What are most Basketball Shoes made of? – Basketball Noise
Usually when I look down at my feet during a Basketball session, I’m thinking about why I didn’t rotate on defence sooner or why I didn’t cut harder to the basket. More often these days I’m simply thinking about how I can get more air in my lungs. It dawned on me this week that I didn’t really know what my Basketball shoes are made of.
So, what are most Basketball shoes made of? Usually it is a mix of leather and synthetic mesh for the uppers. Some uppers can be a blend of canvas and leather. Almost always the sole of the shoe will be made from rubber. This allows the shoe to give optimum performance as Basketball involves heavy impact and fast cuts and turns.
Basketball shoes don’t just vary in their visual style though. Throughout the decades the science and performance of shoes has evolved. We are a long way from wearing Chuck Taylor All-stars in games.
Important things to consider when choosing a Basketball Shoe?
The first purpose designed Basketball shoe came out in 1917. The Allstar by Converse was soon endorsed by one of the greatest players in the game at the time, Chuck Taylor. Throughout the 1920’s these shoes grew in popularity and prestige. Now often known simply as “Chucks” they remain a fashion staple both on and off the court to this day. Made with a thin rubber sole and simple canvas upper they provide neither the comfort or performance of modern Basketball shoes. They do however look pretty cool. Cross someone over wearing a pair of Converse Allstars today and you’ll have instant respect! Initially only available in black or white the Allstars didn’t reach their current multi-coloured peak until the 1960’s.
The next big evolution in Basketball shoe came from Adidas in 1969. The Adidas Superstar boasted the first genuine leather upper for more protection, a thicker rubber sole and a unique herringbone pattern on the bottom to give better traction. These Basketball shoes didn’t just change the style of the game, they offered a genuine competitive advantage. More comfort and better performance meant faster cuts, more explosive sprints and the ability to beat your opponent by that extra inch. The Adidas Superstar dominated the NBA on the 1970’s eventually helping spark the player endorsement age by signing All time great Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
I say helped spark, because the first true player endorsement deal was with a brand that today, isn’t really known for its Basketball gear. Although it is making a comeback (Shout out Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley III). In 1973 “The Puma Clyde”, named for then New York Knicks star, Walt “Clyde” Frazier launched. It is generally regarded as the first true signature shoe. Composed of a strong rubber sole and leather upper it gave similar performance and comfort to the Adidas Superstar. Which one you chose to wear on court would depend entirely on your style.
Since the Chuck Taylor Allstar Basketball shoes have found a way into every day life. Collected, represented, protected and sought after the latest or rarest kicks can elevate your style and your social status no matter how broken your jump shot is. The most dominant of which has to belong to two of the all time greats. Nike + Jordan. Nike didn’t enter the Basketball shoe world until 1972 but a decade later with the release of the Air Force 1 in 1982 they were dominant. This iconic shoe, still produced and loved to this day was the first Basketball shoe to feature the Nike Air Technology. They came in lows, mids and highs. Not venturing to far from the tried and tested thick rubber, grippy patterned sole and strong leather upper, the Airforce 1 started to add more design features. In particular the highs sported a velcro strap to protect the laces and all versions have featured a small metal medallion at the foot of the laces. This is usually inscribed with AF-1 and the year the shoe was made.
When Michael Jordan took the world by storm with his high flying dunks and athletic play on both ends of the floor, it seemed like destiny that “His Airness” would hook up with Nike, the shoe brand that could boast having “Air” as a patented technology. By 1985, for the price of $65, people could now buy Nike Air Jordans. The same shoes Mike himself wore on court. Again not venturing far from the rubber sole and stitched leather upper, the combination of comfort, style, performance and Jordan put sales through the roof. Nike would dominate Basketball for most of the 90’s. Even getting in trouble with commissioner David Stern didn’t slow them down. Breaking the 51% white rule only made them seem more edgy to fans of the game and the culture around it. Today the release date of any new “J’s” is a huge event in sneaker-heads calendars.
What drove the evolution of the Basketball shoe?
Of course it wasn’t just Basketball players who wore and advertised Basketball shoes for the brands. The explosion of Hip-Hop culture in the 80’s provided the perfect blend of sport and music for Basketball shoes to thrive. Air Force 1’s, J’s and everything else are often cited by rappers. Their videos will almost always see them wearing Basketball shoes. Then of course there’s Run DMC.
