Basketball shoes come in a variety of styles, weights and colors. When you think about the design of a basketball shoe, the main options of shoe height, color and weight are the most important factors. It is important to consider your target sizes and positions for the shoe and make the designs accordingly.
Shoe Height
Basketball players have three options for shoe height, high tops, mid-level tops and low tops. According to a 1993 University of Oklahoma study, basketball shoe height has no relationship with ankle injuries in basketball. However, the vast majority of players still play in high-top or mid-level shoes and stay away from high-tops. According to ESPN, as of 2008 only three players in the National Basketball Association, the largest and highest professional league, wore low-top sneakers.So as a designer you would want to focus on the most popular high-tops or designing some new low tops to increase interest in a shoe that does not have as many options.
Shoe Weight
Basketball shoes come in a wide variety of weights, which vary mainly based on the size and height of the shoe. Many players prefer to find and play in the lightest shoe possible. The highest high-tops can weigh as much as 8 to 10 oz. more than a low-top shoe. According to ESPN, as of 2008, the lightest basketball shoe ever made was a low-top variety that weighed in at 11.6 oz. ESPN notes that the average Nike basketball shoe weighs about 13 oz. Dick's Sporting Goods notes that power or bigger players often want larger high-tops with more cushioning, while smaller, quicker players prefer the lightest shoe they can find.
Shoe Color
Basketball shoes can be made into any color you can imagine. Some players and teams select shoes to match their uniform or school colors, which can lead to some interesting choices. When you design a shoe it is best to make a few colors but you should know that black basketball shoes and white shoes are likely to sell the most. These neutral colors are more popular and neutral so buyers that are not trying to match a specific color are more likely to stick with this option.
Midsole
The midsole is the part of the inner shoe sole between the upper part of the shoe and the outer sole. Your foot rests on the midsole when you have it in the shoe. According to Dick's Sporting Goods, the midsole is often considered to be the most important part of the shoe because cushioning and shock absorption is impacted based on design. Dick's says that midsoles are usually made of EVA, which is lightweight and flexible, or polyurethane that offers more stability and support and more weight. The choice could also depend on the size and goal of the player, whether they prefer stability and weight or flexibility and light weight.
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