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Cricket trainers or cricket boot?
There is no satisfying, off-the-shelf answer to this foot conundrum. It will largely depend on what feels comfortable to you. The encouraging news is that both have come on leaps and bounds.
You have both the high-cut bowling boots (with the cut being how high up the ankle the boot goes) and alternatively, there are cricket shoes â essentially trainers with spikes.
Some years back, my previous purchase had been a pair of top-of-the-range bowling boots.
No, not those colourful clogs with the seventies livery that they force you to put on indoors when you go in search of a double strike.
But, proper, bowling boots that various professional cricketers swore by.
They had a reinforced toe that was made from Batsmanâs bulletproof underpants and a strap across the top of each foot that locked you in like a snowboarder.
Consequently, the ankle support they offered was fantastic but at the expense of negligible risk of a turned ankle, they had roughly the same weight as a deep-sea diverâs boots. And felt about as comfortable.
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Cricket footwear is entirely a personal choice, not just to accommodate our weird and wonderful feet sizes and shapes but also how we walk and run.
Some cricketers will swear by a pair of boots that have seen them through 4,673 overs and are still going strong.
Others prefer lighter options that veer towards the standard trainer with the addition of spikes.
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The power of cushioning
In an ideal world, none of us would wear footwear at all. Weâre not designed as human beings to wear shoes. Until that nippy quick whoâs won the Division bowling award three years running lands a yorker on your big toe.
But given the barefoot option is a little impractical nowadays, cocooning your foot with cushioning will reduce the impact of each step. And we all need it because the force of many times our body weight travels through our feet as we run.
Itâs too simplistic to buy the cricket shoe with the most cushioning although it will likely as not decrease the chance of injury; it’s how it feels on and as you’re using it.
People tend to be shy about pacing purposely about the shop trying to get a real understanding of how they feel on their feet.
Don’t be. Testing, flexing and using the footwear in-store is part and parcel of making sure that ultimately you buy cannily.
Spend more
This is a recurring theme in my review articles and is not in any way tied to a specific brand. There are certain things in life you shouldnât scrimp on and footwear is one of them.
Of course, buy what you can afford but think about your cricket shoes lasting a few years.
As a student, I would buy cheap trainers that were comfortable but lasted no time at all.
At some point, I decided to go the opposite way and buy one of the top-priced trainers after visiting a running shop. It was something of a eureka moment.
One pair of Asics cricket shoes memorably felt like my feet were being cuddled by pillows. They lasted a few years with very heavy use.
Particularly so given my unusual bowling action. My trailing leg drags behind me like some odd anchor churning the pitch but also giving the footwear a terrible beating game after game.
What shoes are best for cricket?
There is plenty of choice with the different types of cricket shoes but you want:
* Fits well
* Comfort / support
* Grip
So, what shoes are best for cricket? The ones that feel right to you and your feet. There is no one brand that is THE best cricket shoe for fast bowlers or if you’re a batter.
Shop around, check online reviews and then buy with confidence.
Fitting Tips
Toe space â scenario, you have your hands on the last pair in the whole of Europe of the adidas 22 YDS Boost cricket shoes. They only have a size nine and youâre a size ten.
Do you: a) cram your precious pinkies into this trendy foot cabin and suffer accordingly but win style points or b) accept with stoic good grace that life can be cruel but the Pro Viper Version 7 will be out soon enough?
The moral of the story is don’t compromise; make sure you have enough space in your cricket shoe to wiggle your toes a bit.
Sizing is crucial and if youâre going through growth spurts then re-check your feet size periodically because our cute baby feet inevitably someday will mushroom outwards like Big Foot.
Stability â thereâs little point in buying a bells-and-whistles cricket shoe if itâs too big and your foot moves about.
It needs to be comfortable but stable. A bowler, at the point of delivery, doesnât want their foot sliding about, thereâs enough things to think about when hurling down that 158mph bouncer.
