How to Pick Shoes for Broomball

Broomball is an intriguing sport that's similar ice hockey, roller hockey and floorball. Participants join teams and play the sport on ice, but instead of wearing ice skates they wear special rubber-soled shoes that provide grip and stability on the slick surface. As with hockey skates, a broomball player's shoes are probably his most important pieces of equipment, as they both keep him safe and help him compete.

Instructions

1. Pick shoes with the right outsole for your match. Broomball shoes come with either a dimpled outsole for outdoor play or a smoother outsole for indoor play.

2. Choose the shoes that offer you the best fit. They should be comfortably snug, without creating any hot spots or blisters on your feet. All other things being equal, a shoe's fit will determine your overall level of comfort and performance.

3. Look for shoes with padded uppers. These protect your forefoot and ankles from other players' sticks and the broomball itself, which can cause minor injuries when hit hard enough.

4. Get shoes with a padded or supported toe if you're worried about stubbing your toes or accidentally kicking other players.

5. Be sure to pick shoes that offer you the amount of ankle support you need. Not all players have weak ankles, but those who do are especially exposed to injury because of the shoes' thick soles.

6. Look for shoes with waterproofing if you play a lot of matches outdoors. Snow, sleet and rain soak through most broomball shoes and can saturate your socks, leading to chafing and blisters.