The Best Men’s Basketball Shoes to Dominate Every Game

Finding Your Next Pair of Basketball Shoes: A Buyer’s Guide

When men are searching for their next basketball shoes, they can be very picky about a lot of things. It is important to make a statement through aesthetics, perform better than anyone, and find the optimal product for your height, weight, court, and foot type. On top of everything, it is also important to find a pair that’s within your budget. We recommend that you never compromise on the quality and steer clear of the non-branded options.

The level of intensity of this sport requires that the shoes never fail to deliver the promise. We will categorize and explain each of these topics in the coming sections of this buying guide to give you a clear picture of a basketball shoe that will sit well with you on the court!

Anatomy of Basketball Shoes

Basketball shoes have several parts, and we will cover only the most important ones in this guide.

Upper

The upper of the basketball shoes should be breathable, flexible, and high-top. They should support all the way up to the ankles and stabilize the shoes around the heel and toes. When laced properly, the upper becomes a cage for the shoes to ensure that the foot is placed on the floor exactly as it is supposed to fall.

Midsole

This is where all the cushioning is concentrated, and your playing position determines the type of cushioning you need. It requires careful consideration because more cushioning adds weight and less cushioning increases impact. Most players know their ideal cushioning through the hit and trial method.

Outsole

The outsole mainly provides traction, protects shoes from wearing out, and sometimes has bulges to add stability. The most common patterns underneath are Herrington, hexagonal, or some form of spirals.

Personalize Your Basketball Shoes

Your basketball shoes are your canvas, minus the paintbrushes. Basketball shoes represent the player’s personality, so color, style, and pattern have to reflect you, your favorite theme, and your most loved basketball icons. They make a statement on the court, and enthusiasts count it as part of the game. Some manufacturers even offer to customize the colors of a select few designs. Here are some ideas to personalize your basketball shoes by choosing aesthetics that:

• Carry colors of your school’s uniform or logo,
• Represent your favorite NBA team
• Are endorsed by your favorite player or have a logo of their initials

Men’s Basketball Shoes for Each Position on the Court

Players in the guard position such as Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry need more traction and court feel as compared to players in other positions. More court feel means less cushioning, but the game plan is to track and defend opposing players, so you will need more speed and lateral quickness. In addition, the flexibility around the ankle increases the wearer’s agility which is often required in guard positions.

Forwards and centers, the likes of LeBron James and Shaq, require more cushioning in their shoes and less court feel. This is partly because of their height and party due to their need to jump high and frequently. They also require a high top to have enhanced stability to lower the pressure on the ankles. However, aiming for too much stability is also not a good idea because any incremental stability comes with a harder mid area. This hard middle portion decreases the comfort level of the shoes.

Indoor vs. Outdoor

Basketball shoes for outdoor concrete courts have dense rubber soles, have a traction pattern to last a long time. The natural friction of the concrete or street provides more than enough traction but wears out the shoes in a matter of weeks. The hard outsole becomes the most important factor when buying basketball shoes for outdoor games.

The indoor hardwood floor is hard to handle, so the role of basketball shoes becomes crucial to individual performance. The high top and wide outsole add stability to the feet during rapid movements, while the outsole pattern provides resistance necessary for nanosecond movements. The most popular pattern for excellent resistance is that herringbone manufacturers keep innovating to improve traction.

Quality Over Price

A low price does not mean more value because, in the long run, replacement costs can and will even things out. Always check for the materials used in making the shoes. Likewise, a high price tag does not mean increased durability because the additional money may be going towards marketing, branding, and NBA player logos. The key is to find the right balance and pay exactly for what you will get. A careful analysis can reveal that sweet spot easily, whether you are purchasing in-store or online.

How Do I Break in My Basketball Shoes?

Twist the front of the shoe multiple times, keeping the heel in place. The objective is to soften the sole under the toes so that it does not hurt the feet in the break-in process. Wear them daily with different pairs of socks for a walk or jogging. Practice in your new basketball shoes as much as you can so that your feet and shoes can work together and make necessary adjustments naturally.

How to Clean Your Men’s Basketball Shoes

Basketball shoes get a lot of abuse, stepovers, dirt, and sweat during each session. A cleaning habit can keep them from being a hub of bacteria, smelling bad, and permanently stained. All you have to do is use a gentle soap, a piece of cloth and rub it all over. Then rinse the soap using a sponge and leave them in a ventilated space to air dry.

Some Tips to Help You

• Added stability can cost you comfort because the medial areas in some shoes are hardened, hurting the feet.
• Your basketball shoes should last one season with serious playtime.
• If the fabric on the upper has loosened, then it means it’s time to buy a new pair. Loose upper will reduce the stability and makes it dangerous to wear them on the court.