Best Outdoor Basketball

The Spalding NBA Indoor/Outdoor Replica Game Ball is our best outdoor basketball and it is a real replica of the NBA game ball. The basketball is currently available in official size 7 and intermediate size 6 for a variety of player levels. As a matter of fact with this ball, you won’t feel rough when you play outdoors with this outdoor ball. Moreover, it also has a nice grip so you feel more focused on the game.

Our step-up pick is the Wilson Indoor Outdoor All-Star Sport Basketball and it is greatly ideal for NCAA, NAIA and division and regulation basketball. The ball comes in an official 29.5 size so it will definitely fit most street ball games and hoops. To add to its features, the super wide channels help to keep it resistant to wear and tear. Moreover, the Optima rubber cover is highly durable and of high quality so it will definitely last outdoors. Likewise, the basketball comes with two inflating needle pins that are of NBA quality in case of emergency.

The budget pick is the Under Armour 495 Indoor/Outdoor Basketball and its shape retention is aided by its 80% nylon windings to provide durability in any game. Moreover, the composite cover is made from UA GripSkin technology so you get the best feel and grip during every game. Likewise, this is an intermediate size 6 basketball (youth size) for outdoor use. Furthermore, the full ball pebbling is another great feature of this outdoor basketball. And lastly, the dribbling action feels very good compared to most outdoor basketballs.

A Little Background

Basketball is a fun sport whether you’re just two to three persons or 10 players divided into two teams. Invented by Dr. James Naismith for the boys at YMCA in 1891, it started off with using regular wooden peach baskets instead of actual rings as hoops. Basketball was invented because Dr. Naismith, a Canadian YMA instructor at Massachusets, wanted the boys to stay active and play sports even during the winter chill but had no hopes of playing an outdoor sport due to the extreme weather conditions out there. And thus, basketball was born out of this small yet fruitful idea. Nearly 4 years after Dr. Naismith developed the basic game; basketball was finally regulated into an official sport which spread like wildfire not just across the country but also to the rest of the world. And today, we have the NBA, WNBA, NCAA and other sporting associations and events involved in basketball.
Unlike most sports, basketball is a very physical and fast-paced game. Basketball requires a lot of skill, physical contact and an alert mind. This is very crucial because every second or millisecond counts and every eye movement can be interpreted differently. The key to winning basketball is precision and fast responses because you shouldn’t give away what your eyes are aiming for, which can be pretty tough when people are very skilled at reading eye and body movements. It takes a lot of practice and presence of mind as well as stamina and endurance to play basketball effectively so that they can physically and mentally focus on their game play without the worry of getting tired easily. This is why basketball players require a lot of conditioning and warming up before going into any game.
As of today, basketball is the most widely enjoyed indoor and outdoor sport in the world. Practically, basketball is among the easiest and most celebrated sport today because of its simple yet dynamic rules. All you need is a basketball, a hoop or two and a wide playing area, and you’re all set to go. Basketball can also be played by just two people as a one-on-one match or an official 5-man or 5-woman team of two batches going head to head. This makes it super convenient to play basketball practically anytime and anywhere. As long as you’ve got what it takes to pass, dribble and shoot the ball or make a rebound, you’ll go places when you practice long enough with basketball and you enjoy the game for what it is.
Any person of any demographic, age bracket and gender can enjoy basketball. Don’t think that only men or tall people can enjoy basketball – in fact, there is WNBA or Women’s National Basketball Association. There are also basketball games for persons with disabilities and many of these people have been in the Paralympics with their wheelchairs and their minds set for a determined goal. Kids, while young, can train themselves to youth basketball at summer clinics which are not just enjoyable but also fruitful if they are shooting to be varsity players, NBA players or even Olympic players in the future.
Because basketball can be played indoors or outdoors, it can be enjoyed all year round. Like what we mentioned in its history, the idea of basketball originated from the fact that not many sports can be played during the winter months and when it’s raining outside. You may have a gym but what you need is a tough sport that can be played in any season and in any month of the year, day of the week and time of the day. As long as you’re indoors with a basketball court or a wide space with a hoop, you can practice or play a one-on-one or a 3-on-3, whether it’s with your colleagues, schoolmates, classmates, best friends, family members and many more.
If you start kids at a young age, they are more likely to be highly skilled as they grow up in their teens and adulthood and might become professional NBA players when they train hard enough. This is why some parents, especially daddies who have grown up to be varsity or professional players of basketball invest in getting their kids a nice backyard or front yard basketball ring or hoop so that their child can start to shoot and practice at a very young age, especially if their dream is to be in the NBA just like Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant or LeBron James.
A lot of advantages come with playing basketball, whether indoors or outdoors and whether as a casual game or a serious sport. Casually, you can play basketball as a stress-reliever from work with your officemates or co-workers or as a friendly game with your classmates. A great advantage of playing basketball is that you burn a ton of calories so it is a great way to slim down on the carbohydrates, sugar and fats that you intake after every meal. Basketball keeps you active, strong and physically fit. Any game of basketball also helps you mentally focus better and also enhances your critical thinking skills.
Choosing the right basketball is not really hard to do because nearly every basketball that you will buy is of standard NBA size. It comes usually in three different sizes: size 7 for official games, size 6 for intermediate play and size 5 for kids, junior players and youth. The size 7 is the official NBA ball size and is the standard kind of basketball that you will buy and often find at any store because it adheres to the regulations of the NBA. For intermediate players and college varsities, you will often use a size 6 ball for your games, which is also usually in a variety of colors, differentiating it from official size 7 balls. For kids and youth basketball, you have the size 5 so that the kids can handle it better.
Street ball or outdoor basketball can be a bit of a challenge compared to regular basketball played indoors at a court. There are many things that can affect your performance outdoors as compared to staying indoors. For instance, the glare of the sun can blind you and keep you unfocused and distracted and the heat of the sun can make you sweat more, which can make you lose grip on the ball. Also, the ground of the outside basketball may not be as smooth as the ones indoor and this can pose a problem to your basketball as it can deflate easier with a rough ground.
Even when basketballs are of a standard size, some basketballs are built only for indoor play so they cannot be used for outdoor play due to the issue of durability and deflating easily. The material of any basketball is important for where you intend to use it. For instance, outdoor basketballs are intended for both usage indoors and outdoors due to the high durability rubber.
This is why you need an outdoor basketball so you can play confidently outside without worrying about deflating or bad rebounds. An outdoor basketball is something that can withstand the test of time, weather and long games (and a lot of sweat if you’re under the heating sun).

