Vans shoes are popular for being comfortable and stylish, but many users wonder if they are suitable for basketball.
Today, on the basis of my research, we’ll look at Vans shoes and find out if they are acceptable for basketball needs. Along with that, what essential features does any shoe need to be suitable for basketball?
Read on to find the answers.
Contents
Should You Buy Vans Shoes for Basketball?
No! Vans shoes are often praised for their focus on skateboarding shoes. They don’t make professional basketball shoes.
The shoes they make don’t align with the needs of basketball. Their shoes are quite heavy and often lack helpful features such as high ankle support, advanced cushioning, superior traction, and a lightweight design. (We will talk more features in a moment.)
Lack of all these features makes Vans shoes awful for playing basketball. This is why I recommend choosing shoes with game-specific features.
Importance of Game-Specific Features
Generally, basketball shoes come with a bunch of different features, each of which has its own importance. Now, let’s count a few features and check how they are helpful to the players.
High Ankle Support
Basketball requires high ankle support, as it’s essential for maintaining balance and control on the court. Good ankle support allows for better propulsion during jumps and quick stops. With that, good ankle support can reduce muscle fatigue by providing better alignment and support.
And, without secure support, sprints become wobbled, shots lose accuracy, and overall performance drops. Additionally, terrible wobbling in the shoe can cause sprains, strains, and tendons in the foot. So, support for the ankle is important.
Lightweight Design
The next essential feature of B-ball shoes is their lightweight design.
Lightweight shoes are ideal for increasing the player’s agility and responsiveness. These shoes are fabulous for maintaining a player’s energy. Plus, they are useful for enhancing the reaction time of the player.
These shoes are so light that it does not feel like you are wearing anything on your feet. This factor helps players make quick movements and longer jumps around the court.
Traction
To perform better at basketball, high traction is crucial. The sole purpose of having high traction is to increase mobility on the court.
You know players have to make sudden stops and direction changes in basketball matches. To meet this demand, they need shoes that could create good friction against the court.
Now, the more friction between a basketball shoe and the court, the faster a player can move and stop. This traction also helps the player with sudden direction changes. Along with that, traction also helps prevent players from sliding or slipping on the court.
So, having a good grip on your basketball shoes is an absolute necessity.
Related Article: Vans Knu Skool Review
Advanced Cushioning / Padding
Cushioning is another way to gain a competitive advantage. It reduces pressure on feet, ankles and knees. It also aids in making longer jumps and provides good shock absorption after jumping.
Furthermore, extra padding on heels rewards players with energy return and enhances their comfort on the ground since they’re structured around each player’s foot. This strategy includes arch support and cushioning for the heel and toes, which are heavily impacted during games, as well as during practice sessions.
So yeah! Cushioning, much like other factors, holds a lot of value for the player’s performance.
Highly Vaporous
By vaporous, I meant breathable. It is important to wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe, so you don’t feel as if you are running in shoes that are soaked in sweat. Remember, too much sweat can cause infections and skin conditions.
So choose shoes that allow for proper air circulation. Shoes with perforations and leather uppers are often preferred because of their breathability.
Final Thought: What Other Brands Are Good for Buying Basketball Shoes?
You got the idea that Vans is nowhere good for basketball. Now, you might be wondering which other brand you should look at when buying some dope basketball shoes.
No worries, here are some quite popular brands that athletes and other people commonly recommend.
- Nike (Jordan, Leboron, Kevin Durant, Kobe)
- Way of Wade
- Adidas
- Serious Player Only
- New Balance
- Anta
- Puma
- Li-Ning
- Converse
- Crossover Culture
When choosing a pair of basketball shoes, you’ll notice that each brand offers different types of basketball shoes. All claiming to be the best at jumping higher, running faster, and stopping quicker on the court. But remember, no two basketballs can be on the same level. There are always pros and cons to each pair.
What I recommend is that when choosing new basketball shoes, you should look for comfort, support, cost, traction, and weight. Additionally, the appearance of the shoes can also be a crucial factor, but it all depends on you.
You can also judge any shoe by looking at all the features that I’ve mentioned earlier. Only then can you find your perfect fit.
FAQ
Were Vans Made for Basketball?
No! Vans shoes aren’t made for basketball. They’re generally focused on making skateboarding shoes, which usually rely on very different specifics compared to basketball.
Basketball is a very different sport that wants players to be super responsive. Basketball players wear professional basketball shoes that come with a list of different features.
Skateboarding, however, isn’t like that, which is why their shoes can’t be used for basketball.
Can I Wear Vans if I Don’t Skate?
Yes! Vans shoes are great for casual wear. Their shoes often come in a bunch of different colorways that allow wearers to express themselves better. Also, their shoes are quite easy to put on and off. They are extremely soft, comfy and durable. These shoes can be used for regular walks and strolls.
What Shoes Are Acceptable for Basketball?
Generally, shoes that offer good cushioning, ankle support, traction, breathability and weight are acceptable for basketball. These features altogether help the player make longer jumps, run faster, and stop quicker on the court.
Additionally, the look of the shoes is another factor that can help you stand out from your competitors, but it all depends on you. You can compromise on the look, if you want to.
