Last Updated on December 14, 2023 by

There is no doubt that basketball is a popular sport for everyone, especially young people. Basketball shoes have become increasingly tailored to the needs of players. What are the different types of basketball shoes? Which is better, low-top basketball shoes or high-top basketball shoes? The following article introduces high-top, mid-top, and low-top basketball shoes, and compares the differences between high-top and low-top basketball shoes to help you select the right basketball shoes.

High-top basketball shoes

Basketball shoes with high tops provide ankle support and protection, improving your ankle’s ability to resist injury. As a result, you can play basketball without worrying about twisting your ankle.

Court position suitable for:

Centers and power forwards should wear high-top basketball shoes because the interior of the court is more intense, and they reduce pressure on the ankles when jumping, back-to-back, and fighting for rebounds.

Buying tips:

Inside players are characterized by physical contact and rotation. It’s recommended that they wear high-top basketball shoes with a sturdy and precise fit for the human foot shape, and shock-absorbing air cushions on the bottom. In order to provide better protection, the material at the ankle should also be thickened.

Mid-top basketball shoes

Depending on the height of the shoe collar, high-top shoes are above the ankle, mid-top shoes are at the ankle, and low-top shoes expose the ankle. The higher the shoe collar, the better the ankle protection, but it also limits ankle flexibility.

Court position suitable for:

Mid-cut basketball shoes are suitable for players who swing from front to back, such as forwards or guards.

Buying tips:

There are several characteristics essential to players who swing forwards and guards. These characteristics include effective jumping, aerial ability, and lightweight. It is suggested that you buy mid-top basketball shoes that provide proper cushioning to reduce impact damage to the legs, as well as adequate ankle support.

Low-top basketball shoes

Unlike high-top basketball shoes, low-top basketball shoes have no ankle wrapping, making the ankle more flexible and allowing for directional changes, turns, and sudden stops. Moreover, low-top basketball shoes tend to be lighter and more aesthetically pleasing than high-top basketball shoes.

Court position suitable for:

The low-top basketball shoes are more suitable for guards and players who need to change directions quickly and pass defenders to break through.

Buying tips:

Besides controlling the ball and the rhythm of the game, guards must also perform a variety of flexible techniques. Low-top basketball shoes with lightweight materials, good grip, good fit, and strong wear resistance are recommended. In addition, they should be able to demonstrate their skills more effectively if they have fast and stable explosive power.

High-top vs. low-top basketball shoes

Protective performance

High-top basketball shoes provide more protection for the foot and ankle than low-top basketball shoes, with thicker and higher ankle fabrics, strong shoe wrappings, and so on, to prevent injuries during intense matches.

Shock absorption performance

The shock absorption performance of high-top basketball shoes is especially important for interior players who constantly jump for shot-blocking, rebounding, and other activities. Various shock-absorbing materials or cushioning air cushions are used in the sole of the shoe to enhance shock absorption.

Grip performance

A player’s grip performance determines the speed at which he or she can explode when starting. It often determines whether or not they will be able to shake off a defender. Basketball shoes with low tops have better grip, thus improving guards’ dribbling speed and breakthroughs.