If you thought you could put on any pair of sneakers before going to work out, think again!
The hand is a discipline which involves many leaps and leaping strides, all taking place on hard ground.
Thus, specific equipment dedicated to the hand is recommended, as long as you practice regularly.
This optimizes your performance and limits the risk of injury.
Handball shoes differ from others by their excellent support using a rigid upper, and their good cushioning of the foot with a resistant sole and non-deformable materials.
That being said, how do you choose your handball sneakers? This is what we explain to you in this article.
What are the best brands of handball shoes?
There is no brand or model that beats all the others, there is the perfect shoe for you and it depends on many very personal criteria.
However, some brands have specialized in handball and are developing specific technologies.
Thus, the adidas handball shoes are of high quality, with solid materials that provide good durability.
Nike, Asics, or even Mizuno, Hummel and Kempa are also safe bets.
We therefore advise you to turn to these brands, but to test the model before buying it, in order to choose the one that perfectly matches your feet and your needs, while providing you with maximum comfort!
What criteria should be taken into account to choose the right pair of handball sneakers?
Your job
Your position is the very first criterion to consider, because, depending on it, you do not have the same needs and therefore do not move towards the same type of handball shoes for men.
If you’re in a full-back position, you’ll need to be able to lead the game and launch attacks.
You need to be fast, lively and have a good relaxation.
If you have a rather defensive position, you need to be lively and have good support in order to intercept the ball and hinder its transmission to the opposing team.
If you have a more aerial position involving a lot of jumps, you will have to opt for lighter and more flexible sneakers, with good cushioning.
Your level and frequency of play
If you are a beginner and play 1-2 times a week, you practice the basics more, ie passing, jumping, shooting, receiving and fixing.
In this case, lightweight sneakers with good support and designed with soft textile in the front are recommended.
If you are intermediate level and play an average of 3 times a weekyou then have a livelier, more intense game, your jumps are more powerful and frequent, you master the basics, make many commitments, and you may, moreover, be required to change positions.
In this case, you need versatile shoes that must be both resistant and light, with excellent cushioning.
If you are at an expert level and play more than 3 times a week, you need quality equipment according to your profile, namely a power station or a speed station.
Your foot shape and support
You have to choose your handball shoes depending on the shape of your foot and ankles : slender or wide feet, ankles fragile or not, etc.
This criterion is absolutely fundamental, because it helps you turn to a model that will:
Promote good posture; Provide great comfort; Limit the risk of injury.
Thus, the feet should neither be too tight nor too floating in the sneakers, the upper of the shoe should be both flexible and robust, thus allowing good support and great freedom of movement.
Unlike running where it is recommended to choose one or two sizes above your usual size, for the hand, keep the same size.
Breathability
For a quality product, go for a model that allows air to pass through, allowing the shoe to be ventilated and keeping your feet dry during your training sessions and matches.
Indeed, the hand is a demanding sport that makes you sweat a lotpersevering in the effort with sweaty or soaked feet is far from comfortable.
If you don’t opt for a breathable model, you increase the risk of blisters and affect your performance.
Indeed, rather than focusing on the ball and your technique, your mind will instead be focused on your feet.
Tell me what job you do and I’ll tell you what shoe you need
You are a winger
If you are a winger, you must bet on a shoe:
Lightweight that will help you save your energy when jumping and moving quickly; Dynamic and promoting good momentum during jumps and counter-attacks; With a rigid plate in the center for better stability during the game phases; Reinforcement at the heel of the sole to absorb shocks during jumps and landings.
you are back
If you’re in a back position, go for a shoe with:
Excellent cushioning, because you multiply the jumps and the races, and each reception is at the origin of shocks which can cause injuries. So, prefer soles with foam; A wide sole at the front with a plate in the middle, which gives you good support and good stability, in defense and in attack. This maximizes the contact area with the ground.
You are pivot
If you play as a pivot, pay attention to:
The cushioning, which must be your priority criterion since it preserves your safety by limiting the risk of injury during jumps and the shocks that follow. You must go for a model with foam; The stability that allows you to be perfectly anchored in the ground and to have solid and stable support when taking a position on your opponent. You must therefore opt for a wide sole on the front; A sole with a circular area that limits friction on the ground and promotes rotation.
You are a goalkeeper
If you are a goalie, you should prioritize:
A reinforced shoe on the front to protect your toes; The grip to get you moving fast.
If your handball shoes show signs of wear and tear, such as a worn out sole that sags, the upper of the shoe tears, or an increase in muscle soreness after exercise, this is a sign that it is time to change and invest in a new pair of handball sneakers.
Thanks to our advice, you have all the cards in hand to choose the ideal model for your toes.
Updated by Quentin on: 08/03/2023
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