If you’re serious about basketball, or you want to play a good game safely, finding basketball shoes with the best ankle support is probably very important to you.
Basketball requires a lot of agility in order to play a game.All those quick turns and fast moves can have a detrimental effect on your ankles.
So, we’ve collected our favorite basketball shoes in one place, so you can see which shoes provide the best ankle support, and pick the one that’s right for you.
Top 9 Recommended Ankle Support Shoes
1. Under Armour Curry 2.5
These colorful shoes were designed from top to bottom with support in mind.
The external shank locks in your foot, so your foot won’t slide around even when you’re dodging opponents left and right.
The molded synthetic upper is a durable upgrade from the Curry 2.0, making it tougher and even more supportive than in past versions.
The multi-directional herringbone pattern on the sole of the shoe provides amazing traction both inside and out.
Although the herringbone is placed close enough together to provide great traction, it is spaced far enough apart that dusty courts are no match for it.
Of course, none of these things matter if your ankles are left vulnerable, but these shoes do great at keeping your ankles stable during play.
The sturdier materials used in the upper give your ankles more support than in previous versions, making the Curry 2.5 a really great shoe.
These shoes do have their drawbacks.
The new construction of the upper uses a burrito like wrap around tongue, which may be confusing to users.
The shoe also has very little in the way of arch support, so if you also need padding for your arches, you may want to look for a different shoe.
All in all, this is a great shoe with many features that will keep your ankles safe while you play your best game ever.
Customers who have purchased the shoe before recommend you size up when purchasing.
The shoe tends to run small.
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2. Reebok Royal Bb4500h
This classic in the world of basketball shoes has a rugged design that will stand up to many years on the court.
The breathable design allows heat to escape, so you won’t have to deal with the discomfort of moisture and heat during an intense match.
The high top style add extra support to your ankles, so much so that many customers have purchased them to help with arthritis pain even when they don’t play.
The shoe is fairly wide, making it possible for you to wear ankle supporting socks or braces for added stability alongside the shoe.
The Reebok Royal also features arch support and a reasonable amount of cushion, so you can play comfortably for hours without getting too hot.
These shoes can be a little bulky, so if you prefer a light weight shoe this may not be the right choice for you.
Customers who purchased them also recommend sizing down, as the shoes tend to run a bit large.
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3. Under Armour Drive 4
Looking for a shoe that scream your desire to play basketball as a professional?
The sporty Under Armour Drive 4 has everything you could ask for in terms of look, feel, and performance.
This shoe has an amazing feature unique to the line, microthread technology.
Microthreads help your shoe dry faster, so if they’re wet from poor weather (or maybe from your sweat) they’ll dry quickly.
The shoe also features a moisture transport system that wicks sweat away from your feet, keeping you dry and cool even when you are playing your hardest.
These shoes are designed for ankle support, so if you are worried about your ankles you can feel comfortable getting into a pair of these.
The super lightweight design will make it easier for you to play long hours.
These shoes tend to be narrow and run small, so size up when you order this shoe.
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4. PUMA Men’s Sky II Hi
This fabulous shoe has all the makings of a top quality performance shoe.
The rubber sole provides both great traction and durability, while the 100% full grain leather adds both stiffness and durability to the top.
If you don’t love complicated lacing systems and are looking for a shoe that will provide quality support while letting you get onto the court fast, you will love the PUMA Men’s Sky II Hi.
The shoe offers velcros at the top that will help lock your ankle into place, without having to memorize a formula just for lacing.
These shoes are comfortable to wear, so you can look forward to spending many hours of them without your feet feeling tired.
These shoes are comfortable enough you can also wear them for casual use, making them the perfect shoe for someone who wants an all around sneaker they can still play in.
This shoe does have a few flaws.
The most concerning flaw is it doesn’t have the same level of cushioning other brands have.
If cushioning is not important to you, than this shoe may well be your dream shoe.
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5. NIKE Lebron XIII
This grippy shoe has a lot of great features going for it.
The lightweight design is perfect for those who don’t want to feel weighed down by their shoes.
The rubber outsole not only helps with traction, but also makes the shoe more durable, so it can stand up to the force of your game.
A unique feature of this shoe is the Hyperposite panels that give your ankle added protection.
If you have weaker ankles, you’ll appreciate the security these panels provide.
These shoes are also extremely breathable, which means they’re great to play in no matter what the weather.
As with any shoe, the NIKE Lebron XIII does have a few cons.
The shoe tends to be a little narrow, and the sizing also tends to run small. Size up if you’re not sure about the fit.
