Welcome to Tecnoreviews! Today is the day to talk about a functional and fashionable accessory: basketball shoes.

Made to protect the feet and ankles of players during the game, basketball shoes have evolved and today feature advanced technologies for professionals, amateurs and, why not, fashionistas.

In this article, we will help you understand what to consider when shopping for the most durable and efficient basketball shoes.

See more: check the best sports shoes on Sports Men

First, the most important

Basketball shoes are essential to avoid injuries that players are subjected to due to movements on the court.

Today’s models use advanced technology to ensure cushioning, traction, flexibility and protection.

Here you will discover the main factors that differentiate one model from another and how to make the best decision.

The best basketball shoes: our recommendations

Anyone looking for a basketball shoe, whether professional or amateur, wants functionality and style. Manufacturers know this and have been investing in ever-increasing technology improvements for decades.

Therefore, we will present below the four best basketball shoes available in the market.

Basketball shoes for those who want to play like the King

The Nike Lebron Soldier XII model, as the name implies, is signed by today’s best player. It has four elastic straps and a velcro closure, which allows a secure fit. Thicker straps support the forefoot and midfoot, while the lighter straps provide firm comfort around the ankle.

Basketball shoes for fans of Barba

Adidas Harden Vol 2 is a James Harden signature short toned basketball shoe. This model has a leather upper that wraps the foot like a sock.

The midsole features Boost cushioning technology, with a wide heel counter, and the outsole is made of rubber for increased traction.

For those who want to play like Kobe Bryant

The Nike Kobe AD shoe is the perfect model for anyone who dreams of one day doing masterful moves like Kobe Bryant’s. In addition to being signed by the former Lakers star, this model is super light and has differentiated cushioning. Its mash is multi-layered, and the Flywire cables provide support and a sense of security during basketball practice. The NIke Zoom Air technology in the heel softens the impact on more difficult landings.

Shopping guide

The choice of basketball shoes must go beyond design and color. It is necessary to take into account the factors that interfere with the protection and efficiency that the footwear will provide.

That’s why we created this Buying Guide with everything you need to know to get the perfect match for your movements.

What is a basketball shoe?

Basketball shoes are, as the name implies, a special shoe used by basketball players to protect their feet, prevent injuries, and reduce impacts.

Studies show that, during a game, the player is subjected to an impact force greater than 10 times his body weight. And this has negative effects on the feet, ankles, knees and spine.

Therefore, a good basketball shoe is made with design and materials that will help not only to improve athletic performance, but mainly to reduce the risk of injuries and accidents.

Basketball shoes usually have a long barrel to protect the ankle from the risk of sprains; and the sole is manufactured in such a way that it takes into account the rotational movement made by the players.

This movement, which is characteristic of basketball courts, is risky and, if performed with normal tennis shoes, can damage the player’s knee. However, since the creation of basketball shoes until today, footwear has evolved a lot.

Today, you will find a specific basketball shoe for each modality of the game and also for each position that you finally play.

More than that, nowadays, basketball shoes have become popular and even become a fashion item.

How did basketball shoes come about?

The first basketball shoes were made by the Converse All-Star in 1917. But the shoe was unveiled only three years later when Indiana University player Chuck Taylor started wearing it and helped improve it.

Made of canvas, long barrel and rubber sole, with reinforced heel and cracks in the sole, to reduce slippage on the courts, the shoe that is still used today around the world: the high-end black All-top .

Then in the early 1970s, the Nike created at the time stepped onto the court and released the Nike Blazer MID, reinforcing the shock absorbers of basketball shoes.

In 1980, however, tennis had its first great evolution. Nike released Air Force I, which included an airbag under the heel.

Some players like Moses Malone, Michael Cooper, Bobby Jones, Calvin Natt, Mychal Thompson and Jamal Wilkes were the first to wear Nike Air shoes.

In 1984, in association with Michel Jordan, the Nike Air Jordan line was created, positioning Nike as a leader in the manufacture of basketball shoes.

Then Adidas and Reebook entered the competition expanding the options.

As a result, all manufacturers have invested in increasingly efficient basketball shoes, with the goal of performance and player protection. And, of course, without neglecting the boldness in the designer and the colors.

Since then, innovations have increased, both in terms of materials and technologies applied to footwear.

What is the difference between basketball shoes and running shoes?

It’s a fact: for each sport there is a specific shoe that will protect and increase the athlete’s efficiency.

Doctors and specialists assure that choosing the right footwear helps prevent serious injuries in people who practice sports and constant physical activities.

In basketball it is no different, as there are several different types of movements performed by the player.

There is, for example, the running part, the jumps, the rotations and, of course, the weight of the impact of the body itself.

Sports scientists at the University of Utah note that, on average, basketball players change direction every two seconds and take 105 short shots each time.

Basketball shoes are designed to act as shock absorbers for short shots, in which the player makes a quick, hard start, with a change of direction, and then stops.

Additionally, basketball shoes provide stability in the ankle while ensuring flexibility for players to move laterally.

Running shoes are designed to cushion and stabilize movements over long distances, with repetitive strides without major changes in direction.

What are the types of basketball shoes?

With the evolution of basketball shoes, manufacturers have invested in creating specific models with different functions. For example, there are shoes made specifically for those who play on outdoor courts, considering the type of court surface.

There are also basketball shoes that improve the performance of those who move more or less on the court. So, today there are types of basketball shoes that can be classified taking into account two factors:

  • The modality
  • The player’s position

Within the category of modality, there are basketball shoes for those who play indoors (covered courts) or outdoors (outdoors).

The basketball shoes indicated for those who play indoors have, in general, a thinner and softer sole, which allows flexibility, as well as shock absorption.

For those who play outdoors, tennis should be firmer, more stable and robust, due to the rougher ground.

Therefore, in general, this type of basketball shoe has an extra-reinforced sole and comes with velcro straps, to further reinforce stability.

The second category of types of basketball shoes takes into account the position of the player on the court. For example, if you own a point guard, you know that you will need more mobility and speed.

Therefore, the most suitable shoe has a thin and flexible sole, which helps to increase traction, and has a short shaft to offer more freedom of movement.

But if you’re playing like Alas, wide-base basketball shoes are ideal as they offer even more stability.
For Pivots, basketball shoes are recommended, which provide added stability, shock absorption, and additional support.

What are the advantages of basketball shoes?

As we saw, the great advantage of tennis to play basketball is that it protects the player against injuries, especially in the feet, ankles and knees. And this is possible due to the design combined with technologies that increase damping, traction and flexibility.

Precisely because of these benefits, basketball shoes also optimize the performance of good players on the court.

Another advantage of this type of shoe is durability. The fact is that the basketball shoes of the major brands are made with the highest quality materials, so they are durable and comfortable.

In short, the best basketball shoes offer additional ankle support, durability, and traction.

However, basketball shoes also have some downsides. The main one is the price. This is because the best manufacturers are international and use high technology in the manufacture of these shoes.

If you want to have a high quality and durable sneaker, you will have to make an investment that is not cheap. But the cost benefit is high as your shoes will last longer.

The fact is that the shoes of the brands with less tradition end up spoiling faster and do not offer the strength, cushioning and traction necessary for their protection and performance.

See the main advantages and disadvantages of basketball shoes:

Advantages

  • Prevents physical injury
  • improves performance
  • Highly durable
  • Comfortable
  • Cost-benefit

Disadvantages

  • High price
  • The leading brands are international.