Basketball Shoe Advice

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swanysto

Golden Member
May 8, 2005
1,949
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Ok guys, I need advice on some basketball shoes. I have some older Jordan's(2010ish) right now, and they just don't seem to be very padded around the pinky toe area. I keep getting blisters. They are also pretty heavy. I feel like the weight of the world has been taken off my feet when I take them off.

I looked at Sports authority, and there were some nice ones, but I really don't want to spend over $80 on shoes when I only really play pick up at LA Fitness. I prefer something mostly white, or gray, but I won't be too picky as long as they aren't really crazy colors.

TIA
 
Red Storm

Red Storm

Lifer
Oct 2, 2005
14,233
234
106
OILFIELDTRASH said:
I play with some low top new balance running shoes. Works fine for me.
Click to expand...

Same, I can't for the life of me play with high top shoes. I need that ankle freedom.

OP just remember that the extremely light shoes get that way by reducing the amount of material in them, so the padding may not be as good as a heavier shoe.
 
OILFIELDTRASH

OILFIELDTRASH

Lifer
May 13, 2009
12,333
612
126
Red Storm said:
Same, I can't for the life of me play with high top shoes. I need that ankle freedom.

OP just remember that the extremely light shoes get that way by reducing the amount of material in them, so the padding may not be as good as a heavier shoe.
Click to expand...

Yeah in the NBA I'm pretty sure Steve Nash is the only player in the league who wears low tops so maybe we are in the minority. But I'm with you on the akwardness of high tops. I believe your ankles should be able to support themselves.
 
Red Storm

Red Storm

Lifer
Oct 2, 2005
14,233
234
106
OILFIELDTRASH said:
Yeah in the NBA I'm pretty sure Steve Nash is the only player in the league who wears low tops so maybe we are in the minority. But I'm with you on the akwardness of high tops. I believe your ankles should be able to support themselves.
Click to expand...

Kobe does too. I'm sure there are others, but they're definitely in the minority.

My cousin wears high tops and says he would never play with low tops. Then again he's had numerous ankle and knee injuries so I don't blame him.
 
S

swanysto

Golden Member
May 8, 2005
1,949
9
81
OILFIELDTRASH said:
Yeah in the NBA I'm pretty sure Steve Nash is the only player in the league who wears low tops so maybe we are in the minority. But I'm with you on the akwardness of high tops. I believe your ankles should be able to support themselves.
Click to expand...

My ankles can support themselves, it is when other people come down on them and stuff where the support really helps.
 
vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,344
126
There's a couple problems with wearing running shoes for basketball -

1) traction is not set up at all for a flat, smooth surface. It works, but not was well as the rubber, grid pattern of basketball shoes.

2) Construction is not designed to withstand lots of lateral movement. You'll tear the soles away from the body of the shoe or put a lot of stress on the stiches as they aren't meant to work that way.

3) It's not so much ankle support as it is keeping your foot in the shoe. People stepping on the back of your shoe and ripping it off...someguy putting a nasty crossover on you and your foot can slip out of your shoe trying to defend. Since there isn't any upper support rolling over your ankle can make the shoe slide off. Ect.

They work, but they are by no means ideal for the situation. Same thing as trying to wear basketball shoes for running on the street. Just not set up for that activity.
 
S

Schfifty Five

Lifer
Oct 20, 2005
10,978
44
91
swanysto said:
Ok guys, I need advice on some basketball shoes. I have some older Jordan's(2010ish) right now, and they just don't seem to be very padded around the pinky toe area. I keep getting blisters. They are also pretty heavy. I feel like the weight of the world has been taken off my feet when I take them off.

I looked at Sports authority, and there were some nice ones, but I really don't want to spend over $80 on shoes when I only really play pick up at LA Fitness. I prefer something mostly white, or gray, but I won't be too picky as long as they aren't really crazy colors.

TIA
Click to expand...

Even though u are just playing pick up games at LA Fitness, it is still a good investment to spend $80+ on good basketball shoes.

Granted there are plenty of good bball shoes under $80, but if you happen to find one that fits comfortably and is of good quality, don't convince yourself not to get them just b/c of the price...that is unless money is tight for you.

Also, keep an eye out for coupons (25/30% at footlocker, champs, sports authority, etc)
 
OILFIELDTRASH

OILFIELDTRASH

Lifer
May 13, 2009
12,333
612
126
swanysto said:
My ankles can support themselves, it is when other people come down on them and stuff where the support really helps.
Click to expand...

It's all a matter of what works for you. I've had many a nasty ankle sprain all the years I've been balling. 99% are from coming down on your foot wrong or stepping on someone elses foot. In my older age I've actually gotten many less. I'm 31. Biggest thing for me was knowing when to not go for a rebound or trying to get somewhere on the court you can't really get to. I use to run with reckless abandon for every loose ball and rebound. And I almost always would pay for it. Bruises, bruised thighs, ankle sprains etc..
Don't get me wrong I'm still really aggressive but if it looks like I'm out of position and I'll just end up running into someone I'll let it go.

I love basketball. It's an addiction. lol
 
P

poopaskoopa

Diamond Member
Sep 12, 2000
4,836
1
81
I was in love with Converse high tops for a while. They're not as expensive as high-end Jordans(I suppose nothing is) and had nice support while feeling pretty light for high tops. I was spending around $60-80 on those. Then I got even cheaper($40-ish) and started buying And1s. I think they feel fine, but with less cushioning and the last few pairs seemed to break sooner. Not just wearing out, but the stitching and the shoes themselves come apart sooner.

I always play on concrete surface and almost never on hardwood floor.
 
HendrixFan

HendrixFan

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2001
4,646
0
71
If you were playing in retro Jordans that is a problem. The retro versions use cheaper materials than the originals and aren't really meant to be played in, just to wear casually. Even if they were to build the retros up to the quality of the originals, shoe technology has advanced so much in the last 15 years that the Jordans don't really keep pace.

You can read some pretty good and in depth reviews here.

http://solecollector.com/focus/review/

I would say the Kobe VI's would work out well for you. If you land on someone's foot, high tops won't keep your ankle from rolling. As vi edit mentioned above, the lateral stability is where basketball shoes really diverge from running shoes. The Kobe's are built very well and mold to your feet. Get a pair or two of nice cushioned socks to help take care of blistering. Something like these:

http://www.eastbay.com/product/mode.../black/grey/?cm=GLOBAL SEARCH: KEYWORD SEARCH

You can find the Kobe VI's on markdown at alot of places now that the Kobe VII's are out. jimmyjazz.com has a pair for $60 if you wear one of the sizes they have left. You can find most the others for somewhere between $90 and $110.

In that lower price range I'm not sure you can find anything better than the marked down Kobe's. There are better basketball shoes out there, but the price really takes off.
 
Dr. Detroit

Dr. Detroit

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2004
8,383
821
126
Kobe, Nash, Bibby all play in low tops.

I'd work to find some shoes on sale from Eastbay - Nike Hyper_____ are very lightweight.
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
10
81
Sole collector does shoe reviews

As far as blistered pinky toes go, you'll want to find a wider pair of shoes. It's not the padding, or lack thereof, that's hurting you; it's the too-small toebox.
 
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