The signature shoe is big business. It drives brand engagement, sales and social media hits for the brands. For the players, it can mean freedom. Today many NBA players are able to take less on their salary capped contracts than they are entitled to, allowing them to play where and with who they want. Their signature shoe and clothing deals are a big reason for this.
New players in the game Under Armour have their centre piece – Steph Curry. His fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson is signed with Chinese brand Anta. Nike have their former team mate and arguable greatest player in the game today Kevin Durrant, reigning MVP Giannis and another player called Lebron something. The market is crowded, but it’s a booming industry. During the most anticipated college game of the season between Duke and North Carolina, Duke megastar (now of the New Orleans Pelicans) Zion Williamson tore apart his Nike PG2.5s on a hard cut. Ripping the leather upper away from the rubber sole. This highly public and globally televised incident caused shares in Nike to initially drop by 1%. The story had a happy ending though because Zion has now signed to Jordan Brand, a subsidiary of Nike.
Related Questions
Does the 51% colour rule still exist in the NBA?
No. The rule was repealed in the early 2000’s to allow brands and players more freedom to express themselves.
Is Jordan Brand owned by Nike?
Yes. Jordan Brand is a subsidiary of Nike created in the late 1990’s to allow growth. It currently holds a bigger share of the Basketball shoe market than Nike.
Did Stephon Marbury really make a $15 basketball shoe?
Yes. NBA veteran Stephon Marbury released the “Starbury” in 2006. Priced under $15 they were aimed to allow everyone to play in high quality shoes. He even wore them in an NBA game.
How Are Basketball Shoes Made?
Basketball shoes come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and materials. You have outdoor shoes that are completely different from indoor shoes since there are a lot of factors to consider. Above all, the comfort of the player as well as the traction and grip is the most important.
Therefore, basketball shoes have significantly progressed over the years in terms of quality and technology. So, let’s take a detailed look into how are basketball shoes made.
Overview of Basketball Shoes History
The evolution of basketball shoes has introduced numerous iconic and cool pairs that sell for thousands of dollars today. Basketball began in almost 1892 and it wasn’t until the early 1920s that basketball shoes became popular.
Converse was the first brand to release shoes specifically made for basketball. Later, it would become a subsidiary of Nike, specializing in designing, production, and sales of sneakers. Then, famous basketball players of the time began lending their names while the brands came out with special edition basketball shoes.
One of the most popular basketball shoes at the time were called “Chuck Taylors” named after the famous basketball player Chuck Taylor. The shoe was made from leather cotton versions, which is a common material used by the brand for its popular versions.
Chuck Taylor had requested this type of shoes because he campaigned for providing flexibility to athletes during tough games. Then, came the Puma Clyde, followed by Air Jordan. The Air Jordan series was a hit from the 80s until now.
Therefore, this explains how are basketball shoes made different today. It is about each brand or player introducing new qualities and features to the shoes to offer maximum flexibility, comfort, durability, and breathability to every athlete. After all, all these factors can make the difference between losing and winning.
Basic Design of Basketball Shoes
Typically, the best basketball shoes are designed and made with their upper ends made with leather materials. Although, there are many basketball shoes that are also made from synthetic mesh. You will see such shoes becoming more popular on the court nowadays than ever.
The players and management collectively brought these changes. For instance, in the past, there has been a lot of criticism surrounding the leather materials used for basketball shoes. These shoes were complained of being too heavy and did not offer much room to breathe.
On the other hand, shoes made from synthetic mesh offer better breathability and are far superior to those with leather upper. Furthermore, the popularity of synthetic mesh materials is also gaining popularity due to their durable qualities.
These shoes can be made fancy and attractive while embedding high-quality and maintain durability. At the same time, some shoes offer the best of both leather and synthetic mesh worlds.
What is Changing In Their Makeups?
If you look closely, you shall observe that nothing much is happening in terms of makeups. However, you can argue that technology has made and is making basketball shoes safer and more comfortable. These changes are meant to allow players to feel lighter and stronger.
Prominent brands such as Puma, Nike, and Adidas are competing head to head to introduce new technology and features to improve the stability and comfort of users. For instance, when Nike AirForce One entered the world of Basketball, the features we see today were non-existent back then.
