Are Basketball Shoes Bad For Running? Basketball players are naturally required to run up and down the court. As a result, many people think that having basketball shoes for running is the same as wearing running shoes.
However, this is an incorrect assumption. Basketball shoes as well as running shoes have many differences, and there are even multiple kinds of basketball and running shoes!
So, in this article, we’ll look at what distinguishes basketball shoes from running shoes, and then explain why basketball shoes aren’t suitable for running. Are Basketball Shoes Bad For Running? We will also look at the various kinds of basketball shoes and assess their strengths and weaknesses.
Are Basketball Shoes Bad For Running?
Basketball shoes are NOT a replacement for running shoes.
Basketball shoes do not make good running shoes since they are originally developed to provide extra support for harsh as well as unpredictable footwork, resulting in heavier and bulkier shoes than proper running shoes. You might have the answer to the question: ” Are Basketball Shoes Bad For Running?”
Basketball players rarely run in a linear fashion; instead, they sprint sideways and obliquely, stopping and sprinting in between. As a result, basketball shoes must be able to support harsh and strong motion while also providing extra ankle protection. They also have wider and flatter soles to provide basketball players with more stability.
Athletes typically run in a straight line, and at least in the same direction, when they run. As a result, running shoes are designed to produce more forward motion while also providing more flexibility for maximum comfort. As a result, they’re lighter and offer more shock absorption around the heel as well as forefoot, where the majority of the force is concentrated when running.
Basketball Shoe features
As previously stated, basketball shoes are now intended to support sudden short sprints in all ways. They usually have extra protection as well as shock absorption around the heels, because the heels absorb a lot of the effect during jumping and strong stomps on the basketball court.
Basketball shoes also have gentler rubber soles because they are designed to be worn indoors on hardwood. Most particularly, basketball shoes frequently come in high-top models that can provide extra ankle support required to withstand the quick, sudden steps that players typically take.
Running Shoe features
Running shoes or sneakers, on the other hand, are specifically designed to support the heel as well as forefoot areas. Given all of your body weight falling in those areas, as well as your body moving forward, they must be able to absorb the whole shock from the strides.
They are also intended to be lighter, more flexible, and comfortable enough to be worn for long distances. They also have rougher but also harder soles since they are designed for track or concrete running as well as trail running.
Of course, not all running shoes are created equal. Some are better suited to sprinting, while others are probably more suited to long-distance running but also marathons. Some are made for forefoot strikers, while others are made for midfoot as well as heel strikers. Trail running shoes are designed with extra traction and ankle support for runners who run on uneven terrain.
What if you run in your basketball shoes?
“Are Basketball Shoes Bad For Running?” Yes, they are. Running in basketball shoes increases your chances of becoming tired early on but the shoes are heavier and don’t provide the same type of forefoot as well as heel cushioning that running shoes do. Their flatter sole can also put extra strain on certain foot areas, leading to problems like plantar fasciitis, an injury that causes extreme pain at the bottom of the foot.
Basketball shoes should only be worn when running short distances. However, because the soles are designed to provide extra traction on the hardwood surfaces of indoor courts, running on cement will wear them out much faster.
So you probably don’t want to destroy your indoor basketball shoes by wearing them outside on hard surfaces.
What if you play basketball while wearing running shoes?
The inverse situation is even riskier. Playing basketball in running shoes exposes your foot to simple ankle rolls as well as twists. This is due to the fact that they are less rigid, leaving your foot vulnerable to awkward motions, and they do not provide enough traction but also width to move well or sideways laterally on the court.
Basketball shoe types
You should know that wearing basketball shoes while running is dangerous, and wearing running shoes while playing basketball is even riskier. You should also know that there are 3 different types of basketball shoes. Which one you prefer will be determined by your playstyle, playing position, and comfort level with your court movements.
High-top basketball shoes
These are the most well-known and widely used basketball shoes. They have the shape of a boot as well as provide protection up to the ankles. High tops are the way to go if you want optimum foot stability and ankle safety.
Big men typically wear these shoes, but some dribble-happy guards prefer the additional ankle protection due because of how much they move around. However, many of the more nimble but also agile guards dislike high-tops because they believe the extra ankle support limits and restricts their movement. It all depends on the player’s playing style.
Mid-top basketball shoes
The term “mid-top” refers to the area between high-tops and low-tops. Mid-tops provide players extra space for movement flexibility while providing adequate ankle support and protection. This is the main reason why many NBA players are now wearing mid-tops, with many new player trademark shoes being released in mid-top styles.
Low-top basketball shoes
Low tops have lower cutouts, which means they have the least amount of filling around the ankle. They allow players the most freedom of movement on the court, but they do increase the risk of an ankle injury.
Although not ideal, these lighter basketball shoes are really the right type of basketball shoes for running.
Some modern-day guards prefer low-tops since they allow them to perform incredibly quick dribble moves. Low-top basketball sneakers are the most popular basketball shoe worn outside of basketball gyms with casual outfits.
Conclusion
Are Basketball Shoes Bad For Running? Can you run while wearing basketball shoes? Absolutely. However, it is not preferred for long distances and if you intend to run with them on a regular basis. Running shoes, unlike many other basketball shoes, are designed to provide maximum comfort and very little strain over long distances. Aside from any discomfort, running in basketball shoes may cause severe foot or leg problems such as plantar fasciitis as well as shin splints.
