Best Basketball Shoes

Basketball is a game involving a large amount of running and jumping that puts tons of stress on your legs, ankles, and knees. One of the most common injuries while playing this sport is a sprained ankle, an injury that is avoidable if you have the right shoes. Here's a list of what to look for when you're buying new shoes for the upcoming basketball season and what to avoid at all costs.

DO buy high top shoes. This is a must in this game with the amount of running and jumping done and the pivots and quick starts. These will help protect your ankles as opposed to low top shoes, which have a tendency to draw a lot of attention because of their light weight.

DO NOT buy shoes with air bubbles. Many if not all companies have gotten rid of shoes with the air bubbles in the heel due to the enormous amount of complaints and suits brought against them for being unsafe. They have a habit to burst at inconvenient times.

DO buy shoes with some ankle room. This may seem contrary to what I said before about needing the ankle support but this quality actually will protect your ankles, with the aid of an ankle brace. I wore ankle braces throughout high school basketball and was never injured while wearing one. Although, it is true that injuries of this nature are possible with every precaution taken, it does mitigate your chances if you wear ankle braces along with high top shoes.

DO NOT buy shoes with a flat bottom. You really don't need the arch in the bottom of your shoes but it does support your foot's health and provides with a better support for your knees and the rest of your legs.

DO buy shoes made with breathable material. You sweat in basketball, you sweat a lot. The last thing you need to worry about is soaked socks and hot feet while you're in the middle of a game. Leather and nylon are good choices.

DO NOT buy shoes that don't look like they're going to last. Try to get shoes from a name brand company such as Adidas or Nike, this will ensure good quality and the shoes should ultimately last longer.

And as a bonus to this guide it should remain that you pick a shoe that you like. Be creative with your pick and express your own individuality or in the case of team shoes, a common element among the team, such as color. Either way have fun with it but be safe, it is still only a game.