“Every strike,” Babe Ruth explains, “brings me closer to my next home run.”
Your sport isn’t just a hobby. It’s a way of life. That’s why you need the right shoes for the job.
With artificial turf being commonplace now, it’s important to get a pair of shoes that aren’t just nice to the field, but nice to your feet too.
Look at your shoes as an investment. Serious athletes need a comfortable pair of trainers that will last more than one season.
But with so many options, how are you supposed to know what shoes will have you performing at your best?
What Makes a Good Turf Shoe?
Let’s take a look at the features of the best baseball shoes for artificial turf.
- Tread
The best baseball turf shoes have lots of treads to keep you from sliding and hurting yourself on the field.
Torque is a major problem when you don’t have cleats to stop your momentum. The front of your foot stops moving while the rest of your body stays in motion. This can put unnecessary strain on the sensitive muscles in your feet and legs.
- Durability
The go-to materials for a solid turf shoe are synthetic leather and mesh. The synthetic leather provides the support your feet need while the mesh lets your skin breathe.
You don’t want to have to buy new trainers every season. Investing in a durable pair will save you money in the long run.
Look for an outsole made of strong material with thick stitching to make sure your shoes will last.
- Lightweight
This isn’t a necessity, but lightweight shoes will be much more comfortable to wear during a long game. Less weight means you’ll be faster on the field as well.
Comfort should always be a priority when shoe shopping. Lightweight shoes are comfortable to wear and less of a hassle to lug around with all your other gear.
The weight of your shoes is especially important when you’re playing in hot climates. Heavy shoes cause more perspiration, and more moisture means nasty fungus and other bacteria can start growing.
- Ankle Support
Mid-cut turf shoes provide more ankle support and protection against torque. It’s a personal preference but higher cut shoes will provide more ankle support for those who need it.
Look out for soles that are too soft. If you have ankle problems find a shoe with a solid midsole to help curb rolling of the heel.
- Comfort
The best turf shoes for softball and baseball are above all comfortable. These are the shoes you’re going to be wearing in the final countdown. If your turf shoes can’t make a walk in the park comfortable, there’s no way a game will be.
Make sure to try on shoes at the end of the day, when your feet have the most blood in them. This helps to ensure they won’t be too tight by the end of a game.
Are Turf Shoes as Good as Cleats?
What came first the turf or the turf shoe? Unlike the chicken and the egg, there is a clear predecessor here.
Even though turf shoes are a byproduct of needing to protect artificial fields, they have a huge advantage over cleats.
A lot of athletes are making the switch to turf shoes even when they’re on grass. Why? It turns out turf shoes have plenty of grip to keep you planted, but are much more comfortable than cleats.
With roomier toe boxes, mesh uppers, and shock absorbent soles, turf shoes make great sneakers on and off the field.
The Best Baseball Shoes for Artificial Turf
- New Balance Men’s 3000v3 Baseball Turf Shoe
Number one on our list goes to the New Balance Men’s 3000v3 Baseball Turf Shoe. If you’re looking for a shoe you can wear on and off the field look no further.
The New Balance Turf Shoe has ample tread for making sharp pivots on the field. The mesh upper lets your foot breathe when the game starts heating up.
The sole is flexible and the tread is low key enough you can wear these out to dinner after the game.
The 3000v3 are one of the highest rated turf shoes on Amazon. Customers cite comfort and durability as the highlights of this shoe.
In general, turf shoes run smaller than average. You may need to order a half size up because these tend to run narrow.
- Mizuno Synchro MX Men’s Training Shoes
The Mizuno Synchro might be the best baseball cleats for heel pain. The Japanese company has a strong reputation in the baseball community and has long been a maker of quality shoes.
The Synchro has a three-layered sole system. The top and middle layers are firm to keep your foot from sinking into the softer, more responsive bottom layer. This stabilizing effect is perfect for players looking for a shoe that will put less torque on their ankle muscles.
At only 10 oz. the Synchro is one of the lightest shoes on our list. Often more supportive features like triple-layered soles add too much weight to baseball shoes. But Mizuno created an affordable all-purpose turf shoe that works great for baseball.
- Nike Men’s Trout 3 Turf Shoe
One of the MLB’s best players ever, Mike Trout, has a whole line of baseball shoes with Nike. Out of their collaboration comes one of the best baseball shoes for artificial turf.
Never one to be left behind on new technology, Nike uses their patented Nikeskin material to make these more comfortable than your average turf shoe.
Nikeskin is a mix of mesh and polyurethane that fit close to the skin for natural, almost barefoot like motion. The all-weather treatment makes these a good fit for wet fields.
The good news is if you like these shoes Trout has a whole line of regular cleats and other shoes with Nike.
- Under Armour Men’s Ultimate Turf Training Shoes
Under Armour founder Kevin Plank set out on a mission to make a better training shirt. The brand has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Among one of it’s newer offerings are baseball turf shoes.
