Adidas has been making cricket shoes since the 1980s. Today they make the most complete cricket shoe lineup of any brand — from $40 rubber-sole entry shoes to the $190 Adipower Vector worn by international fast bowlers. The problem is that shopping the Adidas cricket range without guidance is genuinely confusing: there are 8+ model lines across rubber and metal spike, and the naming system (CriNu, CriHase, Cri Rise, Howzat, 22YDS, Adipower) tells you almost nothing about which does what.
This guide cuts through it. Every model we stock, what it's designed for, and who should buy it — from first-time buyers to pace bowlers hunting for grip in the crease.
The Adidas Cricket Shoe Lineup in 2026: Architecture Overview
Adidas divides their cricket range into two main families:
- Rubber/multi-stud outsole — CriNu, CriHase, Cri Rise, Cri Yard, NU 24. For batting, fielding, light bowling. Work on synthetic and natural surfaces. Legal in all venues including indoor pitches.
- Metal spike outsole — Howzat, 22YDS, Adipower Vector. For bowling on natural turf. Maximum traction in the crease. Banned on synthetic surfaces.
The simplest rule: if you don't know whether your ground is natural or synthetic, go rubber. If you know it's natural turf and you bowl pace, go metal spike.
Rubber Sole Cricket Shoes: CriNu, CriHase, Cri Rise & More
Adidas CriNu Range — $50–$70
The CriNu is Adidas's most accessible cricket shoe for 2024-2026. Lightweight mesh upper, rubber-stud outsole, designed for batters and fielders who need all-day comfort without the weight penalty of a structured bowling boot.
- Adidas CriNu 23 M — $50 — the entry version; Cloud White/Lucid Lemon colorway. Breathable mesh, flexible sole, good for fielding intensive roles.
- Adidas CriNu 24 M (White/Black/Red) — $60 — updated 2024 upper with improved heel counter. White/Black/Solar Red colorway.
- Adidas CriNu 24 M (Blue/Orange) — $70 — same 2024 platform, Bright Blue/True Orange colorway.
The CriNu 24 M is the pick over the 23 if your budget allows — the updated heel counter reduces slippage on dry outfield turf during sharp turns, a small but genuine improvement for fielders covering the boundary.
Adidas CriHase Range — $50–$75
CriHase sits one step above CriNu in the rubber sole range. The upper is more structured — a full synthetic leather construction vs the CriNu's mesh — which gives better lateral support during the delivery stride for medium-pace bowlers who don't need metal spikes.
- Adidas CriHase (White/Orange) — $50 — older colorway still available; same durable synthetic construction as the newer versions.
- Adidas CriHase (Yellow/Turquoise) — $60
- Adidas Cri Hase 23 M (White/Blue/Yellow) — $75 — 2023 updated model; structured toe box, wider forefoot last than original CriHase.
- Adidas Cri Hase 23 M (White/Ivy/Red) — $75 — same updated platform, different colorway.
CriNu vs CriHase: who chooses which? Batters and fielders → CriNu (lighter, more flexible). Medium-pace bowlers and all-rounders → CriHase (structured upper handles bowling motion better). The CriHase also tends to wear slower than the CriNu if you play on harder surfaces — the synthetic upper holds up longer than mesh.
Adidas Cri Rise V2 — $75
Adidas Cri Rise V2 M (White/Blue/Green) — $75 — the Cri Rise is Adidas's elevation-focused cricket shoe, featuring a higher-cut ankle collar than the CriNu/CriHase. This isn't an ankle boot but it provides significantly more lateral ankle support for players coming back from sprains or playing on uneven outfield surfaces. The V2 update adds a more cushioned midsole. Also available as the original Cri Rise at $40 (flat-profile, lower-cut version).
Adidas Cri Yard — $75
The Cri Yard is a newer addition to the lineup, positioned between CriHase and the metal spike range. It features a reinforced toe wrap that handles the wear from bowling crease drag — making it useful for pace bowlers who bowl on synthetic pitches where metal spikes are banned.