Cricket Spikes
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This article looks more generally at cricket footwear â with plenty of reference to trainers because many still wear just trainers during the summer.
Whether itâs wet or dry, cricket spikes give extra grip and are a no-brainer.
The choices include full spikes, half spikes (just at the front), rubber grips. Unless youâre playing on an artificial wicket, wear cricket spikes. No punchline needed.
A small but invaluable point to mention â clean your spikes before the next match.
I donât mean get out the power washer but certainly early season, the chances are your spikes will collect more mud than a Glastonbury festival. Hereâs the deeply scientific bit. Guess what, if that’s the case, they wonât grip anymore!
Another gold-standard tip – check your soles periodically and replace your spikes if you lose them.
It doesn’t take long but say you’re missing spikes all down the left-hand side, your feet really won’t appreciate it. It has even caused some cricketers to run round anti-clockwise in circles for hours.
Toe the lineâŚ
A reinforced toe is a popular feature in bowling boots to protect you when that front foot plants and shudders into the ground or if youâre a batter facing the threat from speedy toe-squishing deliveries.
Another tactic is wearing several pairs (these cricket grip socks are a bestseller). This will pad out and cushion your toes that bit more and might mean you escape some of the foot punishment.
Whatever age of cricketer, we will all have our own brands and designs we like.
Fan of adidas cricket spikes? Can’t get enough of New Balance cricket shoes? Fair enough.
I mainly stuck to ASICS, GM or Gray Nicolls but this was years before New Balance, adidas and Puma swooped into the cricket market – here’s some updated product advice.
Buy adidas cricket shoes
Thinking about adidas SL22 Boost, Vector, Adipower Vector Mid bowling boots, Howzat or SL22?
These come with the brand might of adidas and are popular, credible cricket shoes that have seen England Test cricket supremo Jimmy Anderson put his name to them.
The Adipower Vector range is more like a cricket spike you’re used to so lighter and more movement.
The Vector 20 Track Shoe is very popular and well-reviewed (but not cricket-specific).
The Adidas Adipower SL22 Cricket Shoe is geared towards batters.
Buy Kookaburra Cricket Shoes
Kookaburra cricket shoes have all of that thought and experience that come with a brand whose focus is on cricket.
The Kookaburra KC Players Spikes, with their black/white combo is a stylish option with its focus being ultra-lightweight, breathable and lots of shock-absorbing tech packed into the shoe.
Treat yourself to cricket shoes…
I haven’t reviewed all brands in this article but there is always something for everyone – Gray-Nicolls also feature strongly in the Best Sellers in Men’s Cricket Shoes on Amazon UK.
Indoor Cricket Shoes
Indoor cricket shoes are useful for when you’re training inside, whether that’s a game, fielding drills or indoor cricket nets.
The best indoor cricket shoes will tick the boxes you’ve read about above so they’ll fit well, be comfortable and supportive as well as have a good grip.
You won’t need cricket spikes for a sports hall (they’d ruin the surface and you’d fall over pretty soon too) so the requirements when you’re looking for the best indoor cricket shoes include rubber pimples or a typical trainer.
Gray Nicolls cricket shoes are popular and their Velocity range for indoor cricket has a rubber sole while other brands offer grip, cushioning and comfort to think about.
Can you wear trainers to wear cricket? Of course, many do, here are Trainers on Amazon to dive into and explore.
That’s it for this cricket shoes guide, I hope it’s been useful.
So, go forth and buy cricket spikes, bowling boots or indoor cricket shoes that will cuddle your feet while you dive full-long for the crease or thunder into bowl!
Interested in cricket bats and cricket helmets too?
Best Cricket Bat: Cricketers Guide [2024]
Best Cricket Helmets: Cricketers Guide [2024]
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John,
Hello and always good to receive your regular emails.
Although maybe no local cricket this season thought Iâd just like to sing the praises and very hard and many hours work of Mick Oldfield and his helpers who have the Sheriff Hutton Bridge CC ground in absolutely superb condition awaiting any games?
