How Long Do Outdoor Basketballs Last?
How long an outdoor basketball last depends on the quality (material) of the basketball, how much time you spend playing with it, and how you take care of it. For example, if you played with an outdoor basketball made of rubber every day for 1-3 hours, it would last about 3-6 months before the grip is gone.
An outdoor basketball made of composite leather lasts longer than an outdoor basketball made out of rubber.
An composite leather outdoor basketball could last a year after repeated use if it’s taken care of properly, whereas a rubber basketball only lasts a few months under the same conditions.
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If you want a durable outdoor basketball that will last long, then check these out:
Spalding NBA Replica Outdoor Basketball
Features:
- Official NBA size and weight: Size 7, 29.5 inches
- Performance composite cover
Wilson NCAA Composite Basketball
Features:
- Official NBA size and weight: Size 7, 28.5 inches
- Soft Composite Cover
Molten BG3800 Series Outdoor Basketball
Features:
- FIBA Approved
- Butyl Bladder
3 Things That Affects How Long an Outdoor Basketball Lasts:
- quality (material) of the basketball
- how much time you spend playing with it
- how you take care of it
1. Good Quality Outdoor Basketballs Last Longer
The quality of the basketball is a huge factor on determining on how long it will last as certain material is tolerant to wear and tear.
Outdoor basketballs are usually made of two material: composite leather and rubber.
Composite basketballs use synthetic leather and feel similar to a genuine leather basketball.
Rubber basketballs are made of rubber and are less nice to handle, which makes them harder to grip. They are also much cheaper.
The basketballs used in the NBA have a much different than a composite basketball and a rubber basketball. It’s much more smoother, shallower, and also harder to control as it’s easier to slide out of your hand. The fabric makes it incredible for moisture control, which is why sometimes you will see NBA players rub their hands on their jerseys to get the moisture on their fingers.
The best outdoor basketballs are made from composite leather.
Rubber basketballs are harder to grip and don’t last as long outdoors.
2. Time Spent Playing With An Outdoor Basketball
Spending a lot of hours pounding your basketball outdoor increases the wear and tear. After a certain while, you lose some grip.
How Long Does a Rubber Basketball Last?
If you are using outdoor basketball made of rubber:
– 1-2 hours a day would last about 5-6 months
– 2-3 hours a day would last about 4-5 months
– 3-4 hours would last about 3-4 months
– 4+ hours would last about 3 months or less
How Long Does a Composite Basketball Last?
If you are using outdoor basketball made of composite leather:
– 1-2 hours a day would last about 8-9 months
– 2-3 hours a day would last about 7-8 months
– 3-4 hours would last about 6-7 months
– 4+ hours would last about 6 months or less
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3. How Well An Outdoor Basketball is Taken Care
It’s important to keep an outdoor basketball at the right temperature and to store it properly after use.
If you regularly play basketball, keep it full of air and store it indoors at room temperature. Do not leave it outdoors, in direct sunlight, or store it near a heater.
Here is some tips according to Basketball Epic Sports on taking care of your basketball:
- Store at room temperature
- Keep the right amount of air in your basketball
- Wipe off dirt and debris with a damp cloth after use
- Clean using a mild soap and warm water
- Do not soak
- Do not expose to cold, heat, direct sunlight, rain, or other harsh elements
- Use your basketball for its intended purpose
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