Adidas NU 24 — $80
Adidas NU 24 (White/Blue/Black) — $80 — the NU 24 is the widest-last rubber cricket shoe in the Adidas 2026 range. Where CriNu and CriHase run standard-width, the NU 24 has a noticeably roomy forefoot — the right choice for players who find the CriNu feels narrow after a full day's play. The Bounce cushioning midsole also makes this one of the more comfortable options for long batting innings.
Metal Spike Cricket Shoes: Howzat, 22YDS, and Adipower Vector
Metal spikes are purpose-built for bowling on natural turf. The studs grip the pitch during the delivery stride, allowing maximum push-off without slipping. If you bowl regularly in outdoor league cricket on grass, this is where your performance budget should go.
Adidas Howzat Metal Spike — $90
Adidas Howzat Cricket Metal Spike Shoes — $90
The Howzat is Adidas's entry metal spike cricket shoe and the most popular metal spike option in our store. It uses a 6-stud full-length outsole, synthetic upper, and a padded ankle collar — enough support for most club-level fast-medium bowlers. The construction is durable enough for a full season of weekend cricket without significant wear.
The Adidas Howzat Junior 20 at $90 is the youth version — same stud plate, scaled down for smaller lasts. If you're buying for a teenage fast bowler, this is the correct shoe to start on.
Adidas Howzat 20 — $90 is the updated adult model; marginally improved upper rigidity over the original Howzat.
Adidas 22YDS Metal Spike — $120–$150
The 22YDS is Adidas's mid-range fast bowling shoe — 22 yards being the length of the cricket pitch, a naming nod to the bowling run-up. It sits meaningfully above the Howzat in construction quality:
- Reinforced toe cap — handles the drag at the bowling crease that eats through cheaper uppers
- More stud coverage — better grip on wet or worn natural turf
- Higher-quality foam midsole — reduced impact fatigue after 15-20 overs bowled in a session
- Adidas 22YDS (Standard) — $135 — the primary colorway
- Adidas 22YDS Lucid Red — $120
- Adidas 22YDS Cloud White/Gold — $150
For any serious club fast bowler bowling 10+ overs a match, the 22YDS is a better investment than the Howzat — the toe box reinforcement alone means you'll get two full seasons out of the 22YDS where the Howzat may need replacing after one.
Adidas Adipower Vector 20 — $140–$190
The Adipower Vector is Adidas's professional-grade fast bowling shoe. This is the model worn by international-level pace bowlers and used in first-class cricket. Three features distinguish it from the 22YDS:
- Asymmetric ankle collar — higher on the outside of the ankle than the inside, reducing inversion stress during the delivery stride without restricting the dorsiflexion needed in the follow-through
- Dual-density outsole — harder stud base for grip, softer midsole zone under the heel for impact absorption; most metal spike shoes use a single-density approach
- Reinforced lateral wall — the outside edge of the shoe is constructed from a harder material to handle the lateral loading of the bowling action
- Adidas Adipower Vector Mid 20 — $140 — the standard Adipower Vector in low-cut profile
- Adidas Adipower Vector 20 Yellow — $140
- Adidas Adipower Vector 20 White/Blue — $190
- Adidas Adipower Vector Mid 20 White/Gold/Ruby — $170 — the mid-cut version with ankle coverage
The mid-cut version of the Adipower Vector is worth considering for fast bowlers with a history of ankle issues — the additional collar coverage reduces sprain risk on uneven pitch run-ups without meaningfully slowing the action.
