Buying an indoor/outdoor basketball? Find out which one suits you best!
At Burned Sports we have a wide range of indoor/outdoor basketballs. The question, of course, is how they all differ from each other. In this blog we briefly explain what you can expect from different indoor/outdoor balls.
What size basketball do I need?
The size and weight of a basketball can depend on whether you need a men's, women's or kids' ball. Here is an overview of the sizes and ages, based on the NBB guidelines (Dutch Basketball Federation).
Size 5 is for girls up to age 14 and boys up to age 12.
Size 6 is for girls from age 14 and boys from age 12. This is the largest size in women's basketball, so even senior women play with size 6.
Size 7 is for boys from age 14. This is the largest size in men's basketball, and it is used by all ages from 14 up.
On our website you can set a filter: set it to the size you want and you'll see all the balls that fall within that category.
What different surfaces are there?
There are many different surfaces you can play basketball on. That is also why there are so many different basketballs.
For example, the outdoor court around the corner from you is often made of asphalt or tiles. If you play on a court like that a lot, we recommend buying a rubber ball. These wear the slowest, but the downside is that they have little grip. Want a ball with more grip? Then take a look at an indoor/outdoor ball. These have more grip and don't wear out very quickly either. Keep in mind, though, that they wear faster than rubber balls.
Something you see outdoors more and more is a Flex Court. A Flex Court is a special type of tile that is laid on top of asphalt. These tiles have a shock-absorbing layer and a self-draining structure. It is a less rough surface than asphalt itself, so your ball also gets damaged less quickly. An indoor/outdoor ball is perfect for this. These balls have excellent grip and are very durable. Although these courts are less hard, they are still not the ideal court for a real leather indoor ball.
In professional basketball, games are often played on a hardwood court, usually oak. Balls barely wear on it, so you can safely choose an indoor ball. These have the best grip, but if you play with them outside they wear out quickly. On a hardwood court that isn't the case, and you can enjoy playing basketball for a long time. In addition, indoor courts in the Netherlands are often made of marmoleum. This is an elastic and very durable surface. The same really applies here as for a hardwood court. You can safely use a good indoor ball on it.
What about value for money?
The price differences between our indoor/outdoor balls are not very big. The slightly more expensive balls often have a better cover, made of better material. Broadly speaking, the balls don't differ much from each other; it's usually the small things that set them apart. For example, most Spalding balls are made of ZK microfiber and composite leather. As a result, the ball loses its grip less quickly on hard surfaces.
We hope we've been able to help you choose the perfect basketball. On our website we've written a clear description for every ball, so you know exactly what kind of ball you're buying. Still not 100% sure? You can always stop by our store to test, feel and look at the balls.
What are 3x3 basketballs?
The 3x3 basketball is the size of a size 6 ball, but weighs as much as a size 7 ball. That applies to kids, women and men. You use this ball in 3x3 basketball, and it's the go-to basketball on every playground.
What are the biggest differences between brands?
We carry indoor/outdoor balls from Wilson, Spalding, Jordan, Nike and Burned. Broadly speaking, the brands don't differ much from each other. It's often the small things that one does differently from the other. For example, Wilson invented Extended Range Tech, which redistributes the ball's weight from the inside so you can shoot even better from longer distances. In addition, most Wilson balls have a Micro-Touch Cover, an extra microscopic layer of texture on the cover that creates a double-layer grip. With Wilson you also see more often that the entire ball has a pebbled texture, even the logos and the channels. With the other brands you only see that on a small number of models. Spalding balls are extra soft and have good grip thanks to a microfiber technology. Spalding holds the patent on this microfiber tech, so you'll only find it at Spalding. These balls are often game-ready, straight out of the box. Burned balls are made of durable composite leather that is also wear-resistant. While most Wilson and Spalding balls are brown, Burned balls come in different colors.
What are the main differences between rubber and composite leather balls?
Rubber balls are made for playing on hard surfaces. Rubber is a very strong material, so the ball doesn't wear quickly when you play on the local court, in the street or on outdoor basketball courts. The downside of rubber is that it has little grip, which makes the ball harder to control. Composite leather is a mix of different materials. It makes the ball feel like real leather, so it also has better grip. The downside is that it wears slightly faster than a rubber ball, but still more slowly than a real leather ball. Rubber balls also have no bladder, while composite leather balls do. As a result, these balls keep their round shape longer than rubber balls. They do bounce a little less high than a rubber ball, though; whether you prefer that is a matter of personal taste.
Differences between indoor/outdoor and indoor basketballs
The biggest difference between these balls is that you can only use indoor balls when you play inside in a gym. Indoor/outdoor balls, on the other hand, can also be used outside on the local court. This has to do with the material the ball is made of. Indoor balls are often made of leather, which has a lot of grip and gives a soft feel. The downside is that it wears faster on asphalt or pavement and loses its grip. Indoor/outdoor balls are made of composite leather, a mix of different materials that makes it feel like a leather ball. Still, it wears less quickly, so you can easily play with it outside. The downside, though, is that although it feels more like real leather, it isn't. This means the grip is often lower and the ball feels less soft.
