Overview
The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine reports that wearing the correct basketball shoes for play is vital to preventing injuries, avoiding long-term foot and ankle complications and maintaining a high energy level. Bad shoes can lead to back, hip and leg problems, in addition to sore feet and ankles. Shoes influence the alignment of the body; ill-fitting basketball shoes can lead to fatigue and eventual soft-tissue damage. Replacing shoes on a regular basis can help decrease injuries and increase performance. The average athlete should replace her basketball shoes every 350 to 500 miles, an average of about 65 hours of use. That's a month in a typical basketball player's routine, making knowing where to find inexpensive basketball shoes all the more relevant.
Pros
According to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM), 68 percent of NBA players wear a high-top basketball shoe, 15 percent use a three-quarter top shoe and only 10 percent wear low tops for regular practice and games. The Adidas Bounce Artillery II basketball shoe is the highest-rated by the AAPSM. While many Adidas brands run $100 a pair and more, the Bounce Artillery II is one of the lowest-priced shoes in the Adidas lineup, ranging from $29.99 to 49.99 at online retailers like Foot Locker and Eastbay.
Ratings
The AAPSM's shoe ratings take into account the cushioning of the insole, foot flexibility and ankle stability. Each area of the shoe is checked for flexibility, from the forefoot and midfoot to the heel. While the Nike Elite basketball shoe did not rate as highly as the Bounce Artillery II, it was second on the list. The Elite line is made for men, women and children. Eastbay carries Nike Elites starting at $24.99. Elite shoes average $20 to $69.99 on comparison sites like NexTag and auction sites such as eBay.
Retail
AAPSM podiatrists recommend buying shoes at well-known stores that specialize in sports and will measure your feet. Your foot size changes with age and should be measured while sitting and again while standing. Manufacturers' styles and where their shoe sizes are made can vary from year to year. Retail stores that measure feet often run sales on basketball shoes. For example, Finish Line offers a $20 loyalty reward for every $200 spent.
Online
The AAPSM recommends buying new shoes when your soles become worn and slippery or the uppers start tearing. Websites that offer a wide assortment of companies and prices make comparison shopping easier. Sites such as Trade Key and Eastbay usually carry good quantities of shoes. Sites such as Brand Dunk are good for catching closeout sales.
Wholesale
Many wholesalers sell individual shoes to consumers through their factory-direct stores. Wholesalers, such as Good Dunk, Alibaba and Trade Tang, can send shoes directly from the source, often from China. Basketball players who take good care of their feet might want to consider ordering their shoes by the dozen to get the best price from wholesalers and save on shipping costs.
The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine reports that wearing the correct basketball shoes for play is vital to preventing injuries, avoiding long-term foot and ankle complications and maintaining a high energy level. Bad shoes can lead to back, hip and leg problems, in addition to sore feet and ankles. Shoes influence the alignment of the body; ill-fitting basketball shoes can lead to fatigue and eventual soft-tissue damage. Replacing shoes on a regular basis can help decrease injuries and increase performance. The average athlete should replace her basketball shoes every 350 to 500 miles, an average of about 65 hours of use. That's a month in a typical basketball player's routine, making knowing where to find inexpensive basketball shoes all the more relevant.
Pros
According to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM), 68 percent of NBA players wear a high-top basketball shoe, 15 percent use a three-quarter top shoe and only 10 percent wear low tops for regular practice and games. The Adidas Bounce Artillery II basketball shoe is the highest-rated by the AAPSM. While many Adidas brands run $100 a pair and more, the Bounce Artillery II is one of the lowest-priced shoes in the Adidas lineup, ranging from $29.99 to 49.99 at online retailers like Foot Locker and Eastbay.
Ratings
The AAPSM's shoe ratings take into account the cushioning of the insole, foot flexibility and ankle stability. Each area of the shoe is checked for flexibility, from the forefoot and midfoot to the heel. While the Nike Elite basketball shoe did not rate as highly as the Bounce Artillery II, it was second on the list. The Elite line is made for men, women and children. Eastbay carries Nike Elites starting at $24.99. Elite shoes average $20 to $69.99 on comparison sites like NexTag and auction sites such as eBay.
Retail
AAPSM podiatrists recommend buying shoes at well-known stores that specialize in sports and will measure your feet. Your foot size changes with age and should be measured while sitting and again while standing. Manufacturers' styles and where their shoe sizes are made can vary from year to year. Retail stores that measure feet often run sales on basketball shoes. For example, Finish Line offers a $20 loyalty reward for every $200 spent.
Online
The AAPSM recommends buying new shoes when your soles become worn and slippery or the uppers start tearing. Websites that offer a wide assortment of companies and prices make comparison shopping easier. Sites such as Trade Key and Eastbay usually carry good quantities of shoes. Sites such as Brand Dunk are good for catching closeout sales.
Wholesale
Many wholesalers sell individual shoes to consumers through their factory-direct stores. Wholesalers, such as Good Dunk, Alibaba and Trade Tang, can send shoes directly from the source, often from China. Basketball players who take good care of their feet might want to consider ordering their shoes by the dozen to get the best price from wholesalers and save on shipping costs.