Adidas Cricket Shoes: Who Buys Which
| Player Type | Recommended Model | Price | Key Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batter / casual | CriNu 24 M | $60 | Lightweight, comfortable all-day |
| All-rounder (any surface) | CriHase 23 M | $75 | Structured for batting + medium bowling |
| Wide-foot player | NU 24 | $80 | Widest last in the Adidas cricket range |
| Pace bowler (synthetic pitch) | Cri Yard | $75 | Reinforced toe for bowling, no metal spikes needed |
| Club fast-medium (natural turf) | Howzat Metal Spike | $90 | Entry metal spike, reliable for club season |
| Serious club fast bowler | 22YDS Metal Spike | $135 | Reinforced toe, better outsole for 10+ overs/match |
| League / semi-pro fast bowler | Adipower Vector 20 | $140-$190 | Asymmetric collar, dual-density outsole, pro-spec construction |
Rubber vs Metal Spikes: The US Context
This matters more for North American cricketers than it does in the UK or Australia, where natural turf pitches are standard.
Most cricket in the USA is played on:
- Prepared synthetic turf pitches (drop-in or permanent) — common in public parks and league facilities
- Natural grass outfields with synthetic pitch overlays
- Purpose-built natural turf (rare; typically only top-tier league cricket)
If your league uses synthetic pitches, use rubber soles. Metal spikes on synthetic turf damage the surface, get banned by venues, and provide no grip advantage — the stud pattern locks into carpet loops and can actually reduce mobility. Every league we know of in the northeast explicitly bans metal spikes on their synthetic pitches.
If your league uses natural turf, metal spikes make a real difference — especially for pace bowlers on wet or soft ground. The grip improvement in the bowling crease is measurable.
When in doubt: ask your league coordinator before you buy. The answer will be either "rubber only" or "metal allowed on grass" — there's no ambiguity in the rules.
Sizing and Fit Notes
Adidas cricket shoes generally match standard Adidas running shoe sizing. A few notes from handling these models:
- Half sizes: Size up. Bowling stride needs toe room; a tight toe box causes blisters on long spells.
- Metal spike models (Howzat, 22YDS, Adipower) tend to run slightly narrower than rubber models — wide-foot players should consider going half-up or trying the NU 24 in rubber instead.
- CriNu/CriHase run true to standard Adidas sizing.
- Adipower Vector Mid — if you're buying the mid-cut, size true. The ankle collar is designed to fit snug; going half-up creates instability.
See our full Cricket Shoes Buying Guide 2026: Rubber vs Metal Spikes & Brand Comparison for a brand-by-brand breakdown including SG, Asics, and New Balance cricket shoes. Also check: Asics Cricket Shoes Guide 2026 and SG vs Kookaburra Cricket Shoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Adidas CriNu and CriHase cricket shoes?
The CriNu is a lightweight rubber-sole shoe designed for batting and fielding on any surface, priced from $50-$70. The CriHase adds a more structured upper and lateral stability system — better for all-rounders who both bat and bowl medium pace. CriHase runs $50-$75.
Are Adidas metal spike cricket shoes allowed in all formats?
Metal spikes are permitted in all formats of outdoor cricket but are banned on synthetic indoor surfaces and certain turf pitches. For US league cricket played on astroturf or synthetic pitch overlays, rubber spikes (CriNu, CriHase, Cri Rise) are required. Metal spikes (Howzat, 22YDS, Adipower Vector) are for natural turf only.
Which Adidas cricket shoe is best for fast bowlers?
The Adidas Howzat Metal Spike ($90) for budget fast bowlers, the 22YDS ($120-$150) for club-level pace, and the Adipower Vector 20 ($140-$190) for serious fast bowlers. The Adipower Vector's reinforced toe box and asymmetric ankle collar are purpose-designed for the high-force delivery stride.
Do Adidas cricket shoes run true to size?
Adidas cricket shoes generally run true to your standard Adidas size. If you're a half-size, size up — cricket shoes need a small amount of toe room for the bowling stride. Wide-foot players should try the Howzat or 22YDS ranges, which run slightly wider than the CriNu/CriHase models.
What is the Adidas Adipower Vector used for?
The Adipower Vector is Adidas's premium fast-bowling cricket shoe, used by international pace bowlers. Its reinforced toe box handles bowling crease drag, the asymmetric ankle collar supports lateral movement on follow-through, and the multi-stud outsole grips natural turf. Available in mid and low versions at Top Cricket Store.