Seth BrundageWith good turf shoes there’s never an excuse to take a day off because of snow, storms or anything else. If you can find an indoor field, you’ve got a pair of baseball turf shoes ready to go.
In this article, we’ll show you what we consider to be the best turf shoes for baseball and softball players to buy in 2024.
About the author
How we chose the training shoes for this list?
There’s a number of features and qualities that you should look for from high-end turf trainers.
Fit
Of course you need your baseball trainers to fit. This is predominantly controlled by getting the right sized shoes. However, some products implement additional features to help deliver that snug, comfortable fit that players need.
Tread and traction
Even a cheap pair of baseball turfs should provide good traction on an artificial surface. More advanced products have scientifically perfected stud patterns to optimize the grip.
Breathability
Even in an indoor field, heat and sweat management is a concern. Sweat is not only uncomfortable and odorous, but it can also wear the interior of the indoor cleats down. Mesh and other materials can be great for helping the shoes and feet breathe.
Ankle support
Turf shoes typically have an upper that is made from leather or another material. It is designed to provide some stability and support to the ankle to limit the propensity for injury.
Cushioning
Naturally, comfort is an area of concern when buying any pair of shoes, including baseball and softball turf trainers. You want ample cushioning inside the shoes to help keep your feet comfortable.
Performance
Not all softball and baseball turf shoes are made the same. High-end models have features that can positively impact a player’s performance. These features generate added acceleration and stopping power, allowing players to start and stop more effectively.
Types/styles
In terms of different design types, you really have three major styles of turf shoes. Each style caters to different types of players and footwear needs.
- Mid-top: This is the most popular style of cleats and trainers. It is the midway point between low-top and high-top, which means it has some of the benefits of both types. You get moderate stability, without too much added weight slowing you down.
- Low-top: The low profile design of this style is built for speed. Without the excess material used in mid- and high-top trainers, these shoes have far less weight. The drawback is that they provide less support to the ankle region.
- High-top: These turf shoes offer the maximum amount of ankle support and stability. They are especially favored by players that have prior injuries to the ankle. Unfortunately, the extra material does weigh these shoes down more.
These are the best baseball turf shoes to buy:
- Under Armour Deception
- Adidas Speed Trainer 4
- Nike Force Zoom Trout 8
- Adidas Freak X Carbon
- Mizuno Players Trainer 2
- New Balance 3000v5
Under Armour Deception
If you like good low-top turf shoes, then the Under Armour Deception turf trainers are a great fit that offers ample speed to any player.
The Under Armour Deception turf trainers are built for speed and agility. With a low slung design, there’s no added weight from extra materials, as is the case in high-top trainers.
Also cutting the weight of these shoes is the strategic placement of mesh materials, which also add a high level of breathability to the player’s feet.
Despite being a low-cut shoe, the Deception turf trainer provides ample support thanks to Under Armour’s ClutchFit technology. This “second skin” feature produces a customized fit that forms around the shape of the player’s foot and ankle. This delivers exceptional support and a really comfortable feel while wearing.
The high-quality leather of these top baseball turf shoes also adds to the support and durability of the shoes.
For performance, Under Armour brings the Charged Cushioning midsole to the table. This material reacts to how the player is moving. For instance, when the player is stationary or moving slowly, the midsole is soft. During moments of fast movement, however, the midsole reacts by firming up and delivering the right experience that the player needs to make the play.
The Under Armour Deception shoe has a rubber outsole that offers good traction on any surface.
What we like
- Reactive midsole creates the support and comfort that a player needs at every turn of the game.
- Lightweight design and materials help keep the player speedy and unrestricted.
- Excellent comfort and fit thanks to the customized ClutchFit technology.
What we don’t like
- Only a few color options to choose from.
- Low cut style of shoes don’t provide great ankle support.
Adidas Speed Trainer 4
The Adidas Speed Trainer 4 shoes bring a lot of versatility to the table and are an especially great choice for players with wide feet.
The Adidas Speed Trainer series has seen good success over the years. The Speed Trainer 4 shoes are the next version in the series and they’ve done a good job in improving over past models.
These turf trainers are made predominantly from textile materials. This helps produce a lightweight and breathable shoe that is extremely comfortable to wear. That said, these shoes do offer moderate support to the ankle thanks to their 3D molded collar.
An Ironskin Toe Cap feature adds some additional support and injury prevention by encasing the player’s toes in protection, particularly against abrasions that can be caused from toe drag while running and throwing.
To top off these cool turf shoes, Adidas implemented a heel counter system that is designed to limit heel slip and provide better support, especially when breaking to either side. This is a great performance-enhancing feature that helps players get a more explosive jump on the ball or base.
Adidas equips these shoes with a versatile outsole that can be used in other sports, but is designed for the wear and tear of baseball. With multiple different color and style options, including a model for wide feet, there’s an option for everyone.
What we like
- 3D molded collar offers decent support to the ankles.
- Various models make these good softball turf shoes or baseball shoes.
- Heel counter system helps a player accelerate and change directions.
What we don’t like
- Moderate to high price tag, depending on where you buy.
Nike Force Zoom Trout 8
Mike Trout is one of the best baseball players and he knows exactly what you need from the best baseball turf shoes.
Mike Trout is one of the greatest players to rise the Majors in the last decade. A yearly all-star and a common name for most valuable player accolades, it’s no wonder that Nike has dedicated footwear to Trout.
The Force Zoom Trout 8 turf baseball trainers are one of the newest high-end turfs for baseball. They’ve improved over previous years models.
The first notable change is that these shoes are 10% lighter than previous models. Removing excess weight helps the player move with ease; you don’t want to buy high-quality training shoes that weigh you down!
