Cricket Shoes Buying Guide UK 2026: Spikes vs Rubber Sole (Plus Best ASICS Picks)
Most cricketers will spend hours agonising over a bat and thirty seconds picking their shoes. That’s backwards. Your cricket shoes are on your feet for an entire day’s play — through the crease, in the field, and running between the wickets. Get the wrong pair and you’ll feel it in slipped deliveries, sore knees, and blisters by tea. Get the right pair and grip, balance and comfort stop being something you think about at all.
This guide breaks down exactly what to look for before you buy: spikes vs rubber sole, shoe types by playing role, sizing, and our pick of ASICS cricket shoes in stock at CricCounty
Why Cricket Shoes Aren’t Just “Trainers”
Running shoes and football boots are built for different forces than cricket demands. A fast bowler’s front foot can take several times body weight on landing at the crease, and batters need lateral stability for quick singles and turns. Ordinary trainers lack the outsole grip, lateral support and reinforced toe area that cricket-specific shoes are built with — which is exactly why every serious UK club side plays in dedicated cricket footwear rather than running shoes.
Spikes vs Rubber Sole: Which Cricket Shoe Do You Need?
This is the single biggest decision when buying cricket shoes, and it comes down to two things: your role and your usual playing surface.
Metal Spike Cricket Shoes
Metal spikes bite into natural turf, giving bowlers and fast-scoring batters maximum grip on grass wickets. If you play most of your season on outdoor grass pitches — the norm for UK club and school cricket — spikes are usually the safer choice, particularly for bowlers who need a secure front-foot landing.
Rubber Sole Cricket Shoes
Rubber, moulded-stud soles are built for artificial wickets, indoor nets, and hard or dry outfields, where metal spikes aren’t allowed or simply aren’t needed. They’re also a sensible everyday option for batters and fielders who want comfort without the commitment of spikes.
Half-Spike and Hybrid Shoes
Many modern cricket shoes now combine spikes at the toe with a rubber heel, giving bowlers grip on the crease while keeping the shoe comfortable for general fielding and running. It’s a good middle ground if you bat and bowl in the same match.
Quick rule of thumb: grass wicket and bowling regularly → spikes. Artificial surface, nets, or mainly batting/fielding → rubber sole.
Choosing Cricket Shoes by Role
Fast and Medium Bowlers
Bowlers need a shoe with a reinforced, cushioned front foot to absorb repeated landing impact, plus secure lacing to stop foot movement inside the shoe. Spiked soles are strongly recommended for anyone bowling regularly on grass.
Batters and All-Rounders
Batters cover shorter, sharper bursts — quick singles, turning at the crease — so lighter cushioning and good lateral support matter more than heavy-duty spikes. Many club batters use a rubber or half-spike shoe for exactly this reason.
Wicketkeepers
Keepers spend the day crouched and shifting weight side to side, so flexibility and a low, stable base tend to matter more than raw spike grip — which is why rubber soles are a popular choice behind the stumps.
Cricket Shoe Sizing Tips
Cricket shoe sizing varies noticeably between brands, so don’t assume your running shoe size will match exactly:
- Leave a small amount of toe room — the foot swells slightly over a long day’s play.
- The heel should feel locked in, with no slipping when you push off.
- If you’re between two sizes, sizing up is usually the safer call for cricket shoes, particularly for junior players who’ll grow into them.
- Junior players moving into adult-size shoes should prioritise fit over the “just grow into it” approach — an ill-fitting shoe undermines the grip and support you’re paying for.
Not sure which size or model suits your game? Get in touch with our team or visit us in-store in Ilford — we’re happy to advise before you buy.
Our Pick: ASICS Cricket Shoes at CricCounty
ASICS has built a strong reputation among UK club and league cricketers for combining serious grip with genuine day-long comfort, and it’s a range we’ve seen customers keep coming back to. A few standouts from our current stock:
- ASICS GEL-350 NOT OUT FF Cricket Spikes — a strong all-round spike shoe with FlyteFoam cushioning, suited to bowlers and batters who want support without extra weight.
- ASICS GEL-GULLY Spikes — a dependable, well-priced spike option for club-level grass wicket cricket.
- ASICS Speed Menace FF Cricket Shoes — built for pace and lighter-weight comfort, popular with quicker bowlers and fielders covering more ground.
Browse the full range, including New Balance rubber sole options, on our Cricket Footwear category page.
Looking After Your Cricket Shoes
A well-cared-for pair of cricket shoes will comfortably last a season or more:
- Clean grass and mud off spikes and soles after every game — dried debris speeds up sole wear.
- Air-dry naturally rather than using direct heat, which can warp the sole and weaken adhesive.
- Store with boot trees or stuff with paper to help them keep their shape between matches.
- Check spikes regularly and replace worn ones where the shoe allows it, rather than waiting until they’ve lost grip completely.
If you’re also refreshing the rest of your kit, don’t overlook protective gear — pads, gloves and helmets are just as important to have match-ready as your bat and boots. And if you’re due an equipment upgrade this season, our guide to choosing the right cricket bat covers everything to check before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need spikes or rubber sole cricket shoes?
Spikes suit natural grass wickets and bowling, giving the best grip. Rubber sole shoes suit artificial surfaces, indoor nets, and players who mainly bat or field.
Can I wear running shoes for cricket?
Running shoes lack the lateral support, reinforced toe and specialist grip cricket needs, so they’re not recommended for regular match play.
How long do cricket shoes last?
With regular care — cleaning after matches and proper drying — a good pair typically lasts one to two seasons of club cricket.
Are ASICS good cricket shoes?
ASICS is a well-regarded brand among UK club cricketers, known for combining supportive cushioning with reliable grip across both spiked and rubber sole models.
Ready to Gear Up for the Season?
Whatever your role on the pitch, the right shoes make a real difference to your game. Explore our full range of cricket shoes and spikes online, with express UK delivery in up to 3 business days and Klarna or PayPal Pay Later at checkout — or visit us in-store in Ilford, Essex.
