Basketball shoes for the court and the playground

Sprints, jumps and footwork: what basketball demands

Basketball involves short sprints, sudden stops, changes of direction and jumps for rebounds, shots and blocks, on a court that is unforgiving. The shoe must first grip: its soft rubber sole, shaped in herringbone or multidirectional patterns, bites into the wood in every direction. It must then absorb repeated landings, which take on several times the body’s weight, without sacrificing the feel of the ground. Finally, its upper and heel counter support the foot when pushing sideways, where a running shoe, designed for moving in a straight line, would allow the foot to spill over the sole.

By brand

Basketball shoes come in various brands:

• Nike.
• Jordan.
• adidas.
• Puma.
• Under Armour.
• Reebok.
• Peak.

Basketball also includes balls, hoops, clothing, NBA, equipment, on the basketball page.

High-top or low-top: choose based on your position

The high-top shoe wraps around the ankle and gives confidence to inside players, centres and power forwards, who play in contact and often land in the paint among other players. The low-top shoe, which is lighter, frees the ankle and is preferred by guards and shooting guards, who rely on speed and changes of pace. In between the two, mid-top models seek a balance. The Puma LaMelo Ball exemplifies the modern signature shoe: the guard, named NBA's best rookie in 2021 with the Charlotte Hornets, has infused his colorful style into an MB line, where the Nitro foam, nitrogen-infused, combines lightness and responsiveness for drives and crossovers.

Courts or playgrounds: the sole depending on the surface

A shoe designed for the court has a soft rubber that grips the wood perfectly but wears out quickly on asphalt. For outdoor play, on a playground, a thicker and harder sole is sought, often marked as outdoor, or one keeps a pair for the gym and another for the neighborhood court. Cleanliness is just as important: dust from the court sticks to the rubber and makes it slip, hence the action of players who wipe their soles with their hands before a play. A damp cloth regularly passed under the shoe, and a dedicated pair for the gym, preserve the grip from one end of the year to the other.

Deals

Good deals can also be found in deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped in 24h are prepared and dispatched within 24 hours. The key dates of the year follow a stable order: Black Friday in late autumn, year-end festivities, winter sales, French Days in spring, then summer sales and back-to-school.

Frequently asked questions

Does a high-top basketball shoe protect against sprains?

It better supports the ankle and limits certain twisting movements, but it can’t replace tight lacing or muscle strengthening. Players who have had a sprain often feel more confident in it, sometimes with a brace as an added support.

What size should you choose for a basketball shoe?

Leave about half a centimetre in front of the toes, no more, so the foot doesn’t slide during stops. Try it on with the thick socks you wear in a match, at the end of the day, when the foot is slightly swollen.

When should you change your basketball shoes?

When the rubber becomes smooth and slips despite cleaning, when the cushioning no longer rebounds on landings, or when the upper deforms sideways. A player who practices several times a week often changes shoes each year.

How to choose basketball shoes for a child?

Opt for a lightweight model, well-fitted at the heel, with a flexible sole that accommodates the foot's growth. Leave half to a centimetre in front of the toes and check the size regularly: a child playing in a club quickly changes size.

What is a signature shoe in basketball?

It’s a model designed with a player and bearing their name or initials, like LaMelo Ball's MB line from Puma. It reflects their preferences for cushioning and support, as well as their visual style, often with a new version released each year.