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When it comes to hooping, we all need an outdoor basketball.
Not all of us have access to an indoor basketball court at all times, so a large percentage of our practice can end up being outdoors.
Whether it’s down at your local park, a portable basketball hoop on your driveway/in your garden, or maybe you are super lucky and have an in-ground basketball hoop and half court at your house, you will need a ball (make sure you’ve got a new basketball net for the hoop whilst you’re at it!).
I remember way back when I bought my first basketball, a cheap rubber Charlotte Hornets Spalding ball from Sports Soccer (now Sports Direct) and though it wasn’t the best outdoor basketball, it did the job to help me fall in love with the game.
In the 20 years since, I’ve owned countless balls, both made for indoors and outdoors and so in this guide we’re going to go through what you should know and buy when looking for your outdoor basketball.
Molten BG3000 Outdoor Basketball – Best Overall
Positioned as both an indoor and outdoor basketball, the Molten BG3000 is our top option when it comes to your outdoor basketball needs.
Molten BG3000 after useMolten – the official supplier of FIBA, the international basketball federation – are known for their innovative technology solutions, and the BG3000 is an outdoor ball that is encased in hard-wearing synthetic leather and available in Size 7 (men’s official size and weight), Size 6 (women’s official size and weight) & Size 5.
Molten basketballs use a patented 12-panel design that not only gives it a unique look (you can spot a Molten a mile off), but also gives a solid grip – because of the design, Molten says more of the surface are of the ball is actually in contact with your hand than other basketballs.
Spalding TF 250 Basketball – Best Overall Runner-Up
The Spalding TF 250 basketball features an improved, softer cover for extra grip and is a great solution regarding durability and game characteristics. This all-purpose ball is produced from new durable composite leather and suitable for both outdoors and indoors.
Spalding TF250 after useIt can collect dust and become slippery and you should not that if you use it exclusively outdoors, it will get worn down a lot quicker.
Though it does feel a little slick when it’s new, as soon as you’ve broken it in a bit, the grip adapts and there are no issues.
Spalding have been the official NBA ball partner for 30 years, though that agreement expires ahead of the 2021-22 season and the NBA has announced they will be moving to Wilson.
Wilson NCAA Replica Outdoor Basketball
The Wilson NCAA basketball is another ball that is suitable for outdoor and indoor use, made from durable composite material for optimal grip and ball control.
Wilson outdoor basketball after useIt has a robust outer layer to improve its durability, with the composite leather surface also serving to absorb the moisture the ball might pick up from sweat.
After two months of playing every day outside with it, it looks like the picture on the right – has taken a good old battering and is worn, but retains its channels and is still perfectly suitable for an outdoor run.
Nike Baller Basketball – Budget Pick
A rubber option for those with smaller budgets, the Nike Baller outdoor basketball is a cheap and cheerful option that is great for beginners or those without a lot of money to spend.
Nike Baller Outdoor Basketball cosmetically it wears pretty quickly – especially the black line markings (see picture, right), the actual durability of the ball to play with is great and with the price coming in at under $20 (£15.99 GBP), it’s not an expensive risk to take when it comes to trying it!
Crafted specifically for the playground, it is a standard 8-panel ball, it has deeper channels than most outdoor rubber basketballs, giving you better grip which is why I like it at its price point.
Nike also claim that it has a ‘rotational wound butyl carcass’ (don’t ask me to translate that) but it gives it superior shape retention – meaning it won’t ‘egg’ as much – a common problem with rubber balls if they have a sharp impact.