Table of Contents
- What shoes do soccer referees wear?
- Soccer referee shoes: The basics
- Why do soccer referees wear black cleats?
- Two options for referee soccer shoes
- Recap: The best soccer referee shoes
If you’re in the process of qualifying as a soccer referee, you might be wondering about soccer referee shoes.
After all, you need to make sure that you have all of the right equipment to get you started on your journey as a soccer referee, and wearing the right cleats is super important.
So, in this article, we explain everything you need to know about soccer referee shoes and offer some recommendations about where you can find the best cleats for referees.
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What shoes do soccer referees wear?
Soccer referees wear cleats, just like players. However, the main difference is that the vast majority of soccer referees are instructed to wear black cleats, as wearing different colored cleats isn’t deemed appropriate in most countries.
Of course, the shoes that soccer referees wear depends on the surface and the hardness or softness of the ground, meaning that many referees have several pairs of shoes that they wear at different times throughout the season.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about soccer referee shoes and to discover the best cleats to buy if you’re just beginning as a soccer referee.
Soccer referee shoes: The basics
The key thing to realize is that soccer referees don’t necessarily need to wear different cleats from soccer players. Therefore, if you’re a soccer player who is just starting as a referee, you can probably wear the same cleats for officiating matches. However, there are some basics that you need to know about soccer referee shoes, including:
- The vast majority of soccer referees are required to wear predominantly black cleats.
- You can choose which cleats to wear, choosing from the likes of molded, bladed, and metal stud soccer cleats, depending on the surface you’re officiating on.
- Your cleats should be clean and in good condition – it gives off a bad impression if you turn up to a match with dirty soccer cleats to referee a match!
- Above all else, you should order a pair of soccer cleats that are comfortable and durable, as these are two of the most important characteristics when it comes to choosing cleats for both players and referees.
With these basics in mind, you now know what to look for in a pair of referee soccer shoes.
Why do soccer referees wear black cleats?
The reason why soccer referees wear black cleats is that FIFA has stipulated that they should be “primarily black” with limited designs and markings. In other words, soccer referee shoes should be mainly black with very little additional color.
While this might seem boring to some people, the reason for this is very traditional, and black boots have long been the color of referee’s cleats. Not so long ago (perhaps in the 1990s), the vast majority of players wore black cleats, too.
When you’re a referee at the grassroots level, it’s unlikely to make a huge difference if you turn up to referee a match in a pair of colored shoes. However, you might lose the respect of the players, and you will immediately draw attention to yourself, which is the last thing you want as a referee!
So, to ensure that you are in keeping with the rules and wear your uniform correctly, you should invest in an appropriate pair of referee soccer shoes. But where should you look?
Two options for referee soccer shoes
The main thing you need to think about when deciding on the best referee soccer shoes to buy is the surface on which you will be refereeing. Of course, if you’re officiating on grass, you will need to buy metal cleats. But if you’re officiating on an artificial surface, you will need to purchase molded studs. With that in mind, here are three excellent options to consider for referee soccer shoes this season:
Adidas Mundial Turf Soccer Cleats
Perhaps the best bet for soccer referees is these classic Mundial Turf soccer cleats from Adidas. They’re black and white, incredibly comfortable, and durable, making them the perfect option for officiating.
As these are turf cleats, they’re best used for officiating on harder surfaces, be it on grass during the hot and dry summer months or if you’re officiating on an artificial surface. If you’re looking for referee soccer shoes for grass during the winter, our next option is best for you.
ASICS Lethal Tigreor Soccer Cleats
If you think that purely black and white soccer cleats are too boring, these black and blue soccer cleats from ASICS are a great alternative! The blue isn’t prominent enough to cause any issues, and the metal studs are perfect for the soft ground.
Ultimately, they’re a great option to add to your referee kit when you’re officiating during the winter months when the grass is wet, and your turf soccer cleats aren’t suitable for the under-foot conditions.
Recap: The best soccer referee shoes
The main thing to remember is that soccer referee shoes need to be mainly black. You also need to think carefully about the types of cleats that your soccer referee shoes have, as this is one of the most important considerations.
The bottom line is that the above Adidas and ASICS cleats are perfect shoes for referees, and they will serve you well if you’re just starting life as a soccer official this season.
Looking for the perfect watch to wear as a soccer referee? Check out our recent article, where we introduce the best watches for soccer referees to help you make your decision!