These shoes are very stylish and have a unique look to them.
If you want a shoe that not only looks and feels great, but helps you stand out on the court, these shoes are the perfect choice.
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6. Reebok Shaq Attaq
This shoe combines the best of all possible worlds to make a dream shoe.
The Reebok Shaq Attaq features top quality materials, including a rubber sole for durability, leather and mesh upper for both durability and breathability, and a removable insole so you can customize the shoe to your feet.
Pump pressure allows you to customize the fit of the shoe to your feet, aiding in its stability.
On top of great stability and materials, this shoe also comes with an injection-molded eva midsole, which adds great cushioning to help protect your joints.
This style of shoe is considered old school by some people, but with premium materials and great stability, a retro appearance might be a fair compromise to you.
The shoe tends to run true to size, but may feel a little bit narrow for those with wide feet.
The Reebok Shaq Attaq comes in several great colors, so if you’re not wild about one color, you can always change to a different one.
It’s the ultimate in basketball shoes, and a favorite for many.
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7. Adidas Performance Crazy Explosive
If you’re looking for something unique to hit the court with, the Adidas Performance Crazy Explosive are a fun ride.
The hi tops provide wonderful ankle support that will keep your ankles secure no matter what crazy pranks you pull on the court, and the materials in this shoe are highly breathable.
This shoe has great cushioning, to protect your joints and offer you superior comfort during long games.Another unique feature in this shoe is the lacing system.
You may not care for this feature if you don’t like to take your time lacing up your shoes, but for those who don’t mind a little extra time, the lacing system will take pressure off your foot, giving you the most comfort and grip possible.
These shoes come in a lot of different colors, so if you’re all about fashion as well as fit, you will absolutely love this shoe.
Once again it tends to run a little small, so size up if you want a great fit.
These shoes have a lot going for them, but like all the other shoes feature in this article they do have their flaws.
The biggest flaw associated with the Adidas Performance Crazy Explosive is that they tend to wear out faster than other shoes. In particular the laces need to be replaced frequently.
If you’d rather not mess with replacing pieces of your shoe, or are looking for a shoe that will last as long as possible, this may not be the right shoe for you.
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8. Nike Men’s Hyperdunk
If you love color, you’re going to love the Nike Men’s Hyperdunk.
These shoes come in an enormous variety of color combinations, giving you the freedom to pick shoes that are truly you.
The shoes also have responsive cushioning, so your joints can thank you even after hours on the court.
These shoes are ideal for weak ankles because they provide optimum support with their hi top design, while still being flexible enough to allow for quick turns and fast sprinting.
The only real con these shoes have is how long they take to break in.
The shoes start out very stiff, and you’ll have to play in them a lot before you are able to enjoy their full benefits.
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9. NIKE Lebron Soldier 10
The NIKE Lebron Soldier 10 doesn’t have as much ankle support as the rest of our lineup, which is one of the reason it trends toward the bottom of our list.
It does make an appearance however, because it provides a great compromise for people who need some ankle support, but also need flexibility too.
The shoe has a rubber compound on the sole for the best possible traction on the court, and the superior grip it provides will make you fall in love with this shoe.
This shoe performs better than the rest of our lineup in terms of cushion, offering your joints a relaxing break from the battering a hard game of basketball can provide.
This shoe is also one of the most stunning in appearance, with a unique look that will definitely catch the eye of team mates and spectators alike.
The mesh foam upper is very breathable, adding to the comfortable ride these shoes provide.
Although they don’t have the same lock tight ankle support as other shoes, they do have good ankle support.
The hi tops rise up to embrace your ankle, and a velcro wrap helps secure them in place.
These shoes are a great compromise for those who need ankle support, but also want to have full mobility when they play.
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Critical Features In Your Shoe
Basketball shoes all look very similar at first glance. Sometimes, you may not even be able to tell the difference between basketball sneakers for flat feet and a pair for ankle support.
Most of them have the same style and colors. What then makes one shoe superior over another?
The answer is unique to every person, but if you’re looking for a great shoe that works well for you, here are the most important parts of the shoe you need to pay attention to.
Fit
On many of the basketball shoes we reviewed, we specifically mentioned customer’s reports on whether to size up or down on the shoe.
That is because no matter how amazing the shoe is, if it fits poorly it won’t do what it is designed to do. Basketball is filled with tight turns, twists, and sprinting.
Without a shoe that hugs your foot and stabilizing your ankle, an injury is almost guaranteed. The style of shoe is also important here too.
If you need more flexibility, you’re going to need a mid-top shoe that allows your ankle to flex when needed for those super tight turns.
