Buying Guide: Best ASICS Netball Shoes for 2024
March 5, 2024 / ASICS Australia
Netball is an invigorating sport, with feats of athleticism in speed, agility and transitions.
The high demands of the cross court movement place a high demand on players’ lower limbs and their footwear.
The multi-directional changes required during a netball match sees players execute repetitive sideways movements, with a high need for lateral support, which running shoes aren't designed to handle or deliver. The stability required in a netball shoe is extremely important to keep your foot stable on the midsole and outsole to help you play at your best and assist in the prevention of injury.
How do I Choose a Netball Shoe?
Choosing the right netball shoes for you is going to depend on how you move on the court and what needs you have for your netball shoes. ASICS netball shoes are built for different player characteristics, with different features to help you play at your best. You may do a lot of running on the court and looking to improve your speed with a netball shoe that has a silhouette mimicking a running shoe. You may be more likely to turn and pivot on the court than other players and want a shoe that will provide more stability. You could want a hybrid of both, providing medium level support and lightweight cushioning.
Head into your nearest ASICS store for a personalised fitting service. One of our helpful staff can help you find the netball shoe that is right for your foot and playing style on the court.
Do you need special shoes for netball?
The short answer is Yes! If you play Netball often, your risk of lower limb injuries such as knee issues or ankle injuries are higher. You’ll want a shoe that supports your natural foot movements on the netball court.
What makes a good netball shoe?
Look for a Netball Shoe that has supportive features like slightly wider platforms and an outsole that wraps up over the edges of the midsole. This will give a little more protection for the player, stability for fast direction changes, and assist in the prevention of injuries like inversion ankle sprains that are common on the Netball Court.
Do kids need netball shoes?
It’s important for children’s developing feet to be supported and protected with correct shoes for playing Netball. While many kids may play netball in their everyday running shoes, many kids running shoes on the market use poor quality materials offering little support in the outsole and upper and less durability. Stability is the cornerstone of ASICS Netball Shoes for Kids , and we pride ourselves on the technological features of our Kids Netball Shoes to protect the young athlete.
What are the best ASICS Netball Shoes for different types of netballers?
ASICS Netball shoes are designed with different focuses in mind across the areas of protection, speed or a balanced all-rounder shoe. In providing shoes with a focus, each netballer can find the best netball shoes for them.
Protection: for added comfort and support
All ASICS netball shoes offer support for the dynamic movements of netball. ASICS netball shoes GEL-NETBURNER™ 20 and NETBURNER™ SHIELD FF offer further protection for those seeking that extra security.
Best ASICS netball shoes for protection
GEL NETBURNER ™ 20
For the player who is demanding on their shoes, requiring more durability and protection from stress that the lower limb is likely to encounter in netball. The GEL NETBURNERTM 20 provides the traditional stability with added DUOMAXTM for medial support at a reduced weight, with a lighter TPU coated upper. a wider fit offering For those who wish to feel stable on the platform and endeavor to protect from edge collapse.
The newest edition to the ASICS Netball range, the NETBURNER™ SHIELD FF is ideal for the ultimate support and stability on court when attacking and defending. Incorporating footwear features that were identified by the University of Melbourne research, the midsole design combines a lower 7mm heel drop with a Tri-Density midsole including DUOMAX™ technology to help reduce the load on the knee during dynamic movement. With TPU TRUSSTIC™ technology providing torsional support during lateral movements.
Speed: for quick shifts and changes in direction
Playing netball does see netballers run, but this differs to traditional single direction running. Netballers run in quick, short bursts as they look to accelerate off the transverse line, intercept the ball or create more space. The speed category of netball shoes blends together the required support and protection for netball, with the comfort, responsiveness and flexibility of a running shoe.
Best ASICS netball shoes for speed
Ideal for a player looking for that feel of a super lightweight running shoe, with increased forefoot flexion, and the added benefit of being much more supportive to the game of netball than a running shoe. The New Professional FF 4 features a number of new features such as ultra lightweight and supportive upper and a redesigned tougue. We worked closely with out Asics Ambassadors to ensure we created a shoe that stands up to the toughest games. The lightest shoe in the ASICS Netball range!
Balance: for all-rounded netball positions
In the dynamic game of Netball, athletes can have multiple needs. ASICS Netball shoe the NETBURNER BALLISTIC™ FF offers a balance between protection, durability and speed for defense, mid-court and attacking players.
Best ASICS netball shoes for balance
ASICS have brought to this new model a higher heel drop of 15mm to give additional heel cushioning and in the forefoot we have introduced the unique netball forefoot flex of the X-groove in the outsole. Available in both LO cut and MID TOP (MT) upper versions.
The same build as the NETBURNER BALLISTIC™ FF this MT (Mid Top) version offers a higher cut ankle to provide additional support and security for player
Starting Netball: for all netballers
For those who are only beginning to play netball or play socially with friends or at school, it is still important to wear shoes built for netball. Rotating in netball shoes for netball will help improve the durability and longevity of your shoes, as the netball shoes offer the required protection during play.
Best ASICS netball shoes for new netballers
The GEL-NETBURNER™ ACADEMY is built off similar tooling to the elite level NETBURNER™ PROFESSIONAL. The GEL-NETBURNER™ ACADEMY offers a similar lightweight running shoe feel as it delivers a balanced and durable model to withstand every movement across the netball court.
Versatile for the recreational netballer the GEL-GAME™ features TRUSSTIC™ technology that delivers better on court stability during lateral movements. With a foam midsole and GEL™ cushioning combining to increase shock absorption and help protect those learning to play netball.
Do you need different netball shoes based on your position?
Rather than focusing on the position you play, it is important to know your playing style and needs. Are you focused on speed? Do you need more protection? Do you want to feel balanced? By focusing on your own needs as a player rather than the demands of your position, you’ll be able to find the right netball shoes for you. As ultimately all netball shoes are built for the demands of netball and provide better stability and durability.
What Makes Netball Shoes Different?
Netball shoes are designed to handle the severe side to side movements players make on the netball court, with features that provide stability and keep the foot on the platform. The width and shape of the outsole differs from running shoes, with a midsole less prone to distortion. The rubber outsole is shaped differently on a netball shoe, going up and over the edge along the midsole, protecting the edge from wear when sharp pivot movements are made.
Can I Wear Running Shoes for Netball?
How your foot moves when playing netball is different to how it moves when running, so the shoes that you wear need to be different. One of the downfalls of wearing a running shoe to play netball in is that running shoes were built for movement in a linear motion forward, using materials that are not durable cross lateral movements. By not wearing a netball shoe the player opens themselves up to greater risk of injury.
How long do Netball Shoes Last?
It is no secret that netball is one of the most punishing sports on footwear and the lower limbs. When it comes to the comfort and durability of your ASICS netball shoes it is vital to consider two very important factors: your technique and the surface that you are playing on. Identifying these will help you to purchase a shoe that is going to feel better and last longer.
