Best Basketball Shoes 2011

What is it that made the likes of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson click on the shiny, designed and wooden basketball floor? One answer is talent, hard work and passion and dedication. Another answer I feel is the usage of quality equipment. Shoes are most vital to an athlete's performance, be it any sport. It is imperative to get good quality shoes, where lies the 'sole' of a player. If the shoes are not good, then even the player cannot give his best shot.

Considerations for Buying Basketball Shoes

Before you even go to the brands, there are a number of other factors which one needs to look into while buying these shoes. The reason is simple, that what others feel is a great pair, it actually might not be that, when you actually go and check the shoes. Primarily, one of the major considerations is that at what level and position do you play? If it is a power position in a major league, then there is a need for high quality shoes. How frequently do you play basketball, this is another issue. You also have to make sure it is a perfect fit. Whether the shoes have a padded insole or not, which is useful for imparting cushioning and flexibility our feet is yet another determinant. What type of sneakers are you comfortable with? High-top, low-top or mid-top. High-top sneakers offer greatest ankle support and helps a player gain steadiness. They are the good for ankle support. Size of a shoe for you from one brand is definitely going to be a bit different from the other. Keep this thing in mind too. For women, it is not exactly advisable to buy men's sneakers. The overall size of the shoes for men is bigger than that of women. Moreover, their closure system is responsible for it hugging the foot of an athlete. Choose from an array of closure systems - lacing systems, zippers and the Velcro straps. All these things have to be thought of before the purchase. It ultimately boils down to your comfort, level of usage and which size is perfect for you.

Top Brands Available

One brand which has got a thumbs up all over is the Air Jordan XX3, after Michael Jordan's jersey from the line of Jordan shoes. Giving this pair a close competition amongst are Air Jordan XIV and Air Jordan XX2. Although this is not without the pitfalls in the shoes. Dig a little deeper and you have Nike Air Max Lebron VII and Adidas TS Commander LT. The latter has dual midsole construction and superior cushioning on top with added support on the bottom. On the other hand, Nike has specially designed a thinner forefoot and deeper heel for more strategic cushion effect. Amongst others you have Zoom Flight 2k3, Flightposite, Air Jordan XIX and Air Force 25.

Apart from these hot shot shoes, Reebox 4600 Hi-Top has got very good ratings from consumers along with a few other shoe brands. Adidas, Nike Zoom Hyperfuse and some more are the seasoned campaigners holding fort in the shoe battle.

Be it a Hi-Top or an Air Jordan, eventually it should not matter much for a player, as long as he is comfortable and is able to move around in an agile manner. After all, these shoes are supposed to help the player give their best shot!