How We Picked

Choosing an ideal basketball for outdoor use is not really a big challenge, although you need to consider the following before you buy:
Know if it is really an outdoor basketball. Make sure the durability is superb, the design is definitely built for outdoor play and that it will not deflate too easily. The surface and material of an outdoor basketball is set thicker so that it will be less prone to deflating. Think of it as a thicker type of rubber tire.
Make sure it is the right size for your level of play, since basketballs come usually in 3 standard sizes. These three sizes (standard 7, intermediate 6 and junior / youth 5) should be picked depending on your intended usage. However, most people usually buy size 7 balls, especially if you want to practice a real basketball game or compete for an official match.
The grip of the outdoor basketball should be excellent for outdoor conditions. The tackiness of the ball is an important factor when choosing an outdoor basketball, especially because you will sweat from the sun, making it harder to grip the ball and dribble efficiently.
A durable construction of the cover adds to the overall value of the outdoor basketball. Like we said, always inspect the type of material of the outdoor basketball before you jump into conclusions into buying it for yourself or your team or your college / university.
The wide and deep channels may also add to the grip of the basketball, making it ideal for sweaty hands during street ball. These also help in the grip quality as well as the bounce of the basketball. In fact, most outdoor balls do have wider channel designs so that they stay firm and keep you on course for any game.

Our Pick

spaldingnba
Spalding NBA Indoor/Outdoor Replica Game Ball

Our best outdoor basketball is the Spalding NBA Indoor/Outdoor Replica Game Ball and it is available in official size 7 and intermediate size 6 for a variety of player levels. This outdoor basketball can be used indoors and outdoors due to its unprecedented quality. To proclaim its durability, the composite cover is of premium quality. Do know that this is a real replica of the NBA game ball.
Moreover, with this basketball, this helps you practice like a real NBA player. Adding to its durability and great grip, the composite leather is very soft but very ideal for outdoor play. As a matter of fact, with this ball, you won’t feel rough when you play outdoors with this outdoor ball. And what’s more, it also has a nice grip so you feel more focused on the game. However, with the Spalding NBA Replica Game Ball, it is recommended that you buy two of them so you can have a back-up in case one gets torn down or deflated and during emergency situations.

Flaws but Not Dealbrakers

All kinds of sporting goods have their own flaws and cons, and the Spalding NBA Indoor/Outdoor Replica Game Ball is not an exception to that. For instance, some users point out that there are glue visible at the seams and the gaps, which can put some people off, but not a major issue.

