10 Best Cricket Shoes in India 2021(ASICS, Adidas, and more)
Cricket shoes can be hard to pick as there are a variety of things that you need to consider before buying yourself a pair. The difference between buying a good pair and a great pair of cricket shoes can be massive. Many technical aspects can make your playing experience really smooth. Factors like breathability, sole grip type, and spikes are essential to be considered.
The surface on which you would be playing your cricket also affects your shoe purchase. This article will dig deep into the different shoe types. It will also guide you through the best cricket shoes to buy according to your role in a team. We will give you all the necessary information about how different shoes can impact your game. So keep reading!
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How to Choose Cricket Shoes in India - Buying Guide
Let us talk about everything you need to know about the right cricket shoes you need to play your best cricket. Depending on whether you are a batsman, a bowler, or a wicketkeeper, there are different shoes available to suit where you play.
Different Shoes for Different Playing Surfaces
One of the most important factors that need to be considered while buying a pair of cricket shoes is the playing surface. It would help if you bought the right pair for the surface you play on. There are many different surfaces - artificial/mat, natural grass, and indoor. Let's find out the difference in the shoes meant for all these surfaces.
Many cricket shoes have the outsole made of Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU), which is a sturdy material. It is ideal for cricket shoes as it avoids slippage and has a high tolerance to abrasion, splitting, cracking, and cuts. Cricket requires quick sprints and sharp turns while running, and TPU can make it easy for you.
Specialist Cricket Shoes for Natural Grass Pitch
The shoes for natural grass look just like regular sports shoes, except for spikes on their outsole. These spikes offer gripping to batsmen, fielders, and bowlers alike. Although specialised shoes for batsmen and bowlers are available now, they do not have a stark difference. Both of them use metal spikes, usually made of aluminium.
Rubber Dimple Shoes for Artificial Turf
Other than professional cricket, this sport is generally played on hard or artificial grounds. These artificial turfs can be mats or simply concrete. Shoes with spikes will not be practical on surfaces like these. Therefore, rubber soles are the best fit to play on a hard surface. The first product enlisted below, a shoe by ASICS, is an example of such shoes.
The rubber dimple design cricket shoes are also recommended for indoor cricket, where surfaces are usually synthetic or wooden. There are certain rubber sole shoes, however, that may leave a coloured mark on a wooden surface. To avoid this, you must go for shoes that fall under the category of "non-marking" footwear.
Look for Ample Cushioning
It goes without saying that a shoe has to have a lot of cushioning for you to feel comfortable. In cricket, it becomes more important as it requires you to make short sprints. Whether you are a bowler, batsman, or fielder, your running would involve a lot of pressure on the toes, especially the bowlers while stepping on the crease or the batsmen while running between the wickets.
There is no measure for cushioning, but it should just feel right when you wear a pair. Most of the cricket shoes might look like ordinary sports shoes, but the inside of these shoes is very different. There are also a variety of soles for different purposes. We'll discuss those further in this article.
These days, many cricket shoes come with EVA midsoles. EVA is lightweight and resists compression set. Midsoles are sandwiched between the outsole and insole and enable your feet to endure all challenges. This midsole makes it easier for fielders to jump and sprint, bowlers to run fast, and batsmen to run with ease between the wickets.
Try Before You Make an Online Purchase
This might sound very simple, but it's true! More often than not, it's about how a shoe feels to you. Your friend might have the same model, and he or she might recommend it highly, but it still does not mean that it will be a comfortable fit. In case you buy it in a store, make sure that you do a little jumping inside the store to make sure of its comfort.
If you are buying your cricket shoes online, you have the option of trying and returning within a few days. Kindly do no shy away from making a return as some people do. When checking for comfort, check that the toe must have at least a little free space in the front. Also, check that the back of the shoe has good cushioning to avoid shoe bite.
Know Your Cricket Spikes
There are various spikes and rubber soles available in cricket shoes. All of them solve different purposes. Let's read about them all and make it easy for you to make a purchase.
Bowlers Need Spikes on the Outsole
It is paramount for bowlers to wear cricket shoes with metal spikes on the outsole. They are vital if you are a fast bowler and land aggressively on the pitch. Not having a good grip can result in many "No-Balls" in your spell. Any slippage on the pitch can also result in bad injuries.
