What To Look For
Basketball shoes are specially designed for the side-to-side lateral motions of the game and the quick starts and stops a player makes. The outsoles are typically made for increased traction on a court, and mid- and high-tops offer added ankle support. According to Dick's Sporting Goods, although low-top basketball shoes are sold, only about 10 percent of players wear them, due to the lack of ankle stability. Ankle straps tend to offer even more ankle protection, if the shoe features them.
Common Pitfalls
Women should not buy men's basketball shoes, although it can be tempting, especially if the store does not have a wide variety of women's basketball shoes. According to Dick's Sporting Goods, men's basketball shoes are built on a wider last, and are generally too wide to provide adequate stability for a woman's foot and ankle.
Where To Buy
Nike basketball shoes can be found at sporting goods stores like Dick's Sporting Goods or Foot Locker, as well as on websites like eastbay.com. If you know which size and style of Nike basketball shoes you like, and you know how they fit your feet, ordering online may be a time-saving option.
Cost
As of 2010, eastbay.com sells Nike basketball shoes normally ranging in price from approximately $39.99 for toddler basketball shoes to $149.99 for adult basketball shoes. Various Nike basketball sneakers go on sale when newer versions of the styles are released, and older colors of the shoes are also typically cheaper than the newer colors. Many stores, like Dick's Sporting Goods, have back-to-school sales in August and September, slashing the price of basketball shoes.
Comparison Shopping
Different kinds of Nike basketball shoes offer different types of features on the upper and various types of closures. The Nike Air Max Hyperdunk 2010 has laces and an ankle strap for stability, while the Jordan Melo Future Sole M6 has a forefoot strap for customized fit and an internal and external lacing system. Depending on the size of your foot and what feels best for you, different uppers and closures may work better than others.
Accessories
Playing basketball means lots of practices, which means lots of practice clothing. To match Nike basketball shoes, Nike has a line of Jordan apparel and accessories: shirts, sweatbands, shorts, gym bags, sandals and socks. Nike basketball clothing comes in both men's and women's styles, so women are not relegated to wearing oversized clothes to practice.
Insider Tips
Buying basketball shoes later in the day provides a more accurate fit, since your feet normally swell throughout the day from activity. Dick's Sporting Goods also suggests that a thumbnail's space should be between the top of the longest toe on the larger foot and the end of the basketball shoe, and that the heel should be able to move but not slip up and down in the shoe.
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