Differences between indoor and turf futsal shoes: How to choose for gymnasiums and artificial turf
When you are looking for futsal shoes,
you might see the labels
"IN"
and
"TF".
If you're seeing them for the first time,
you might wonder,
"What's the difference?"
To put it quite simply,
IN is for indoor courts like gymnasiums.
TF is for artificial turf.
For starters,
it's enough to just remember this difference.
Since some models are available in both IN and TF versions,
they look quite similar at first glance.
However,
the difference is quite easy to tell if you look at the soles.
The construction of the outsole (bottom surface) varies
to match the court you play on.
In this article,
we will explain the differences between IN and TF,
including answers to questions like
"Can I wear indoor shoes on artificial turf?"
and "Conversely, can I use turf shoes in a gymnasium?"
IN is for indoor courts like gymnasiums
IN stands for
"Indoor."
They are designed for playing on flat-surfaced courts,
such as gymnasiums.
If you look at the sole,
there are almost no fine studs like those on turf shoes.
Instead,
they have a relatively flat outsole designed to make it easy to perform
the fine movements specific to futsal,
such as stopping,
cutting,
and turning on a flat floor.
Futsal is a sport that involves
repeatedly changing direction on a small court.
If you are playing in a gymnasium,
choosing IN is the right move.
TF is for artificial turf
TF stands for
"Turf."
"Turf" means grass in English.
These shoes are intended for use on artificial turf,
and are generally
also called trainer or training shoes.
Some people also call them "bumpy shoes"!
Compared to IN,
the soles are quite obviously different.
They have many small studs,
which are often made of rubber.
These studs grip the artificial turf
to help with comfortable traction
when performing movements like
dashing,
stopping,
and cutting.
If you often play on outdoor artificial turf futsal courts,
TF is a better choice.
Turf shoes are especially recommended for playing on artificial turf after it has rained.
The biggest difference is the sole
When you line up IN and TF side by side,
the most obvious difference is definitely the sole.
| IN (Indoor) | TF (Turf) | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use | Gymnasium / Indoor courts | Artificial turf |
| Sole | Relatively flat | Many small studs |
| Sole stiffness | Relatively soft | Relatively firm |
| Suited for | Flat floors | Grassy courts |
Even for the same futsal shoes,
the design of the footwear changes to suit the playing surface.
Can I wear indoor shoes on artificial turf?
Basically,
it's clear that you should choose TF for artificial turf.
The IN sole
is designed for flat floors like in gymnasiums.
Therefore,
they cannot grip artificial turf as well as TF shoes.
You might feel a difference in grip
when performing movements such as
running,
stopping,
and cutting.
You need to be especially careful
on slightly slippery artificial turf
or courts that are wet from rain.
However,
some goalkeepers intentionally choose to wear IN even on artificial turf.
This is a point where they differ slightly from field players.
Goalkeepers
don't just keep running back and forth.
They frequently move sideways,
dive,
drop to their knees,
and get up quickly.
Some goalkeepers dislike the feeling of the TF's small studs catching on the turf
during these movements,
so they deliberately choose IN.
There are indeed people who feel that
"the TF studs feel like they are catching."
So,
the basic choice for artificial turf is TF.
However, for goalkeepers,
it is sometimes a choice based on playstyle or preference.
It is easy to think of it this way.
Conversely, can I use turf shoes in a gymnasium?
This is a little different
from the issue of wearing IN on artificial turf.
You should not wear TF in gymnasiums or indoor courts.
TF outsoles have
fine studs designed to grip artificial turf.
If you play on a gymnasium floor with these studs,
there is a possibility that you could damage the floor.
Also, if you mistakenly use turf shoes on an indoor court, there is a risk of slipping and falling.
For gymnasiums, use IN.
For artificial turf, use TF.
Especially in a gymnasium,
to avoid damaging the court,
you should make sure you are using the right shoes.
Also,
some facilities have specific rules regarding permitted footwear.
If it's your first time using a specific gym or futsal facility,
checking in advance will give you peace of mind.
What if I play futsal in both gymnasiums and on artificial turf?
I think there are quite a lot of people
who play in both environments.
In that case,
IN for the gym.
TF for artificial turf.
If possible,
it is recommended to use these two pairs properly.
At first,
you might think, "Do I really need two pairs?"
But
when you actually compare the soles,
the design is quite different.
IN for the gym.
TF for artificial turf.
Each performs best in its intended location,
and your shoes will last longer compared to using one pair on both courts.
However,
since some goalkeepers prefer IN even on turf,
you should feel free to choose based on your movement style and preference.
Joma also has both IN and TF models
Joma, which we carry at Futsal.shop,
also comes in both indoor and turf versions.
For example,
the popular TOP FLEX.
The TOP FLEX for gym use
has "IN" in its product code.
For the 2026SS model sold at Futsal.shop,
it is "TOPS2676IN."
On the other hand,
for artificial turf, there is the TOP FLEX TURF.
It retains the softness of the genuine leather typical of TOP FLEX,
but with an outsole tailored for artificial turf.
"I wear TOP FLEX in the gym,
but I want to wear shoes that feel as close to that as possible on artificial turf."
For such people,
this is an easy choice,
as the construction is the same everywhere except for the sole!
TOP FLEX REBOUND also has a turf model
If you like a thicker sole,
the TOP FLEX REBOUND is another option.
The regular TOP FLEX REBOUND
is an indoor model for gymnasiums.
It features a thicker midsole
for cushioning and rebound.
And
for artificial turf, there is the TOP FLEX REBOUND TURF.
It uses genuine leather for the upper,
while the outsole is designed for artificial turf.
For people who wear REBOUND in the gym and
want something that feels as close as possible for artificial turf,
it is a very interesting model.
Check stock and colors for TOP FLEX REBOUND TURF at Futsal.shop
When in doubt, just choose based on where you play
Futsal shoes: IN vs TF.
It might be a little confusing at first,
but how to choose is quite simple.
For gymnasiums, choose IN.
For artificial turf, choose TF.
Start with that,
and you will be fine.
But remember,
some people, like goalkeepers,
prefer to wear IN even on artificial turf.
So,
when choosing shoes,
"Where will you be playing?"
In addition to that,
"What kind of movements do you make?"
If you consider these points,
it will be much easier to choose.
If you are looking for shoes to wear in the gym,
See indoor futsal shoes at Futsal.shop
If you play on artificial turf,