Neverflat by Spalding – one of the worst balls you can buy
When shopping make sure you stay clear of or at least be warned about this particular model. It is way too light, and the system for keeping it “never-flat” is an additional layer which keeps the air trapped, so playing with this ball does feel a bit strange and un-controlled during a game. Also, if you purchase your ball flat, you cannot inflate it for one year, because it will lose its warranty. Plus, the ball doesn’t have sufficient grip for use in dusty or wet environments. So, be aware of these small details when buying the best basketball for outdoor use.
What to look for in a good outdoor basketball?
Material
When looking for the best basketball for outdoors, keep in mind that typically the balls for street play are light, made of composite or synthetic leather or rubber and can be played with straight out of the box, unlike the heavier and slicker leather basketballs for playing indoors which can require quite a bit of break in.
The composite leather basketballs are among the most popular type today. They don’t require break in time with regular play, dribbling and shooting. The more expensive composite leather basketballs are for indoor use only, while the moderately priced ones are made so as to be able to handle the wear and tear from playing outside.
The rubber balls are the cheapest ones available. They are perfect for outdoor use because of the durability of rubber, and also great for children and newbies, because the rubber offering a better grip while playing.
Durability
The durability of every basketball depends on the material, where and how it is used, as well as how often it is used. For the outdoors, you will need a more durable basketball which can take more wear and tear from the uneven ground and in many cases sharp objects, stones and other objects on the street. If you choose a basketball made for outdoor use, and use it only when properly inflated and cleaned regularly, you should be able to use it for several years. Just as a side not, make sure you use durable outdoor basketball shoes for your street or court play outside, so that you won’t get distracted with poor gear. Now the only thing you need to focus on is your competitive play!
Grip
The high quality leather basketballs used for professional basketball or for other indoor basketball, offer a better grip because of the 122 pebbles per square inch of the surfaces of the ball. This allows for the ball to remain easy to grip and hold even with sweaty hands. The rubber balls for outdoors don’t have that good a grip, but there are some which have a very good finish of the surface, and exterior design which provides a nice and stable grip.
Size
The size of the basketball for outdoor use depends on the age and sex of the players. The regulation size 7 for males over 13 years old is 29.5” and for girls and ladies and boys between the ages of 9-12 is a size 6 28.5” basketball. The youngest children should play with the smallest 27.5” size 5 basketballs.