If agility is not your main concern, you should get a high-top for the best possible ankle support.
A shoe that fits properly, and also suits your position, will make the biggest overall difference in your experience of the shoe.
Cushion
Basketball is very jarring on your joints.It’s not just sprinting up and down the court.
You’ll be jumping up and down, leaping from side to side, and coming down hard on your feet again and again.
Every time you jump or bounce, shockwaves go through your body, traveling into all of your joints.
If you don’t want to be so sore you can hardly walk later, cushion is important to save both your feet, and the rest of your body too.
A great shoe has cushioning in both the heel and the toe of the shoe, absorbing shock no matter how your foot hits the ground.
It shouldn’t have too much though—too much cushion can effect mobility. The best shoes fit well, but also have lots of cushion so you don’t end up with stress fractures down the road.
Laces
The lacing system might not seem like a big deal, but it can really make a difference in your shoe experience.
If you’re excited about a game and can’t wait to get on the field, having to fumble your way through a complicated lacing system might make you hate a certain shoe.
If, on the other hand, you don’t mind a few extra minutes in exchange for a fit that fuses the shoe to your foot, a lock-tight lacing system may be more desirable for you.
The best lacing system is really up to you and what you want out of a shoe. Make sure you know what style you want before investing in a shoe.
Materials
Material is what actually makes the difference in a quality shoe.Material will determine how rigid the shoe is, and thus how much support it gives, and also how long the shoe will last.
If a shoe fits great but only lasts a couple of games, it’s going to be a very disappointing product for you. Check to make sure the materials in the shoe are the highest quality before purchasing.
Great materials include rubber outsoles to protect the shoe from wear and tear, and leather uppers. If you need a breathable shoe, mesh is also an acceptable option.
Design
After materials, design is the most important part of the shoe. Big companies like Nike and Adidas spend millions every year trying to improve the designs of their shoes.
Great features like shoes that lock the heel into place or breathable tops that keep your feet from heating up are examples of good design.
Find what you like, and when you find a true you really love, you’ll be glad you did your research.
Common Basketball Injuries
Your ankle is a fairly delicate structure, and the most common part of the body to be injured during a basketball game.
That’s why ankle support is a key feature in so many different basketball shoes—and why passionate players buy basketball shoes in the first place.
An injured ankle means weeks or even months without being able to play the game. A great shoe can help protect you from these common types of ankle injuries:
Sprains
A sprain is a painful injury caused by stretching one of your ligaments beyond its capacity.
This often happens when your ankle folds over due to lack of ankle support in the shoe.Almost all sprains during basketball are caused by wearing the wrong shoes.
Although a sprain is something you can completely recover from, you can’t play basketball while you are recovering. Expect to be off your feet from 2-6 weeks with a sprained ankle.
Ligament Tears
A ligament tear is a very serious injury.You may need surgery to repair the ligaments, and are looking at being off your feet from 8-12 months.
Although a ligament tear is called such to avoid confusion, it’s actually classified as a grade II or higher sprain.
Ligament tears are often caused by the wrong sort of shoes, so make sure you always lace up a pair of quality basketball shoes when you go out on the court.
Fractures
Fractures are when the bone breaks.This can be as small as a stress fracture you barely feel, to a serious injury caused from an unlucky fall.
Stress fractures are a common basketball injury, and while they’re not 100% avoidable, like any injury, a shoe with good cushion can help avoid these injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What shoe style should I get for best ankle support?
If you’ve been browsing basketball shoes for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that shoes are divided up between hi-top, mediums, and low top shoes.
You should never use low top shoes when playing basketball, no matter what your ankle type.If you have weak ankles, a hi-top style will provide you the best protection.
Medium tops are good for those who have fairly strong ankles but need more agility on the court.These are the only two options you should consider.
Should I wear ankle braces with my shoes?
If you are concerned about your ankles, braces are definitely one of the best options.
Although some people, including NBA players, do tape their ankles instead of using braces, they are not ideal.
If you have a sprained ankle or other ankle problem, you should definitely wear braces with your shoes.
Conclusion
Great basketball shoes aren’t just for looks.
They are an essential part of your game. A pair of basketball shoes will keep you safe from injury, both long term and short.
A great basketball shoe has plenty of ankle support, cushioning to protect the rest of your joints as well, and a fit that makes you feel confident in your ability to move.
Before you throw on a pair of sneakers for your next game of pick-up basketball, remember what the wrong pair of shoes can do to your ankles—and lace up a proper pair of shoes instead.
