Perhaps you’re off to basketball camp or about to start your journey as a varsity player in college. You may also be a footwear enthusiast considering starting a basketball shoe collection. Whatever the reason, you’re here because you’re looking for tips on scoring the right pair of basketball shoes. Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Basketball shoes aren’t the same as regular shoes you wear every day. They’re designed to equip the person wearing them with comfort, durability, and performance. As such, choosing your first-ever pair of basketball shoes might be one of the most important decisions you must make as an athlete.
How to Pick Your First Basketball Shoes
Some basketball players would probably say that buying some basketball shoes has gotten complicated. If you try to go online to search for tips and ideas, you’ll be bombarded with countless results and recommendations that would only make the process more complicated than it already is. In some ways, this could be true.
Knowing which should be cut can be tricky with a wide selection of basketball shoes. So, if you’re still struggling and can’t decide which shoes to pick, here are some factors to consider that might help you choose more wisely and quickly:
1. Consider Your Player Position
Not a lot of basketball players would consider this factor when buying shoes. However, your position when playing the game could heavily impact how your basketball shoes would work for you. For example, low-top shoes might be your best pair if you’re playing guard.
Being the guard, you’re expected to move faster than other players. Low-top shoes allow for flexibility and mobility, making these shoes the right pair for your basketball needs. If you don’t have a specific position when playing, you can go for mid-top shoes that offer adequate ankle support as you move back and forth.
2. Choose The Right Fit
The most crucial factor to consider when buying basketball shoes is that the fit determines if you’ll be comfortable, safe, and happy when playing and wearing your shoes. As basketball is quite a game that deals heavily with high impact and movements, it can easily stress your knees, ankles, and feet. If your basketball shoes don’t fit well, your body won’t adequately absorb the impact and stress, potentially leading to injuries and health issues.
When your basketball shoes are too loose, your knee could receive too much impact, just a disaster waiting to happen. You’d likely end up with a twisted ankle even before getting to half of the game.
Conversely, too-tight shoes can be a recipe for injured arches or toes. You must choose the right fit for your first basketball shoes to ensure you can comfortably walk, jump, and run. Of course, you must also consider how the fit will feel when you wear them with your basketball socks.
3. Look into Durability
Remember that your basketball shoes won’t only be used for the games alone. It’s also highly likely that you’ll be wearing them during practice games, warm-ups, and other physical activities. With this in mind, it’s essential that you also consider the factor of durability when shopping for your first pair.
At most, your shoes must endure months of games and practices, so they must keep up with the wear and tear. Your choice of material will significantly affect how durable the shoes will be. The most common material options are canvas, leather, and synthetic leather.
The most viable choice is synthetic leather, which offers stability, breathability, durability, and flexibility. This material is also incredibly lightweight, which could be an advantage when moving, running, and jumping faster.
4. Consider the Price
While you can’t put a price on quality, considering the cost can still be another factor to consider when buying your first basketball shoes. It doesn’t necessarily mean you need to look for the cheapest pair, but more likely, it’s better to research the current price trends in the market. Doing so will inform you what to expect when shopping for your shoes.
Setting a budget may be too idealistic, but that’s wood if you can find footwear within your means. Several quality brands and kinds of basketball shoes won’t hurt your wallet as much as expensive ones would.
Final Words
Before you seal the deal on the pair of basketball shoes you dream of, there are several considerations. More than the aesthetics, you need to consider the durability of materials, the right fit, your player position, and the price of the shoes.
