From a distance, indoor and outdoor basketballs can appear very much the same. However, you might be surprised to know that each type of ball has a particular design that is specifically suited to the environment they will be used in.
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Indoor basketballs are designed to be played on a wooden indoor basketball court, while outdoor basketballs (yes, you guessed it!) are made for outdoor basketball surfaces, like an asphalt court or concrete driveway. Some basketballs are even intended to be played on both. These are called indoor/outdoor basketballs or hybrids.
Ok, got that. But what is the actual difference, other than where you use it?
Cover Material:
The most significant difference between an indoor and outdoor basketball is the materials used. To be short and sweet, indoor basketballs are typically made of full-grain leather while outdoor basketballs are either made of rubber or composite leather.
What is composite leather?
Composite leather is a synthetic material encompassing both leather and plastic components. It feels similar to leather but is much cheaper to produce and more durable. Hence, composite leather is also typically used to make hybrid basketballs, which perform well indoors but are sturdy enough to withstand the rigours of outdoor play.
As indoor basketballs are made of 100% genuine leather, they often feel overly firm to start with and need to be ‘broken in’ (i.e. softened) with regular use to achieve an ideal feel and grip. For this reason, we don’t recommend buying a brand new indoor basketball for an important game because the ball will be far too slick and will most likely lead to a match of frustrating slips.
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One of the most important things to know about indoor basketballs is they should NEVER be played outdoors on asphalt or concrete surfaces. As these balls are made from high-quality leather, they will not withstand the hard surfaces, dust and rain of outdoor basketball courts and will consequently deteriorate quickly, resulting in a peeling and reduced grip.
On the other hand, outdoor basketballs have been designed with durability and harsh environments in mind. The artificial rubber and composite leather covers provide added strength to withstand hours of pounding on hard surfaces and adverse conditions, like wet weather and metal nets. Both materials provide a consistent feel from day one and ensure the ball is ready for immediate use. With that said, rubber balls are generally the most durable of the two materials.
Flexibility:
If you’ve played basketball as a sport for some years, you’d know how unpleasant using an indoor ball on an outdoor court is. You may have even stubbed a finger or two trying to control your outdoor ball inside.
For those who don’t know, outdoor basketballs feel far too hard and bouncy when used on wooden indoor courts. With that said, it is possible to slightly deflate an outdoor ball and use it with considerably good performance indoors. Indoor basketballs, on the other hand, are not so flexible and will always feel flat and cumbersome when used outdoors. Plus, considering their fragile leather surface, they should NEVER be used outdoors anyway (just in case you didn’t hear me the first time).
Performance:
Indoor balls have a superior playing experience when played indoors. Sorry to point out the obvious, but this is the reason professional, collegiate and high school teams all use indoor balls on indoor courts. But why do they perform so much better?
High-quality indoor leather balls typically have 35,000 pebbles over the entire ball surface. This is equivalent to 122 pebbles per square inch and gives the ball a superior grip and stickiness. Even when covered in sweat, a sufficiently broken-in leather ball doesn’t lose grip.
On the other hand, outdoor rubber basketballs typically have larger pebbles and hence fewer per square inch, giving the balls a rougher feel and weaker grip. Composite leather, commonly found on hybrid basketballs offers a better grip and more tacky feel, similar to a genuine leather indoor ball.
Are you wondering which basketball has the best grip? Our favourite indoor basketball in terms of grip is the Wilson Evolution, while the Spalding NBA Zi/O has the best grip out of all hybrid basketballs.
Cost:
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There is a notable price difference between the two types of balls. While prices vary dramatically between brands, indoors balls are typically more expensive than outdoor balls. Indoor basketballs typically range from $40 – $90, with some costing up to $150. In contrast, you can find a decent outdoor ball for as little as $15.
Quite a decent gap… So why do they vary so much? It comes down to the quality and cost of the materials and craftsmanship. For example, you’ve already seen that indoor basketballs are made of 100% genuine leather, obviously an expensive material to source in comparison to synthetic rubber.
Durability:
If used correctly, both indoor and outdoor balls are durable and can be used for many years. But, due to the simple fact that full grain leather is a head above the rest when it comes to longevity, you can expect an indoor ball to outlive all others. That said, to make the most of your indoor ball’s extended lifespan, you must only ever use it indoors.
When it comes to outdoor and hybrid balls, durability often comes at a cost to the overall feel, grip and playability. For example, rubber is more durable than composite leather because it can wick away water much better and is less susceptible to tears. However, rubber balls lack the soft, tacky feel and grip that composite leather balls can achieve. When deciding what type of ball you want, you need to consider whether durability or playability is most important, among other things of course….
How to choose the right basketball for your needs?
As you can see, there are many pros and cons for each ball, but the important thing is choosing the right basketball for your needs.
If you or your child is just beginning, it’s unlikely you or they will be playing regularly on an indoor basketball court. Save your money and buy an outdoor basketball rather than an expensive indoor ball. When you’ve progressed to a stage where you’re playing competitively and training indoors on a regular basis, you can invest in an official indoor full grain leather ball. Just remember, if you want it to last, you need to care for it properly. That means never bouncing it outdoors, and always transporting it in a bag to your practice or game.
Alternatively, if you or your child plans to practice both outdoors and indoors, you may want to consider a hybrid basketball. These versatile balls can be an economical choice and perform well on both indoor and outdoor surfaces while maintaining their durability. Check out our favourite indoor/outdoor basketball here.
Still feeling confused?
If you’re still feeling confused about the difference between indoor and outdoor basketballs, feel free to check out our Best Basketball Guide of 2018. It’s full of plenty of helpful advice to make choosing the right basketball a whole lot easier so that you can spend more time on the court. Practice makes perfect!
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor
