A nice pair of cricket shoes is always necessary when you set out to play in a fast-paced contest or the practice nets in preparation for a match. Cricket shoes provide your feet with much-needed support and can even improve your performance on the field. Additionally, a good pair of cricket shoes add a protective layer to help prevent injury.
If you're a batsman, the perfect cricket shoes can help you adopt the proper posture and stance to confront the incoming ball. The appropriate cricket shoes can enable you to run faster and maintain balance if you're a fielder. For bowlers, the right pair will aid in landing perfectly and stabilize your hand for an overarm delivery.
Let's talk about cricket shoes' varieties and features before getting into the specifics of how to choose the right cricket shoes.
Main Components Of Cricket Shoes
1. Outsole
The outsole is the most crucial component when choosing a shoe. There are three different kinds of outsoles: rubber studs, half-spikes, and complete metal spikes.
2. Upper
This portion protects the foot. It ought to be airy, pliable, light and made of right materials.
3. Midsole
The layer between the outsole and insole is the midsole. It performs the fundamental role of a shock absorbent.
4. Sock Liner
The component that comes into direct contact with the foot is the sock liner. It serves as an additional layer of padding for the foot.
5. Heel
The primary function of a shoe heel is to protect the foot. It needs to be both supportive and firm.
6. Torsion Bar
Some brands add a torsion bar (or TRUSSTIC technology) to prevent shoes from twisting mid-movement, thus adding to their stability and flexibility.
7. Lasting
Choose a lasting based on how much your feet pronate. You have three choices: combination, slip, and partial lasting.
Types Of Cricket Shoes
Primarily, three types of cricket shoes are available in the market.
Batting Shoes
Batting shoes are usually rubber studs/spikes that give a good grip and traction and are low-profile, so the batsman can move swiftly to run between wickets.
Bowling Shoes
Although bowling shoes look like shoes, they are frequently referred to as boots due to certain types' slightly raised ankles, which give bowlers better support during a quick bowling motion. Many fast bowlers also prefer metal spike shoes or half spike shoes as this gives them the grip and control for faster deliveries.
Fielding Shoes
These shoes, commonly referred to as "all-rounders," were made primarily for fielders. However, since they are typically lighter than shoes designated for usage in a particular fashion, other players can also use them. Again the rubber spikes are best for this purpose to give a grip on turf or grass.
Things To Keep In Mind While Choosing The Right Cricket Shoes
It can be challenging to choose suitable cricket shoes when so many cricket shoe brands claim to offer a better quality pair than others. These points will help you select the perfect pair of shoes, whether you are about to play international cricket or a fun-filled match with your mates.
Rubber Sole Or Spikes
The most critical question is if you should opt for a rubber sole or spikes. For a cricket match on synthetic turf, rubber-soled shoes are ideal. The ideal choice is to wear spiked shoes when playing on grass; it helps you grip the ground better. Metal spikes are also chosen by fast bowlers but all other players prefer either half spikes for flexibility to convert or the easier to use rubber spikes.
Both batsmen and fast bowlers benefit from the improved grip since it relieves pressure on the foot. Bowlers may need to wear footwear with extra spikes. But those batting ought to favor footwear with fewer spikes or rubber cleats.
Material And Design
The most crucial factor to consider while purchasing cricket shoes is the appropriate material, from the outer portion to the sole. Look for shoes made from high-quality components like polyurethane, microfibre, and premium synthetics. Shoes made from these materials are incredibly comfortable, durable, and lightweight.
The most important element is the outsole that needs to be a particular rubber DIN to have the right proportion of flex to not impair movement yet be hard enough for a great grip.
The midsole and the in-sock also play a crucial role in giving the right cushioning when you land on your feet after a jump or run. The material for this again should be the right mix of durable and soft.
Design should be taken into account while purchasing cricket shoes.
The frontal section and sole should be well-designed to reduce wear and potential injury. Good designs will also make your gruelling net practice sessions and challenging games much more bearable.
Cushioning And Breathability
Cricket matches and practices are highly time-consuming. You must put in a lot of time on the field, whether you are a wicketkeeper, pitcher, or fielder. Add to this the game's extensive running requirements. As a result, cushioning should be considered while selecting the best cricket shoes.
