Spartan vs New Balance Cricket Shoes
One expensive cricket shoe, one super expensive cricket shoe.
A. SPARTAN Extreme 2018 Cricket Spikes Shoes
Price
The Spartan Extreme 2018 cricket shoe costs ₹ 2,095. A fairly reasonable price for a shoe of quality materials.
Materials
The outer part of the shoe is made from synthetic leather, which isn’t the best type of material to use for a cricket shoe as it can easily be stressed, worn, and torn. The inner part is made from cotton making the shoe light and comfortable.
The sole is made from rubber and EVA foam, giving the wearer comfort when running. They are sewn together to the shoe itself with strong nylon-cloth thread.
Style
The shoe is laced-up, giving the wearer a custom fit to their shoe. The shoe also has a few ventilation holes for letting air enter and exit the shoe.
The shoe makes perfect use of the bright-against-bright template. It’s not too painful on the eyes nor is it bland to look at. There are occasional strips of black that counter the neon green.
Traction
The shoe is equipped with 11 steel spikes. They cannot be removed, so traction on the field may be a bit difficult.
Comfort
The shoe is fairly loose on the shoe, which can be countered by tightening the lace. This can come in handy especially if the shoe may restrict your movement - all you need to do is untie the lace, loosen it a bit, then tie it again.
B. new balance Men's Cricket Shoes
Price
The new balance cricket shoes costs a whopping ₹ 11,999, and it has a high price for a reason: the brand, the materials, the design - everything about this shoe expensive and high-quality.
Materials
The shoe is meant bowlers and helps them deliver the perfect yorker. A midfoot strap offers additional in case the laces come undone; it also helps keep them in place before so that they don’t untie themselves in the first place.
The shoe’s REVlite midsole offers lightweight, responsive cushioning, contributing to the shoe’s super light 468-gram weight. The three parts of the shoe - midsole, sole, and the shoe itself - are joined by a process called FantomFit; it doesn’t use any sewing process.
The upper part of the shoe is made from leather, giving the shoe strength and rigidity while making it dirt and water-proof.
The shoe has multiple ventilation holes giving the wearer’s foot extra comfort throughout games.
Style
The shoe looks super stylish; it makes use of three major colors (blue, black, and white), all working in harmony to make the shoe look sleek, appealing, and minimal. A bowler with style will definitely pick this shoe any day of the week.
Traction
With 11 metal spikes specifically placed on the sole to provide maximum traction and grip, traction isn’t going to be a problem with these shoes - except when you use them on grassy fields (which, by the way, isn’t the purpose of the shoe).
Comfort
The shoe looks remarkable and fits perfectly. The strap won’t hug your foot too much, as will the laces. The design of the shoe follows the natural shape of the foot. The ventilation is also placed in areas that will need air during games (the toes, mid-foot) to help keep the foot feeling comfortable.
C. Final Comparison
Despite costing a fortune, the new balance shoe is hands-down the wisest pick between the two. It will last long (given that you use it properly and as intended), it is superior in terms of quality, traction, and brand, and is more comfortable to use.