- You are here:
- Home »
- Uncategorized »
- Basketball Shoes
Basketball Shoes
In the mid-1980’s, something interesting happened in the sport of basketball.
“Michael Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984 and all of a sudden the sport of basketball and the NBA became a cultural phenomenon; something that was celebrated all over the world.”
This was reflected in facilities arms races in cities around the world; in gigantic playing and coaching contracts; in television rights deals that went as high as nine figures; and the explosion of basketball shoe popularity.
Our Basketball Shoe Picks
- Flat feet or Wide feet – Kawhi’s New Balance, Embidd’s Under Armour
- Shoes for preferred playing position – guards – Steph Curry, Kyrie
- Best basketball shoes for jumping– Kobe AD NXT 36
- Outdoor basketball shoes– Under Armour, LeBron’s Nike, Adidas’ Damian Lilliar
- Best basketball shoes with ankle support – Nike Lebro
- What’s new on the circuit
Overnight, basketball shoes became about something other than simply function. They became an indicator of social status, of playing ability, of one’s cool-ness and commitment to the game. Growing up with the wrong pair of basketball shoes was like sitting at the wrong middle school lunch table or playing the nerdy instrument in the school band.
Today, basketball shoes are more popular than ever. Jordan’s and Kobe’s fly off the shelf. Companies like Mitchell & Ness, New Balance, Puma, GOAT, and others have emerged by taking advantage of our nostalgia and borrow shoe themes from shoe bygone eras and or create secondary markets.
Because there are so many basketball shoe options currently on the market, it is vital that you know what to look for and what kind of shoe will work best for you – if for no other reason then it will simplify your choices!
Do you have flat feet or wide feet?
Having awareness of general foot shape is a great first step. The best basketball shoes for flat feet may be Kawhi’s New Balance, which are described as “beast-like” and “locks your foot in place”.
Meanwhile, the best basketball shoes for wide feet are Embiid’s Under Armour shoes.
An important question to consider once you know your foot type is “which NBA player might I play like?” Joel Embiid is the rare NBA player who is over 7-feet tall, can play in the paint and on the perimeter. Because of his unique skill set, Embiid requires a great deal of ankle support and stability. Embiid has an extensive injury history so we know that his shoe has been built to avoid any further complications while letting him remain mobile enough to take full advantage of his skills.
You need to consider the shoe for your preferred position
Not only is it important to identify players who share your type of foot, but also your preferred position. For guards, why look any further than Steph Curry? Curry’s SC 3ZERO III is low enough to be stylish and easy to maneuver but high enough to provide sturdy support for feet and ankles.
The Kyrie 4 should also be at the top of every guard’s wish list this season.
“It would not surprise NBA fans to know that Kyrie’s shoe is the best grip basketball shoe” – as Kyrie has been and remains one of the league’s savviest ball handlers and an expert in change of speed and change of direction.
3 Reasons why we think Kyrie 4 are great:
- Protects even the ‘shiftiest’ of players.
- Nike is the most trusted basketball brand in the world.
- Has an enhanced grip that makes it easier to cut in every direction.
The next young up-and-coming ball handler-scorer has got to be Trae Young, the flashy star guard who just led the Atlanta Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals. His Adidas Ice Tray is expected to hit stores in summer or fall for $140.
Best basketball shoes for jumping
If a guard is looking to play at the rim or above the rim and is seeking the best basketball shoe for jumping, look no further than the Kobe AD NXT 360 which makes us reminisce on Kobe’s first 15 or so seasons when he played far above the rim. With Nike’s relationship with Kobe’s estate and family coming to an end recently, there won’t be many opportunities to grab Nike Kobe shoes. On secondary markets like GOAT, the market is already paying way over sticker price for any Kobe sneaker.
This is why we like Kobe AD NXT360:
- Support is very good for a low top shoe, which sits noticeably lower on the ankle than a high top shoe and typically gives less ankle/foot support.
- It’s lightweight, so makes it easier to take and get off the ground in a hurry.
- It’s fashionable and a great way to celebrate Kobe’s life, career, and competitive spirit.
Best outdoor basketball shoes
Because we believe in the progress that Under Armour has been making with its basketball shoes, we revisit Under Armour and give them the nod for best outdoor basketball shoes with Steph Curry’s 3ZERO.
“Curry and Under Armour have totally revolutionized the game of basketball; turning a post-centric sport into one that boasts dozens of players who can comfortably shoot half-court shots.”
In doing so, Curry has become one of the NBA’s all-time popular players and therefore, his shoe has been built to perform well outside, where most fans are playing.
Although there are tons of good options for outdoor basketball shoes. Here are our thoughts:
- LeBron’s Nike Soldier is a sturdy outdoor shoe
- Adidas’ Damian Lilliard line, Nike’s Hyperdunk, and the Adidas Pro Model have all been around for a little while and perform well on the blacktop
- The Under Armour Curry 3ZERO 3 is the best basketball shoe for under $100; in fact, on some sites, it is listed as low at $67.99.
Best basketball shoe with ankle support
If you’re concerned more with ankle support than with fashion, you may want to recommend the Nike Lebron Soldier again since that is the best basketball shoe with ankle support that there is on the market. It is a high top basketball shoe with premier ankle support.
3 reasons why we like Nike Lebron Solider for ankle support:
- The strap on the Soldier has an extra layer of support, to keep the foot and ankle in place.
- The shoe was specifically built for Lebron, one of the most explosive, athletic players on the planet who, in his late 30’s, has never suffered a serious injury despite playing above the rim for years.
- It rests high on the ankle. It may not fall in line with fashion trends for low or mids, but the Soldier is high enough to wrap completely around the ankle for added support, albeit at the expense of its aesthetic.
So what’s new?
While Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour continue to produce great apparel and sneakers for basketball players around the world, there is a new shoe brand on the scene, China’s Li Ning. Not only have they recruited a handful of current NBA players, but they also have Hall of Famer Dwayne Wade as a global brand ambassador. Their shoes are very flashy and are sure to turn heads on the court, as evident by this Li Ning CJ McCollum shoe:
Luckily for basketball players and fans around the world, there are plenty of great options for your next pair of basketball shoes. Why then not have a couple of pairs?