The lower legs, knees, ankles, and toes will experience less stress if you wear shoes with extra cushioning. It will help reduce the impact on the body, reduce the likelihood of weariness, provide shock absorption, and prevent any potential injury concerns. The SOLM8 GEL FOAM INSOLE: made from proprietary foam with arch support and 8mm heel bounce lets you play comfortably on hard grounds/ turf.
The midsole also needs to be made of a softer material than the harder rubber outsole, in the case of SOLM8 we use the right EVA to give maximum heel and arch cushion protection.
Breathability is another critical aspect of your cricket shoes. Improved shoe ventilation and appropriate breathing room guarantee faster moisture absorption, much less moisture buildup, and free movement.
If the cricket shoes strongly emphasize both breathability and cushioning, it assures that you may play for extended periods without discomfort and risk of allergies and blistering.
Shoe Fit
When buying men’s turf shoes, one thing to consider is the shape of your foot. The three primary shapes are square feet, standard feet, and broader feet.
The correct cricket shoes must also fit your ankle height because most athletic shoe manufacturers offer three distinct sizes based on the same. While mid-ankle height shoes give excellent stability during sprinting or running on rugged and rough surfaces like asphalt or concrete, low-ankle height shoes offer greater flexibility.
Expertise And Surface
Cricket shoes are often also selected depending on one's level of professional experience. Professional cricketers must invest in shoes that can survive demanding, extended games.
When selecting your cricket shoes, keep the playing surface in mind. Cricket players should wear metal or half spikes shoes when playing on grass. These shoes are essential for fielders and bowlers to prevent slippage. Rubber soles are an all time easy to use favorite that is fast replacing metal spikes due to ease of use, and is favored on synthetic pitches to lessen stress and foot problems.
Fielding Position
Your position on the squad will significantly impact the type of shoes you need. It differs for a batter compared to a fielder or a bowler. Let's go through each playing position in more depth.
1. Batsman
Half-spiked shoes are the best option for a batsman. They are comfortable and light. They also provide a secure grip for running. Additionally, they offer a superb balance for playing big shots. However if you play for fun then rubber spike shoes are also adequate to give good grip and traction for running between wickets.
2. Bowler
The grip of the shoes is the key for a bowler. Always wear footwear that provides the best traction. So, your best option on the field ought to be well-built rubber shoes. A fast bowler must choose shoes with a good grip around the ankle joints. You will benefit from this in terms of bowling line-and-length and injury prevention.
3. All-Rounder
The footwear for all-rounders is designed for a fielder because they must fulfill multiple responsibilities. They are designed to perform in multiple capacities, with a sole that, if needed, can swap out whole and partial spikes. This design elevates it to the status of an all-around shoe, making it more akin to the fielders. But here again the rubber spikes are most popular today as against traditional metal spikes due to multi-functionality and ease.
Weather Conditions
Cricket is a game played in every type of weather. So if you anticipate playing in humid or wet conditions, keep that in mind while buying shoes. As the terrain gets wetter and slicker, it will become more treacherous. Therefore, wearing shoes that ensure your feet stay dry while offering the most traction and stability possible is crucial.
Budget
Price is essential when choosing the best cricket shoes for your matches and practice sessions. You can avoid excessively pricey shoes, especially if you are a beginner. Expensive shoes don't guarantee quality. There are upgraded possibilities once you begin to play the game at a more competitive and professional level. But try to find good cricket shoe quality even on a budget. They can be economical, but they must still show sturdiness and flexibility.
Conclusion
Players should consider the shoe's material before making a purchase when looking for cricket shoes. A cricket shoe is often made of polyurethane, sometimes known as PU, which is an artificial leather. It is extraordinarily flexible and soft, allowing for complete foot motion. The legroom should be sufficient, and the material should be comfortable and breathable. The cushioning in the midsoles is crucial since it safeguards the feet and toes from injury while playing cricket. The outsole should be well designed with spikes placed at a predefined interval to give most grip.