SHBCC are members of both the YPLN and The Y&DSCL.
Also, this year, have merged, or should I say taken over SHCC (at SHCCâs request due to lack of players) with Sheriff Hutton CC.
Hence now two grounds to maintain.
Is it worthwhile one of your write upâs?
Steve Aldous – SHBCC supporter and member.
Hi Steve, thanks for the message. I’ll drop you an email. If SHBCC want to do an article for CY, I’d be interested on the combined club and plans moving forwards.
Cheers, John.
I have a big confusion on the size of the shoe. I plan to buy the adidas mid vector 2020 shoe used by Jasprit Bumrah etc recently in the IPL this year. But I’m confused which size to buy uk9 or uk10. The size of my joggers is uk 9 and the spikes that I had before were of the size uk10 it was nike lunar audacity. But when I compare my old spike shoe with the one I’m planning to buy there’s a difference of 0.5 cm the nike shoe that I had was of the size uk10 and it’s measurement was 27.9cm and the adidas shoe I’m planning to buy it’s size is uk 9 and it’s measurement is 27.4 please help me with this I really don’t know which size to buy
Hi Anurag, different cricket shoe brands and types of shoe alter in measurement as you’ve found with Nike and adidas. Looks like you’re somewhere between 9 and 10. If you want the adidas mid vector shoe, you’ve got two choices. Buy the size 10 and if there’s too much space, either wear a thicker sock or get half a size down if possible. It looks like they do the shoe in half sizes so 9.5 might be your compromise to begin with. Either way, make sure you check the returns policy if you’re buying online. Enjoy your shoes.
Anurag like john suggest buy a 0.5 cm bigger shoes and wear a thicker socks from anyone btw EM cricket socks are quite good and wear by many international players. Hope you will feel comfortable that way.
Hi Mr John ! Good morning this is Waheed khan from Dubai nice to read your column. Actually i have a son he is 16 and left arm spinner. Fee days ago i was looking spikes for him but i could not found it in any adidas or Asicks sore can you pls kindly advise what to do.
Regards…
Hi Waheed, thanks for your comment. I hope you found some spikes for your son. Stock levels obviously change all the time with retailers online, particularly during Covid. Good luck!
Hello Sir,
I am a bit confuse between Puma 19.1 cricket shoes and Nike domain 2 shoes.Which one should I go for can you help ?
PS: I am an all-rounder (leg spinner)
Hi Ashish, I can’t advise between the two. if you can’t try both in a store, I’d watch video reviews of both and make your choice. Both excellent brands but just check the returns policy of the website in case they don’t fit how you want them to.
Thank you đ
Hi
I am medium pace bowler with a shorter run-up. I have been using ASICS gel notout series.i am confused between gel menace which is very sturdy however heavy and Adidas vector bowling shoes (light weight but complete mesh). Which one would you recommend for durability, stability and comfort.
Hi Rahul, you might not like this answer but I can’t recommend one over the other as I’ve not tried either myself and it’s a very individual choice. Do you prefer a lighter shoe or more protection? Cricket pikes feel very different to a bowling boot that encases the foot and protects the ankle more.
I have tried ASICS Gel Nimbus trainers in the past and they were extremely comfortable and durable. If you are already using one brand, perhaps explore what options ASICS have for 2021. If you’re buying online, wear them indoors and make sure they fit well and return them if not. Good luck!
Great review review John! I’m in the market for some new spikes so came in very helpful.
P.s Your old SPCC cricket write ups still make me smile
Sam (a.k.a Freddie lookalike)
Hi Sam, glad the review was useful, it’s a popular article. I remember us bowling together years back at Prov. I hope you’re keeping well and go well with your cricket in 2021.
