Which basketball shoes are the best for jumping?

Whether you are a playmaker or a center, you’ve probably wondered, “Which basketball shoes are best for jumping?” “

With the best basketball shoes featuring more advanced technology than ever before, finding the best pair to give you extra spring isn’t necessarily easy, but don’t worry, we’re here to walk you through some. key characteristics. to find out what might help you take the plunge.

Let’s start by looking at the highs, lows and highs …

Best Basketball Shoes For Jumping – Highs Low or High?

We looked at whether highs, lows or highs are better for overall performance, but what about jumping in particular?

It could be argued that because the high tops tend to be slightly heavier sneakers, like the Lebron 18‘s, they can have a negative effect on your jumping abilities to reach your top basketball hoop, however, the difference is so small that you are unlikely to see a drastic disparity.

In fact, a A 2017 study found that the height of the collar of the shoe did not affect performance therefore, during realistic jumps the height of the shoe should not be a factor in your decision.

Best basketball shoes for jumping – the sole

As mentioned in our guide on how basketball shoes should fit, they are primarily designed for protection but, with recent advancements in technology, some manufacturers have implemented additional features such as springs or springs. air cushions in the soles that can help you make your vertical leap.

Brands like Athletic Propulsion Labs, or APL for short, include 10 coil springs between the upper and lower soles of their shoes that are designed to store energy during the “loading” phase of a jump for hopefully. , give you a better launch. your forefoot.

In addition, shoes like the Air Jordan XXXVIcomes with Nike’s Zoom Air technology in the midsole for extra protection on landing, but could also benefit your jump by transferring more energy on the recoil into your jump.

Best basketball shoes for jumping – Lightweight

As mentioned earlier, a sneaker made from the lightest possible materials can counteract the feeling of being “weighed down” compared to heavier shoes.

If you look at some of the more high end sneakers like the KD14‘s, you will find that most of the outer layer is made from a synthetic mesh to keep the weight to a minimum.

Although the results may be minimal, a A 2018 study found that wearing lightweight shoes in basketball has a 2.1% and 1.6% positive effect on jumping and sprinting performance, so if you really want to get every inch of your vertical jump, keep an eye out for lightweight sneakers.

Best basketball shoes for jumping – workout

The most important part of improving your jump is practice.

Making sure you master your technique is key to getting the best vertical jump possible.

That being said, there are shoes designed to build the muscles associated with jumping, such as strength shoes.

With strength shoes, your heels don’t touch the ground and the calves are used to support the body, putting immense pressure on them.

However, we recommend that you stick to your best athletic shoes and focus your training on strengthening your leg muscles so that you give yourself more explosive power when it comes to jumping.

Which basketball shoes are the best for jumping?

As previously stated, we believe the first thing to think about in terms of improving your jump is practice – if your technique isn’t perfect, you already have a way to develop your vertical jump before you start looking for shoes to help you.

You can find sneakers, like the Air Jordan XXXVI‘s, to be better than the others if you master the main technique, however, the improvements may just be a matter of centimeters.

The majority of major basketball shoe brands like Nike and Under Armor realize this and instead focus on creating the best sneakers possible for protection and comfort, especially for your ankles.