As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
The most common injury basketball players get is a sprained ankle. Basketball requires you to move almost all the time. Lateral movements, jumping, and running put a lot of stress on your ankles. As a basketball player, you want to prevent injuries from happening. That’s why wearing the best basketball shoes for ankle support is a must.
Contents
The Best Basketball Shoes for Ankle Support
Basketball is a game where you’ll be on the move constantly. Whether you’re doing a crossover, defending, or making a jump shot, you put stress on your ankles. Some actions can even lead to other injuries. Theses include landing on someone else’s feet, feet sliding because of less traction, and getting caught in a crossover.
You can reduce the risk of injuries by using the best basketball shoes for good ankle support. The best basketball shoes should provide stability for your feet. They need to have great traction to protect your ankles against sprains and injuries.
Adidas Pro Bounce Basketball
The Adidas Pro Bounce Basketball Shoes are still the best basketball shoes. There’s not much development in good basketball shoe technology. Most shoes are just renamed with technologies from past models for marketing gimmicks.
The Adidas Pro Bounce come in a lot of colors to choose from. The design is clean and simple. It can be off-putting for you if you want the best basketball shoes for ankle support to stand out.
The ankle support on Adidas Pro Bounce is excellent. The best basketball shoes for ankle support have your feet and ankles in place. The Torsional ankle support comes from the 2 split TPU spring plates placed into the forefoot of the shoes.
It seems that the best basketball shoes for ankle support cater to people with wide feet. These shoes for ankle support stay true to size. If you have small feet, you may feel a slight space in the toes. It shouldn’t bother too much.
There are no problems with your ankles when wearing the Pro Bounce. If you go down half a size your toes might hit the rubber outsole around the toe area.
When it comes to traction, the Adidas Pro Bounce provides the best Adidas outsoles to date. The outsoles have a spiral pattern which usually works well for traction. The spiral pattern design in the Adidas Bounce works really well even on outdoor courts.
The cushion on the best basketball shoes for ankle support is what Adidas calls “Bounce Cushion.” The bounce and comfort you get give a balance of performance and comfort. It helps with absorbing the impact when you’re getting that rebound on the court.
It also helps with reducing the stress placed on your ankles whenever you jump. However, outdoor courts are a different story. The bounce isn’t felt as much when you’re on outdoor courts.
The Bounce cushion also gives a slight bounce on the feedback underfoot. The best basketball shoes for ankle support still provide a court feel.
The Adidas Pro Bounce uses ForgeFiber on the upper part of the best basketball shoes for ankle support. ForgeFiber is a lightweight mesh with additional stitching for reinforcement and strength.
It’s a lightweight and breathable cushion but it may feel a bit low quality on the feet. It helps keep your feet and ankles secured and in place in the shoes for ankle support.
- Regular fit
- Mesh upper; Forgefiber in the upper features heat-pressed, TPU-coated fibers that are stitched in to...
- Cable lacing system with webbing eyelets; Geofit construction for anatomical fit and comfort
The Adidas Pro Bounce are the best basketball shoes for ankle support. They’re lightweight, provide excellent traction thanks to the spiral design, the ForgeFiber helps keep your feet in place, and the Bounce technology helps absorb impact on your feet.
Product Specifications:
- Shaft measures approximately 6 inches from arch
- Regular fit to secure lockdown on foot giving good ankle support
- Mesh upper, Forgefiber in the upper features heat-pressed, TPU-coated fibers that are stitched in to provide targeted ankle support and lightweight durability
- Cable lacing system with webbing eyelets; Geofit construction for anatomical fit and comfort
- Bounce cushioning provides enhanced comfort and flexibility
- Rubber outsole has great traction preventing sliding of feet when moving
Under Armour Drive 4 Basketball Shoes
The Under Armour Drive 4 Basketball Shoes is the 4th generation sneakers in the Clutch Fit Drive model. However, unlike the previous models, these basketball shoes no longer use the Clutch fit upper. That’s why there’s no Clutch Fit in the model name.
Under Armour Drive 4 uses textile mesh and neoprene as the main materials of the shoes.
Neoprene helps with the flexibility of the shoes to fit your feet. This is true, especially in the ankle area.
