The 10 Best Basketball Shoes 2024 For Ankle Support
Try playing basketball barefoot, even with your friends in the neighborhood, and you’ll soon discover that you’re not coming close to competitive.
Remember the comfort of running around the court (or driveway) with your feet supported by layers of protective padding, foam, and other pleasantries, and you’ll miss them right away.
Having good basketball shoes is a necessity even for amateurs in their driveway hoop players.
Choosing the right pair and the one that will suit your feet is difficult. They use all different materials, and cushioning technologies (often patented designs), and are designed with more colors of the rainbow while others are more limiting.
Champs Hoops has done the legwork for you on which shoes are best for playing hoops. Here are the leading 10 basketball shoes worth considering.
Top 10 Most Comfortable Best Basketball Shoes for Ankle Support
Nike Precision 5 Basketball Shoes
The Nike Precision 5 is a modest shoe that is laid out in black, platinum, and Wolf grey (according to Nike marketing).
Most of the upper has an aerated mesh to let in as much cool air as possible during a match.
For active playing with lots of sudden stops, twists, and turns, which basketball is full of, the design is very suitable to keep the feet cooler and avoid blisters developing.
The top webbing is matched by capable laces that match the color and lightness of this basketball shoe.
The air sole has some lift built into it to cushion landings from jumping up for the dunk shot. The outsole is durable enough to handle court surfaces and run around in the driveway shooting at the hoop above the garage door.
These basketball shoes are respectable for daily use and are light enough to be comfortable when extremely active.
Adidas Men’s Postmove Mid Basketball Shoe
The Adidas Men’s Postmove Basketball Shoe is designed to suit a variety of players’ needs on the court. The thing you notice right away is the traction you can achieve across the court.
Using sea coral as its design impetus; the see-through rubber sole grips the floor perfectly and allows fast movements to stop and quick turns without missing a beat.
The Adidas BOOST internal cushioning system helps the soles of the feet avoid taking damage.
The lift you can achieve from the cushioning system is impressive. The toes are also protected from being stepped on, to some degree at least.
There’s a bootie for a snug fit around each foot, and it provides a cushion to take up any remaining space internally. For slimmer-width feet, try a half size smaller to fit better as long as the slightly shorter length won’t be a problem for you.
The Xeno upper is a colorful, discrete design that’s pleasing to the eye without overdoing it. It cushions the foot well when stopping suddenly and the top of the foot slams into the top of the basketball shoe.
There are ten color combinations available with some standout ones like scarlet and collegiate royal, along with white, green, and black colored shoes too.
The heel is higher than most basketball footwear providing better support and protection up the heel of the foot.
These Crazy shoes are full of the latest Adidas technology and have a wide range of color schemes bound to please.
Nike Men’s AIR Force 1 ’07 Basketball Shoes
The Nike Men’s AIR Force Basketball Shoes are a traditional pair that is very noticeable when you first see them. It has a 07-inch high shaft as one would expect. There’s a choice of 8 color combinations too.
The AIR Force is dubbed “mid-winter” presumably because it has an upper that does its best to repel water before it sinks into the fabric and seeps inside the shoe during the variable weather of fall and winter.
The eye stays are metallic with hooks to secure this pair. The top and sides of the shoe are partially reflective which helps with low-light play.
The midsole is made from rubber sole, which is Nike’s pliable support that’s lighter than traditional phylon.
The design of Lunarion is intended to cushion the foot for high activity or long walks but has the springiness that basketball players need. The midsole drops right into place.
The outsole has a rugged traditional appearance. It looks more flattering from the outside than it is.
These winterized basketball shoes are rugged, and the addition of a waterproofing element helps to make them avoid damage if caught in a sudden downpour.
Under Armour Mens UA Rocket
The Under Armour Mens UA Rocket Basketball Shoes is a space-age-looking product. There are eight different color combinations, but perhaps the leading is the black, white, and charcoal pairs with colorful trim.
Made from faux leather and fabric, these shoes will send you off like a rocket.
The shaft isn’t as high as some other basketball shoes, but the sides rise higher to provide sufficient ankle support.
An essential when being a baller because of all the sudden twists and turns on the court. The Micro-G sock liner increases internal comfort.
There’s a crisscross pattern on the sides and perforations on the upper to let air flow inside.
The tip of the outsole is visible at the front of the shoe where the upper ends and the sole begins.
The grip underfoot continues because of the herringbone rubber design to the front tip, so you can still have the grip at the edge of a squash court with these.
These Rocket shoes from Under Armour are the next thing in high-tech and cool.
