3 Netball Shoes for Every Position & Budget
With the Proteas netball team becoming one of the top teams to beat in the international netball scene, and Cape Town hosting the Netball World Cup in July 2023, netball is in the spotlight in South Africa.
More woman than ever are playing the sport in South Africa, from grass roots level to social games to indoor action. So, it was only a matter of time before social and professional netball players started demanding more from their footwear. Because, we’re sorry to say; no you’re running shoes just won’t cut it on the court.
What to look for when buying a netball shoe
Netball shoes should facilitate short, sharp movements and changes of direction; a key skill for any player. They also need to have good shock absorption, as jumping for high passes or that vital interception can have a big impact on your feet. As an indoor and outdoor sport, many players look for all-weather shoes with excellent grip.
While defenders will favour stronger, heavier shoes with top-notch shock absorption to cope with their powerful play and big impact from jumping for important tips, attack players and centre-courters will want to look for shoes that keep up with their fast, forward movement while also adding extra energy to their play.
While it may be tempting just to use your regular running shoes for netball games, knee and ankle injuries are common and wearing a proper pair of netball trainers can not only enhance your performance, but reduce your risk of injuring as well.
With this in mind, Puma’s range of netball shoes has caught our attention. In April this year, Puma South Africa announced a long-term extension to the exclusive kit partner agreement with Netball South Africa.
The announcement coincided with the 100-day countdown to the Vitality Netball World Cup and came a month after, Puma and Netball SA unveiled the United Warriors kit that the SPAR Proteas team will wear during the 2023 season as well as the World Cup.
In addition to supporters gear and kit sponsorship for the national team, Puma has also focused on releasing dedicated netball and court shoes for netball players who want to put their best foot forward in every game. Featuring three models, the Puma range of netball shoes offers something for every position and budget.
Here’s a look at the Puma netball shoes range available in South Africa:
Puma Solarstrike II
The latest edition of Puma’s Solarstrike is here and ready for anything. Ideally suited for indoor netball or center court players, this shoe is packed with stand-out features to help you achieve peak performance.
A breathable mesh upper combines with supreme cushioning for the ultimate in comfort, while the StabilitySkeleton+ and StabilitySpine+ work together to support your feet. Prepare to propel your game to the next level. The shoe also offers GripProtect+ on the medial side for durability and stability and fast rebound foam for superior energy transformation during games.
Puma presented Bongi Msomi with personalised footwear to celebrate her captaining the Spar Proteas as they compete for glory in the Netball World Cup in Cape Town. The brand has created a personalised version of these netball shoes in national team colours and featuring the South African flag as well as her nickname BOH.
Find out more here.
Puma Solarflash II
This entry-level shoe is a great option for players on a budget. This second iteration of the Solarflash is designed to provide you with the comfort and support you need to perform at your best in court sports. The shoe features a winning combination of midfoot stability, medial and lateral support, and supreme underfoot cushioning.
Puma’s StabilitySkeleton ensures that the shoe offers excellent lateral and medial stability while Ventmesh+ delivers lightweight breathability and comfort. The shoe also boasts a new CMEVA sockliner with arch support.
Find out more here.
Puma Accelerate Pro II
The cream of the crop, these court shoes are purpose-built for the female athlete‘s foot. Outsmart your opponent with your cat-like agility in the high-performance Puma Accelerate Pro II. It’s a great choice for defenders and players in the circle.
The upper of this professional-grade shoe is packed full of high-performance features which work in tandem to stabilise the foot during multi-directional movements, and the high-rebound ProFoam midsole absorbs impact while transitioning energy when you reach new heights.
The shoe features an integrated cage to provide midfoot support and stability during multidirectional movement along with toe overlays for enhanced forefoot lockdown and additional lacing options. The Moulded sockliner offers integrated arch support, comfort and cushioning for a well-rounded shoe that will put you ahead of the competition.
Find out more here.