The soft mesh material covers the toe and forefoot area of the shoe. The neoprene covers the inner side of the forefoot and ankle collar. Neoprene allows your feet to feel comfortable on the inside. It makes the inside breathable and allows the foot to move freely.
The cushion features the MicroG technology on the whole heel area. It is perfect for players who occasionally land mostly on their heels. MicroG helps absorb the impact from jumping thus reducing the stress you put on your ankles whenever you do high-pressure movements.
The heel part provides impact protection and shock absorption from landing a jump. It also provides a boost in your jumping abilities.
The forefoot is composed of Phylon for responsiveness from low to the ground midsole. It’s perfect for guards and finishers who want their first step or move to have much power.
Under Armour still employs the traction formula that works for them. Under Armour Drive 4 uses the Herringbone traction pattern that works well on the court. The traction is superb on these basketball shoes. You can even wear them outdoors and they will perform excellently.
If you’re playing mostly on outdoor courts, these shoes are perfect for you. They will last long thanks to the firm and deep grooves on the outsoles.
For the fit, go with true to size. The UA Drive 4 features two-layer bootie construction that fits well in your feet.
There’s also a toe wrap that helps improve forefoot flexibility just like ankle braces. The connected lacing system helps make the shoe snug. The ankle collar also feels comfortable and breathable.
A huge external plastic heel counter helps lock your heels during long hours of basketball. The high midsole keeps your foot from rolling over when you’re making quick moves like a crossover or dribble hesitation.
- Breathable, lightweight textile upper
- Full length bootie construction with molded ankle collar for greater structure, extended support & a...
- External heel counter provides additional support & keeps the back of the foot locked in place
The base is flat and wide providing you with great stability on the court.
The Under Armour Drive 4 Basketball shoes can last you a long time, thanks to the Herringbone outsole pattern which gives you excellent traction. The materials make for comfortable and good ankle support.
Product Specifications:
- Sole is great for stability providing comfort on your feet
- Breathable and lightweight textile upper
- Full-length bootie construction with molded ankle collar for greater structure extended ankle support and a snug comfortable fit
- External heel counter provides additional ankle support and keeps the back of the foot locked in place
- Toe wrap improves forefoot flexibility similar to ankle braces
- Durable, reinforced lace loops to secure lockdown on feet and ankles
Under Armour Men’s Jet Mid Basketball Shoe
If you’re a new player in basketball, you’re probably looking for cheap basketball shoes for ankle support to hone your skills. The Under Armour Men’s Jet Mid Basketball shoes provides the needs of basketball players.
The UA Jet Mid shoes offer a variety of colors you can choose from. It’s made mostly of synthetic leather and mesh that is comfortable around the feet.
Mid-ankle shoes differ from low and high-ankle basketball shoes. They provide a balance between ankle support of a high-ankle shoe and flexibility of the low-ankle shoe.
The cushioning used in UA Jet Mid shoes is the EVA foam. It offers great comfort and better ankle support while being lightweight. It provides breathability and will adjust to the shape of your feet. It ensures the shoes don’t put too much pressure on your ankles.
The tongue and the upper part of the shoes have thicker padding which provides great cushion and ankle support. It also helps lock down your feet to avoid sliding inside your shoes.
The internal heel counter and forefoot area have perforations that help with breathability in the shoes. The midfoot area has molded quarter panels made out of light textiles. It helps keep your feet dry and fresh.
The fitness of the length and width of UA Jet Mid Basketball Shoes are standard. If you have big or wide toes, consider adding half a size as the shoes are narrow around the toe area.
The traction in these shoes for ankle support is superb. The shoes also use the standard UA Herringbone traction pattern. I all know the reputation of UA’s herringbone traction pattern. Whether it’s an indoor or outdoor court it provides excellent traction and ankle support for enhanced performance in the game.
- Synthetic textile upper for breathability & support
- Enhanced cushioning around ankle collar for superior comfort
- Ventilated mesh midfoot panel
The UA Jet Mid Basketball shoes offer various colors, have great ankle support, traction, and comfort. The only thing I can complain about is the narrow toe area of the shoes.
