Basketball Shoes

The basketball places significant and impulsive forces upon the feet, ankles and lower legs of the players, which their shoes must be able to both absorb and direct.

The game places a premium on instant acceleration and deceleration, sideways movement and jumping ability. For these reasons, a basketball shoe must be constructed with the combined features of support, cushioning to absorb shock, flexibility and stability.

Both physical build of a player as well as individual style of play will also bear upon the type of basketball shoe to be worn.

What kind of player are you?

Big Players Or Power Players

For larger players, who are supporting a heavier frame, should wear a shoe that provides maximum stability, ankle support and cushioning to better protect this player when running and jumping.

Small Players Or Fast Players

For smaller players, will often seek a balance between those features, and a lighter, more flexibly constructed shoe that will give advantages in quick movements and acceleration. Shoes with a lower-cut are often good choices.

All-Around Players

For all-around players, it will be better to look for shoes with moderate ankle support and cushioning. There are many shoes to choose from. Almost all types are fairly lightweight.

How To Choose a Basketball Shoe

(From YouTube, Channel Name: Basketball Coach Allen)
 

Women's Basketball Shoes

Female basketball players should seek out for a specific women's model rather than selecting a men's shoe for competitive play for both safety and performance reasons.

When women wearing a shoe designed for the wider male foot may lead to a less-stable platform upon which to run, which in turn can contribute to decrease in performance, ankle sprains, or other more serious leg injuries as the female foot is typically narrower than that of a male.

Basketball Shoe's Parts

The basketball shoe has 4 primary parts. The 4 primary parts are the upper, the insert, the midsole and the outsole. The importance of the characteristic of each component of the shoe should be assessed according to the player's playing needs, physical structure and athletic capabilities.

The Upper Of The Basketball Shoe

The upper part of the basketball shoe is responsible for keeping the foot secure and snug. It is to bind the foot to the three layers beneath it. A snug-fitting upper is essential to the performance of a basketball shoe.

Loose-fitting shoes will tend to create blisters by rubbing against and irritating the skin, and will also tend to be an unstable shoe, causing the player's foot to strike the floor that creates a risk of ankle rollover or cause excessive pressure on the Achilles tendon or the knee joint. The upper may be constructed in varying styles like high, mid and low-cuts.

Shoe Cut

- High-cuts

High-cuts give the greatest degree of support to the player's ankle. Around 70% of the players choose the high-cuts for their ability to provide maximum ankle support. Power players and all- around players usually prefer the stability of this style.

- Mid-cuts

Mid-cuts which come to right at the ankle level will be suitable to players who feel constrained in wearing high-cuts, and who use speed as their greatest asset.

- Low-cuts

Low-cuts typically give greater degree of flexibility and turning capability for the player. These are lighter, but don't offer the built-in ankle support that high-cuts do.

Materials

It is made up of lightweight combination uppers, and mixture of stability and durability of leather with the breath-ability and flexibility of synthetic mesh. High-tech, all-synthetic uppers, which are often more durable than leather, are gaining popularity for their ability to offer stability in a super- lightweight material.

Closure systems

A good closure system will keep the foot snug and secure in the shoe during sudden stops and starts, frequent side-to-side motions, and quick turns.

- Laces

Acceptable choice for keeping the foot stable in the shoe. Good lacing systems should lock the laces in place, making them less apt to loosen or untie, increasing stability during play.

- Straps

Some shoes feature a strap that wraps around the upper arch of the shoe to add more stability and protection against ankle rollover.

- Zippers

A fairly choice for securing the foot in a basketball shoe. These are usually covered by some sort of protective material.

- Velcro

Good for younger children who can't tie their shoes yet.

The Insert Of The Basketball Shoe

The insert is a detachable insole designed to provide arch support. Some inserts are designed to fit with a custom orthotic, a device used to correct irregularities in the motion of the foot or ankle caused by the skeletal alignment.

The Midsole Of The Basketball Shoe

The midsole is the layer of soft designed to absorb the forces of running and jumping between the outsole and the upper. It is often considered the most important part of a basketball shoe, because the construction and material used will impact the levels of cushioning, shock absorption and can affect a player's ability to explode off the floor.

The stiffer the midsole material, the better able the player to explode from the floor, and the softer the midsole material, the better cushioned the player will be. It is usually made of EVA (Ethylene vinyl acetate), compressed EVA, polyurethane or combination of these materials.

- Cushioning Materials

EVA/Compressed EVA offers lightweight cushioning, but not as much stability and durability. EVA can be compressed to make it somewhat more durable. Polyurethane (PU) is a more dense and durable cushioning material. It can add stability to the shoe, but also adds weight. Proprietary Cushioning Technologies are usually found in the heel and forefoot of the shoe and add an extra degree of cushioning without much extra weight.

- Motion Control/Stability

Stiff materials are used in some basketball shoes on the medial or inner side of the shoe to reduce inward rolling of the foot. Heavier densities of cushioning materials may also be used in the medial area to increase a shoe's stability. The midsole can negatively affect stability if the cushioning materials are too thick. Look for relatively thin layer of cushioning to keep your base of support low and stable.

The Outsole Of The Basketball Shoe

The outsole is the rubber bottom of the shoe. It is generally flat, without a pronounced cut-out for the human arch, and with a tread designed to assist in maintaining traction. There are shoes designed with a heavier, more durable rubber outsole to resist wear for players who like to play in outdoor basketball on paved courts.

- Stability

The outsole of a good basketball shoe should be flat and moderately wide to create a stable base and help prevent ankle rollover. The herringbone pattern is most common and provides enough traction to keep you steady during quick stops and starts. Most shoes are designed for indoor play. If you play most often on outdoor courts, look for a shoe with a more durable outsole. Some basketball shoes are designed specifically for outdoor play and feature heavier rubber outsoles.

How to Choose Basketball Shoes

(From YouTube, Channel Name: DICK'S Sporting Goods)

How To Measure Your Shoe Size?

1. Know the shoe cuts

High-cuts

It gives the most ankle support and stability. High-cut shoes are generally the heaviest. High-cut shoes are suitable for tall and bulky players. Positions that are most suitable for high-cuts: Power Forward (PF), Center (C).

Mid-cuts

It allows more freedom of movement while still providing enough ankle support. Mid-cut shoes are suitable for all-around players and beginners. Positions that are most suitable for mid-cuts: Small Forward (SF).

Low-cuts

It is the lightest of all. It allows great turning capability and able to move around swiftly for the player. However, it does not provide much ankle support. Low-cut shoes are suitable for small size players. Positions that are most suitable for low-cuts: Point Guard (PG), Shooting Guard (SG).

2. Try the basketball shoes before you buy it online

Tips when trying on the shoes

1. Wear the socks that you would wear during the basketball game.
2. Best to try on the shoes in the afternoon or later in the day as our feet tends to swell during the cause of the day.
3. Be sure that there will be a finger’s width space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.

3. Shopping shoes online

Sizing your foot

1. Tracing the outline of your feet on a piece of paper with your socks wearing it.
2. Measure the distance from the back of the heel to the end of the longest toe.
3. Minus 0.5cm to consider the width of the pencil.
4. Measure the span of the foot across the widest point of the ball of the foot and minus 0.5cm as well.
5. Repeat the steps above with the other foot.