If you want to adopt a healthy cricket routine, you need to invest in the proper cricket gear to optimize your performance in every aspect of the game from jogging to warm-ups, nets practice sessions, and batting, bowling, and fielding on match day. Most newbie cricketers limit themselves to think that a proper helmet, protective gear, and cricket bat is all you need to head to a field. However, picking the right pair of cricket shoes helps create a solid foundation for success on the pitch, not just in terms of grip and stability but also comfort and protection from injuries.
In this post, we’ll walk readers through the anatomy of cricket shoes so they can understand what makes them different from common sports footwear.
The Anatomy of Cricket Shoes
Cricket shoes contain a host of technologies and advanced design material, all combined to work with your feet to give cricketers a great experience on the pitch. For example, cricket shoes specifically designed for bowlers offer superior grip to stabilize them in their followthrough after a delivery. Similarly, shoes designed specifically for batsmen offer additional comfort and prevent slipping when running between the wickets on natural pitches.
Most of the design materials and components are visible from the outside, while others may sound complicated. So, without further ado, let’s show you what exactly makes a great pair of cricket shoes:
Outsole
The outsole makes the base of the cricket shoes, and it’s generally made of high abrasion resistance rubber with or without cricket spikes. This material offers great cushioning and grip qualities on both natural and artificial pitches and can be incredibly durable, especially if you opt for brands like Kookaburra, Adidas, Gray-Nicolls and New Balance, etc. You can also find a range of cricket spikes available in the market according to the style of play and personal preferences. For example, medium and fast bowlers require a full spike show with a sturdy upper. In contrast, batsmen prefer lightweight, half spikes or spikeless shoes for additional comfort and bamboo trainer socks to wick away sweat.
Midsole
The midsole lies between the outsole and the upper part of cricket shoes. It is made of a spongy material, such as Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate, Solyte, or Phylon expanded foam, which offers excellent shock-absorbing properties. Most midsole materials in modern cricket shoes are also waterproof and offer UV protection.
Insole
The insole is a layer of a soft or hard, cushioning material stitched to the upper. It offers additional comfort to cricketers depending on their preferences. For instance, most batsmen prefer soft insoles, especially when batting in ODIs or Test matches. In contrast, fast bowlers usually opt for plastic, carbon fiber, or other rigid insole material to alleviate or eliminate pain or strain in the lower limbs.
Heel Collar
The heel collar or heel cuff is the topmost layer of a shoe that supports the heel and Achilles tendon. Its main purpose is to prevent the foot from slipping inside the shoe, thus, offering more stability while running. Many brands like ASICS, Kookaburra, and Nike use memory foam that shapes itself around the wearer’s heel every time they put it on.
Space Trusstic
The Space Trusstic is a plastic bridge found in the space behind the shoes’ arch section. This component is essential for performance as it optimizes shoe strength and stability while maintaining flexibility. The space behind the arch enables the natural motion of your foot by allowing it to deform while running.
Gel Cushioning
For cricket shoes, most brands add additional cushioning material, especially in the heel and forefoot to help attenuate the landing shock at a high pace. A gel is commonly used to reduce shock so batsmen and bowlers have to put in less energy to stabilize themselves. As a result, they feel less tired and are less prone to injuries due to increased forward motion.
Upper
The upper is the top part of the shoe, designed to hold your foot. Most cricket brands use soft and breathable materials, such as leather, polyethylene, or microfiber, to maximize comfort and durability on the field. Since cricketers spend hours on the pitch, these materials also help keep their feet cool/warm and dry in different conditions.
Conclusion
And there you have it – an overview of the components and materials in a pair of cricket shoes. Using this information, aspiring cricketers can make better purchase decisions at a cricket shop while browsing through different brands and material choices. Visually, most modern shoe designs look appealing, but if you’re going to wear them for hours, you should always prioritize performance.
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