Eliminating this weight comes as a result of a number of other features and design choices. First, Nike created a new Flyweave upper, which weighs less and has a cool, textured style, without sacrificing any durability in this key part of the shoe.
To ensure a secure fit, the Zoom Trout shoes have an over the top strap system. This was a design element that Trout himself asked. It is an ode to Nike’s Huarache baseball shoes. The end of the strap has Trout’s number on a design of an arrowhead, which is inspired by his love of hunting.
The outsole of these top men’s turf shoes is carefully designed by computers and data to yield ultimate traction and power.
The bottom line is that these shoes have a professionally inspired design with great performance features and an absolutely unbeatable style. Absolutely one of the coolest turf shoes for baseball.
What we like
- A stunning shoe designed with inspiration from one of the game’s future Hall of Famers.
- Lightweight model with little-to-no extra weight.
- Secure strapping system for a superb fit and added comfort.
What we don’t like
- Top-rated baseball turf shoes comes at a high price tag.
Adidas Freak X Carbon
The Adidas Freak X Carbon mid cross trainers offer baseball athletes a lot of uses for these shoes, which can help save on equipment costs.
The Freak X Carbon trainers are an unassuming but versatile pair of shoes. The concept of a cross trainer baseball shoe is to have one piece of footwear for your on-field workout and your gym workout. Not only does this save money, but it also means less equipment to clean, transport and maintain.
We call these Adidas training shoes unassuming because of their look and design. With a low-to-mid-cut shape and mostly neutral color options, these shoes have the performance of trainers, with the appearance of normal sneakers. You could really get away with wearing these shoes outside your baseball workouts.
With a breathable mesh upper, you don’t have to worry about sweat and odor ruining your baseball turf shoes. Moisture control is an important feature for these products, as it is one of the common complaints of baseball players.
The Adidas Freak X Carbon shoes also deliver on comfort thanks to an EVA foam midsole. This cushiony material helps manage the player’s movements by compressing on heavy foot falls, before releasing again as the foot lifts off.
While these shoes are designed as cross trainers, they do have an outsole pattern that is optimized for the movements and needs of a baseball player.
What we like
- A very versatile shoe that is usable in multiple different capacities.
- EVA foam helps create a secure, comfortable and performance-enhancing fit.
- Breathable shoes that strike back at odor and sweat.
What we don’t like
- Possibly not a great buy if you’re not going to use these shoes beyond the turf.
- Lower slung shoes don’t yield as much ankle support as high-top turf trainers.
Mizuno Players Trainer 2
It is hard to find flaws in the Players Trainer 2 baseball turf shoes; they deliver on all of the aspects that players need most.
The Players Trainer 2 turf shoes are carefully engineered to deliver on the three areas of performance that ball players absolutely need from their footwear: acceleration, grip and stability.
These are the qualities that allow players to explode on a jump, change directions and come to a halt, whenever needed.
Mizuno first brings these qualities out in the outsole. The pattern is very carefully laid out to create the perfect player experience on the field. You’ll have no problem finding traction and speed as you break for a ball or hustle around the bases.
In terms of stability, the Players Trainer 2 turf shoes utilize a synthetic leather and mesh upper. These two materials deliver exceptional support, while also allowing the player’s feet to breathe.
This upper is just soft and flexible enough to not restrict movement, but not overly so that it compromises that much-needed stability, or the overall fit of the turf shoes.
For more acceleration and even some comfort, Mizuno incorporates their patented midsole made from a lightweight material that is both cushiony and durable for long-lasting wear. It helps a player accelerate by responding to their movements and providing an almost spring-like effect to those first crucial steps.
What we like
- Fast and stable men’s baseball turf shoes with ample traction.
- Upper provides a lot of stability, even for a mid-top shoe.
- Cushiony, responsive material helps alleviate foot discomfort and improve play.
What we don’t like
- Limited color options to pick from.
New Balance 3000v5
When it comes to style and comfort, the New Balance 3000v5 turf baseball shoes are unmatched.
There’s two major selling points for the New Balance 3000v5 turf baseball shoes. The first in the 10+ different color options, which makes it one of the best baseball turf shoes on the market when it comes to style. You’re almost guaranteed to find a style to match your team colors and uniform.
Saving the best for second, the New Balance 3000v5 are also one of the most comfortable turf shoes available. Reaching this accolade is thanks to two key features. One, the Fresh Foam interior makes for a comfortable, pain-reducing cushion for the player\s feet to land on.
Next, the TPU mesh upper generates an incredibly secure, “locked-in” fit that has just enough stretch to match the natural movements of a ballplayer. The end result is the flexibility and stability that every player wants from a good baseball turf shoe.
The outsole of these top-quality turf shoes has a very similar stud pattern to the on-field baseball cleats made by New Balance. Yet, these smaller, rubberized cleats don’t damage artificial fields, while still offering decent grip, traction and movement.
An interesting and unique feature of the New Balance 3000v5 is the lace cage. The purpose of this design element is to eliminate any distraction or hazard caused by unruly shoe laces. The player can easily tuck away the laces, so even if they become undone, they aren’t getting in the way.
What we like
- Lots of color options to choose from for the style-conscious player.
- Innovative lace cage eliminates tripping risk.
- TPU upper produces extra comfort and stability in the ankle and foot.
What we don’t like
- High price point, especially for a shoe that focuses on comfort and style over performance.
Conclusions
Shopping for the best baseball turf shoes in 2024 means sifting through a lot of different products and finding the one that best fits your play style, budget and other needs.
The purpose of this guide, and our selection of baseball turf shoes reviews, was to give you all of the information and advice that you need to find this perfect model and get you to the height of your game.
Hopefully, the information included in this article will help make that decision easier and get the best pair of turf shoes on your feet quicker.