Looking for the Perfect Basketball Shoes at the Right Price? Here’s a Quick Guide

Basketball remains one of the most popular sports in the U.S. While some players are intent on going pro, millions more are just looking for an active lifestyle through the game. In every neighborhood, you will most likely find a basketball court.

A recent report by the Sports &Fitness Industry Association (SIFA) says over 26 million Americans are playing basketball today. Of these, around 15.5 million play for fun while 4.1 million play in organized leagues. Little wonder then that a Business of Basketball Report published on Forbes says an average NBA franchise is now worth over $1.36 billion.

Whether you are playing for fun or you are intent on joining the pro league, it is important to understand one fact; the type of shoe you wear largely determines how productive you are on the court. If you are keen on enjoying the game, you have to make sure you only wear high-quality shoes. This simple choice could be the most important you will ever make when you hit the court today.

Why Play Basketball?

If you are looking for a healthy lifestyle, it is probably time you started playing basketball. The health benefits of basketball are immense and they include booting cardiovascular health, burning calories to lose weight, building bone strength, boosting the immune system, increasing mental performance, and developing mental coordination among others. These benefits are incredible and it is no wonder basketball legends such as Michael Jordan, and Kevin Durant among others epitomize prefect health.

Choosing the Right Basketball Shoes

There is no gainsaying the myriad benefits this sport brings to your life. To enjoy these, you have to choose the right basketball shoe not only for comfort but also to prevent injury. A wrong sized shoe can lead to injuries which can keep you off the court for months. More importantly, the shoe you choose determines how effective you are on the court. This is one reason why you find different professional players wearing different types of shoes to suit their playing

To avoid chronic injury which could ultimately end your basketball playing life, you need to research basketball shoes on your own and consider the following:

Playing Needs

Every player on the court has an important role and as such, they require different shoes to perform optimally. While every player requires a comfortable shoe, you also need to consider other unique needs. For instance, a power player and a speed player need different shoes and so does an offensive and defensive player. Take time to identify your best position and start investing early in the right shoe for that position.

Body Type and Size

Every player has different physique and while the sport is famous for its huge players, you will also find other smaller bodied players with crucial roles on the court. Your body type and size are crucial when choosing a basketball shoe. Larger players require lots of support and for them, there are shoes that offer this. Smaller players on the other and need lighter shoes to allow fast movement on the court.

For instance, the shoe Kobe wears is different from that which LeBron will wear because these players are different in size. Take time to research further on the best brands for your body type.

Avoid the Hype

Basketball shoes have spawned an entire fashion industry and when big brands release a new line, there is a lot of hype. Millions of dollars are used to drive sales and most people end up making purchases while these are not the shoes they really need. Your skill level matters a lot and as such, don’t be taken in by advertising, especially when it comes to technology that guarantees efficiency and performance.

Ankle Height

Depending on position, you will have to choose different ankle height shoes. Specific positions require different types of ankle heights. All-round players on the other hand require a general shoe that has neither a high or low ankle height.

Other considerations when choosing a basketball shoe include right sizing, pricing and quality, material used in construction, mid and outer sole, closing systems and cushion among others. It is important to compare the top rated basketball shoes in the market such as Adidas Dame 3, Jordan Ultra.Fly 2, Nike Kobe A.D. NXT, Nike Men’s Lebron Soldier 10 Basketball Shoes, Nike Kyrie 3 GS Black/Ice, and Adidas Performance Men’s Crazy Explosive Basketball Shoe among others. Go on and use these tips to find the right basketball shoe and improve your game.