Today, manufacturers have to consider recycling, better cushioning, and more friendly choices in an attempt to outdo the past. Meanwhile, the core of the basketball shoes remains the same. Newer basketball shoes are based on the same motivation that drove Chuck Taylor to introduce better shoes.
Key Component Parts and Materials Used
Many people often wonder how are basketball shoes made. The answer is that the process overall is not too complicated. It is simply the use of high-quality materials and technology that makes them better. Different types of basketball shoes are made for different “basketballing” reasons.
However, mobility and ankle support are the main focus of each type, except for one. There are low-tops basketball shoes, mid-top basketball shoes, and high-top basketball shoes. With that being said, low-top shoes are meant for speed. Therefore, the materials used in making them carry certain cons not suited for certain athletes.
Low-top shoes are known for offering close to zero ankle support and that can be damaging for the ankles. Players who prefer speed over safety, tend to use such types of basketball shoes as they are very lightweight. However, mid-top shoes offer both safety and speed.
These shoes are particularly designed for those who jump and get a bit physical. As a result, the mid-top shoes help protect the ankles during fast and rapid turns. Finally, come the high-tops shoes. This is the only type the players go out all for.
Although these shoes are, heavy but they offer all the stability, your ankle needs. Therefore, if you were still wondering how basketball shoes are made, consider and pay attention to the outsole, insole, upper, and midsole. The shoes that once had their uppers made from leather now feature synthetic mesh.
In addition to that, the shoelaces have also been updated. Back in the day, they were made of cotton or rope variants. However, today the manufacturers use synthetic fibers. While discussing how are basketball shoes made different, the midsoles play an important role as well.
It is mostly the midsole that defines the longevity of your shoes it is close to the insoles. Even though it behaves like foam or rubber, it is mostly made of plastic materials. And, while the midsole holds its importance, the outsoles carry sufficient weight as well. These are typically made of synthetic rubber, providing the player with a good balance.
Final Word
The process of making basketball shoes remains the same. However, it is the improvement in technology and the materials used that make all the difference. Back in the day, the shoes were heavy and offered less comfort and safety. Today, the shoes are more flexible than ever and prevent serious injuries. Hopefully, we get to see even better versions in the future with more legends stepping into the shoe scene.
Basketball shoes - how to choose and which ones are better?
You can play in a stretched jersey and washed shorts - that's not the point. But you can’t play in poor quality shoes, because in many cases this means getting injured or permanently crippling your feet. Choosing shoes means choosing the basis for your future victories.
Which characteristics are important to consider? ↓
Purpose of basketball shoes ↓
Most popular brands ↓
Correct fitting ↓
Basketball is an outdoor game in which you have to run a lot and jump high. Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the human skeleton, in which the slightest failure or violation of the load distribution can lead to irreparable consequences, this must be done well prepared.
That's why there are professional basketball shoes that securely fix the foot, equipped with a special insole that prevents flat feet, made of elastic breathable material. It is difficult to play without them, and in many ways it is simply dangerous.
Mobility is important in basketball. A good player manages to be everywhere, throws the ball into the basket, blocks the opponent's attack attempts. He moves like lightning, light and fast, and the shoes should help him.
Springy, light, they should not pull him to the ground like a stone, on the contrary, they should be like the winged sandals of Hermes. The lighter they are, the easier it is to move around the field.
This is important to consider when choosing, as well as the comfort of the weight for you personally (some players, on the contrary, prefer heavy shoes that make them more stable), as well as other characteristics.
Which characteristics are important to consider?
Material. Choosing sneakers made of genuine leather is a bad decision. It is much better to combine it with synthetic materials. As a rule, this option turns out to be light, ventilated and flexible, thanks to synthetics, and leather adds additional reliability and strength to it. The feet do not sweat in them and it is easy to jump in them.
Stop lock. Basketball is a sport in which it is not difficult to get a sprain or dislocation, so it is very important that the sneaker is well fixed on the foot. Usually this is done with lacing, Velcro, fixing snakes, zippers. When choosing, this is purely a matter of taste, but it is important that nothing hangs anywhere, does not interfere, and the sneakers do not slip on your feet - otherwise you can get stretched or dislocated.