One thing I remember asking years ago about boots was why high top bowling boots were stopped. I remember Howzat Cricket explaining that pros has stopped using them as they didn’t think they needed that protection. I did explain that pros dont bowl on club tracks with footholes several CM deep. At this point I moved to having trainers (for basketball specifically) spiked the same makes as the cricket boots themselves (Addidas, Nike) but this made the boots very heavy. After breaking my ankle I had some boots made for me this cost ÂŁ500 but was totally worth it and given how little I bat and therefore spend on batting equipment (my bat is a raffle prize) it was worth it for me. Ian Mason has retired now due to ill health and there are no specialist boot makers in the whole of the UK as far as I can tell, only the likey of Owzat Cricket adding spikes onto the bottom of trainers. This seems a market a skilled cobbler out there could fill, with so many bespoke bats, kits and keeping gloves bespoke boots seem to be a market for high price but high quality personally designed goods. Many people who own a hand made boots by Ian Mason have never got another pair.
Hi Aden, thanks for the comment. There is a Payntr cricket shoes feature coming soon that might be of interest. They began because pro cricketers would use a cobbler to spike the trainers of county cricketers and there was a gap in the market for light, comfortable cricket shoes with spikes. I’ve worn high ankle bowling boots and just trainers and it’s personal preference, isn’t it, with protecting our feet get vs weight.
I do think investing in headwear and footwear pays off with longevity and potentially less injuries.
Hi John,
Trust all well.
I am having issue while bowling wherein the toe gets pressed and hurts. I have read of creating a hole to release the toe and should address.
Do you in your experience have seen shows which already have hole made ?
I am right handed fast-medium. Toe I am struggling is left.
Thanks
Milind
Hi Milind, thanks for the question. As a bowler, I also had toe injuries from where my foot would slam into the ground. It’s very common. Shoes don’t have holes cut in them. Some bowlers choose to cut holes in the shoe where the toe is hurt. I tried this and it didn’t really work. It might have relieved a bit of pressure but just meant my toe was now able to slam against the shoe AND the ground!
My advice? Look for shoes with reinforced toe, extra cushioning and consider thicker socks to pad the toe. You’ll always get that impact but you can protect the toe better.
Also, look carefully at the fit of the cricket shoe. You want enough room to be able to move your toes a bit but not so much so the foot slides in the shoes as this will make things worse.
I hope this helps! If you liked the comment, just share cricketyorkshire.com with cricket friends you know! Thanks, John.
I really like the review. I think I am more in Payntr cricket shoes with laces. I tried 1 local brand, its quite okay but I want more comfort. So I decided to buy Payntr after a few days. Thank You John for the review.
Dear John,
do batting shoes come with toe protectors these days? would you recommend one with better cushioning?
Hi Jay, it depends and will vary brand to brand…sorry I can’t nail this down for you…bowling spikes will typically come with a reinforced toe because of the force on the feet during the bowling action but it’s not always the same with batting shoes. They tend to be a hybrid so some protection but not too heavy. Of course, you could get a yorker on your toe so I’d advise protection đ I think there’s probably a trend for lighter shoes where once heavy batting and bowling boots were the norm.
Obviously the impact on your foot isn’t as severe when setting off for a run from a batting stance – compared to running into bowl and landing. Payntr’s XPF All-Rounder shoe sits in between and is geared towards batting. Good luck with your search Jay!
Hi John,
Trust this finds you well,
I got injured during a match. A Pacer hit my right foot with a deadly yorker.
I need your help to choose a nice pair of shoes which can protect me from such injuries in the future.
Hi Azeem, sorry to hear about your injury. A cricket ball on the toe is not fun at all. Well, you need a pair of cricket shoes that have protection at the front.
A reinforced toe is common in the product description. It depends how heavy or light you want your footwear too as a proper bowling boot can have more padding or a plastic guard at the front but weighs more.
If you have a lighter trainer, it might well have less protection than a bowling boot.
One thing to note is that you don’t always get hit on the front of the toe neatly. Perhaps your foot has moved when playing a shot or perhaps the ball missed your bat and landed on the top of the shoe (where there often isn’t much padding at all).
