Basketball is one of the most popular sports all around the globe, which makes a lot of sense when you consider the reach it has. Everyone from tiny toddlers to senior citizens can often find a team to play on. And even if you can’t find an organized team, there’s always a pickup game or driveway hoop to take advantage of.
One thing that makes playing basketball even more enjoyable is having the right gear. A good quality ball can make all the difference in your game. The perfect clothes and the best basketball shoes make it easy to move and feel comfortable no matter how long you play.
Finding the best basketball shoes for each season will transform your game and make you the star of any team. Follow these tips to help you sift through the options for the perfect pair!
1. Figure Out Your Pain Points
Unless this is your first year playing basketball, chances are you’ve experienced a few different types of shoes. Before you go looking for your new pair, it’s a good idea to evaluate those other pairs to see what worked and what didn’t.
Pay particular attention to the way your feet felt when you wore them, both during and after the activity.
As you figure out what areas of the foot hurt, you can make adjustments with the next pair. Maybe you need more arch support or a tighter fit. This is also where a professional guide can come in handy for determining the best fit for your current issues.
2. Map Your Foot
Along similar lines, taking a little extra time to map out your foot can help you when buying shoes that need to fit just right. Knowing exactly what type of shoe works best for your foot type will immediately narrow down your search and make the whole errand much less overwhelming.
If you have experienced severe foot issues while playing basketball in the past, it might be a good idea to look into getting your feet professionally mapped. This will give you a clear guideline to follow as you’re buying sneakers for the season.
3. Consider the Necessary Movements
One of the things that makes basketball such an enjoyable sport is the wide variety of positions you can play. Every position plays to different strengths, which makes it so everyone can find their place on a team.
This type of difference also means that not all basketball shoes are the best fit for each position on the team. It’s important to consider which place you normally take on the team and what your typical movements look like in that spot. That should help you determine where you need extra support and where the shoe can be more relaxed.
4. Test Every Area of the Shoe
An important tip for figuring out how to buy the best basketball shoes is to not get caught up focusing on one area of the shoe. Instead, make sure to consider the whole thing and how every area will impact your ability to perform.
Obviously, some areas may be more impactful for your foot than others. But it’s important to not disregard the rest because of it.
This is especially true when you’re thinking about the sole of the shoe and how that will impact the comfort of your foot. There’s an outsole and a midsole that will be slightly different on every shoe. Considering the whole shoe together will help you be sure that you get the best fit for your game.
5. Decide on a Color Scheme
Obviously, the function of your new pair of basketball shoes is very important. Nothing makes the game less enjoyable than having your feet hurt a quarter into the game.
But buying shoes to show off your personality is also one of the fun parts of buying sneakers and shouldn’t be neglected.
As you start to look, think about a color scheme you’d like to bring to your shoes. Maybe it will match your team colors or it’ll be a more personal representation of your favorites. Either way, there are limitless combinations available to choose from. Find out more about the most popular color choices here!
6. Read Online Reviews
Buying shoes online is extremely convenient for so many reasons, which is why so many players prefer this option. But it can also be difficult to know exactly what you’re going to get when your order arrives.
Sometimes, you may worry about the choice you made for one reason or another. This is why we always suggest reading as many customer reviews as possible. That way you get an honest, real perspective on the shoes on which to base your decision. You can get even more insight into the pair you’re looking at this way with a few extra minutes.
7. Factor in Durability
While getting a new pair of basketball sneakers is a fun way to mark the start of a new season, no one wants to wear a pair out long before it’s ended. You want your new pair of basketball shoes to last as long as possible, even through different games, practices, and any pickup games you join.
Take a look at the materials being used in the basketball shoes to find the ones designed to withstand a lot of movement and playtime!
Get Started Finding the Best Basketball Shoes
Finding the best basketball shoes is a key step to being able to enjoy your season and get more out of your playing time. Instead of worrying about your feet hurting during or after the game, you’ll be free to run and jump as much as you need to get the win!
There are so many basketball sneakers on the market that it can be very overwhelming to try to figure out where to start. Just remember to follow these steps and you’ll be sure to find the pair that will work best for you!
If you’re interested in learning more about taking good care of yourself during physical activity, check out our other articles today!
