The materials commonly used for basketballs mostly include: cowhide, ultra-fine fiber, PU synthetic leather, PVC synthetic leather, and synthetic Rubber. It is not simple to say which material is better, it can only be said which material is more suitable for which scenario. Here are introductions to several types of basketball materials.
1. Let's start with rubber: Rubber materials are further divided into regular rubber and foam rubber.
1.1. The advantage of regular rubber ballsis their durability and waterproof properties. They can withstand playing in outdoor courts even after rain (of course, I'm not suggesting playing in water). Even if the surface grains wear out, the inner bladder can still be used for some time. However, once the surface is worn smooth, it becomes harder to control the ball, and these balls usually have a relatively slippery surface, making it difficult to grip after some time. The lifespan on outdoor cement courts is approximately one to one and a half years.
1.2. Foam rubber has the advantage ofhaving a resilient surface compared to regular rubber, making it softer and more comfortable to handle. The downside is that outdoor dirt can stick to thesurface, making it slippery and affecting catching, dribbling, or shooting.However, these balls come in various fancy designs that streetball or youngerplayers may enjoy.
2. Synthetic leather.
Synthetic leather,also known as composite leather, includes main categories such as PU, PVC,
ultrafine fiber, etc.
2.1. PVC. The advantage of balls made from this material is their low cost,cheap, typically priced between RMB 50~100, rarely exceeding RMB 100~200. Many knock-offs imitate the appearance well.
2.2. PU. One of the most commonly usedmaterials. About 80% of the balls used daily are made of synthetic leather, known for being waterproof, durable, suitable for indoor and outdoor use, with good grip and feel. Within PU, there are further subdivisions: regular PU and moisture-absorbing PU. Regular PU is the basic material, while moisture-absorbing PU is slightly more expensive, priced around RMB 100~250. It offers good grip and flexibility but is less durable.
2.3. Ultrafine fiber:
Advantage of using ultrafine fiber to makebasketballs includes:
- Durability: Ultrafine fiber basketballs are known for theirdurability, making them long-lasting a& able to withstand heavy use.
- Good grip: Ultrafine fiber material provides a good grip on theball, allowing players to have better control during dribbling, passing, and shooting.
- Water resistance: Ultrafine fiber basketballs are oftenwater-resistant, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, even in wet conditions.
- High-quality feel: Ultrafine fiber material gives the basketball ahigh-quality feel, making it comfortable to handle and play with.
However, there are also some disadvantagesof using ultrafine fiber to make basketballs:
- Cost: Ultrafine fiber basketballs are typically more expensivecompared to basketballs made from other materials such as synthetic leather or rubber. The most expensive material is made in Japan or Taiwan.
- Limited use: Ultrafine fiber basketballs are usually designed forindoor use only, as they may not hold up well to the wear and tear of outdoor courts.
- Maintenance: Ultrafine fiber basketballs may require moremaintenance to keep them in good condition, such as regular cleaning and proper storage.
- Overall, while ultrafine fiber basketballsoffer several advantages in terms of durability, grip, water resistance, and
feel, they may come with a higher cost and require more care to maintain their quality.
However, there are also some disadvantagesof using ultrafine fiber to make basketballs:
feel, they may come with a higher cost and require more care to maintain their quality.
3. Cowhide: also call genuine leather, with basketballs made of cowhide. Genuine leather basketballs are expensive, with some priced at around RMB 1000~2000, you could find apparently they were labeled as cowhide basketballs. However, they are less durable than ultrafine fiber and can only be used indoors, and also hard to make printing on the ball, so it’s not recommended to use this kind of material in actual production.
