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And 1 24 Karat Lo Mens Basketball Shoe
The 24 Karat Low basketball shoes for men from And 1(r) feature a full-grain leather upper with textured patent leather accents to help you shine on the court - literally. A dual-density compression-molded EVA midsole offers a Duraspring(tm) cushioning insert for comfortable, cushioned support. The high-abrasion rubber outsole has an external shank for stability.
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Reebok Question Low Basketball Shoes Mens
The Reebok Question Low Basketball shoes for men feature Hexalite in the midsole for lightweight and durable cushioning. The full leather upper provides comfort and support and the low-cut design offers mobility.
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How To Buy Basketball Shoes
To handle the rigors of the game, basketball shoes must have it all: comfort,
stability, flexibility and shock absorption. Finding all those features in
degrees that match your playing style is the key.
What kind of player are you?
Power player
- Power players will want shoes with maximum cushioning and stability. You
may have to play in a heavier shoe to get those benefits.
All-around player
- Look for shoes with moderate ankle support and cushioning
- There are many shoes to choose from. Almost all types are fairly
lightweight.
Fast player
- Choose a lightweight shoe that offers moderate support, cushioning and
flexibility
- Shoes with a lower-cut are often good choices
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Basketball shoe construction
Understanding the construction of basketball shoes and determining which
features are most important to you will help you select the right shoe.
Upper
The upper is the soft top of the shoe. Its job is to keep the foot snug and
securely in place during play.
- Shoe cut
- Determining if you're most comfortable in high-, mid- or low-tops is
the first step in finding the right shoe for you
- High-tops
- Keep in mind that the vast majority of players, around 70%
choose high-tops for their ability to provide maximum ankle
support
- Power players and all-around players usually prefer the
stability of this style
- Mid-tops
- For players who feel restricted in high-tops, and who use
speed as their greatest asset, mid-tops, which come to right at
the ankle level, may be the answer
- Low-tops
- Only about 10% of players wear low-tops for regular play
- These are lighter, but don't offer the built-in ankle support
that high-tops do
- Materials
- The days of the all leather upper are gone
- Replacing them are lightweight combination uppers, which mix the
stability and durability of leather with the breathability and
flexibility of synthetic mesh
- High-tech, all-synthetic uppers, which are often more durable than
leather, are gaining popularity for their ability to offer stability in
a super-lightweight material
- Closure systems
- A good closure system will keep the foot snug and secure in the shoe
during sudden stops and starts, frequent side-to-side motions, and quick
turns
- Laces
- Laces are an acceptable choice for keeping the foot stable in
the shoe
- Several manufacturers are offering new lacing systems designed
to offer greater stability
- Good lacing systems should lock the laces in place, making
them less apt to loosen or untie, increasing your stability
during play
- Straps
- Some shoes feature a strap that wraps around the upper arch of
the shoe to add more stability and protection against ankle
rollover
- Zippers
- Zippers are a fairly new choice for securing the foot in a
basketball shoe. These are usually covered by some sort of
protective material.
- Velcro
- Only good for children who can't tie their shoes yet
- Not real reliable in terms of staying closed, and doesn't
offer good support
Midsole
This is the layer of soft, shock-absorbing material between the outsole and
the upper. It is often considered the most important part of a basketball shoe,
because the construction and materials used will impact the levels of cushioning
and shock absorption and can affect a player's ability to explode off the floor.
- Cushioning materials
- The midsole is usually made of EVA, compressed EVA, polyurethane or a
combination of these materials. Proprietary cushioning technologies are
also found in many brands of basketball shoes.
- EVA/Compressed EVA offers lightweight cushioning, but not as much
stability and durability. EVA can be compressed to make it somewhat
more durable.
- Polyurethane (PU) is a more dense and durable cushioning material.
It can add stability to the shoe, but also adds weight.
- Proprietary Cushioning Technologies are usually found in the heel
and forefoot of the shoe and add an extra degree of cushioning
without much extra weight
- Motion Control/Stability
- Stiff materials are used in some basketball shoes on the medial or
inner side of the shoe to reduce inward rolling of the foot
- Heavier densities of cushioning materials may also be used in the
medial area to increase a shoe's stability. The midsole can
negatively affect stability if the cushioning materials are too
thick.
- Look for relatively thin layer of cushioning to keep your base of
support low and stable
Outsole
This is the rubber bottom of the shoe.
- Stability
- The outsole of a good basketball shoe should be flat and moderately
wide to create a stable base and help prevent ankle rollover
- The herringbone pattern is most common and
provides enough traction to keep you steady during quick stops and
starts
- Most shoes are designed for indoor play. If you play most often on
outdoor courts, look for a shoe with a more durable outsole.
- Some basketball shoes are designed specifically for outdoor play and
feature heavier rubber outsoles
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Men's vs. Women's basketball shoes
- Most women should not buy men's basketball shoes
- Men's shoes are built on a wider last or "frame" than women's
shoes
- Men's basketball shoes are generally too wide for a woman's foot, and do
not offer an appropriate degree of stability
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Determine your shoe size
- Determining your proper shoe size is essential to a comfortable fit
- Don't assume your shoe size is the same as it always has been. The shape
of your feet changes over time.
- For the perfect fitting shoe, see Determine Your Shoe Size before making
your purchase decisions
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