Not Just a Net: Why the Infinet Hoop Is Built Differently
When people first see Infinet, they notice the fins.
They understand it’s not a traditional rope or chain net. They see how it guides the ball and restores the swish without the maintenance issues that come with fraying or rusting nets.
What’s less obvious - but equally important - is the hoop itself.
Infinet isn’t simply a new net solution. It’s a complete hoop and net assembly designed specifically for high-use outdoor environments.
The Reality of Standard Outdoor Hoops
In many public settings, basketball hoops are treated as commodity items.
To meet lower price points, some manufacturers reduce material thickness, use smaller diameter bar, hollow tube rims, or offshore mass production processes. While these hoops may appear similar at first glance, long-term performance can differ significantly under heavy public use.
Common issues in outdoor environments include:
Bent rims
Cracked welds
Flaking coatings
Early corrosion
Ongoing maintenance intervention
Infinet was not developed to compete on lowest cost. It was developed to prioritise durability first.
24mm Solid Bar Rim - Not Hollow Tube
Each Infinet hoop is formed from a 24mm solid bar rim.
Many alternative products use smaller diameter bar or hollow tube sections to reduce weight and material cost. Hollow sections can appear substantial, but they respond differently under repeated impact and load.
A solid bar rim provides greater structural integrity over time - particularly in unsupervised, high-traffic public spaces.
10kg of Australian Steel - Structurally Certified
Every Infinet hoop contains approximately 10kg of Australian steel and is structurally certified.
That mass reflects material strength and conservative design. The intent is straightforward: improve resistance to deformation, reduce weld fatigue, and increase overall lifespan.
In public infrastructure, multi-year performance matters more than short-term savings.
Fabricated and Assembled in Melbourne
The steelwork is fabricated in Melbourne by skilled tradespeople and certified welders, supported by precision 5-axis robotic systems. Each assembly is then finished, assembled, and quality controlled locally.
This allows:
Consistent weld quality
Controlled tolerances
Reliable finishing standards
Direct factory support
Local manufacture also enables ongoing technical support when required.
Industrial Powder Coating
Infinet uses Dulux industrial powder coating systems specified for outdoor use.
Coating performance is critical in outdoor infrastructure. Once compromised, corrosion accelerates - particularly in coastal or high-moisture environments.
Material strength and surface protection work together to determine real-world lifespan.
The Fins Solve One Problem. The Hoop Solves Another.
The fin system was developed to address a clear challenge: traditional rope and chain nets degrade outdoors. They fray, rust, tangle, or are removed entirely.
The fins restore visual and auditory feedback while reducing maintenance demands.
However, a durable net system attached to a lightweight rim only solves part of the problem.
Infinet was engineered as a complete assembly - hoop and fin working together - so that both components meet the same durability standard.
Designed With Durability as the Priority
There is an established market for low-cost basketball rims. That approach typically involves incremental cost reduction using similar base designs.
Infinet follows a different path. The design intent was not to make a cheaper version of an existing hoop, but to create a system better suited to the demands of public outdoor courts.
That focus influences:
Material selection
Structural capacity
Fabrication quality
Surface treatment
Long-term maintenance outcomes
Why This Matters
Outdoor courts are exposed to weather, heavy use, and unsupervised conditions.
If the goal is to maintain active, safe, and functional public spaces, the structural components must reflect those demands.
The fin system addresses net degradation.
The hoop structure addresses long-term mechanical durability.
Both are necessary for consistent performance.
A Complete Outdoor Assembly
From 24mm solid bar steel to locally controlled fabrication and industrial coating systems, Infinet is engineered as a purpose-built outdoor assembly.
Not simply a replacement net.
Not simply a rim.
A system designed to withstand sustained public use.
To learn more or request a quote for your space, visit www.infinetbasketball.com