Step-up Pick

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Wilson Indoor Outdoor All-Star Sport Basketball

Ideal for NCAA, NAIA and division and regulation basketball, our step-up pick for the best outdoor basketball is the Wilson Indoor Outdoor All-Star Sport Basketball. Great outdoor basketball for adults and teenagers, this awesome street basketball comes in an official 29.5 size so it will definitely fit most street ball games and hoops.
On the accessories included, the Wilson All-Star also comes with two inflating needle pins that are of NBA quality in case of emergency. When it comes to durability of the basketball, the Optima rubber cover is highly durable and of high quality so it will definitely last outdoors. And moreover, as a freebie, also includes Kobe Bryant or Kevin Durant trading cards (five various cards inside) for the inner NBA fan in you. On tackiness and build design, the super wide channels help to keep it resistant to wear and tear. Adding to the trading cards, a PlaySmarte eBook Bundle is also included with your purchase. So if you are a super fan of the sport, this outdoor basketball is a great bargain to consider.

Budget Pick

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Under Armour 495 Indoor/Outdoor Basketball

When it comes to durability, our budget pick, the Under Armour 495 Indoor/Outdoor Basketball, is not falling behind. This is because of the fact that the composite cover is made from UA GripSkin technology so you get the best feel and grip during every game. And in addition to that, the bladder is made from 100% butyl so that air retains at the very most.
Having a very firm design that will stand up to any challenge, you will see that the shape retention is aided by its 80% nylon windings to provide durability in any game. Adding to its durability, the deep channel design also adds more durability during street ball and outdoor use. And moreover, the full ball pebbling is another great feature of this outdoor basketball. To get a better grip of the ball, the tackiness is just right and the ridges are well-designed.
A great outdoor ball to consider, the Under Armour Basketball feels great on any hands as the dribbling action feels very good compared to most outdoor basketballs. And take note that this is an intermediate size 6 basketball (youth size) for outdoor use.

Best Varsity Outdoor Basketball

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Spalding NBA Varsity Outdoor Rubber Basketball

Ideal for outdoor varsity events and other outdoor basketball events, our best varsity outdoor basketball is the Spalding NBA Varsity Outdoor Rubber Basketball and this is an official size 7 basketball. On the design of the ball, the green and blue finish makes it stand out and unique and specifically for varsity events. The great thing about this outdoor basketball is that you have various color combinations to choose from so you can pick one that matches your school or university colors.
What’s more, the Spalding Varsity adheres to the official NBA size and weight requirements so you get the feel of the real ball. In addition to that, the ball has a great grip so you can focus more on skills rather than on the ball. All in all, the overall durability is superb due to the rubber cover that provides you with hours of outdoor playing. You get a great feel of the ball when handling. And in addition, the bouncing mechanism is very smooth so you and your teammates will focus more on the game. To top it off, the ball is also available in intermediate size 6 for younger players.

Best Glow in the Dark Outdoor Basketball

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Spalding NBA Street Phantom Outdoor Basketball

Do you want a unique basketball that can be used even in low lighting conditions when going for street ball? You might be interested with the Spalding NBA Street Phantom Outdoor Basketball. The unique glow in the dark neon color feature design makes it stand out from most basketballs and ideal for street ball in low lighting conditions. And adding to that, the neon colors also vary in shades to choose from.
This outdoor basketball by Spalding adheres to the official size and weight of a real NBA basketball (size 7 or 29.5 inches). As for the material and durability of the ball, it uses soft grip technology to provide you with confidence and better grip during every game. For strength, the outdoor cover stands out with a premium quality for better durability. For tackiness and a better grip, the wider channel design makes it quite stable for the years to come so you can get a better grip of the ball. All in all, the NBA Street Phantom by Spalding is a super ideal street ball companion due to its durable build and design.

Best FIBA Approved Outdoor Basketball

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Molten X-Series Indoor/Outdoor Basketball FIBA Approved

Approved by FIBA because of its standing adherence and features, the Molten X-Series Indoor/Outdoor Basketball is a great outdoor basketball to consider due to its incredible features. One of them is the fact that the 12-panel design makes it stand out from most standard basketballs for outdoor use. And when it comes to durability and handling of the ball, the bladder is made from sturdy butyl material so it will stand stable for a long time.
For the surface of the basketball, the synthetic cover is perfect for both indoor and outdoor play. Moreover, the Molten X-Series is currently available in 3 sizes: official size (7), intermediate size (6) and junior size (5). When it comes to its versatility, visibility is superb with this outdoor basketball due to its great features, making it ideal even for bad weather conditions. And in addition to that, a unique feature of this ball is the fact that the ball rotation can be easily tracked due to its Giugiaro design.
To have a better grip during game play, the touch is very consistent on this outdoor basketball. Moreover, the ball has excellent grip and control overall so you can stay game-focused. When it comes to quality build, the uniform surface of the pebble pattern makes it an ideal outdoor basketball. The Molten Indoor/Outdoor Basketball is currently backed by a warranty of 1 year.

