Outdoor cleats are made for grass, and indoor soles have no exposed studs (Skechers). Ask your facility about its footwear rules.
Can you wear futsal shoes on turf?
We don’t recommend it. Skechers explains that a flat indoor sole doesn’t give the grip needed for turf or grass.
Are futsal shoes necessary?
For a gym or futsal court, indoor court shoes are the type made for it (Skechers). Many facilities also have their own footwear rules, so check yours.
Can you use running shoes, basketball shoes or normal shoes for futsal?
We don’t recommend it. Indoor court shoes are the type made for gyms and futsal courts, with a flat, non-marking sole. Ask us in store if you’re deciding between a few pairs.
Are Samba shoes suitable for futsal?
Only an indoor court version. adidas says the Samba was first introduced in the 1950s as an indoor football shoe. Check that the box says indoor court (IC or IN) before you buy.
Is futsal basically indoor soccer?
They are related but different. Futsal is played by five players per team on a hard court, with a smaller, heavier ball that bounces less, and with no walls or boards around the pitch.
What size futsal shoes should I buy?
Choose a snug heel and about a thumb’s width (1.25 cm) between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe, checked standing up. The Canadian Paediatric Society gives this rule for children’s shoes.
Leather or synthetic futsal shoes?
Leather stretches with your foot and moulds to its shape. Synthetic is lighter and easier to clean. See our guide to leather and synthetic footwear.
Related Readings
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The Premium Soccer team has been helping soccer players across Canada choose footwear, apparel and equipment since 2019. Our guides combine hands-on product experience, feedback from soccer players and published research to provide practical, evidence-based information.