Product Specifications:
- Shaft measures approximately mid-top from arch
- Synthetic leather upper with molded quarter panels built for breathable, structured ankle support that comfortably locks in the foot
- Engineered perforations and mesh tongue increase overall ventilation
- Full-length EVA sock liner provides additional ankle support
- Full-length EVA midsole delivers a lightweight, comfortable ride
- One-piece solid rubber outsole with herringbone traction pattern throughout to provide exceptional lateral/linear movement and control
Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro Vi
The Nike Air Visi Pro Vi is a popular basketball shoe, just like the Nike Air Jordan. It provides a great balance between comfort and solid ankle support. It’s a great shoe if you’re experiencing heel or ankle pain after playing a game of basketball. The shoes come in 2 colors.
The Air-sole in these shoes provides excellent heel and ankle support. This helps reduce the stress from your feet when you are moving around the court.
The traction uses the herringbone pattern which is excellent for any type of movement around the court. The outsole is made of rubber so it’ll last you long even when you wear them on outdoor courts. Rubber also provides a solid grip so you’ll be sure that you won’t trip or slip on the court.
These shoes are also low-ankle shoes. They still provide great ankle support.
The materials used are synthetic material and leather. This provides a perfect combination of comfort, lightweight, and durability.
The Nike Air Visi Pro Vi has a collar with asymmetrical foam which provides comfort and support. Its thanks to these foams that your ankles are well protected.
The heels of the shoes feature air units that help absorb the impact from your feet.
The inside is completely padded for a comfortable feel. This is good during long hours on the basketball court.
Perforations are present in these shoes. It helps with airflow for breathable wear on the basketball court.
The shoes are made of leather. The lining is made of mesh material.
These shoes can last you a long time thanks to the materials used, the design, and the traction. The build of the shoe remains the same even after prolonged usage.
The Nike Air Visi Pro Vi is lightweight thanks to the low-ankle build. It still provides great ankle support. The design is also great and you can wear them casually.
If you’re a beginner in basketball or feeling pain on your heels after playing basketball, the Nike Air Visi Pro Vi is a great shoe for ankle support. It offers great traction and comfort.
Overall, the Nike Air Visi Pro Vi is the best low-ankle basketball shoes for ankle support. This is due to the Air-sole that cushions your heel and ankle area. It also has excellent traction, comfort, and lightweight.
Product Specifications:
- Durable sole is great for stability
- Shaft measures approximately 2.92 inches from arch
- Asymmetrical foam collar offers a comfortable snug fit
- Perforations in the forefoot enhance breathability
- Visible Nike Air unit in the heel provides impact cushioning reducing injuries near your ankles
- Breathable mesh bootie provides a snug, sock-like snug fit
Adidas Mad Bounce Basketball Shoe
The Adidas Mad Bounce basketball shoes provide a lot of features. It’s a great balance between a crazy bounce and an explosive drive towards the basket.
It’s made of Fused Mesh and knits upper with forged panels on the sides that help with lateral movement support. These types of movements work your ankles.
The mesh upper is comfortable but can be stiff at first use. It provides the stretch and support you need for a comfortable fit in your shoes.
The Tech Fit booty and Neoprene material on the tongue adds more snug cushion and comfort around your feet. It doesn’t put stress on your ankle area.
The Adidas Mad Bounce also implements the “Bounce” technology. The soft cushioning provides a bouncy feel around the heel. It helps your ankle by absorbing the impact of ankle stress movements like jumping and lateral movements. The forefoot is also set low for a responsive movement around the court.
It’s a great balance. This is especially good for guards who like to make a quick drive towards the basket and have the hops for a great finish.
The Adidas Mad Bounce uses the “chromosomes” traction pattern that grips the floor really well. If you’re playing on dusty courts expect the dust to stick in these shoes. If you’re mostly playing outdoors, these shoes provide great traction and can last you long thanks to the deep grooves.
The fit is true to size. If you have wide feet, you better add half a size as it has a narrow build.
The support on this shoe is great but there’s room to add more. It’s more suited for guards and players who prefer speed and quickness and less physicality.
The mesh upper is reinforced with heated TPU that helps keep your feet in place lock down on the shoes. It doesn’t look premium but it gets the job done and you couldn’t ask for more.
