Whether you are a collector or a professional basketball player, knowing what makes basketball shoes “right” is important. Basketball shoes are specialized shoes specifically designed to help basketball players do what they do best.
While they are not particularly a lucky charm that guarantees the player will win, they help them play at their best. The shoes are designed with comfort, practicality, performance, and style in mind, meaning “functionality” doesn’t necessarily rule out “fashion.”
Thus, before you pay for those basketball shoes, you might want to run them through this buying guide. We will give you a list of factors to consider when choosing a pair of basketball shoes.
You don’t want the shoes over-equipped or under-equipped; to be your best on the field, they have to be “right.” The typical basketball shoes feature three sections: the upper, midsole, and outsole; these features below will help you cop the right pair.
1. Your Size
Size is the first thing to consider when choosing basketball shoes; you don’t want an oversized or undersized shoe. There are undoubtedly unlimited options of basketball shoes to choose from, but you need to determine your shoe size first.
Once you have determined your size, you can start choosing based on the tops, position, and design. Meanwhile, there are many unisex shoes with unisex sizes that you can choose from.
2. The Upper Portion
Before considering the style and even the size, you should consider the anatomy of the shoe. When considering the upper part, consider what height you want; basketball shoes have high, mid, and low heights.
High-top basketball shoes wrap around your ankle, providing an extra layer of stability and support – but this makes it heavier. Mid-top basketball shoes sit right at the ankle, providing coverage but without the all-enclosing design, and it enhances flexibility.
Finally, low-top basketball shoes are built for speed and agility but with little ankle support because of their lower profile. Apart from these heights, consider the closure technique used in the shoes.
Laces are the most popular but you can also find those with zippers, hook-and-loop, and strap closures. These three closure styles can provide an extra layer of coverage than the laces, but that also means more weight.
3. The Midsole
The midsole of a basketball shoe is one of its most essential portions when it comes to performance. It is as important to basketball as the same way understanding the basics is to Blackjack game online. The shoe cushioning is located at the midsole; this part can make or mar your performance on the field.
Most basketball midsoles are made with a variety of foams, including EVA and compressed EVA as well as polyurethane. Eva and compressed EVA are lighter than polyurethane midsoles while the latter is denser and much more durable.
Some high-end basketball shoes also feature cushioning technologies in the midsole, such as the forefoot and heel. These are brand-specific and are added to provide extra cushioning in pressure points, making them more comfortable. These are designed to withstand the level of stress that occurs during a basketball game.
4. The Outsole
The outsole is the outer, under part of the basketball shoe; it is either made of rubber or synthetic material. The shoe’s outsole is its point of traction; you want a relatively flat and wide outsole that provides maximum balance.
Furthermore, look for outsoles with hexagonal or herringbone patterns, particularly if you want added grip. These patterns are designed to secure the feet and prevent the player from sliding back and forth on the court.
Also, where you will be using the basketball shoe matter; outdoor shoes are designed differently than indoor shoes. If you will be playing on an outdoor court, you might want to go for shoes with a thicker and longer-lasting outsole. The extra thickness is warranted, particularly considering how quickly asphalt eats up the shoe’s thread.
5. Your Play Position
The position you play on the team matters when it comes to choosing shoes. For instance, there are shoes specifically built for shooting guards and those designed for centers.
For all-round players, you need a mid-top basketball shoe that provides ankle support and enables flexibility on the court. Meanwhile, if you play guard, you will be moving around a lot on the court; low-top shoes are the ideal choice.
However, if you play forwards, you need high-top basketball shoes because you need to be able to command the paint. The extra-weight high-top shoes come with is perfect for larger and more aggressive players, especially with the additional coverage and support.
6. Design
Functionality does not rule out aesthetics in basketball shoes; you can have it all. Thus, after considering how the shoes are made, go further to consider how they look.
There are varieties of designs, meaning finding a style that shows your personality and appeals to your taste. For instance, if you want to stand out among other players, choose a style with bolder colors and more designs.
Conclusion
Even if you aren’t buying basketball shoes to play basketball, it is still important to know these factors. After all, if you wanted ordinary shoes, you would have gone for them instead. Thus, if you want actual basketball shoes, then you will want the features that distinguish them from normal shoes.