Adidas Performance Men’s Crazy Bounce
The Adidas Performance Men’s Crazy Bounce Basketball Shoe is a great-looking product. It comes in 11 color combinations; none of them are too loud and all bring something different to the mix.
The high-top shaft is tall enough to provide both excellent heel and arch support, plus the ankle receives necessary support that extends even higher too.
The design of these shoes makes it one that’s both ideal for basketball and other sports or regular use too.
The shoe is made from textile and synthetic materials. The upper is a textile heavily perforated, and the holes are substantial. It’s super light too.
The midfoot interior support is made from TPU, so it creates enough bounciness and firmness too. The ankle also gets the foam treatment.
The rubber outsole is grippy underfoot and doesn’t let active players down either.
These Adidas Men’s crazy basketball shoes balance the needs on the court with the needs of daily use.
NIKE Men’s Kobe Mamba Instinct
The Nike Men’s Kobe Mamba Instinct Basketball Shoes have a far lower shaft than some other models.
The shoe is designed principally as a Kobe Bryant model that is sleeker and feels less chunky on the foot due to the 3.5-inch arch. The sides are lowered for ankle positioning too.
There’s a colorful pattern on the upper which almost looks like a miniature alligator print.
The pronounced tongue sticks up enough to provide support when leaning forward to take a shot at the hoop.
There are 23 color combinations available for this Mamba Instinct which keeps to the dance movement flavor in the design.
The rubber soles provide a secure grip. The insoles are thicker than you would expect. Removing them leaves far too little padding, so a thick insole is required for these shoes to feel comfortable.
The fit of these shoes is very temperamental. The center of the shoe is thinner which doesn’t always fit well. Wider feet have a tough time with this design especially. It suits slimmer profile feet.
These Mamba basketball shoes from the Kobe line are the epitome of jive and coolness.
Under Armour Men’s Curry 3
The Under Armour Men’s Curry 3 Basketball Shoe comes in many different colors. Part of the Stephen Curry line, it has 33 different color combinations from discrete to garnish and everything in between. You’re bound to find a design that you’re happy with here.
The shaft focuses on stabilization with carbon fiber and is high enough to provide good heel support.
It has the same height as the ankle, and the internal padding provides cushioned comfort during play with lots of twists and turns too.
The tongue has an extended mesh to let in more airflow. It sits high above the ankle level for excellent support when leaning forward to take a shot.
The upper has a good Threadbornesynthetic fabric which is also breathable. The outsole enjoys a tread that runs in different directions to provide control with sharp movements this way and that.
Mostly the sizing comes out as expected. Quality is generally good with the odd exception depending on the batch.
Going with a Stephen Curry mode is all about excellent materials combined to produce excellent footwear.
Under Armour Boys’ Grade School UA Curry 3
The Under Armour Boys’ Grade School UA Curry 3 Basketball Shoes is the signature model from Stephen Curry (the 3rd edition).
It is designed for grade schoolers to play basketball with 29 different color combinations available.
These basketball shoes are designed similarly to the adult model reviewed above. There is the same carbon fiber shaft and the upper is produced in threadbare.
The internal cushion in the midsole provides good power and bounce. Anafoam from Under Armour is used to provide comfort throughout the internal features.
The rubber outsole offers a pattern that goes in more than one direction which permits better traction underfoot. The outsole rises extremely high up the shaft compared to other models.
These high schoolers’ basketball shoes are ideal for playing hoops at school or on the courts.
Jordan Men’s B. Fly Basketball Shoe
The Jordan Men’s B. Fly Basketball Shoe is one that mostly has the same basic design with a coloration difference depending on the color blend selected.
In at least one case, this is different with a camo-style design instead of one that’s more striped in appearance. Both look very respectable.
The upper is made from a single piece of woven fabric, so it responds as such. There’s a plate fitted as the shank to make the shoe more rigid.
The textile fabric is imported. The heel to the top is considered mid-top but not taller.
The lace-up front has a tongue that’s mid-level. The Zoom Air with the interior provides excellent bounce and lift with each step.
The rubber outsole uses a usual treat pattern and has the prominent black Jordan logo at the back portion.
These Jordans will help you get some air! The upper is super flexible for moving around without feeling the shoes rubbing on your feet.
Nike Men’s Air Ring Leader Low Basketball Shoes
The Nike Men’s Air Ring Leader Low Basketball Shoes is a low-rise pair of synthetic leather footwear. The uppers enjoy an overlay that runs across multiple locations to provide extra stability.
The appearance of the Air Ring Leader is much like a sneaker and less like a basketball shoe for people who prefer that.
It does have a 4-inch rise from the heel which is more than it looks like from the pictures.
