A high vertical jump is an important ingredient for success in sports such as soccer, volleyball, basketball and football. The height of your vertical jump could be the difference between scoring points and losing possession of the ball. There are a number of shoes that might help you to jump higher, either as a result of a training effect or by increasing your vertical jump while you wear them.
Concept 1 Basketball Shoes
Despite their name, Concept 1 basketball shoes can be worn for other sports besides basketball. These special vertical jump enhancing shoes cost about $300 as of January 2011, and the manufacturer claims they can add up to 3 1/2 inches to your jumping height. Concept 1 basketball shoes, now banned by the National Basketball Association, contain a device in the forefoot of the shoe that absorbs and then releases energy like a spring. There shoes are available in a variety of colors directly from the manufacturer, Athletic Propulsion Labs Inc.
Strength Shoes
Strength Shoes, made by U.S.-based manufacturer Strength Footwear of Metairie, Louisiana, are high-top athletic sneakers with platforms built into the forefoot. This platform keeps your weight on your toes and therefore places a greater load on your calf muscles than normal. This increased workload is designed to develop your calf muscle strength, resulting in a better vertical jump. Empirical evidence is inconclusive, but Strength Shoes have a cult following among basketball and volleyball players and anecdotal evidence suggests that these shoes might increase your jumping ability. Strength Shoes are a training tool and not designed to be worn during competition.
Nike Hyperdunks
Nike's Hyperdunk basketball sneaker is an ultra-lightweight high-top shoe that Nike says are designed to help you jump as high as possible. Manufactured using high-tech material called fly wire that was developed by NASA for space suits, Hyperdunks are available in a variety of colors and cost between $110 to $130 as of January 2011. In addition to being very light, Hyperdunks have a springy full-length midsole designed to optimize your jumping ability. Hyperdunks weigh 13 oz., while the average basketball shoe weighs 16 to 18 oz.
Jumpsoles
Jumpsoles, from Jump USA, are half-shoes that strap on over your regular sneakers and are designed to increase your vertical jump by strengthening your calf muscles. Jumpsoles work like Strength Shoes and elevate your heels so that your workouts are more demanding. Like Strength Shoes, evidence of the effectiveness of Jumpsoles is predominately anecdotal, but many users report increases in vertical jump height as a result of their Jumpsole workouts. Jumpsoles are meant to be worn during training and are not allowed in competition.
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