Hi all,
I wanted to ask, from where do you buy your cricket kit in the UK? Everything is getting really costly and it's getting really hard trying to find something affordable, that is also good quality. I bought some GN Neocore 500 gloves recently and they didn't even last half a season, although they cost £55. Any good English willow bats, you're looking at upwards of £300, with top tiers being priced anywhere between £600-800.
Are there any specific times in the year when there are clearance sales/good sales which you can benefit from to purchase good quality equipment that doesn't cost you a massive amount?
Asking if anyone's found a way to keep cricket kit affordable/found some relatively unheard of brands that produce high quality equipment and don't cost an arm and a leg?
I use All Rounder in Leeds. If I buy anything I always buy in a sale and never full price and to be fair they aren't the worst for prices either.
They've got one in Sheffield with nets too.
Also, if your gloves didn't last half a season, send/take them back with a complaint.
Late in the season is the best time to buy, as they’ll want to clear stock for next year’s gear. Also, many cricket specialist retailers will do you a deal if you tell them you play for a local club… they rely a lot on repeat business, so generally they’re keen to build relationships. Depends on your local area, of course.
Sports direct weirdly has some decent stuff at fair prices sometimes. It’s really time dependent though.
eBay bundle kits have decent bats. It is usually less than £200. If you want better bats, you need to spend. They are expensive all around the world.
I understand having to spend a lot for bats but any good quality gloves/pads/helmets which will last you for a season are £100 or above as well
How long are you batting? Gloves don't usually deteriorate this quickly. Check eBay UK. They have decent quality gloves
I used my GN gloves last game of the season for the first time, 40 overs roughly. And I've batted a bit in the winter nets over the last month, for half an hour a week max. I wouldn't consider that a lot
Village Cricket Co. is alright price-wise. I got one of their bats and seems decent because it was the only affordable LH one I could find. It's Kashmir willow mind so might not be up to standard if you play more competitively but I play casually and it's fine.
Haven't tried their pads but price looks good and the bag I got is good quality
If you can find a smaller local store they're usually a good shout, because the people running them often love cricket themselves and will help you out with whatever you need and generally don't try and gouge you.
In Birmingham there's a great shop called Boundary Sports and the guys that run it are great. I went in once with a mate as I was just starting to play and got chatting about the club I was playing at. Next time I went in like 3 months later the guy who helped me the first time was there and he remembered the club I was playing at and knew some of the people there. Was just a nice personal touch. Gave me some good tips about the gear to buy for the level I was starting at as well.
Warrior cricket in Wakefield for bats, great bloke that runs it and makes the bats from scratch
https://www.lorimers4cricket.co.uk
North East based. Specialises in Cricket.
I get mine from OX29 now. Great value and good quality.
Sports direct for clothes / pads
If you’re buying for a child / junior, don’t obsess over English willow. Kashmiri is just fine.
Don't buy GN has always been my motto. Proper tat.
Not the cheapest but probably the best deal, Kippax do bat, gloves, pads and bag for 450 quid. If you can get to the shop you'll probably get inners, whites and a helmet in the bundle too. Highest quality bats of course.