The first step in preventing flattening is choosing turf with a fiber structure designed for resilience.

Flat fibers

Basic flat fibers can provide a natural appearance at a relatively low cost, but their bending resistance may be limited compared with engineered profiles.

S-shaped or C-shaped fibers

These profiles introduce additional structural rigidity and can improve recovery after compression.

Hollow diamond and other engineered profiles

More advanced profiles can increase the fiber’s resistance to bending while maintaining relatively good flexibility.

The important point is that fiber geometry can be more meaningful than simply increasing fiber density.

A turf with a well-designed fiber profile and moderate density may recover better than a very high-density turf using less resilient fibers.

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Straight and Curly Fibers Work Together

Many non-infill turf systems use a combination of straight and curled fibers.

The two fiber types perform different functions:

Straight fibers

Straight fibers generally provide:

• Vertical support
• Surface definition
• Structural stability
• Ball interaction characteristics in sports applications

Curly fibers

Curly fibers can provide:

• Lateral support
• Additional resilience
• Fiber-to-fiber interaction
• Assistance with recovery after compression

A properly engineered combination can create a self-supporting turf structure without relying on loose infill.

For sports applications, manufacturers may use different straight-to-curly fiber ratios depending on grass height, yarn specification, density, and intended use.

Therefore, there is no universal ratio that is ideal for every project.