- Imported
- adidas
The back part of the high top basketball shoes is soft knit for a stable and comfortable heel placement. It also helps give comfort around the ankle part of the supportive basketball shoes. The tongue is added with soft nylon to add comfort to the shoes.
These high top basketball shoes are great for starters or for guards. They are good for those who want a balance of bounce and quickness. The midsoles are slightly raised to prevent your feet from rolling over making it a great shoe for ankle support.
The Adidas Mad Bounce great basketball shoes. The Fused Mesh together with Tech fit booty for a balanced in support and quickness. It provides great impact protection and gives you a bouncy feel. The foam is comfortable and the breathability is great making you last longer on the court.
Product Specifications:
- Synthetic materials offer durability and breathability all over the feet
- Synthetic sole allows for flexibility inside the feet
- Shaft measures approximately high-top from arch
What Makes the Best Basketball Shoes Good for Ankle Support?
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Breathability | Prevents excess sweat and overheating |
| Traction | Enhances mobility and grip |
| Cushion | Provides impact absorption |
The best basketball shoes for ankle support should have these criteria. They have evolved ever since basketball became a popular sport. Professional basketball players used to wear Chuck Taylor’s Converse shoes. Nike and Adidas basketball shoes are now being worn.
Nowadays, shoes have evolved to help players avoid injuries and enhance their performance. Various technologies were developed but some are also just gimmicks or marketing strategies to sell basketball shoes. These criteria will help you know what really makes a good basketball shoe for ankle support.
Durability
The best basketball shoes for ankle support should be durable. Basketball involves a lot of jumping and moving around.
A durable basketball shoe will last longer on the court. It lessens the probability of your shoes getting impaired during a game.
Basketball shoes for outdoor courts usually last longer compared to basketball shoes made for indoor courts.
Outdoor basketball shoes have a harder rubber outsole. They don’t tear easily on the hard court.
Ventilation
A breathable basketball shoe allows for comfort and odor-free basketball experience. As a player, you wouldn’t want to focus on the smell of your shoes during the game.
Look for materials like neoprene and mesh. Soft and flexible materials are what you’re looking for. Ventilation also helps your feet and muscles function properly.
Traction
Your basketball shoes need to have excellent traction and grip. Basketball shoes with poor traction are susceptible to sliding on the court. This can lead to injuries, especially in the ankles.
Depending on what court you’re playing (outdoor or indoor), your basketball shoes should also be in tune with it.
For starters, most basketball shoes are catered for indoor courts. In Nike basketball shoes with the abbreviation “EP” in their names are catered for outdoor courts.
EP in Nike basketball shoes stands for “Engineered Performance”. This means the outsoles are built with high-durability rubber for extensive outdoor play.
Great traction will enhance your performance. It will also reduce the risk of getting injuries.
Cushion
When you’re jumping around almost all the time, you put a lot of strain on your feet. A good cushion allows your feet to reduce stress from that jumping and moving around. Consider looking for basketball shoes that have a great cushion if you fit one of these criteria:
- You’re a big and heavy guy
- You’re experiencing pain in your knees after basketball games
- You play a lot of basketball
Basketball shoes offer new technologies like Zoom Air and Bounce cushion. These help with impact absorption for your feet. They also help add bounce to your hops.
Basketball shoes that provide great cushion and impact absorption while giving you a comfortable and enhance performance are a great basketball shoe.
Support
Your basketball shoes should have features that help support your feet. You need that support, especially around the ankles.
Look for basketball shoes that have a great lacing system, insole support, and comfortable feel all over your feet.
Fit
The shoes should be the right fit around your foot. Any loose space around your shoes can cause slipping and may be the reason for a foot or ankle injury.
Basketball shoes oftentimes stay true to size. If you have wide feet, you need to be careful when choosing your size.
A rule of thumb is to add half a size if shoes are narrow when you have wide feet.
Pick shoes that lock your feet even when you’re moving side to side. The upper part of your shoes should be fit enough to hold your feet in place when you’re moving around the court.
Features to Look For Ankle Support in Basketball Shoes
Some shoes are designed for certain features like enhanced performance or lateral movement. If you want basketball shoes good for your ankles, these are the shoe features you should look for.
