What Makes A Good Basketball Shoe?

We all know that basketball players should wear basketball shoes, but is there a specific type of basketball shoe everyone should wear?

The answer is…YES!! There are certain types of basketball shoes fit for different types of players. Certain qualities of basketball shoes fit each player differently so it depends greatly on who you are and your play style, as well as your preferences.

Not all basketball shoes are the same. In this blog, I will list down the qualities that make a basketball shoe good and recommend the right type of shoe that fits different play styles.

1.Comfort/Fit

Comfort is a key component of a a great basketball shoe. It is very important for the player to feel comfortable wearing the shoe in a long game or when they are playing for a long duration of time. Most of the time, this also means that uncomfortable shoes cause higher risk of injury (especially in the foot and ankle). Empty spaces in the shoe or very rigid and sharp spots cause a lot of discomfort and can therefore injure you in a competitive game when players are putting in a lot of effort.

2.Traction

Another important attribute that makes a good basketball shoe is the traction because the grip on the shoe is essential to the performance of the player. You do not want to be sliding or slipping during a game, making yourself look like a complete fool. The traction on the shoe allows you to stop immediately when you make a hard cut or agile movements on the court. The traction is arguably the most important component in allowing great performance on the basketball court. There are certain types of basketball grips but most of them are made of rubber because it is a very good material for traction.

3.Support

The support of a basketball shoe matters very much because it means the player will be less injury prone. Many shoes may be larger (E.g. they may cover up much of your lower shin or it will feel like wearing boots) and although there are some disadvantages of wearing such big and heavy shoes, they give players a lot of reassurance when they play. This is because the stability and build of the shoe protects your ankles and foot very well, preventing many injuries from occurring.

There are generally three main positions in the game of basketball and of these three qualities I’ve listed above, they all apply specifically to each general position. The positions are: guards, forwards, and centers.

Guards are mainly the shorter and quicker players on the court so they need an agile shoe that allows them to run and jump more. Guards should aim to get shoes that highlight mainly TRACTION and some COMFORT/FIT.

Forwards are bigger players that play at a slower pace than guards but still need a shoe that helps them move athletically on the court. Forwards should aim to get shoes that highlight mainly COMFORT/FIT and also TRACTION.

Centers are the biggest players on the court and they need shoes that have maximum support to take the heavy pounding of the game. They are usually the most physical and aggressive players so being able to prevent injuries is very important. Also, because they also run and jump much less than guards, they will not need much traction because athletic moves are much less often performed. Centers should aim to get shoes that highlight mainly SUPPORT and some COMFORT/FIT.