There are only 8 color schemes. Most are black, white, or some combination of the two; no multi-colored, garish colors are on show here.
The midsole has some support and the heel area uses phylon for improved cushioned support underfoot.
The collar is a snug one without any extra padding or extended appearance. There is some ankle support provided here.
The Air Ring Leader has a good balance of features for a baller that doesn’t like a high-top shoe.
Tips To Choose The Superlative Basketball Shoes
Not wearing the right basketball shoes to play hoops is a lesson in discomfort and sometimes pain. You get blisters from ill-fitting shoes and cannot play the next day.
The reasons for this are simple – playing hoops involves far more instant stopping, twisting, pushing off in the new direction, as well as jumping for the hoop.
Your feet go through much more wear and tear than with gentler sporting activities, so your basketball shoes (and your socks!) need to be top-notch.
“Here are several steps to go through to help choose better shoes for basketball.”
- Step 1:- Take the time to get each foot measured properly. While you may think you know your shoe size, you certainly will not have a clear idea of whether you have unusually narrower or wider feet than a regular size.
This isn’t always obvious, especially if you’ve never had your feet professionally measured before.
- Step 2:- Power or Fast-moving? Power players who push through movements heavily and roll their feet and ankles require a sturdier shoe with greater internal padding, more cushioning in the heel, and advanced stability features.
An all-rounder player who’s often fast but light on their feet needs a lighter shoe to stay lithe.
- STEP 3:- How much ankle protection do you need? One feature of the superlative basketball shoes particularly is the raised height for greater ankle support to avoid getting a twisted ankle during play.
Not every player prefers this, but if you tend to twist your ankle, opt for higher ankle support.
- Step 4:- Indoor or outdoor player? When playing mostly outdoors, look for a heavier version with soles that grab the ground better.
When you play mostly indoors, the sole needed is usually lighter while the rubber still provides plenty of grips to avoid slipping.
- Step 5:- Ensure there’s some space between the end of your big toe and the end of the shoe. This provides some free area for your foot to move forward when stopping suddenly on the court.
It avoids injuring your big toe too. The shoe width should be comfortable but not tight or it will cause foot sores.
- Step 6:- Focus less on the brand or making a shoe fashion statement. The shoe must fit well and suit your type of hoop play.
When it fits low on the ankle and you feel a lack of support, that’s not good. Similarly, when the sole isn’t all that suitable for playing outside (or inside), you won’t get the grip and responsiveness you require to feel comfortable.
- Step 7:- Expect to get 6-9 months of regular use from basketball shoes. When you don’t get that amount of time from a pair, then you’re either buying a low-quality brand, paying too little, they don’t fit your feet correctly or you’re using an indoor shoe for outdoor play.
When selecting the right basketball shoe, the biggest mistake you can make is picking a snazzy shoe that will please your friends.
While street cred on the court is cool to have, if it messes up your feet because they’re not the right shoes for you, you’ll spend more time off the court than on it!
Conclusion
When choosing a pair of basketball shoes for yourself, a friend, or a family member, you need to get a few things right.
Firstly, will a low-top, mid-top, or high-top be suitable? This is the height of the back on the heel and up the leg. The low-top is usually more maneuverable, but it has the downside of providing less support on the shaft and the ankle.
The high top might extend up to 5 inches with extra padding and ankle support for the twists and turns inherent in a fast-paced basketball game.
Secondly, players who jump for the hoop a lot rather than shooting for the three-pointer, then they’ll care a lot about the foam used for the insole. Is it more bouncy or firmer and more supportive?
Thirdly, the outsole also matters. Is a thicker, heavier one that helps them plant their feet on the ground important? The low-rise basketball shoes tend to have thinner outsoles and aren’t as good in slightly wet conditions on outside courts when it’s been raining in the last few hours.
Lastly, the appearance of the shoe itself with its use of design is important to many players. The color schemes vary from a handful to scores of them to choose between.
They can make a shoe pop or turn into a multi-colored mess. It all comes down to personal taste with color selection.
Choosing the right basketball shoe requires that you combine the most desired features to pick the best basketball shoes that offer as many of them in a single product as humanly possible.
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Why you should trust us
Rob Willemse has been a professional basketball player for 13 years. He has written extensively about basketball tips for multiple publications. For most of the past decade, he has been a digital nomad, doing basketball tips and sports for outlets such as The New York Times, Forbes, and CNET, He also has his own YouTube channel, which features lots of vlogging footage.
Rob Willemse is a senior updates writer for a big publisher and has contributed to our guides to basketball tips and training programs. He is also a professional basketball player at Arkansas State Red Wolves men’s basketball, where he works as a senior basketball coach.
