Playing basketball outside is a good way to get practice in. I know growing up and playing on the black top improved my skills more than any other time. If you bought a new pair of basketball sneakers however, you may be wondering if the outdoor court might ruin the sneakers for you. So what’s the truth? Do outdoor courts ruin basketball sneakers?
Let’s start by saying that basketball sneakers can withstand both indoor and outdoor courts. It wouldn’t make sense to make basketball sneakers that are only meant for indoor courts, as a very high percentage of pick up basketball is played outside. However, basketball sneakers do tend to wear down faster outside, so if you buy a pair of sneakers for the season (organized basketball), you should keep those shoes strictly for indoor courts.
Why Do Basketball Shoes Wear Down Faster Outside?
The thing it comes down to most is the friction. When you play on courts that are concrete or asphalt, the friction from your shoes on the surface will wear down the soles of your sneakers.
with indoor courts, hardwood floors tend to be a little bit more slippery, so you don’t experience as much friction.
if you pay attention to the noise made when sliding your feet on a concrete or asphalt court, you’ll notice that it is more of hard, gritty, scraping noise than you would hear on a hardwood floor.
The most you’ll hear on a hardwood floor is a slight screach or squeak.
How Long Do Basketball Sneakers Last Outdoors?
There are many factors to take into consideration when it comes to how long basketball sneakers last outdoors. Let’s go over a few of them below:
What Kind Of Shoes Are They?
If you buy a cheaper shoe, chances are they are made with a cheaper material. The cheaper the material, the faster they will break down. If you purchase a more expensive shoe, chances are the soles will last much longer.
What Kind Of Court Do You Play On?
There are many different types of outdoor courts. There’s concrete, which is pretty rough on your basketball sneakers. Net up is asphalt courts, which most outdoor courts are made out of. Asphalt is better than concrete, but it’s still hard on your shoes. Lastly, is an outdoor rubber court, which isn’t as good as hardwood floor, but could be better than asphalt and concrete.
What Type Of Player Are You?
Do you make a lot of cuts, and changes of speed. If so, hate to break it to you, but your shoes will break down faster than most people. If you are a slower, more controlled player, then your shoes should last a bit longer than others.
How Often Do You Play?
Last but not least, is how often you play. If you play once per month, or only once or twice per week, the shoes should last a pretty long time. However, if you play every single day, there’s no doubt your shoes will wear down faster.
What Are Some Tips For Playing In your Basketball Sneakers Outside?
There are a couple of different tips you should use for playing outside with your basketball sneakers.
Save up For a Second Pair Of Shoes
The first tip, is to try and save up for two pairs of shoes. Instead of worrying about ruining the pair you plan to use for the season, keep a backup pair that is strictly meant for outdoor play.
Work On Your Jump-shot
If you really want to preserve the shoes that bad, instead of going crazy with slashing and cutting, work on your jumpshot. This way you will avoid a lot of the wear and tear of your shoes and help an important part of your game.
Don’t Play In Wet Climates
If you want to ruin your shoes before they even get worn down, head out to the court and play when it’s wet. Playing in wet climates will not only ruin your shoes (by making them smell), but also make you more prone to injuries as well.
What Are The Best Basketball Sneakers For Outdoors?
Now it’s time to figure out what the best basketball sneakers for outdoors are. Instead of going over individual shoes, we’re going to go over some factors that you should take into consideration when shopping for basketball shoes.
Watch Reviews
The first thing I recommend you to do is look up reviews. Every year will be different when it comes to basketball shoes, so if you could get a good source that tests out the durability of different shoes, you could easily choose your favorite basketball sneakers.
Dense Soles
If you pay attention to the soles of different sneakers, you’ll realize that a lot of them have very very thin soles in order to keep the shoes light weight. However, this is not ideal for outdoor play. Instead, try and look for a pair of basketball sneakers with more dense soles that will hold up to the rough court better than other shoes.
Wide and Deep Traction Grooves
This is important because the traction grooves are what will hold the sole of your basketball sneakers onto court. If they are very shallow and not wide enough, you may find yourself slipping.
Strong Material On The top Of The Shoe
As we mentioned before, light is the name of the game the last couple of years when it comes to shoes for basketball. However, if you want something that will hold up to the wear and tear of a rough outdoor court, then you will need to find a shoe that has a sturdy material on the upper portion of the shoe.
In Summary
So to answer your question, basketball shoes are good to use outside, however, they may not hold up to the abuse that an outdoor basketball court will put on them. If it’s your overall goal to preserve them, save them for when you play indoor, or work on your jump shot when you go outside.
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