All things to consider, good luck with it and Payntr are a good brand to think about but plenty of choice out there.
Hi, John, do you sell – or know another place where they do– size 15UK cricket spikes?
Hey Thia, it looks very tough to find size 15 UK cricket spikes having had a search myself for you.
2 options to think about. Either choose a 14.5 size and try them to see if they’ll be ok.
Serious Cricket do a Payntr and two New Balance spikes in 14.5:
https://www.serioussport.co.uk/cricket/cricket-footwear?af=cricket-yorkshire
(This is an affiliate link as I work with them).
Or, get some trainers customised to become spikes. Someone like Shoe Sheriff does this for cricketers.
https://www.facebook.com/shoesheriff1/
Hope this helps, good luck!
Really useful -thanks John. Still not enough info about which shoes are best to take an 8mph yorker direct on to the instep, whilst wearing? Many of them appear to be jusr fabric and the laces don’t help, arguably they can make injuries worse. I’m a rank amateur but you’d think that pros would expect to be able to offer that most delicate part of their “apparatus” a goodly bit of protection. That never gets a mention in the advertising “blurb” for these shoes. Help…?!
Hi Richard, thanks for the comment. It’s a great question. It will partly depend how important a light shoe is compared to one that protects your foot robustly. There’s a balance there in different designs and brands.
The toe and ankle tend to be key areas to stabilise and protect so you’re right in that I can’t think that the instep is often catered for. I guess because it’s more likely you’ll be hit on the toe or top of the foot but your foot naturally twists and moves when batting so that’s where your instep is open to a clonk with a hard ball. My only suggestion is if it’s important to you, look at footwear that lean towards the bowling boot design where there might be more tougher plastic further around the foot. Hope that helps a little. Google search for bowling boots by image could be a way to go.
I meant 80 mph yorker of course!
R.A.
Hi John, I meant the top of the foot (I thought that’s what an instep was!) as that area tends to be the target when a number 11 bat plants his or her foot down for a forward defensive!
Ok, crossed wires (but you are absolutely correct on the term for instep đ) and my advice still applies whether it’s the top of the foot or the side.
I am a proud former number 11 who got hit on the toe and/or the top of the foot many times. Brands tend to have some protection there but there is a trend towards spikes having some hard plastic coating for toes but more open up top looking like a classic trainer with aerated holes.
It’s hard to find an old-school bowling foot which encases your feet on top completely. Via Cricket Yorkshire, I work with Payntr and Serious Cricket (other major brands) so some good otopns for you – good luck!
PS: Look for shoes that protect you more towards 80mph rather than 8!!
sir, I want size 4 full spike balling shoes
Hi Qurshid, good luck with your search for cricket shoes. Plenty of choice.
We partner with Serious Cricket – https://www.serioussport.co.uk/cricket/cricket-footwear – where you can search by shoe size.
hi đ, I am a fast bowler, 16 year old. Many cricket grounds in india don’t allow us bowlers to wear spikes to save pitch for professional matches.
requesting your viwes on what is next best I can buy. Currently i wear New Balance CK 4040 Spikes and Asics peake 2 studs. But I feel I don’t get good grip from those studs as they are are not pointy.
please recommend đ me good studs that have best grip.
Hi Hemant, thanks for the message. I’d probably suggest a cricket shop you can visit in person (if that’s possible) to try on different brands and see what feels right.
Of course, it’s tricky to mimic bowling or batting in spikes without doing it – by which time you can’t return the shoes! It’s actually good news that you’ve worked out what spikes don’t feel comfortable for you. Can be a bit trial and error. It might not be the shape of the spikes but how the cushioning in the shoes is to protect your feet.
Like I say in the article, it’s partly if you prefer a lighter bowling shoes with spikes (in which case something like Adidas Adi Power might work) or a bowling boot (like a Puma 22.1).
Good luck!