Hockey Shoes vs Astro Trainers — What’s the Difference?

One of the most common questions we get asked is: "Do I need specific hockey shoes, or can I just wear my regular trainers?" The short answer is yes — the right footwear makes a real difference to your grip, comfort, and injury risk. Here's everything you need to know.

The Three Types of Hockey Surface

Hockey is played on three main surface types, and each requires different footwear:

• Astroturf (3G/4G synthetic grass) — The most common surface for club and school hockey in the UK. Requires astro turf trainers with a multi-stud or dimple sole.
• Indoor sports hall — Smooth, non-marking court surface. Requires indoor court shoes with a flat, grippy sole.
• Natural grass — Less common at club level. Astro trainers or moulded stud boots can work, but dedicated grass boots give better grip.

Astro Turf Trainers — What Are They?

Astro turf trainers (also called ATs or astros) are designed specifically for synthetic grass surfaces. They have a sole covered in small rubber studs or a dimple pattern that grips the fibres of the turf without digging in too deep.

Key features:

• Multi-stud or dimple rubber sole
• Low-profile design for quick direction changes
• Reinforced toe cap (important for hockey — your toes take a lot of impact)
• Lateral support for side-to-side movement

When to use them: Any outdoor hockey on synthetic grass. This is the footwear most UK club players use for the majority of their hockey.

Can you use regular trainers on astro? Technically yes, but a flat sole gives you much less grip on turf and increases your risk of slipping, especially when turning at pace. It's not worth the risk.

Indoor Hockey Shoes — What Are They?

Indoor hockey shoes are designed for smooth sports hall floors. They have a flat, non-marking gum rubber sole that grips the court surface without leaving scuff marks.

Key features:

• Flat gum rubber sole — non-marking
• Lightweight construction for quick footwork
• Good lateral support for the fast, close-quarters nature of indoor hockey
• Lower profile than astro trainers

When to use them: Indoor hockey sessions and tournaments on sports hall floors.

Can you use astro trainers indoors? No — the studded sole of an astro trainer won't grip a smooth court surface properly, and most sports halls won't allow studded soles as they can damage the floor.

Can One Shoe Do Both?

Some players look for a shoe that works on both surfaces. The honest answer is that no single shoe is optimal for both — but if you only play outdoors on astro, a good pair of astro trainers is all you need. If you play both indoor and outdoor hockey regularly, it's worth having a pair for each.

What to Look for When Buying Hockey Shoes

Regardless of surface, here's what matters in a hockey shoe:

• Fit — Hockey involves a lot of lateral movement. Your shoe should feel snug across the midfoot without pinching. Avoid anything with too much room at the sides.
• Toe protection — Hockey balls and sticks make contact with feet regularly. A reinforced toe cap is important, especially for younger players.
• Ankle support — Low-cut shoes are lighter and more agile; mid-cut gives more ankle support. Choose based on your preference and injury history.
• Weight — Lighter shoes help with speed and agility. Most modern hockey shoes are well under 400g per shoe.

Our Top Hockey Footwear Picks for 2026/27

We stock a full range of hockey shoes and astro trainers from leading brands including Grays and Mercian, in junior and senior sizes.

Shop Hockey Shoes 2026/27  |  Shop All Hockey Footwear

Quick Reference — Which Shoe for Which Surface?

Surface	Shoe Type
Outdoor astroturf (3G/4G)	Astro turf trainers
Indoor sports hall	Indoor court shoes (non-marking)
Natural grass	Astro trainers or moulded studs
Both astro and indoor	One pair of each

Still Not Sure?

If you're not sure which surface you'll be playing on most, get in touch and we'll help you choose. Most UK club players need astro trainers — if you're playing at a club that uses a standard synthetic pitch, that's where to start.

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