There are specialist bowling boots available now for high-impact actions. These shoes are designed for super-fast bowlers who need the least resistance in their run-up. As the game is getting more and more aggressive, such advancement in shoes is natural. These shoes, like basketball shoes, are made to protect your ankle. Their ankle is a little higher than other cricket shoes for extra protection.
Batsmen Get Many Options
The shoes that batsmen wear are specialist cricket shoes with a normal ankle height. There are many spike arrangements on the outsole for them. It then boils down to the batsman's personal preference. Shoes with a full set of spikes are great for pitches with moisture.
They create a lot of traction between the shoes and the pitch and avoid any slippage. Another type available is with a partial set of spikes. These shoes have spikes only on the front of the outsole. They aid in faster running than what you would be able to get from a full set of spikes.
Then there is another choice for batsmen - no spikes at all. These shoes have no metal spikes and have a simple rubber design on the outsole. These shoes are recommended for extremely hard pitches.
Different Shoes for Batting and Bowling
This is a genuine question, and the answer to this lies in the budget of the player as specialist cricket boots can be expensive. You can have a separate pair of shoes but getting a pair with a full set of spikes generally solves all the purposes.
These metal spikes are generally removable, so you can remove some of the spikes when playing on hard surfaces. This can save you from shelling out a lot of money only on cricket shoes.
Do Not Lose Your Momentum
You might have seen that some fast bowlers, such as Shoaib Akhtar and Ashish Nehra, used to cut a hole on the toe of their landing foot. This hole is cut to enable the bowler's landing foot to move more smoothly when a fast bowler delivers a ball. Some bowlers also wear two to three pairs of socks for that extra cushioning.
Nowadays, there are special shoes made to tackle this problem. They come with extra cushioning in the toe area, providing relief to fast bowlers while bowling. They easily absorb the blow and lets the bowler bowl his full pace. Some batsmen also prefer these shoes to save their feet from toe-squishing yorkers by some fast bowlers.
10 Best Cricket Shoes in India
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ASICS GEL-PEAKE 5 GS | | Ideal Shoes for Every Player | |
2 | SG Hilite 4.0 | | Metal Spikes at Affordable Price | |
3 | ASICS GEL-ODI | | Perfect for Batsmen | |
4 | Adidas 22 Yds | | Built for the Modern Day Batsmen | |
5 | Adidas Adipower Vector Mid 20 | | Specially Designed for Fast Bowlers | |
6 | Adidas Howzat Spike | | Boost Your Speed | |
7 | Nike Potential 3 | | Lightweight and Comfortable | |
8 | Puma 19.1 Bowling | | These Shoes Will Bowl You Over | |
9 | Puma 19 Fh | | For Long Hours on the Pitch | |
10 | Kookaburra KB Pro 2000 | | Low-Profile Shoes for More Athleticism |
Ideal Shoes for Every Player
This model by ASICS is the best pair if you play cricket on hard surfaces or you have just started getting training for the sport. These shoes with rubber dimples on the outsole give a great grip to batsmen, bowlers, and fielders alike. They are designed to offer remarkable performance, support, and comfort.
It uses midfoot Trusstic, a structure designed to minimize flex and enhance stability. It also offers rearfoot GEL to help with unavoidable impact forces during the game. These impact forces could be jumping to take a catch or bowling at high speed.
Metal Spikes at Affordable Price
The Hilite 4.0 by SG is one of the best cricket shoes with metal spikes in this price range. The toe area of these shoes is reinforced with microfiber polyurethane. It also has an extra durable heel counter that can absorb shock and add stability while running.
It uses EVA midsoles, which is lightweight and resists compression set. All in all, this model is really comfortable for all kinds of players playing on natural grass or mildly moist surfaces.
Perfect for Batsmen
These shoes are specifically designed to offer support and comfort while batting. It has a Fluid Ride midsole that provides excellent bounce back and cushioning to the batsman. This technology makes running between the wickets easy. It has a rearfoot GEL technology that helps absorb shock and alleviate soft tissue stress.
This model also comes with an option of traction plate studs and track-inspired pattern. You can choose either of them, depending on the surface you play on. ASICS has really evolved in its cricket products and these shoes are a great example for that.
Built for the Modern Day Batsmen
The Adidas 22 Yds is ideal for playing on hard surfaces. Adidas has used its adiPRENE-lined insole that dissipates rebound shockwaves, reducing stress on joints and soft tissues. The outsole is made with full-rubber Traxion technology, which is perfect for training in the nets.
