Difference Between Batting And Bowling Shoes?

Differentiating batting shoes from bowling shoes can be pretty tricky at times, especially when you are a non-professional or you are new to the game. Because they are carrying out different and unique responsibilities, their shoe design is usually different. The shoes are tailor-made to meet those peculiarities their responsibilities demand. 

Batting shoes are the shoes worn by batsmen, whereas bowlers wear bowling shoes during a cricket game. Batters and bowlers have differing roles in the crickets sport. As such, they wear different shoes. 

So now, with the first principles out of the way, we can look in-depth into batting and bowling shoes proper and the other differences between them. 

I’ll be moving on to the other cricket shoe types, the different parts, and the best brands out there to choose from if you want to play. Afterward, I’ll conclude with the other protective gears used in cricket.

Related: Turf Shoes Vs. Cleats

What Are Batting Shoes?

As said before, batting shoes are worn by the batters in the crickets team. Batters are the persons tasked with the responsibility of defending the wicket and hitting the ball with the bat.

These shoes are usually of a normal height of cut. To explain further, the height of the shoes does not extend beyond the ankle level. 

Furthermore, batting shoes have different types in terms of the arrangement of spikes on the outsole. The outsole refers to the inferior surface of the shoe. Spikes are sharp metallic structures protruding from underneath the outsoles of the shoes. 

The different options of batting shoes available include batting shoes with a complete set of spikes, those with partial sets of spikes, and those with no spikes at all. 

1. Batting Shoes With Complete Spike Set

This is the ideal arrangement pattern. This type of batting shoe comes with spikes both in front and behind (the heel region).

The spikes help to maintain grip when running between the wickets. This area usually has little grass compared to the other parts of the pitch, so they must have a firm grip on the ground.

It is particularly useful on grounds with moisture on the surface and keeps the batter from slipping. You should not use this for very hard surfaces like indoors.

2. Batting Shoes With Partial Set of Spikes 

This type of batting shoe has spikes but only in front. The back does not have it. This shoe type is the intermediary between having no spike and having a complete set of spikes. 

3. Batting Shoes With No Spikes at All

This type of batting shoe doesn’t have spikes on the outsole. It is ideal for batters who are more comfortable with the rubber dimple design underneath instead of the spikes.

They come particularly useful on hard, sturdy pitches. Additionally, one advantage this type has over the others is that you can use it to play in all conditions, whether the ground surface is hard or has some moisture.

It can also be used indoors as spiked boots are better used outdoors. You can get it by getting a batting shoe with spikes and having them removed, although you may have to pay more. 

Also, batting shoes are made by manufacturers to offer protection to the batsmen’s feet from the potential danger the ball carries. This is because the ball can travel up to 100mph, and if it were to land on an uncovered foot, it would cause a lethal injury like fractures. 

What Are Bowling Shoes?

As mentioned previously, bowling shoes are shoes worn by bowlers. More often than not, bowler shoes get worn out quickly because they usually bang into the field as they deliver the ball. 

Whereas some batting shoes come without spikes on the outsoles, bowling shoes almost always come with spikes underneath. However, bowlers should always put on shoes with spikes underneath.

The reason is that the spikes help you maintain grip when you land your front foot on the popping crease when bowling. This way, it offers protection and keeps your front foot from slipping when it lands on the floor, which can cause serious injuries if it happens.

In addition, bowling shoes usually come with some unique modifications quite different from batting shoes. This is because bowlers are exposed to very high-impact forces that put extra stress on their ankles and feet. Thus, the unique modifications include:

• Bowling shoes are most times longer than the regular batting shoes. By this, I mean that bowling shoes reach higher above the ankles than an average batting shoe.

It usually extends close to the shin. This is to provide extra support and protection to the ankle joint from the constant strain during bowling. 

The height of the shoe depends on the bowler’s preference, but in general, the higher the reach of the shoe, the greater the level of protection and support your ankles get. More so, it provides extra cushioning for the bowler’s feet as they run. 

• In addition, the outsole of bowling shoes has a wider surface area than the normal batting shoes. This is because the wider surface area reduces the force transmitted to the forefoot upon impaction on the pitch during bowling. This helps to reduce fractures of the bones in the feet. 
• Furthermore, bowling shoes are made from a more costly material that’s usually of better quality than batting shoes. This is to afford the bowler a better absorption of impact when the boot hits the floor. Therefore, they are more expensive than batting shoes.

It’s also worthy to note that the best bowling shoes nowadays are unique because the right and left shoes are a bit different. One of the shoes is made to have the sliding ability on the non-dominant side, and the other shoe is made not to slide.

To illustrate, if a bowler is right-handed, the left shoe is made to have the sliding ability while the right shoe doesn’t. The shoe on the dominant side (the right-hand side in this example) is made to have a toe-stop so that the leg pushing off the ground will have better traction and be planted properly as an anchor during the slide. 

What Are the Other Types of Shoes Used in Crickets? 

