After going through early stages of patellar tendinitis*, my doctor scared me into being smarter about how I work out and play basketball. No more running or playing basketball in cheap shoes, said he. Also told me to get a bigger car. That made me cry a little. So what are well made basketball shoes and running shoes? Is there such a thing as a "well made" basketball or running shoe, or are they all more or less same quality? I sold shoes at a retail store for 3+ years and when faced with such a question from a customer, I would just point them to the expensive shoes because I didn't know. For the longest time I bought bball shoes based only on appearance (I still own the best looking bball shoes of all time), and have not considered that one may have better "technology" or whatever. I've heard Luke's Locker is a good place to go to get running shoes that are best suited for your feet, but I don't know about basketball shoes. Anyone have any ideas? Foot Locker sales people blow d***. *Nicknamed "jumper's knee", it is odd that I contracted it as I am the "whitest" of all white jumpers. I'm 6'4" and would need a trampoline and an 8 foot goal to be able to dunk.
I feel like New Balance would probably make good shoes for your situation, they do make bball shoes. I really enjoyed the Adidas Adibounce shoes (mega bounce, micro bounce) 5 years or so back. Very comfortable and good for the joints! If you can find any, get them! (my opinion at least). The Adibounces im sure you can find more running shoes than basketball.
LerBons are good for flat footed people, I think. I've tried them and they were amazing... and I'm not even flat footed.
What shoes did you use before? I would say there is a difference between walmart shoes and something more expensive, but not much difference from a $90 shoe and a $120 shoe. You have to remember shoe companies cater to what is popular. Look how easy it was for all of them to start making "barefoot" inspired shoes. How are they going to claim those are better, but yet they still make others with thick soles that aren't flexible? They obviously care more about profit than health, so you have to do your own research and comparisons. I would go with something flexible and wide enough where your foot isn't cramped up and your toes are allowed to expand, when needed. A thinner sole. For basketball shoes, don't go with big clunky shoes. In fact, don't even go with basketball shoes, just use low tops or 3/4 tops. You need ankle mobility, not restriction. It may sound crazy, but is it crazy because it's illogical or because it's just not common?
These are the shoes I've been using: Amazon I thought they were good shoes. I got them on severe discount for probably around $60, but I wouldn't consider them cheap. They feel great; much better than the Nikes I used to wear. But they are pretty old and worn down; I think that might be the bigger issue. The doc also advised me against playing basketball in those shoes. I only take one pair to the gym though, so that's what I play in nowadays. So it sounds like you're advocating running shoes for basketball as well?
I'm advocating using a more logical choice. I grew up always wearing shoes. I was almost never barefoot and if i ever was, especially outside, i couldn't take it. After i started having knee issues, among other things, i made the decision to go barefoot more often and use more barefoot-like shoes. Best decision ever. Now, when i use regular shoes i immediately feel the difference, in a negative way. Your alignment shifts to compensate for the heel lift in regular shoes. The higher the lift/sole, the more it compensates. If you're used to it though, like i was as a kid, you don't know it's compensation. It feels normal (right). With basketball you do need a thicker sole because of the jumping involved. You'll bruise your heel, if it's too thin. so since you need a thicker sole, i'd suggest one with an even lift, meaning, no extra lift in the heel, just even from front to back. The proprioception won't be ideal, compared to a thinner sole, but at least you won't get the compensation you get with a heel lift.
I just recently went to a podiatrist (have a bunch of money in my FSA and needed to spend it). I don't have good feet, but after talking to the doctor, they could be way worse. I'm pretty active, so I was just looking for advise on shoes, inserts, etc to help keep my feet in good shape. Anywho, this is pretty much the only thing he told me worth while. You just need to find the right shoe. He said most shoes, like 90%, are 'marketing' shoes. They are shoes made to look neat and sell, not actually 'good' shoes. There is a 3 step process to check a shoe when you buy it. I found this link and it's pretty much what he said. http://www.safestepblog.net/shoe-fitting-don’t-forget-to-test-for-stability/# My asics pass the test.
Not to go off topic here, but why the bigger car? Does it have something to do with not enough leg room and operating the pedals?
I wear the Asics Gel Flash for running. I have been putting 100 miles a month on them and they have done great. I have another pair of Asics that I use for indoor running. I have no pain in my feet and I did with Nikes. I have never been diagnosed with PF, but I have had pain in shoes other than my Asics. Good luck.
6'4" I'm fatter than I've ever been, and I weigh about 215. I have never found out about my pronation. I think they can tell me more about that at Luke's Locker. I will keep it in mind to seach for a thin, even sole. You don't happen to know of a particular shoe or brand that has that, do you? But then I'll have a jumper like John Wall. No thanks. Thanks. I will read into that. I'm not especially active, but I do like to run for at least 4-5 hours each week and play basketball when I can. Ideally, I would use one pair of shoes for both of these. The doc mentioned that as a side note - more like a casual observation. Said he noticed tall-ish people with small cars that don't allow them to stretch their legs tend to have more knee problems. But the reason I cried is because he emphasized the word small right after he saw my junk.
For casual use? Chucks or something similar. For running, maybe the Nike Free 3.0, off the top of my head. Or check out brands like Inov-8 and Merrell. New Balance has some, IIRC. You can also try searching for "minimalist running shoes". Maybe one of those could work as a basketball shoe, as well, but a basketball only shoe, I can't really think of one. I haven't looked into them, since I have not been playing. Personally, i'm waiting to hear more about these running shoes. THey're made by a new brand called TOPO, which was started by one of the founders of Vibram. Basically, it looks like they're trying to make an alternative to five fingers, but that look more like a common shoe. These New Balance were very popular, but they're an older version, so you may have trouble finding them. I think they are called the MT20.
Asics FTW, I run long distance and got pretty bad knee problems from the piece of shet nikes I was wearing. Don't buy those cheap Chinese made shoes for the name.
Sauconys work well for running and basketball. At least the Triumph line does. Go to a running store though, like Road Runner Sports or something of its ilk. They will analyze your step and your weight distribution to get you in the right shoe. They also have good deals, and seem generally interested in getting you in the right shoe for your foot. Not just selling you the highest priced shoe. I don't know if they are in the Houston area. There has to be some equivalent down there though.
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