Another great shoe with athletic performance in mind, the Ultimate Turf uses Under Armour’s Superfoam to absorb impact. The midsole is thin to keep you low to the ground for more natural movement.
Under Armour might be best known for their apparel, but their shoes are starting to chip away at Nike’s hold on the industry.
And at 10.6 oz they won’t weigh you down in the home stretch.
- 3N2 Mofo Turf Trainer
A cult favorite, 3n2 is one of the newer contenders in the battle for best turf shoe. When the new owners took over the brand just a little over 10 years ago, they found a niche as the favorite shoe of umpires.
Choosing to stay true to their baseball roots, 3N2 is the only brand on the list making only baseball shoes. This indie brand is good enough to replace any old Nikes or Adidas.
They are lightweight with a comfortable midsole and good grip. 3N2 also has a great sale section on their site where you can get your turf trainers at a huge discount.
The Mofo trainer is a great sport-specific shoe and if you get them on sale are cheap enough to pick up a couple back up pairs of.
- Adidas Performance Speed Trainer 2
If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary turf shoe color palette, the Speed Trainer has a huge selection of colorways.
This shoe is good enough to get you through a game, but it gives up a little bit of durability for a sleek look. Some reviews claim the outsole doesn’t last as long as they’d like, but that’s nothing a little Tuff Toe can’t fix.
The Speed Trainer is a handsome shoe that can be worn as a casual sneaker. Unfortunately, the reason they can pass as a sneaker is that they are light on the tread.
It’s not a bad idea to have a backup pair of grippier shoes in case of bad weather. On sunny days, the Speed Trainer is an impressive looking shoe with just enough grip on it.
- Rawlings Player and Coach Turf Shoes
Rawlings makes quality sports gear at affordable prices. They’ve been around since 1887, so they know a thing or two about baseball.
This is the only general purpose turf shoe on the list. These are great to have on hand for any game or activity that’s going to be taking place on artificial turf.
That’s what makes these a good choice if you’re planning on playing multiple sports this year. Instead of buying a pair for each sport, these are ready for a soccer game right after baseball practice finishes.
Rawlings doesn’t skimp on the details. They use real leather and their signature Cool Flo technology to keep your feet from overheating. Their reasonable prices make these high-quality shoes well worth the money.
Unlike most turf shoes which tend to run small, Rawlings is known for fitting a little big. The quality materials make them a little heavy as well. These are a good option for players that don’t run as much.
- Nike Men’s Air Diamond Trainer
The traditional colorway and unique tongue on these trainers make them look like regular cleats from afar.
But make no mistake, the Air Diamond Trainer provides the unbeatable comfort of a turf shoe. It features a low profile tread that provides plenty of grip without picking up all the dirt from under you.
Nike also offers their customization feature for these, so you can get the exact color scheme you want.
As with most turf shoes, these run small. Order up to get a proper fit.
- Adidas Originals Men’s Freak X Carbon Mid Cross Trainer
Players looking for speed and great grip swear by this Adidas trainer. Their heavy tread and light weight make these some of the best softball turf shoes.
The heel on these shoes is soft enough that it takes some getting used to. This could make them a bad choice for athletes with plantar fasciitis that need a supportive heel.
- Mizuno Jaws Blast 4 Turf Shoes
Mizuno isn’t playing around by calling these shoes “Jaws”. The Blast 4 has some of the most aggressive treading seen on a turf shoe.
The tread resembles rubber molded baseball cleats. They also come in a full midsole option that makes them even more comfortable.
Mizuno’s Proflex technology can flex in any direction your foot wants to go. Usually, shoe buyers can have flexibility or durability, not both.
The Blast 4 offers both with the added comfort of a mesh upper for ultimate breathability. These are a great option for players that are hard on their shoes.
If the seam on your shoes are the first to go, the Jaws should provide you with plenty of grip to keep your feet in place
“I Can’t Make up My Mind”
Olympian Jim Thorpe’s shoes were stolen right before his race. With no shoe stores nearby, what was he to do?
With little time left before his race, Jim scoured the Olympic village for any pair of shoes that would cover his feet. He didn’t care if they were meant for running, he just needed shoes in order to be able to compete.
He went on to win 2 gold medals all while wearing his recycled shoes.
So don’t stress over shoe shopping too much. Pick a pair you like and feel comfortable wearing.
It comes down to personal preference. Every shoe on this list has its pros and cons. One thing is for sure, TuffToe can extend the life of your trainers by years.
For over 30 years Tuff Toe has been making cleats last longer, saving customers hundreds of dollars. For the next 48 hours take 10% off your entire purchase.
Keep your brand new turf shoes in peak condition with TuffToe. The best baseball shoes for artificial turf deserve the best in shoe protection.
Don’t wait for your seams to rip. Order Tuff Toe now.
