Probably more than a half of ALL basketball players tend to sprain their ankles from time to time. It is an inevitable injury and the most common one out of all. The fact is, some people are more resistant to injuries, some – just can’t rack up more than three games without a sore ankle. So today we’ll be looking at the best basketball shoes for ankle support!
NOTE: I’ve created an updated list with new shoes just recently! I recommend reading that instead of this one.
MY #1 RECOMMENDATION
NIKE LEBRON SOLDIER IX
So this is a sleeper. I’m going to tell you something right away – not a lot of shoes offer a huge focus on full foot support. This, however, does just that. If I had to crown the strongest support shoe of 2015, I would pick the LeBron Soldier IX.
Along with FLYWIRE, a TPU heel counter and a wide outsole, the highlight of the shoe are these 360-degree straps. They fully wrap around your foot perfectly, COMPLETELY locking it in and preventing from undesired rolls or sprains. Like I said, rolling an ankle is inevitable, but this shoe does everything it can to prevent that.
Combine that with a snug, supportive fit and mesh mixed with Fuse upper and you got yourself a beast.
MY #2 RECOMMENDATION
NIKE HYPERDUNK 2014
There is a reason this is one of the most popular NBA player worn shoes. Even right now. Some newer Hyperdunk models tried to improve this in many ways, but I think the 2012 version still remains the elite.
The Nike Hyperdunk 2012 has FLYWIRE technology, which was actually good even at 2012. It is a layer under the visible upper for foot support and lockdown. The ankle collar is really sturdy and wraps around the foot very nicely, besides the shoes has a reasonably high collar. On top of that, the wide sole base provides stability and makes it hard to roll your ankle.
Besides support, the shoe is a good performer all around. It has Lunarlon and Phylon cushioning and a durable upper. It’s an old, but a good choice, don’t let the 2012 tag fool you.
ADIDAS D LILLARD 2.0
I cannot stress enough how much I love this shoe and how MONSTROUS it performs. Check out my initial review of them and you’ll find out. And it’s just 105 bucks!
We need to talk about support though. So because the sneaker really shines in every aspect, support is great too. It has SprintFrame for reinforced midfoot support. Then it has TECHFIT for a durable and sturdy upper (which actually helps keep your foot from going out of place). And then there’s TORSION SYSTEM for awesome arch support. This is the technology more adidas shoes should consider implementing because it works beautifully in the Lillard 2.
And of course, the shoe has a very snug and supportive fit, so you shouldn’t worry about slipping or sliding.
This is an amazing shoe, not only for support. There’s a reason I gave it a 10 out of 10, and a lot of other reviewers have a similar opinion. Don’t miss these ones out.
UNDER ARMOUR CLUTCHFIT HIGHLIGHT DRIVE 2
They have a long ass name, but they also have a HUGE ASS ankle collar. In reality, a shoe doesn’t need to have a high ankle collar to be able to support your ankles. Shoes are much more advanced these days.
However, the collar and some other features work really well on the Clutchfit Highlight Drive 2’s. It has a ClutchFit upper mixed with mesh for breathability and Fuse for durability. The materials themselves are very supportive, but also stretch in the places where you can’t afford any restrictions.
There’s also an internal heel counter, so your heel area will be locked in properly.
Now this is definitely not for everyone, as the shoe has a very high collar and is reasonably heavy. This is pretty much a go-to shoe for big men.
UNDER ARMOUR CURRY TWO
A very very popular choice right now. And for a good reason. Stephen Curry is currently dominating his Warriors and so does his shoes. This is a true balanced guard’s package. And it has plenty of awesome support.
The upper is really soft and loose, so you might be thinking how can they be supportive. Well, that’s the beauty of Curry’s shoes. They are balanced, just how a true guard’s shoe should be. The materials are loose, but the fit itself along with a whole bunch of features make the sneaker more than supportive.
The high ankle collar is great for everyone as it’s not annoying but still provides support. Then there’s a heel counter for heel slippage prevention.
Overall, this is an awesome choice, not only for support. Read the full review if you’re interested.
AIR JORDAN XX9 LOW
Who doesn’t love the Air Jordan 29’s? With the improved low top version out, I had to include these instead of the regular mid tops. Simply because these feel just better in my opinion.
Right off the bat, I said it in the review and I will say it again, support is incredible for lows. You have FlightWeb, which is sometimes even superior to Nike’s FLYWIRE. Then there’s a TPU heel counter, as usual. And probably the best aspect is the Performance Woven upper. I don’t think any other materials has topped this one yet.
Just because of the upper, you have an awesome fit, which is sooo good. It’s supportive, but also not restrictive. That’s just plain Performance Woven awesomeness. Not a lot more to say, check out the review, you’ll be surprised.
AIR JORDAN MELO M12
This is a premium quality shoe. Because of that, it has to have premium quality support, which it kind of does. Despite a few issues that I mentioned in the review, support is definitely not lackluster.
Its main advantage is the super comfortable ankle collar that grabs the ankle so nicely, it feels like a sock. On top of that, it obviously grants you support simply because that collar basically sticks to you like glue and reinforces each movement.
To top things off, the shoe’s outsole has a very wide base, so stability won’t be an issue. There’s also a very unique, flexible heel counter which allows a lot of movement freedom but keeps the heel locked in.
Overall, the shoe is a solid choice for any position out there. Carmelo Anthony is a versatile player, so he needs versatile shoes.
So there you have it, best ankle support shoes in a nutshell. Like I already said, no shoe will completely prevent you from ankle sprains. But the shoes that I mentioned should do the most work protecting it.