Ideal Outdoor Basketball for Women

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Spalding NBA Street Basketball Pink Purple

A great basketball for outdoor play for women, the Spalding NBA Street Basketball Pink Purple comes very handy for any women’s basketball, whether it’s official or casual. This outdoor basketball is currently available in intermediate size 6 or 28.5 inches. You will find this outdoor basketball extremely comfortable because of the fact that the grip and feel of this ball is just right for women and intermediate players.
To be proud of its durability, the cover is very fit for outdoor conditions so it can also be used indoors as well. It is also made from sturdy rubber so it will less likely deflate outdoors. And moreover, this awesome basketball is officially recognized and used by the NBA and WNBA as well as the NCAA.

Unique Outdoor Basketball with Tire Tread Design

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Picador Tire-Tread Rubber Street Basketball Official-Size

For those who are looking for a badass and unique outdoor basketball, they should check out the Picador Tire-Tread Rubber Street Basketball Official-Size, which is a unique basketball for outdoor use with a tire tread design that is fit for street ball and rugged street play.
The ball handling is very easy due to its wide channel design so it is great to use for any occasion. What’s more, you get a great grip and feel with this unique outdoor basketball. Take note that this is an official NBA ball size and weight at standard size 7 so you can practice like the real thing. And moreover, the unique look also gives it great bouncing effect. For its strength, the hard rubber is of high quality and durable. Don’t worry though; the Picador Basketball is backed by a return replacement warranty.

Outdoor Basketball with Free Pump

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Ribay Size 7 Basketball and Pump

Are you afraid that your outdoor basketball might run flat like a bad tire? You can go for the Ribay Size 7 Basketball and Pump. It is roughly very easy to inflate within 2 minutes or so because of the included super speedy basketball pump. In fact, it is a standard size 7 basketball that adheres to NBA standards.
It has very great grip and excellent handling and the bounce is just right for this outdoor basketball. Moreover, the pump also keeps itself useful in case the ball deflates outdoors. For durability, it makes use of a patented Cushion Control Technology so you bounce with style and ease. Also, the Stealth Soft Valve System also protects the valve panel and gives you a soft but stable grip. And lastly, the symmetrical design adds to its balance and overall comfort.

Best Youth Outdoor Basketball

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Spalding Rookie Gear Indoor/Outdoor Composite Youth

For the best youth outdoor basketball, we chose the Spalding Rookie Gear Indoor/Outdoor Composite Youth which naturally comes in youth size (27.5 inches). The multiple colors make it an ideal outdoor basketball for youth play. It is also great for outdoor street ball or indoor play so it is flexible. It is 25% lighter than most youth basketballs so it is easy to handle for beginners and kids alike. Moreover, rebounding and shooting comes off easy with this youth outdoor basketball. Adding to that, the composite leather helps to achieve a high performance play.

The Competition

Outdoor basketballs are usually standard in size and in build and structure. The only thing that sets them apart is the quality of the build, the grip of the ball and the durability of the ball. This is what you need to check on the outdoor basketball that you will buy – so that it will be definitely fit for outdoor play and street ball with a rugged build.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Q: In playing basketball, what are the benefits that you will gain from the sport?
A: According to Better Health , teamwork and sportsmanship are improved when playing basketball. In addition, you also improve your social skills. Critical thinking and fast reaction skills are also enhanced by playing basketball.
Moreover, basketball is also a great exercise when it comes down to physical and rugged play. Basketball is a great bonding time with family and friends and with your co-workers and classmates as well. You will also gain strength and flexibility when you regularly play the sport.
For those who want to slim down, basketball is a great way to burn calories and fats away. Basketball also tests the endurance of a person and builds it up. You also discipline yourself better and have more concentration skills with basketball. And because basketball can be played indoors and outdoors, it can be enjoyed throughout the year as an easily accessible sport.
It doesn’t take much people to play the game so it is practically a great pastime for most people. In fact, you can even practice alone even without a team because basketball courts and hoops are practically everywhere. Basketball also teaches you accuracy and focus in the long run due to shooting.

Q: What are the benefits of playing basketball outdoors?
A: According to Ezine Articles , outdoor basketball tests the physical skill and endurance of any person. Kids, teens and adults alike will benefit from playing basketball outdoors because it will keep them active. Basketball outdoors also pave the way for burning more calories due to being exposed to the sun and the elements.
If you set up a basketball court in your front or backyard, your children will definitely get engaged on the sport. There’s nothing more energizing than playing a good sport outdoors instead of just staying inside a court. Besides, a lot of street courts are available in almost any part of the world in most parks so playing basketball outdoors is very easy to happen.

Wrapping It Up

To summarize, the Spalding NBA Indoor/Outdoor Replica Game Ball is our best outdoor basketball that will stand up to any game challenge and keep you focused on the game rather than on the grip of the ball or worrying about early deflation.