CRICKET SHOES – BUYER’S GUIDE _ HOW TO CHOOSE CRICKET SHOES
Cricket shoe shopping should be considered one of the most exciting parts of the game!
Selecting the right size is only one part of making the right selection. In order to play the beautiful game of cricket with confidence, you must consider a few factors when choosing the right shoes for you
1.Size
A good size is important, of course.
You don’t want your shoes to be too tight that they cause discomfort, nor too large that they make it difficult to stride properly. Nowadays, with the rise of online shopping, you can pick the right shoe size without even trying it on.
2.What surfaces will you be playing on?
Do you plan to play on synthetic or turf pitches?
A good pair of rubber shoes is essential to gripping synthetic pitches. When soil or moisture from the outfield has been tracked onto the pitch, this is especially important. Running shoes or sports sneakers can become worn quickly, especially for bowlers.
It is necessary to wear spiked shoes on turf fields.
You see how shoe size is not the only factor to consider?!
3. Your Role as a Cricketer
Do you prefer to bat or bowl? Both, perhaps?
Batsmen should wear shoes with half-spikes. You may be limited in your ability to move around if your spikes are too long. It is important to have good footwork against both pace and spin bowling, and if your shoes do not allow you to do this, it will negatively affect your game and confidence.
Good cricket rubber shoes are important for synthetic surfaces, and you need the ultimate grip for bowlers. However, full cricket spikes are the way to go on turf, as they provide you with a complete grip through your delivery stride and follow-through. It’s also a good choice to wear shoes that provide extra ankle support, particularly if you’re a fast bowler.
Shoes with full or half spikes can be switched when necessary for all-rounders!
For more information on cricket shoes, see the following:
The “Upper”: The upper part of the shoe. If you know your size, you’d know that a little bit of room is important to cater for impact and reduce the impact on your toes.
The “Outsole”: Part of the shoe that makes direct contact with the ground. The surface you play on plus your cricketing role is key.
The “Midsole”: Layer between outsole and insole, which provides an important cushion. This is especially important if you are a bowler.
The “Sock Liner”: Extra cushioning around the heel and ankle areas. This is again important for bowlers, especially if you have a high-impact action.
4. Your Budget
A budget will help narrow down your choices.
If you are playing at a high level, or just want to be the best player you can be at any level, do aim for a higher budget shoe that provides an optimum level of performance, if possible.
But, in some circumstances, lower budgets work better. For example, if you are buying shoes for your 11-year-old son, going with a really expensive option is not ideal as your child is growing and will likely need new shoes in a year or two’s time.
Hopefully, these four tips help you choose the right cricket shoes to help with your performance!