Lateral Outrigger
A great lateral outrigger helps with lateral movements around the court. Lateral movements are usually the cause of ankle injuries for most athletes.
This outrigger helps with stability and helps keep your ankles in place when moving around laterally.
Material
The materials used in making basketball shoes can also affect the ankle support of the shoes.
Neoprene materials provide the best comfort. Look for basketball shoes that have a comfortable tongue and the inside of the soles.
Choose basketball shoes that have the materials that fit your play style and needs.
Upper Portion
When talking about the upper portion of a basketball shoe what usually comes to mind is the height of the shoes and ankle support. Basketball shoes come in 3 styles, high, mid, and low. Each of the styles offers different features
- High-top: These types of basketball shoes provide the best ankle support by adding an extra layer of support around your ankles. While it provides the support you need it also comes with an added weight putting a bit of stress to your feet.
- Mid-top: The mid-top basketball shoes provide just the right amount of ankle protection while still retaining flexibility.
- Low-top: these types of shoes provide the least ankle support but make up for it with speed and agility. These basketball shoes are usually worn by guards.
Your play style and needs will also dictate what type of basketball shoes you need to wear. As an example, I’m a guard that doesn’t need a lot of ankle support because I only play casually. Wearing low-top shoes may be ideal for me.
Midsole
This is where the cushioning of the basketball shoe is found. The foams used for cushioning can be EVA foams for a lightweight feel or polyurethane for a durable midsole.
This is where cushioning technologies are being applied. This is especially in the heel and forefoot area.
Outsole
The basketball shoe outsole can dictate how long a shoe will last and how well it will perform on the court.
Outsoles are usually made of rubber or synthetic material.
Choose outsoles that are wide and flat for better balance when playing on the court.
When it comes to traction, the style of pattern in the outsoles plays a part. Herringbone or hexagonal pattern in your outsoles are known to provide excellent traction and secure your feet from sliding.
If you’re playing mostly on outdoor courts, you’d want to choose basketball shoes with thick rubber. They will last you longer.
Ankle Support Basketball Shoes for Every Position
Depending on the position you play, certain ankle-support shoes are better than others:
- Guards: Guards commonly require speed and agility around the court. You can use low-top basketball shoes for more fluid of movement around the court. However, if you’re the type of player like Russel Westbrook who is really athletic and explosive in the paint, you may want to use mid-top or high-top shoes for enhancing support on your knees.
- Forwards: Forwards position a lot near the paint and tasked mostly of getting the rebound. High-top shoes are popular among these type of players as they provide great cushion and support as they battle for the rebound or doing a post-up move.
- All-Around Players: Players who like to be active on all ends of the court need to have a balance of everything. That’s why mid-top shoes are great for them as it offers flexibility and ankle support at the same time. Players like Lebron James benefit greatly from the mid-top type of basketball shoes.
Related Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the best basketball shoes
Do Basketball Shoes Help Ankles?
No, the snug protection can make you feel stable but it doesn’t really prevent the risk of ankle sprains and injuries. However, high-top shoes provide the best in reducing the risk of sprained ankles and injuries.
Though, you should be careful, after all, wearing them may also weaken the muscles around your ankles. High-top shoes limit the movement of muscles around your ankles.
Do Low-Top Basketball Shoes Protect Your Ankles?
Some low-top basketball sneakers are intended to protect your ankles from injury. However, high-top basketball shoes, give better ankle protection overall.
Therefore, the ideal approach is to combine the two. You can accomplish this by alternately wearing high-top and low-top shoes. To limit the danger of ankle injuries, you strengthen your ankle muscles and use high-top shoes during hard games.
Do NBA Players Tape Their Ankles?
Yes, NBA players tape their ankles on occasion. If they have a slight ankle injury and yet wish to play, they may do so. Additionally, they may tape their ankles as an added precaution and cushion against ankle injuries. They only do so when absolutely necessary.
Conclusion
Basketball is a sport with lots of movement. Having the best basketball shoes for ankle support help lessen the risk of injuring your ankles. The way you play can also affect the chances of you getting an injury. Choosing the right basketball shoes for your style of play and ankles will make a great basketball session free of injuries.
