Netball Shoes for Indoor vs. Outdoor Courts: What’s the Difference?

If you’re a netball player, you know the importance of having the right pair of shoes. Not only do they need to be comfortable, but they also need to provide the support and traction you need to make quick movements on the court. However, did you know that the type of netball shoes you need can differ depending on whether you’re playing on an indoor or outdoor court? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the differences between netball shoes for indoor and outdoor courts.

The Importance of Netball Shoes

Before we dive into the differences between indoor and outdoor netball shoes, let’s first discuss the importance of having proper netball shoes. Netball involves a lot of jumping, sudden stops, and changes in direction, which can put a lot of stress on your feet, ankles, and knees. Proper netball shoes can help absorb shock, provide stability and support, and prevent injuries.

Indoor Netball Shoes

Indoor netball shoes are designed specifically for use on indoor courts, which are typically made of wood, rubber, or other similar materials. These shoes are designed to provide excellent grip and traction on indoor surfaces, which can be particularly important when playing on polished wood floors. Indoor netball shoes often have a gum sole, which helps to provide grip on the court, and a flat sole to help with stability.

Features of Indoor Netball Shoes

Here are some key features of indoor netball shoes:

• Gum sole: Indoor netball shoes typically have a gum sole, which provides excellent grip on indoor surfaces.
• Flat sole: The flat sole of indoor netball shoes helps with stability when moving quickly on the court.
• Lightweight: Indoor netball shoes are often lightweight, which can help to improve your speed and agility on the court.
• Breathable: Many indoor netball shoes are designed with breathable materials to help keep your feet cool and dry during intense matches.

Examples of Indoor Netball Shoes

Here are some examples of popular indoor netball shoes:

Shoe	Brand	Price
Gel-Netburner	Asics	$120
Wave Stealth	Mizuno	$160
Netball Shoe	Nike	$90

Outdoor Netball Shoes

Outdoor netball shoes are designed for use on outdoor courts, which can be made of a variety of materials, including concrete, asphalt, and other hard surfaces. Outdoor netball shoes need to be durable and provide excellent grip and traction on uneven surfaces. These shoes often have a more aggressive sole to help provide grip on rough surfaces and a higher ankle cut to provide additional support.

Features of Outdoor Netball Shoes

Here are some key features of outdoor netball shoes:

• Durable: Outdoor netball shoes need to be durable to withstand the wear and tear of playing on hard, uneven surfaces.
• Aggressive sole: The sole of outdoor netball shoes is often more aggressive to help provide grip on rough surfaces.
• Higher ankle cut: Outdoor netball shoes often have a higher ankle cut to provide additional support when playing on uneven surfaces.
• Shock-absorbing: Outdoor netball shoes may have extra cushioning to help absorb shock when playing on hard surfaces.

Examples of Outdoor Netball Shoes

Here are some examples of popular outdoor netball shoes:

Shoe	Brand	Price
Gel-Netburner	Asics	$120
GEL-Professional	Asics	$160
Wave Phantom	Mizuno	$120

Choosing the Right Netball Shoes

When choosing netball shoes, it’s important to consider the type of court you’ll be playing on. However, there are other factors to consider as well, such as your playing style, foot shape, and personal preferences. Here are some tips for choosing the right netball shoes:

• Determine the type of court you’ll be playing on: If you’ll be playing mostly on indoor courts, choose indoor netball shoes. If you’ll be playing on outdoor courts, choose outdoor netball shoes.
• Consider your playing style: If you’re a fast player who likes to make quick movements, choose lightweight shoes with good traction. If you’re a shooter, look for shoes with good cushioning to absorb shock when jumping.
• Take your foot shape into account: If you have flat feet or high arches, look for shoes with extra support in the arches. If you have wide feet, look for shoes with a wider fit.
• Try on multiple pairs of shoes: Don’t be afraid to try on multiple pairs of shoes to find the one that fits you best. Walk around in them and make sure they feel comfortable and supportive.

Conclusion

Choosing the right pair of netball shoes can make a big difference in your performance on the court. Indoor and outdoor netball shoes have different features to provide the support and traction you need depending on the type of court you’ll be playing on. Consider your playing style, foot shape, and personal preferences when choosing netball shoes, and don’t be afraid to try on multiple pairs to find the right fit. With the right netball shoes, you’ll be able to play your best game and prevent injuries.