Midsole. This is the name of the synthetic layer between the sole and the insole, which provides cushioning and better jump height. It should be resilient and comfortable to spring.
Sole. It must be elastic, because basketball is a game about jumping. It should bend, but not in the middle or at the heel, but where the fold of the fingers passes, so that you can easily bounce in sneakers. It should also take into account the features of the surface on which it is supposed to play. Soft sole - for parquet. Hard - for asphalt courts. The pattern that prevents slipping is also important - otherwise you can accelerate and, slipping, fall, which can lead to injury.
There are a few more tips that can help you choose good quality sneakers:
Inspection. Sneakers for starters, you just need to inspect - if there are any crooked seams on them, if the threads stick out, if they smell like synthetics, as if they had just been removed from the assembly line. Is the glue carefully applied to them, is there an insert that indicates the country where they were produced, the company that produced them, the material? If there is at least one sign or there is no sticker, it is better to leave the found pair to someone else and find another one.
Arch support. It must be - with constant jumping and running on a hard flat floor, there is a high probability of developing flat feet. The insole with special inserts will prevent this and keep the foot safe. It is also good if the insole is removable. Firstly, then it can be washed if necessary. Secondly, under it there should be a relief layer that provides the foot with the proper load.
Roller. There should be a soft cushion around the ankle so that the sneaker does not rub or cause pain.
Elasticity. You need to press the toe of the sneaker with your finger and hold it for a few seconds. If, after the finger is removed, the material quickly recovers and there is no trace left of the hole, then everything is in order with it.
Seller. If, after all the checks and matches, the sneakers still cause vague doubt, you can check it with the help of a consultant. He, often without suspecting himself, can help to understand whether the product is of high quality. To do this, bend the sneaker along. If it is of high quality, nothing will happen to it. If something is wrong with it, it can crack or burst, and the anxiety on the face of the seller can perfectly show how good the sneakers are.
Intended use for basketball shoes
As long as you study, the chances of injury are high.
But if you are just a beginner, burning with the desire to try your hand, they will also come in handy for you.
If the foot is not fixed properly (and simple, non-specialized shoes cannot provide the necessary fixation), you can break it, stretch the ligaments, dislocate the joint.
For your own safety, you'd better get these shoes.
When choosing them, you can also focus on the brand - of course, at the same time checking for convenience and quality.
The most popular brands
Everyone knows the most famous brands of basketball goods: Reebok, Nike, Adidas, AND1. They have already taken a leading position in the market for a long time and compete mainly among themselves. There is no particular difference between their products - all of them are diverse, of high quality, beautiful and comfortable.
However, skeptical experts say that basketball shoes have definitely not changed for the better over the past decade - only the appearance has changed, the essence remains the same.
The conclusion follows from this - brands are reliable, convenient and always keep the bar of quality. But taking a thing just because it is branded is not worth it. It is worth focusing solely on the results of fitting and your own feelings.
It is also important to remember that it is better to buy a real branded item in a specialized store, and not from third parties or in little-known places. Otherwise, there is a high probability of buying a fake.
Correct fitting
Time. It is best to try on sneakers in the evening - by the end of the day, the legs swell and slightly change in size. If it's too late to go to the store at five o'clock, you can give yourself an intense physical activity and, after it, with a clear conscience, go in search of the perfect shoes.
Dimensions. Before trying on, it is better to accurately determine your measurements in centimeters and compare them with the international size chart. Otherwise, you may end up with the unpleasant effect of constant confusion when you declare that you would like to see sneakers in size 43, and they bring you 43, but it only fits on your nose, because they brought you European sneakers with the same European size.
Cost. Sneakers that are too cheap will probably not be the best quality. And too expensive - on the contrary, not bad, but with an artificially wound up price. Due to the famous player who once wore such a model, for example, which will not help you at all in the game, unless you are a big fan.
Sex difference. Men's sneakers differ from women's in the same way as men's feet differ from women's. Therefore, when choosing, look at the markings - “Woman” and “Man”, respectively.
Socks. If you are going to play in socks (and you are definitely going to play in them), you need to try them on. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a situation where the shoes that fit perfectly on you are not suitable for playing, because you tried them on in one pair of socks, and you are going to play in a completely different one.
Equipment. If you wear additional braces, be sure to wear them when you try them on.
