There are only a few things worse than wearing ill-fitting shoes when playing your favorite sport. If you’ve ever played basketball with different fittings of shoes, you might have noticed how they affected your performance differently. So, the big question is, “How should basketball shoes fit?” Should they be a size bigger or smaller? High cuts or low-tops? Here’s a quick guide for you.
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Buying Guide for Basketball Shoes
To bring your A-game to the court, you’d have to ensure that your basketball shoes tick all the right boxes. First off, ensure that the toe box (the front half of the shoe) is not too tight. If your toes feel crammed with no wiggle room, it’s not fit for you. However, you must ensure it’s not so free, as this will affect your balance while playing. To get good support, your basketball shoes must also fit snugly around your ankles. This will help keep your ankles in place and prevent ankle injuries.
Your basketball shoes should also keep your heels in place with no room to slide up or down. However, there could be room for side-to-side movement. All in all, your basketball shoes must grip your feet, especially your heels, midsoles, and ankles, firmly but not tightly.
Best Basketball Shoes For Wide Feet
Finding great basketball shoes for wider feet can be a hassle. But there are a few worth checking out. First off, you should check out the new Nike Air Jordans 36. These super lightweight shoes have some extra width space and are great for wide feet.
The Adidas Harden Vol. 4 features a super responsive cushion for the midsoles. These lace-up shoes can also accommodate wider feet. The Under Armour Curry Flow 9’s design allows for a super easy foot entry and offers excellent cushioning even for wider feet. You could also check out the Puma Clyde All-Pro if you prefer a pair of low-tops.
Best Low-Top Basketball Shoes
Contrary to popular belief, wearing low-top basketball shoes does not increase your chances of sustaining ankle injuries. Low-tops like the Under Armour Curry 8 continues to receive rave reviews. Its excellent traction and stable cushioning make these low-tops a top contender. The Nike Air Precision ll is also a great low-top with great reviews. If you have wider feet, the Puma Clyde All-Pro will be an excellent choice of low-top basketball shoes.
Best Basketball Shoes For Ankle Support
Ankle support is a big deal when buying basketball shoes as it can make or break your play. The Nike Kyrie 7 is one of the most highly-rated shoes for ankle support. Alternatively, you could check out Air Jordan XXXVI, which is great for indoor play. The Adidas Pro Model 2G is also a great buy.
Conclusion
Getting great basketball shoes that fit can be hard work. Worse is if you’re not even sure how they should fit. The simple answer to “How should basketball shoes fit?” is: firmly gripping your midsoles, heels, and toes but not too tight. Consider the factors mentioned in our buying guide, and you’d find your custom fit that’ll let you shine on the court.