In our latest round of player testing, we’ve taken a deep dive into the biomechanics of cleat release, often simply thought of as grip or friction, between the athlete and the surface. Using a suite of high-end sensors, IMUs, and high-speed video analysis, we’ve measured cleat release down to the millimeter. We worked with a diverse group of players (N = 300); male and female, elite and amateur, and tested under various conditions, from hot and dry to wet and cold.
What we found is fascinating: good quality hybrid grass in well-maintained stadiums offers a very narrow and consistent range of traction. Pure natural grass, on the other hand, is much more variable depending on the weather and wear. Rubber-infilled fields show a curious pattern: sometimes they grip intensely, sometimes they slip significantly, all because of the inconsistency in how the infill compacts or loosens (see the video). Mineral infill systems tend to have a consistently high release distance, especially in wet or cold conditions, indicating significantly lower grip.
Then there’s modern innovative fibre-based or non-filled systems. These offer a level of uniformity in grip and traction on par with excellent top-tier hybrid grass. The result: a reliable, consistent surface performance that athletes can trust in all conditions.
It’s also worth noting that extremes in grip can have real consequences. High grip or low release can lead to increased joint strain. Conversely, low grip increases the likelihood of slipping and falling, posing its own set of player welfare concerns. That’s why consistency across the surface is key: it helps maintain that optimal middle ground where players can perform at their best without unnecessary risk.
In short, our testing shows that the right surface can dramatically influence player stability and performance.
The image above shows the distribution of data from over 300 players on each surface type, tested across all conditions (hot, cold, wet and dry). The width of each bar represents the number of players at a given release distance.
Notice how hybrid stadium grass delivers a tight and consistent range; our benchmark for optimal performance. In contrast, rubber-infilled systems show wide variation, from excessive grip (low release distance) to dangerously low grip (high release distance). Sand-based (or Mineral) systems often skew toward low grip.
And then there’s Pure PT and Pivot: delivering results that are now remarkably close to the gold standard of elite stadium grass for the cohort of all player groups (ages, genders, and abilities)
