At times, when I play basketball, I notice some basektballs are labeled as "indoor", "outdoor", or "indoor/outdoor".
What are the differences between indoor, outdoor, and indoor/outdoor basketballs? Is it a design/material difference? I assume outdoor basketballs are designed with durability in mind, but is there a need for the difference?
What are the differences between indoor, outdoor, and indoor/outdoor basketballs?
"Indoor" Basketballs
Made of full-grain leather
Requires being broken-in for optimal use
Feels smooth and has superior grip
Reliable/consistent bounce characteristics
Expensive - due to cost of materials
"All-Surface" Basketballs
Made of rubber or synthetic leather
Can be used right out of the box
Feels rough and has less than superior grip
Does not have as reliable/consistent bounce characteristics
Not as expensive
Is it a design/material difference?
Yes. Full-grain leather vs. rubber/synthetic leather.
Is there a need for the difference [between "indoor" and "all-surface" basketballs]?
Yes. Basketballs are made specifically indoor use or all-surface (outdoor, indoor/outdoor) use. (1) (2)
Indoor basketballs, when exposed to outdoor elements such as asphalt, dirt, and moisture, wear out sooner than all-surface basketballs.
Using indoor basketballs indoors and all-surface basketballs indoors or outdoors will maximize the life of each type of basketball. The cost to replace an indoor basketball is more than the cost to replace an all-surface basketball.