6 Tips on How to Buy Basketball Shoes (Buying Guide)

Are you looking for an aesthetically appealing yet high-performance pair of shoes to improve your basketball journey as a player? You surely need to think keenly before putting your hand on any shoes.

For a basketball player, shoes are not only something that adds to looks but an essential accessory that determines his/her overall performance. Therefore, before picking a pair of shoes, look into this how-to-buy basketball shoe guide to learn about your playing style, what you need as a player and why it matters.

Firstly, observe your playing style, whether you are an aggressive player or a moderate one. Have you had any injuries previously? Any ankle or foot injury may hinder your productivity, but a suitable pair of basketball shoes provide the necessary support to ensure that you always stay ahead.

Read this article carefully to get the most suitable basketball shoes to boost your overall ground performance.

Six Simple Steps to Choose the Right Basketball Shoes

• Anatomy of Basketball Shoes
• Positions and Playing Styles
• Shoe Size
• What to Look in Perfect Basketball Shoes
• Other Considerations When Buying Basketball Shoes
• The Bottom Line

1. Anatomy of Basketball Shoes

Basketball shoe plays the role of a building block in a game as they provide the required support to the feet and improve overall performance. There are three major parts in a basketball shoe that determine their types as well as help you to pick the right shoes for your play.

• Upper Portion

The upper portion is the out layer of the shoe that provides support to your foot. There are also three available types in the upper part based on the support level they give. You can pick the most supportive upper portion if you are an aggressive player and do spinning shots.

Here are these three types

--High Tops -The high top provides maximum support as it completely covers the ankle. While playing, shoes with high tops enable you to play without any fear of ankle spin or any damage to the joint. If you are an aggressive player, then pick this one. Professional players mostly prefer these types of basketball shoes.

--Mid Tops -The mid-top style doesn’t cover the ankle completely. However, if you want flexible play, you can pick shoes with mid-tops as they provide needed movement to the ankle with some ankle support.

--Low Tops -Low tops provide almost no ankle support. However, shoes with these upper parts offer maximum flexibility—players who need speed must choose shoes with low tops. If you are a guard in the game or have to do quick actions, this is a suitable option for you.

• MidSole

The comfort level of a shoe decides how long you can play on the ground and keep you safe from any damage. Here midsole plays a vital role in the building of the shoe because this is the foamy layer at the middle of the shoe to provide comfort to your feet for hours of play. This part is often made up of foam or synthetic material. Also, it has different shapes according to your foot and is made of different materials to ensure maximum support for continuous play.

• OutSole

The outsole is the bottom part of the shoe that ensures ground grip. It is mainly made up of synthetic plastic with ridges to make sure slip-free play, either when you are playing aggressively or with speed. The outsole of a basketball should be broad and sturdy to give maximum support and friction that result in high performance while playing the game.

2. Positions and Playing Styles

It is important to consider your playing style and position to get the best fit. Once you understand your needs, it will become easy to pick your desired basketball shoes with all features.

• Guards

The role of the guard in a game is to throw the ball into the basket and stop the ball in case the opposing team tries to make a goal. If you are a guard, you need to act fast; therefore, choose a shoe with low tops and an outsole with maximum grip to avoid slip.

• Centers & Power Forwards

Players with these positions spend their time in the paint, which means they need more power and ankle support. Therefore, shoes with high tops are ideal for such players to ensure maximum protection.

• Small Forwards & Versatile Players

For such players, a mid-top shoe is the best pick because players at this position need speed as well as the power to do aggressive play. Players who act as versatile players provide significant support to the team; therefore, they require an ideal pair of shoes with both; speed and support.

3. Shoe Size

Like other factors, the correct shoe size provides grip, support, and comfort to the foot. Whether you have a suitable shoe type, upper, mid, or outsole, you will never get desired results if you wear the wrong shoe size.

If you are unsure about your shoe size, consult your coach or talk about this to the shopkeeper to find your size. Once you know it, pick the most suitable shoe to ensure hours of play without getting disturbed.

Aesthetics

No doubt the qualities mentioned above determine shoe performance, but a shoe with a classy design defines you and adds to your personality. Due to specific performance demands, basketball shoes are made of various materials that increase their durability and let you choose among multiple designs.

Therefore, after picking a shoe based on your position and playing style, pick your shoe design and color based on your personality. Wear a bright and bold colored shoe to express your aggressive yet passionate soul.

4. What to Look in Perfect Basketball Shoes

After understanding the anatomy and structure of a shoe, it’s time to acknowledge things that make a shoe perfect for you. There are three factors that decide the quality of a basketball shoe, i.e., traction, support, and comfort.

• Traction

While playing such games, the thing that makes you win is the grip of your shoe. A shoe with a good grip lets you move swiftly without getting slipped or any severe damage. Traction also depends on the pattern that ensures maximum grip on the ground. There are multiple pattern options like zig-zag, round and multidimensional. Choose the one that provides grip according to your playing style.

• Support

A high-quality shoe ensures vital support so you can play for maximum time without getting any strain on your ankle and feet. For this, it is recommended to learn about your playing style and position and pick a shoe with a suitable upper part.

• Comfort

A comfortable shoe has the right size, fit, and cushioning in that midsole to provide more extended play without harming your feet. To get maximum comfort, understand your size and feet arch to buy a shoe according to your feet’ needs.

5. Other Considerations When Buying Basketball Shoes

• Durability

If your shoe fails to spend a season with you, this cannot be the right pick for you. A shoe must be durable enough to stay with you in the longer run. For example, your shoe has everything perfect at the start, but its upper gets stretched after one month. Because of loose structure, it loses the ability to support your feet properly. Try to look for a lightweight yet durable pair of shoes to carry in a long sports run.

• Fit

Your shoe should not be too fit or too loose to ensure you get enough support. Try to pick a shoe with half-inch extra space. However, on the width side, it should be fit enough to grip the feet. Also, a shoe with thick and a bit hard cushioning provides a strong base while playing basketball.

• Skill

Your shoe type depends on your skill to ensure you get what you need. For example, if you are a D1-level player, you require a more robust and sturdy shoe than a D3 player. Also, your position and playing style significantly affect your choice of shoe.

• Build

The shoe build depends on your playing style and body type. If a shoe has a big upper while you need speed, it fails you by reducing your speed. So never ignore this factor and look at the shoe’s build to get what you really need for amazing gameplay.

• Price

This is a fact that price doesn’t define the quality of a shoe. So if you think that you get premium quality by spending thousands of dollars on shoes, then you might be wrong on this point. Set a budget and look for a shoe within that range. Visit multiple shops and examine the features that you want. However, if you find a pair of shoes precisely what you are looking for, don’t hesitate to cross your pre-defined budget. Because in the end, the thing that matters is the quality that boosts your performance.

6. The Bottom Line

There is no doubt in the fact that a suitable basketball shoe can improve your gaming performance. Therefore, it is crucial to pick the one after keen observation and consider all factors like your feet size, shape, playing style, and position in the game. Each of these factors has a great influence on your decision as well as your competition. So keep them in consideration and pick the one that provides maximum support, traction, and comfort.