Bipedal . You need to try on sneakers on both legs at once - a person rarely has completely symmetrical legs, and what sits on the left is just perfect, for the right it may not fit at all, reap or hang out.
Check. Before you buy sneakers - even if you examined them, tried them on and felt them from all sides, you need to walk around the hall in them. Lace them up the way you would lace them up for play. Walk between the racks, try to run (just don't knock anyone down), jump up. Think about what you will be in them on the field. And only after all these manipulations, if you are completely sure of your comfort, go to the cashier and pay for the purchase. Don't guess.
The basketball shoe is the game itself. This is its basis, your springy run, your jumping ability. It depends on them whether you enjoy the game and whether you can win.
Choose them wisely and they will serve you faithfully and will go through many victories with you.
High Tops VS Low Tops
When it comes to reducing ankle and ankle injuries, high tops aren't as important as people think.
The March madness is upon us, full of siren hits and draws, surprise win teams and great players. Anything can happen during the men's and women's NCAA tournaments. The difference between victory or defeat directly depends on the unpredictable rebound of the ball or ankle sprain.
Sprained ankle is the most common injury in basketball. According to statistics, such injuries make up a quarter of all injuries. Just ask Stephen Curry what injury he's worried about the most? Often victories are attributed to his unstable ankles, which he tapes and securely fixes before each game with ankle braces. All of this is done in connection with his documented injury history. Further protection is, in principle, provided by the Under Armor Curry high-top sneakers.
"In any sport, I think athletic shoes play a very, very important role," says Joseph Gamil, a biomechanic at the University of Massachusetts. "The running shoe itself is designed to try and mitigate specific factors in terms of minimizing the risk of injury."
From the classic Chuck Taylors to the modern Air Jordan, basketball shoes are usually made in a high-top design that is supposed to provide support and protect against ankle injury.
Over the years, basketball shoes have evolved from a simple canvas to a complex of high-tech modified technologies and bold designs. With the development of sneaker culture, which manifests itself as a complex combination of fashion, concentration of capital, politics, culture, race and public, basketball shoes continue to hold the cutting edge of technology in their field. Whether it's cushioning air cells in the outsole, new rubber varieties for better traction, lighter materials, or even a smarter inflatable support piece on Reebok Pumps. Basketball shoes have always been a skillful combination of form and function.
"These must be shoes," said Spike Lee as he played his character Mars Blackmon in Nike's iconic Air Jordan ad campaign that dates back to the late 1980s. Yes, shoes are very important. But when it comes to various injuries, shoes alone will not help to avoid them.
High and low basketball shoes?
At the very beginning of the development of basketball, it was customary to enter the court only in high shoes. But almost immediately after the invention of basketball, in 1891 year, Spalding developed the first high ankle basketball shoe. They were made from canvas and had thinner soles compared to the Converse All-Stars that first hit the market in 1917 and became known as the Chuck Taylors in 1943.
Even though the safety of high-ankle shoes was supposed to be the main selling point, budding shoe designers did not attach much importance to this. “The real reason we had tall shoes was because they were very similar to the high-top shoes that men wore in those days,” says Elizabeth Semmelhak, senior curator at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto. Ankle boots were the standard, and basketball shoes just repeated this style.
In 1969 adidas introduced the first low ankle basketball shoe. It was all leather and was called the adidas Superstar. But throughout the 20th century, tall shoes remained the standard. Then, in 2008, Nike released a low-top basketball shoe called the Nike Zoom Kobe, and thanks to an ad from the Los Angeles Lakers star, the low-cut shoe has been gaining popularity ever since. Players claim that they feel more freedom of movement in low ankle shoes.
Today, about half of NBA players wear low-ankle shoes, according to Howard Osterman, an orthopedic doctor for both Washington basketball teams, the Wizards and the Mystics women's team. According to Patrick Telly, athletics coach for the UCLA women's basketball team, most players also opt for low-top basketball shoes. .
Conventional wisdom says that most injuries occur in those who play in low basketball shoes. But the leading number of ankle sprains, like the ones Curry suffers from, happen when one player lands hard on the foot of another. The result is incredibly high impact force, so no high-ankle shoe can prevent sprain.
"There is no evidence that different types of basketball shoes can prevent ankle sprains," says Jay Hertel, professor of athletic training at the University of Virginia.