I know you may be wondering whether batting shoes and bowling shoes are the only shoe types used by cricketers during a cricket game. Here, I’m going to cover the other shoe types used in crickets, and they include:

• Fielding shoes 
• All-rounder shoes 
• Indoor shoes 
• Outdoor shoes 

Fielding Shoes 

These are the shoes worn by fielders. Fielders are the persons in a cricket game that collects the ball after being struck by the batsman. He keeps the ball from crossing the field’s edge.

Most times, you can use bowling or batting shoes for fielding, irrespective of the fielding position you assume. However, fielding shoes must be light because you have to move swiftly as soon as the batsman hits the ball.

They are also made with spikes to provide a better grip, as fielders usually start from a stationary position. 

1. All-Rounder Shoes

All-Rounder shoes are shoes worn by an All-Rounder. An All-Rounder is a person that can both bat and bowl very well in the team. These shoes cover the basic needs of a cricketer. It provides protection and a good grip for easy movement. 

2. Indoor Shoes

Indoor shoes are also called Turf shoes. They are meant to be used indoors for training or in winter when the weather is usually bad, and you can’t play outdoors.

The soles are usually made of rubber studs with a dimple design underneath to grip hard, sturdy surfaces inside. They are used for artificial or wooden surfaces as they do not destroy the surfaces. 

3. Outdoor Shoes 

Even though spiked boots are mostly used outdoors, in some cases, you cannot use them.

For example, if the surface being played on is not grass, like an artificial pitch made of concrete or any other turf, you should use cricket shoes with outsoles made of rubber designs instead of spiked shoes. 

What Are the Parts and Structure of Cricket Shoes? 

It’s not enough knowing just the different types of cricket shoes available. What about the different parts? The parts of cricket shoes include:

• The Upper – this is the part of the shoe covering the dorsum of your foot. It is recommended that there be some space between the Upper and your foot to protect from impact. 
• The Outsole – this is the shoe part that hugs the ground. 
• The Insole – is the opposite of the outsole.
• The Midsole – joins the outsole and the insole together. It provides the shoe with cushioning. This is the most important part of the shoe for a bowler.
• The sock liner – provides additional cushion at the ankle and heel region. 

What Are The Best Brands of Cricket Shoes Available?

1. Adidas 

Having built a legacy for having good quality sports shoes, they are amongst the oldest yet most reliable sporting brands the world over. They also make Cricket shoes, and most of them come with spikes.

They are renowned for having shoes with superb comfort, support, and great grip. Examples include Adidas Men’s 360 Traxion and Adidas Predator 20.3 Firm Ground Sneaker Mens.

2. Puma

Puma has also been in the sports shoemaking business for a while. They are a popular brand, just like Adidas. They have turf shoes, batting, and bowling shoes. They also have spike and rubber shoes.

These shoes are designed to provide cricketers with comfort and to withstand long cricketing hours. They also help navigate past the stumps and provide cushioning.

Puma Men’s Spike 19.1 Cricket Shoe is an excellent example that you can find on Amazon:

3. Payntr 

Although generally less popular than the other brands in the world of sports, they are one of the best in making cricket shoes.

Boasting a former professional cricket legend in their bloodline, David Payntr conducted several research to make the best shoes suitable for cricketers.

These shoes combine the comfort of running shoes with the peculiarities needed for cricket shoes. They have batting, bowling, and all-rounder shoes. If you’ve been blown away by this, check out their products on Amazon:

• Payntr X MK3 Pimple Cricket Spike
• Payntr Bodyline 124 Batting/Keeping Cricket Shoes – AW21

4. New Balance 

New Balance cricket shoes have come well endorsed by some of the best bowlers in the world like Liam Plunkett, Dale Steyn, and Mark Wood.

They have a wide range collection of Cricket Shoes that keeps you safe and looks smart and slick. They are designed to protect you from the incredible thumping force produced during fast bowling.

They also have lightweight fielding shoes that help fielders cover vast turf when cricketing if you are a batsman looking for shoes that will elevate your game, look no further.

New Balance CK4040L4 Adult Cricket Spikes is an excellent example.

5. Asics

Asics cricket shoes are specially designed to help reduce the impact force when the heel strikes the ground. They are also designed to permit smooth movement and transitions.

They have bowling and batting shoes for men and women alike, and an excellent example you can check out on Amazon is ASICS Unisex’s Gel-Peake Cricket Shoes.

What Are the Other Protective Gears Used in Cricket? 

Almost every sport requires players to wear different protective gear, and cricket is no different. This is to keep them from sustaining injuries during the game.

Cricketers are not only required to put on cricket shoes. They are supposed to be fully kitted in a complete set of protective gears, and they include:

• Cricket helmet – to protect the batter’s skull.
• Chestguard – worn beneath the shirt to protect the chest region. 
• Arms guard – worn to protect the outside aspect of the forearm area. 
• Elbow guard – to protect the elbows. 
• Gloves – worn to protect the hands and all the joints there. Batters and the wicket-keeper typically use them. 
• Jock-pad – to protect the pubic area
• Thigh guards – reinforces the waist and guards the thighs. 
• Leg pads – worn for extra protection of the knees and shin area. 
• Clothing – including the cap, shirt, pants, and shoes.