5 Best Basketball Shoes for Ankle Support 2021: Reviews + Buying Guide

Rolling your ankles on the basketball court is a pretty common occurrence – but you can’t help it because you want to keep your fashion game up even when you’re playing the game.

That being said, a pair of trainers that’s just fancy and not functional will land you in the stands instead of the court.

In fact, most seasoned basketball players claim that footwear is as essential as equipment. This is primarily because you are bound to injure yourself between vicious crossovers and layups if you don’t have the right ankle support.

Choose from the top 5 best basketball shoes for ankle support and see how a pair of good trainers can help you mitigate the risks attached with roughing it up!

Lucky for you, we’re here to hold your hand throughout this journey.

Sidenote: The Adidas Men’s Dame 5 is a hot-favorite among professionals and beginners! This phenomenal pair checks out all our boxes perfectly.

But before you get dazzled by that and that alone, let us tell you this: the following buying guide and basketball shoes review will help you reach your own conclusion.

So, let’s get started. Shall we?

A Spotlight On Some of The Best Basketball Shoes for Ankle Support 2021:

 

Spotting out the best basketball shoes for ankle support is as tricky as finding a needle in a haystack. With so many brands and pairs piling, it’s hard to keep track of each one’s unique features.

If you dream of having an expert pick out options for you, it’s time to see it turn into reality! This article screened through hundreds of options to present the best ones to you.

Moreover, the pros and cons under each pair will help you make a better decision.

Adidas Men’s Dame 5

The Dame 5 is one of Adidas’ most exemplary pieces of craftsmanship. It includes an exceptional combination of ankle support and cushioning. The mid-cut in Dame 5 gives you perfect compression minus the suffocation.

The first thing that’ll catch your eye is the wide outrigger. The compression-like fit and the outrigger are what give this shoe its exceptional support abilities.

Moreover, the shoe harbors the tried and tested herringbone pattern. This tread pattern has an exceptional level of traction. As a cherry on top, the thick traction makes this shoe ideal for outdoor and indoor use.

As for the fit, the width is standard, but the fit is a little too long. So, you might spot a dead space on the front. Pro-tip: if you have a slim foot, we suggest you go for half a size down.

The good news is that the dead space won’t hamper your performance. On the contrary, it will support your rear and mid-foot. As a matter of fact, the impact protection on Dame 5 is better than what we expected.

Nike Kyrie Men’s Basketball Trainers

Kyrie is famous for its crossovers and handles. All the shoes from the lineup have spectacular customer reviews, and this one is no exception. The broad base and the bottom with a multidirectional pattern grants stability to the shoe.

The outsole seconds as an outrigger and also uses a heel counter to keep your foot comfortable. Bear in mind that these Nike beauties are only suitable for indoor use. The soft rubbers and traction cannot handle rough usage.

The shoes have Zoom Turbo as a means of cushioning. This zoom cushioning has excellent impact protection and responsiveness.

What’s more? The sleek Zoom Turbo grants a better court feel to the shoe.

If you are someone who makes a lot of cuts in-game, you’ll love said trait.

Now, with all that support and cushioning, the shoe tends to run a tad smaller. So, you can go half a size up to prevent suffocating. Note that these pairs are heavier than the rest!

Under Armour Men’s Lockdown

Under Armour has been setting a high benchmark for its rival brands when it comes to basketball shoes. If you are on a shoestring budget, this Under Armour pair will satisfy you.

Despite being lowly-priced, it doesn’t compromise ankle support.

For the uppers, the manufacturers use durable mesh and synthetic leather. This construction makes the shoe both breathable and durable. Besides, this combination is also effective for protecting the ankle region.

Another thing that impresses us is the grip of these shoes. Believe it or not, this shoe has one of the finest grips in the category.

Plus, the pair is super lightweight. So, if you have a long practice session ahead, you can rely on this shoe to support your ankles. A quick check through the reviews also gave us insight into the shoe’s excellent heel lockdown.

The traction works pretty well on both outdoor and indoor areas. The adaptive pattern offers both durable grip and traction regardless of the court surface. It’s perfect for quick, sudden movements, without straining the ankle.

Nike Lebron Soldier X

The Lebron Soldier X is Nike’s best take on basketball shoes for ankle support; this edition actually caters explicitly to basketball players and their needs. The best part? This pair comes with no laces. Instead, there are three straps to secure your foot.

These explosive shoes can accommodate serious and expert players. Novice and beginners might find the pairs to be a bit bulky and overwhelming. With proper alignment though, these pairs finally give you a chance to say goodbye to ligament tears.

Coming to the traction bit, the proper tread patterns ensure nothing but the best. You can probably tell the Lebron Soldier X is a pretty durable pair just by looking at it. The synthetic material on the shoe does a great job of wicking excess moisture. Not to mention, the impeccable color options will impress the trendsetter in you.

Most reviewers report that these shoes reduce fatigue from the ankles and offer immense support. No matter how long you play or how much you jump, your ankles won’t give up with all that backing.

Nike PG3 Paul George Basketball Shoes

The final product on our list is the Nike PG3 – Nike is notorious for being the favorite shoe brand in the athletic community. Besides, Paul George’s signature range offers one of the most consistent performers in the market.

The PG3 features circle patterned tractions that make it spectacular for multidirectional movements. The next thing that will capture your attention is the solid base of the shoe. Thanks to this base, stability will no longer be an issue on court.