In general, the results of the conducted studies are rather ambiguous. In particular, two recent studies found no difference between high and low ankle shoes in terms of how the ankle rotates during jumps and landings.
According to the first study, high ankle shoes may even inhibit the natural muscle response to ankle rotation, increasing the likelihood of sprains. The second study suggested that high-top sneakers increase strength, thereby increasing the risk of injury and stretching the Achilles tendon.
But these studies were biomechanical experiments. The researchers measured the strength and motions of the legs of volunteers who ran and jumped in the lab. Since it is difficult and expensive to conduct large-scale studies of basketball players, they are quite rare. And none of them had a full bearing on ankle injuries.
For example, a 1993 study of 622 college players found no difference between high and low ankle models. In a 2001 study of more than 10,000 basketball players in Australia, high or low shoes were not found to be a major risk factor for ankle injury. Instead, those with a history of injury are at high risk, whether the player has stretched before a game or not and whether their shoes have cushioning like the Air Jordans. But even the importance of depreciation is quite chaotic. A 2008 study of 230 varsity players focused on springy cushioning. As a result, it was found that the frequency of ankle sprains does not depend on the shoe model.
Function, form and… science
However, the fit and cushioning of the basketball shoe is only one piece of design that has come a long way since the introduction of the Chuck Taylors. “Sneakers have always been intertwined with technological advances,” says Semmelhak. “Even the first basketball shoes were state of the art. It had a rubber sole and was made from the newest and most expensive materials at the time. And the ankle pads on some of the early Chuck Taylors shoes were also meant to cushion impacts.”
It can be hard to tell the difference between a real innovation and a marketing ploy, but in most cases, shoe companies do do extensive research on their products. Before joining adidas, Tobias Luckfiel believed that shoe companies were doing a lot of bullshit in terms of technology. “But I think we have a lot of people who want the best for the athlete,” said Luckfiel, who is now senior manager of sports research at adidas, based in Portland, where he helps develop new materials and test shoes. measuring its coefficient of grip with the surface, shock absorption and strength.
Published research on basketball shoes is sparse, especially when compared to what has been done with shoes used in other sports such as running and football. But shoe companies do a lot of specific work that just isn't published. “For every publication, we need to produce 100 technical reports,” says Matthew Nurse, vice president of the Nike Sports Research Lab in Portland. He reports that Nike researchers are using motion detection systems, touch sensors, cameras and other devices to zoom in on the details to see how players move. They even used x-rays to gauge the effect the shoes had on the ankles during the turn. The Morgan Stanley report, which was published in 2017, states that Nike has invested about $2.5 billion in all R&D over the past 5 years.
This study helps designers understand factors such as traction coefficient, sole stiffness, heel height and foot stability during side to side movement. Basketball shoes should be lightweight, comfortable, and provide soft support. It should allow the leg to make natural movements, but within the limits of what is permitted.
The problem is that playing basketball requires different movements: jumping, landing, running with a change of direction, sliding side to side. "It's really hard to take all these characteristics into account when designing basketball shoes," says Hamil, who, like many athletic shoe researchers, receives funding from shoe companies (he works with Brooks on running shoes and with FootJoy on shoes). for golf).
And all these factors have pros and cons. For example, a tighter upper can increase ankle support. But in the case of ski boots, extra support transfers force and potential injury up to the knee. “You can change one part and it will be better for one area, and unfortunately it may not work at all for another,” says Jeffrey Taylor, a physiotherapist and biomechanic at High Point University in North Carolina, who receives funding from Adidas. .
How to minimize the risk of injury?
Many factors indicate that the right basketball shoes must be individual for each athlete. At the university level, coaches like Telly, who works at the University of California at Los Angeles, make sure every player wears the right shoes. In the National Basketball Association, about half of the players use custom-made insoles made from computer scans of their feet, says Osterman, an orthopedic doctor for the Wizards and Mystics teams. The other half uses the same insoles that come with the shoes. “Technology has gotten better, but running shoes by themselves may not be the ultimate choice. They need to be improved and this applies to the insole, especially if the player has had injuries in the past,” he says.?
At the highest levels of basketball, all players undergo mandatory strength and balance training to help prevent injury. And most of them are done with taped ankles or bandages. This is required to be done both in the training process and in games. About 80% of professional players use taping and bandages. Some research suggests that taping has benefits, but not in the form you might think.
