Basketball
Buying Basketball Shoes: Your guide to picking the perfect shoe
Choosing the correct pair of trainers is one of the most important decisions a baller can make. It’s less about how they look or what brand they are & more about what they can do for your performance.
There are various factors that come into play when deciding on a pair of trainers. You need to consider your budget, what your feet need and, of course, how you will be using those trainers. In the case of basketball shoes, picking an inadequate pair can lead to foot pain, back pain, knee aches and a range of other conditions. Similarly, wearing a worn-out pair can result in injuries due to a lack of support and cushioning caused by wear and tear.
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Your Best Shoe May Not Be the Most Expensive -- Or Cheapest
Sports shoes are pricey, but the most expensive pair is not necessarily best for you. The same holds true for the cheapest pair – it could turn out to be more expensive when you consider that the materials used to make it might not hold-up for long-term wear or performance.
Buying a pair of basketball shoes isn’t something you necessarily need to rush into. If you know you have some saving to do, do that. Put some cash aside over a couple of months until you have enough to purchase a quality pair, suitable for your needs. A good tip here is also to keep a look-out for sales at sportswear stores or consider shopping at a factory outlet.
Buy for How You Play
The upper, mid-sole and outsole of basketball trainers need careful consideration due to the impact they have on durability and performance. Before you pick up a pair of shoes, consider your playing style on the court.
Do You Need High-Top or Low-Top?
If you’re a fast or an all-round player, using a lightweight basketball shoe is your best bet. Your need for cushioning is moderate compared to your need for flexibility and support. In contrast, power players and post players need a heavier, more sturdy shoe that offers a great deal of stability and cushioning.
According to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, a whopping 68% of NBA players use high-top trainers, which provide maximum ankle support. Mid-top and low-top trainers are options too, depending on your playing style, purely because they don’t restrict movement as much.
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Give Your Mid-sole Some Cushioning
This area of a basketball shoe is all about cushioning. It’s specifically designed to compensate for the strain your foot experiences during the course of a basketball game. You might find some variation in this area when trialling a variety of basketball shoes – some make use of stiffer materials than others. This contributes to increased stability and against the inward rolling of the foot. It’s a nifty function, but not every player is prone to pronation and as a result the flexibility of the mid-sole needs to be carefully considered.
Make Sure Your Shoes Provide Traction & Balance
What you’re looking for here is traction and balance. This is the part of your basketball shoe that makes direct contact with the court. Opt for a rubberised outsole that is flat and wide – for increased stability. In addition to that, remember that the tread on your trainer is important too. Court treads often have zig-zags, herringbone, hexagonal or spiral patterns, which help secure your feet to the playing surface. Keep in mind that most basketball shoes are designed for indoor courts, so if you’re opting for an outdoor experience it’ll be less forgiving. As a result, you’ll need to invest in a slightly thicker outsole for durability.
Get to Know Your Feet
Think about your arches and how broad or narrow your feet are. These factors play a role in terms of the kind of arch and ankle support you need, as well as the lacing mechanism used on your trainers. To really understand your feet, consider visiting a podiatrist or chat to a salesperson at a sportswear store about your footwear concerns.
Before You Buy, Do this First
Again, you don’t need to rush a purchase. Put on both pairs of basketball shoes in store and walk around in them – pay careful attention here to how comfortable they are. You don’t want to experience any pinching or tightness, as this can lead to blisters and a form of distraction while you’re on the court. In the same breath, make sure the shoes are laced comfortably. Your feet should feel secure and stable, but not rigid and overly tied down. It’s best to leave about 1cm between the tip of your toes and the end of the shoe. This prevents your toes from ramming up against the shoe while running.