Differences between indoor/outdoor and outdoor basketballs
Indoor/outdoor balls are made of composite leather, a mix of different materials that makes it feel like a leather ball. Still, it wears less quickly, so you can easily play with it outside. Outdoor balls are made of rubber. This is a very strong material that barely wears on asphalt or pavement. The downside is that rubber has less grip. The material is also very hard, which makes the ball difficult to control because it's hard to grip all the way around. So an indoor/outdoor ball has better grip and is softer, but if you play every court into the ground every day, the ball will wear quickly. In that case an outdoor ball is better, because it lasts longer. It does have less grip, though, and doesn't feel soft. Another difference is that outdoor balls have no bladder. A bladder helps the ball keep its shape longer and gives a nicer bounce. With balls without a bladder, you run a greater risk that the ball bounces out when you hit the rim.
Top 2 indoor/outdoor basketballs in size 5
- The Wilson Reaction Pro is an excellent ball at a good price. It's designed so you can play with it at college and NCAA level. The composite leather cover, combined with the pebbled channels, offers very good grip. This ball also has a pressure lock, so it holds air longer for optimal ball pressure.
- The Spalding TF-250 is an excellent ball for the youngest basketball players among us. Thanks to its durable composite leather cover, you can enjoy it for a long time. The ball is made with an even better ZK Microfiber composite leather cover. Spalding holds the patent on this material, so you won't find it anywhere else. This cover wicks away sweat for long-lasting grip.
Top 3 indoor/outdoor basketballs in size 6
- The Wilson 3x3 Official England Basketball is no ordinary basketball. This ball is designed for the official FIBA 3x3 tournaments. 3x3 basketball is a separate branch of basketball in which you play 3 against 3. You also have only 1 basket to score in. 3x3 basketballs aren't like all the others: they're the size of a size 6 but weigh as much as a size 7. A special Grip-Line technique gives you extra grip while playing. The channels are made of rubber and pebbled for ultimate grip. That grip is even better thanks to a high-quality composite cover. This ball is especially recommended for people who play outdoors, but if you want to use it indoors, you can do that too.
- The Spalding TF-250 is an excellent ball for the youngest basketball players among us. Thanks to its durable composite leather cover, you can enjoy it for a long time. The ball is made with an even better ZK Microfiber composite leather cover. Spalding holds the patent on this material, so you won't find it anywhere else. This cover wicks away sweat for long-lasting grip. We carry it in two different colors: brown and orange/cream.
- Another very good option is our own ball, the Burned indoor/outdoor basketball. This ball can be used both indoors and outdoors. Thanks to its durable composite leather cover, it lasts a long time and has excellent grip. Thanks in part to its color, you and your skills can grab all the attention on the basketball court.
Top 3 indoor/outdoor basketballs in size 7
- The Wilson Reaction FPB has a supple composite leather cover. This provides a nice dribbling texture and very good grip. The ball bears the logo of the FPB, the logo of the Portuguese national team. Many national teams have this ball with their own logo on it, and this is the Portuguese version. This ball can be used both indoors and outdoors. Keep in mind, though, that it wears faster on asphalt and pavement. Even so, it can definitely take a beating.
- The Spalding NBA Silver has a great ball feel and good grip. That makes it one of the most popular balls in our range. The ball is made of various PU leathers, which makes it resistant to hard surfaces. It has a strong bladder, giving this ball a very nice bounce. You're in control of the ball and it won't easily bounce off the rim, which you often see with rubber balls.
- The Burned indoor/outdoor basketball is our own ball. It's made of durable composite leather. This gives it fantastic grip and also means it can take a beating. This ball can be used both indoors and outdoors. There's something for everyone, because we sell the ball in different colors. Show off your skills in your favorite color, such as brown, black/gold, orange or sand.
Want to keep playing basketball longer? Take care of your ball with these tips.
Of course you want to be able to play basketball for as long as possible. We at Burned Sports understand that, so we've put together a few tips you can follow to take care of your ball. That way you can keep playing with your favorite indoor, outdoor or indoor/outdoor basketball for a long time.
tip 1. If you want the ball to keep its grip longer, don't leave it outside in the rain and snow. Keep it indoors, because big changes in temperature make the ball wear faster. They can also cause it to lose its shape and fade.
tip 2. Inflate the ball properly. When the ball is properly inflated, it bounces better and keeps its shape nicely. If you leave it underinflated for too long, it can lose its shape and dribbling becomes harder too. So buy a good pump, such as the Spalding Dual Action pump.
tip 3. If you've played in the rain or cleaned the ball, dry it off with a towel. So don't let it dry outside or in the sun. If you do, the leather may crack.
We hope we've been able to help you choose the perfect basketball. On our website we've written a clear description for every ball, so you know exactly what you're buying. Still not 100% sure? You can always stop by our store to test, feel and look at the balls.