The sock-like fit of the PG3 offers one of the best ankle support. Alongside compression, the PG3 also boasts of having lockdown wings. These are more like a strap to give your ankles better support.

We love the forefoot Zoom Air unit on the shoe as well. It results in a remarkable quickness and responsiveness of the forefoot. If you want to be explosive and quick on the court, PG3 should be your pick.

However, one significant drawback of these pairs is that they take time to break in. The first couple of wears might feel suffocating.

On the brighter side though, once you get used to them, there’s nothing better than the PG3.

Retailing at a heavily affordable price, these pairs offer the perfect way to amp up your game.

Basketball Shoes for Ankle Support Buyer’s Guide

Who knew that a pair of shoes has so much going on in them? The traction, cushioning, and rest of the factors have a significant say over your game.

If you are looking for the best basketball shoes with ample ankle support, you need a combination of features.

If you sit to consider all features of the perfect shoe, you might miss a couple of your next games. After all, understanding the features takes serious homework. Don’t fret though! This buyer’s guide has already done that for you!

Uppers

 

Ankle injuries are a common element of playing basketball. However, wearing basketball shoes with optimum ankle support can dismiss injuries. The upper determines the type of ankle support you need.

In short, the upper is ultimately responsible for flexibility and stability. Having a flexible upper will offer you more versatility on the court. It allows you unrestricted movement while maximizing support for your ankles.

The best basketball shoes for ankle support will have synthetic uppers. A synthetic upper will reduce dependency and pressure on your ankles.

Cushioning

 

A more snugly and firm fit might feel uncomfortable initially, but it’s ideal for fuss-free gameplay. Likewise, cushioning will enhance the overall comfort of the shoes. Brands like Nike, Adidas and Under Armour are wizards of the shoe industry.

For years, they have been competing to develop technology to deliver the best-cushioned shoes. Since basketballs demand a lot of action, you need a pair of shoes that can handle the sport’s roughness.

While you’re trying the shoe, ask yourself: “can I jump and run around in these shoes without my feet feeling uncomfortable?”

Since running imposes a great deal of tension and pressure on your ankle, cushioning is a must. Look for basketball shoes that have an excellent reaction to impact and opt for EVA cushioning or Micro G foam.

Traction

 

When discussing the best basketball shoes for ankle support, how can we skip past traction? Traction is an unskippable feature that will determine the quality of grip of the shoes. Besides, when you are running and jumping on the court, the grip is pretty crucial.

You should also know that there is a striking difference between outdoor and indoor shoes. The indoor shoes have a relatively finer tread pattern as compared to the outdoor basketball trainers.

On the flip side, outdoor shoes have deeper grooves. These grooves allow the shoe to handle uneven surfaces and outdoor abuse.

Optimum Ankle Support

 

Finally, the most crucial point of this piece is here. A shoe made to support your ankles will keep you healthy, court-ready and reduce the risk of injuries. An ankle injury occurs when your ankles twist inwards.

This painful sprain can keep you out of the court for weeks. Moreover, even after recovery, the risk of injuries will still be lingering. However, with the best shoes for ankle support, you can skip past this problem.

The shoes should have supports and comfortable features to take off the pressure from your ankle. Additionally, they should align your feet well to prevent any ankle twists.

Material

 

If you take a look at the traditional basketball shoes, you will spot most of them using leather. Though leather is a plush and durable material, it’s not exactly lightweight and breathable.

The best basketball shoes these days will equip a mix of materials. for instance, you’ll notice that some part of your shoe uses leather.

These days manufacturers use leather only for high abrasion areas of the shoe. Besides, leather is pretty much crucial to maintain stability.

Basketball shoes also use mesh and synthetics to improve breathability and airflow. Synthetics and mesh are more common on the forefoot and tongue of the shoe.

Speaking of the soles, nothing beats rubber ones. They should have tough tread patterns to improve footing on the basketball court.

Breathability

 

When we spoke of material, we mentioned that breathability is crucial in any basketball shoe. For the sake of breathability, the shoe must not have a tight fit. A tight fit will restrict airflow and lead to moisture build-up.

The best basketball shoe for ankle support will use mesh and synthetic to offer breathability. If your shoe is not breathable, you might land up with fungal infections alongside ankle issues.

Breathability is a common struggle point with cheap basketball shoes. So, before you swipe the card and tie up the laces, make sure they use breathable materials.

If you don’t want to feel uncomfortable and in the middle of your game, a breathable pair should be your priority.

Consider Your Playing Style

 

Till now, we were all about the traits of the perfect shoe. But by and large, the comfort and support of the shoe will depend on your playing style as well.

For instance, if you are a point guard, you can go with high-tops. High-tops are the best choice in terms of stability and ankle protection. Some of the mid-top shoes in the market also offer fantastic ankle support.

So, if you have crossover moves or expect flexibility from your footwear, you can opt for mid-tops as well.

Endnotes

 

And, there you have it – the five best basketball shoes for ankle support. While looking for the perfect pair, don’t forget to consider the pointers from the buyer’s guide too.

Our list of the best basketball shoes for ankle support accommodates all budgets. That’s not it. If you’re a terrific basketball player with a taste in fashion, this list has awe-inspiring options for you.

Make sure to give the shoes a good try before you wear them to the game. Now that you have excellent ankle support, what’s the holdup?

Do you have any other stellar suggestions for this list? Drop your thoughts in the comments section to let us know.