How Long Do Basketball Shoes Last?

May 31, 2020 Mike Comments 0 Comment

How long basketball shoes last depends on several factors like usage. According to professionals, if you play basketball 2 to 3 times a week, it is recommended you replace your basketball shoes every 3 to 4 months. If you are playing basketball 5 to 6 times a week, it is recommended you buy new shoes every month. NBA players change their basketball shoe frequently, usually replacing it no later than 7-10 days.

According to Dr. Michael Lowe, a team podiatrist of the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association, if you played basketball just one hour per day, five days a week, you would have to replace your shoes just a little over every three months.

The more you run and the more you use basketball shoes, the quicker you need to replace it.

For example, runners replace their shoes every 300 to 500 miles. For someone that runs 20 miles per week that would mean swapping your running shoes out just under every four months, on the shorter end of that spectrum.

Another important factor to considering if you want to replace your basketball shoes is BUDGET. Basketball shoes can cost anywhere from $60 to $170 depending on the brand.

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Why is it Important to Have Good Basketball Shoes?

It’s important to have good basketball shoes because they provide the great ankle support and right traction needed to be comfortable and perform well on the court.

Benefits of Replacing Basketball Shoes

The key benefits of replacing basketball shoes is it helps reduce the risk of injury and enhance performance.

Worn out basketball shoes will increase the risk of spraining an ankle, wont provide good traction, and will impair performance. When they are replaced with newer or better basketball shoes, the player will get the right stability, flexibility or shock absorption.

Dr. Lowe, a team podiatrist of the Utah Jazz of the NBA, conducted a study among high school basketball players and found changing basketballs monthly during the season has been found to greatly decrease the rate of injury to professional players (Source: AASPM).

Cons of Not Replacing Basketball Shoes

Not replacing your basketball shoes when you need to can cause alot aches, pains, ankle problems, and can increase your risk of injury.

Broken-down shoes can lead to a major break down in your muscles and joints. If you feel an increased occurrence of muscle aches, cramps, and joint pain during or after play, then your shoes may need to be replaced. Furthermore, if you’re experiencing more soreness after a typical practice or game and begin to notice injuries such as shin splints, chronic calf cramping, or knee pain, your shoes may be the cause.

Bad shoes can cause injury in other parts of your body. That’s because alignment begins with your feet and moves up to influence the rest of your body.

Anatomy of Basketball Shoe

THE UPPER

When discussing the upper portion of basketball shoes, the first decision you have to make is which height you want. Basketball shoes are available in high, mid or low heights; each of these appealing to a different style of player.

High: The upper wraps around your ankle to provide an extra layer of support and stability. With this extra coverage often comes extra weight.
Mid: As the name suggests, mid-top basketball shoes provide a happy medium for players in terms of ankle support. The upper material sits right at the ankle to provide some coverage without an all-enclosing design. Mid-tops allow for increased flexibility.
Low: Built for speed and agility, low basketball shoes have little ankle support due to their lower profile.

UPPER SECURITY

There are a number of closure techniques available, laces being the most popular.

You might also find basketball shoes with zippers, straps or hook-and-loop closures. These pieces can add more support to your ankle, especially in high-top models, as well as provide another layer of coverage over your standard laces. Keep in mind added coverage means added weight.

Click HERE to find basketball shoes with the best ankle support.

THE MIDSOLE

A basketball shoe’s midsole is where the footwear’s cushioning will be found. This makes this section one of the most essential parts of a shoe’s performance. Most midsoles are comprised of various foams, EVA and compressed EVA foam being the lighter options, compared to polyurethane midsoles, which are dense and more durable.

Brand-specific cushioning technologies are also found in the midsole; namely in the heel and forefoot. This technology is added to give extra cushioning in pressure points that will endure a lot of stress during the course of a game.

THE OUTSOLE

A shoe’s outsole is made of a rubber or synthetic material and is the point of traction for your footwear. When deciding on basketball shoes, look for a relatively flat and wide outsole to provide you with maximum balance. For added grip, search for outsoles that feature a herringbone or hexagonal pattern, since these are designed to help secure your feet and prevent you from sliding up and down the court.

Nearly all basketball shoes are designed with indoor play in mind. Outdoor courts are less forgiving than indoor hardwood ones. So, if you know that you’ll be playing exclusively on outdoor surfaces, look for a shoe with a thicker, more durable outsole. Also, keep in mind that asphalt can eat up your shoe’s tread.

By the time you notice major wear and tear on the bottom of your shoes, the damage is done: the integrity of the shoes’ midsole, cushioning, and stability have already been compromised.

Source: Dicks Sporting Goods

Basketball shoes are now made of polyurethane midsole and a harder outer sole material. These materials can wear down easily after extensive use.

Outdoor Basketball Shoes Don’t Last As Long as Indoor Basketball Shoes

While basketball shoes suffer general wear and tear as you run, jump, and slide around an indoor court, playing outside tends to wear down your shoes quicker.

Knowing how long your shoes will last when you are joining pickup games every day of summer is something you’ll want to know for your convenience and to save money.

Since concrete and other outdoor materials have a tendency to be much more rough than the glassy finish of an indoor court, the rubber on the bottom of the shoe faces more damaged.

For example, the abrasive and rough materials like concrete or broken down basketball courts can result in a grinding on the bottom of the shoe that can force it to lose traction and can even alter the overall shape of the shoe itself. This is why shoes that are used outdoors tend to get chewed up more quickly than an indoor only pair.

Most people tend to have an indoor and an outdoor pair when possible because of the damage that can be done to the bottom of the shoe, which can make bigger problems when you are trying to play indoors on a nice court.

Still outdoor shoes tend to be tend to be heavier and more durable overall. If you only use your outdoor shoes during a few summer months, the lifespan might very well extend into years.

Get the best outdoor basketball shoes HERE.

Why Do NBA Players Change Their Shoes So Much?

NBA players change their shoes alot mainly to prevent injury. Many NBA players replace their shoes every couple of games. Professional basketball players take injury prevention more seriously and they have the money and resources for shoes.

Dr. Lowe states, “I continue to tell my athletes and it has remained true, that after a shoe has been worn more than 60 hours then it should be thrown out and not used for workouts or games any longer, due to midsole compression and stretching of the upper from the torque of use and being wet from sweat.”