After a few minutes of activity, the tape begins to weaken and no longer provides structural support. According to experts, the benefits of taping are mainly proprioceptive, during which the contact of the tape with the skin encourages the muscles to respond better, thereby preventing injury. “If your ankle is in a vulnerable position, your body will be ready to sense it and contract the muscles to prevent the ankle from twisting too much,” Hertel explained.
Tapes and bandages may also benefit a recovering player who has recently sprained his ankle. But in general, strength and balance exercises are more important for preparing the ankle for stress. Hertel, for example, suggests you try brushing your teeth on one foot
When it comes to shoes, experts recommend wearing what feels most comfortable and supportive. As Hamil says, name brand shoes are likely to be of the best quality.
More comfort and better performance meant faster cuts, more explosive sprints and the ability to beat your opponent by that extra inch. The Adidas Superstar dominated the NBA on the 1970’s eventually helping spark the player endorsement age by signing All time great Kareem Abdul Jabbar. 
The most dominant of which has to belong to two of the all time greats. Nike + Jordan. Nike didn’t enter the Basketball shoe world until 1972 but a decade later with the release of the Air Force 1 in 1982 they were dominant. This iconic shoe, still produced and loved to this day was the first Basketball shoe to feature the Nike Air Technology. They came in lows, mids and highs. Not venturing to far from the tried and tested thick rubber, grippy patterned sole and strong leather upper, the Airforce 1 started to add more design features. In particular the highs sported a velcro strap to protect the laces and all versions have featured a small metal medallion at the foot of the laces. This is usually inscribed with AF-1 and the year the shoe was made. 
By 1985, for the price of $65, people could now buy Nike Air Jordans. The same shoes Mike himself wore on court. Again not venturing far from the rubber sole and stitched leather upper, the combination of comfort, style, performance and Jordan put sales through the roof. Nike would dominate Basketball for most of the 90’s. Even getting in trouble with commissioner David Stern didn’t slow them down. Breaking the 51% white rule only made them seem more edgy to fans of the game and the culture around it. Today the release date of any new “J’s” is a huge event in sneaker-heads calendars. 
Then of course there’s Run DMC. 
This highly public and globally televised incident caused shares in Nike to initially drop by 1%. The story had a happy ending though because Zion has now signed to Jordan Brand, a subsidiary of Nike. 
Above all, the comfort of the player as well as the traction and grip is the most important. 
The shoe was made from leather cotton versions, which is a common material used by the brand for its popular versions.
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There are low-tops basketball shoes, mid-top basketball shoes, and high-top basketball shoes. With that being said, low-top shoes are meant for speed. Therefore, the materials used in making them carry certain cons not suited for certain athletes. 
The shoes that once had their uppers made from leather now feature synthetic mesh. 
Hopefully, we get to see even better versions in the future with more legends stepping into the shoe scene. 
It is difficult to play without them, and in many ways it is simply dangerous. 
The feet do not sweat in them and it is easy to jump in them. 
Soft sole - for parquet. Hard - for asphalt courts. The pattern that prevents slipping is also important - otherwise you can accelerate and, slipping, fall, which can lead to injury. 
It is also good if the insole is removable. Firstly, then it can be washed if necessary. Secondly, under it there should be a relief layer that provides the foot with the proper load. 
Before trying on, it is better to accurately determine your measurements in centimeters and compare them with the international size chart. Otherwise, you may end up with the unpleasant effect of constant confusion when you declare that you would like to see sneakers in size 43, and they bring you 43, but it only fits on your nose, because they brought you European sneakers with the same European size. 
Otherwise, you may find yourself in a situation where the shoes that fit perfectly on you are not suitable for playing, because you tried them on in one pair of socks, and you are going to play in a completely different one. 
Don't guess. 
All of this is done in connection with his documented injury history. Further protection is, in principle, provided by the Under Armor Curry high-top sneakers. 
Whether it's cushioning air cells in the outsole, new rubber varieties for better traction, lighter materials, or even a smarter inflatable support piece on Reebok Pumps. Basketball shoes have always been a skillful combination of form and function. 
. 
About 80% of professional players use taping and bandages. Some research suggests that taping has benefits, but not in the form you might think. 