These shoes are designed keeping the modern-day, aggressive batsman in mind. These shoes enable a batsman to react to anything that is thrown at him. The comfort of these shoes makes it easier for batsmen to stay on the pitch for long hours. It also provides an explosive turn of pace to convert those singles into doubles.
Specially Designed for Fast Bowlers
Adidas has designed the Adipower specifically for fast bowlers of the modern game. It provides unmatched cushioning and support when the bowler jumps and lands on the pitch. This pair has a beveled or sloping heel, which lets an easy transition through the crease.
The heel has also been given additional cushioning by adiprene, which makes the jump and land comfortable for the bowler. Stability is vital for a fast bowler, and these shoes provide that by using EVA midsole.
Boost Your Speed
The Adidas Howzat Spike cricket shoes contain adiPRENE midsole for enhanced shock absorption. The lightweight and other protective materials provide comfort and protection to your feet throughout the game. These shoes are fit for batsmen, bowlers, and fielders.
The TPU used on the outsole brings more stability and traction and reduces the weight of the shoes. The upper of these shoes is made of mesh and synthetic, which gives more breathability to your feet.
Lightweight and Comfortable
With a phylon midsole, made of compressed EVA foam, and a rubber outsole, the Nike Potential 3 delivers lightweight cushioning and superb grip on the field. These shoes are really flexible because of the synthetic leather upper. Players can wear these shoes in every position.
The rubber sole makes these shoe ideal for hard surfaces. They can be worn even on natural grass but not when the pitch is watered or has moisture. The lightweight of these shoes also assists in fast running.
These Shoes Will Bowl You Over
These shoes are carefully designed to offer support across forwards, backwards, and lateral movements. It has got metal spikes evenly spread on the outsole. Additionally, it has extra rubberised reinforcement on the toe area of the shoe. This enhances the durability of the shoe.
The length of the ankle of these shoes is a little higher than most other cricket shoes. It has got a neoprene sock on its ankle to provide more grip on the ankle and avoid twisting it while bowling. The EVA midsole, besides, ensures a cushy and jumpy experience to the bowler.
For Long Hours on the Pitch
These shoes are engineered with durability in mind. The ample cushioning and rubber soles provide a lot of comfort to the player and enables him or her to play for long hours. Puma has used the EVA midsole in these shoes as well. The reinforced toe cap makes sure that the players also get stability.
These shoes are ideal for hard surfaces and every kind of player on the field. However, its multi-studded rubber on the outsole gives a solid grip on both grass and hard surfaces. The synthetic upper of these shoes make them light and easy to clean too.
Low-Profile Shoes for More Athleticism
Kookaburra has made a name for itself in cricket over the years. The B Pro 2000 are its low-profile model with a unique mesh material used on the upper. The shoe is highly padded on the inside for more comfort. It provides mid-foot stability and thermoplastic heel counter for more support to cricketers in every position.
It has got a lightweight insole with from and heel shock absorption. The EVA midsole used by Kookaburra enables excellent shock absorbency. The spikes and high traction rubber outsole give a great grip on natural grass and mildly moist pitches.
Check Out Other Types of Shoes
It is a psychological fact that 90% of the people you meet, look at your feet first. Shoes can define your personality. In today's market, there are hundreds of style options. Other than style, you have different shoes for different purposes.
All the shoes are engineered to give you comfort based on your use. Running shoes are different from football shoes, and both of them are different from, say, cricket shoes. Check out our articles on running shoes and football shoes to know what exactly do you need to buy to improve your performance and avoid nasty injuries.
Summary
The sport of cricket has become much quicker and aggressive over the years. To cope with the new style of playing, you must buy the best equipment and products. These products not only improve your game but also avoid nasty injuries on the field.
If you play cricket regularly or wish to start playing, buying the right shoes should be your topmost priority. Some might say that shoes have higher precedence than even a cricket bat or ball - we won't disagree!
Author: Rudraveer
Top 5 Cricket Shoes
No. 1: ASICS｜GEL-PEAKE 5 GS
No. 2: SG｜Hilite 4.0
No. 3: ASICS｜GEL-ODI
No. 4: Adidas｜22 Yds
No. 5: Adidas｜Adipower Vector Mid 20
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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