Can You Play Basketball In Running Shoes?

It is not advisable to play basketball in running shoes as there are specific basketball shoes for playing basketball professionally. You can make use of running shoes only if you are just shooting around and not playing professionally or competitively.

But If you are playing competitively, you are likely to jump, move around and make some swift movements. Running shoes are not built for that at all, they do not have ankle protection and enough cushion and shock absorber to keep you protected and free from injury while playing basketball.

You should play basketball in running shoes ONLY if you know that you are not playing competitively. If you are playing competitively, then you should opt-in for basketball shoes.

Why is it not advisable to play basketball in running shoes?

There are several reasons why you are not to play basketball in running shoes. You should take a look at these important reasons as it can save you from a lot of Injuries.

• Running shoes are not built with high tops
• Running shoes are not built with enough cushion & shock absorber.
• Running shoes are not as breathable as basketball shoes
• Running shoes are not as heavy and bulky as basketball shoes

Running shoes are not built with high tops

If you are a professional basketball player, you would have known by now that if you wear shoes to play basketball for a long time and the shoes do not come with high tops that will help to protect your ankle from injury while playing basketball.

Remember that if you’re using running shoes to play basketball, it must not be to run around on the court, it Should only be if you are shooting in a particular position.

If you want to move around, run and jump in running shoes, you are going to end up hurting your ankle, this is because running shoes are not built with high tops for ankle protection.

Running shoes are not built with enough cushion & shock absorber

Running shoes obviously do not have enough cushion and shock absorber, this alone makes them suitable for playing basketball. This is so because while playing basketball, especially when you are playing it professionally, you will do a lot of running around, jumping, etc.

While doing this, you need shoes that will be able to keep your heel safe and not get affected by the shock from landing. This is what the cushion and shock absorber does for you.

You may end up with a heel Injury because while jumping and landing, you need a cushion and shock absorber to help reduce the shock while landing. If your shoes do not have this cushion & shock absorber, you will end up with heel injuries after playing the game.

Your running shoes do not have this feature, so do not make use of it for playing basketball professionally. This will only jeopardize your heel.

Running shoes are not as breathable as basketball shoes

One important feature that a professional basketball player needs in his shoes is the breathability feature that enables your feet to remain dry and free from moisture even while playing basketball.

Your running shoes lack this feature and you will only be exposing your feet to moisture if you make use of your running shoes for playing basketball.

Running shoes are not as heavy and bulky as basketball shoes

What actually makes basketball shoes heavy and bulky is the massive cushion. The shock absorber that protects your heels when you jump, the high-top build which protects your ankle.

All these add up and make the basketball shoes heavy.  Running shoes do not have this feature at all, that is what it is not advisable you make use of running shoes for playing professional basketball.

Difference between basketball shoes and running shoes

Basketball shoes and running shoes are not exactly the same, they have several differences which I will be explaining in this segment, not the article.

Features	Basketball shoes	Running shoes
Heel support	Comes with good heel support for landing	Does not come with heel support
Shock absorbing	Comes with a very good shock absorber that protects your heels from shock while landing from a jump	Little or no shock absorber present
Build quality	Built with high tops	Does not have high tops
Flexibility	Flexible with multi-directional motion	Flexible with up and down motion
Weight	Usually heavy	Usually light

Heel support

As you can see from the table above, the first major difference is the heel support that you get on the basketball shoes.

Basketball shoes come with very good heel support, a strong cushion that supports your heel when you jump and land, the cushion will help to prevent your heel from any form of pain from landing from a jump.

This is a feature that you will not see in running shoes. You should have known this by now after seeing the different images.

Shock absorbing

Running shoes do not have the same shock absorber as basketball shoes. Basketball shoes have a better shock absorber that protects your feet when you jump.

While playing basketball, there will be jumping up and moving around on the court. The shock absorber feature is very important and you can find it in basketball shoes and not running shoes.

If you jump and land with running shoes, it is going to hurt you. But this is not the same with a basketball shoe.

Build quality

Running shoes have a good build, but the main difference between running shoes and basketball shoes when it comes to the build quality is that basketball shoes are built with high tops that protect your ankle while you are playing basketball.

This is a feature that you cannot find on running shoes. This is a major difference between running shoes and basketball shoes. If this feature is not available in basketball shoes, you are going to end up hurting your ankle while playing basketball.

Flexibility

One major difference between basketball shoes and running shoes is flexibility. Running she’s are so built so flexible that they can run comfortably in one direction, usually for long-distance running.

While basketball shoes are flexible enough for multi-directional motion, it was not built for long-distance running. It is flexible enough for jumping, running, and making quick movements in the court.

Weight

Running shoes are usually very light so that you will be able to run a far distance without you even feeling like you are wearing something on your feet.

This is a different case scenario with basketball shoes. Basketball shoes are heavy and are built for short distances and jumping only.

Can you run in basketball shoes?

Usually, I will not recommend that you run in basketball shoes. The reason is that the sole is flat and only suitable for playing on a basketball court and not for running.

Also, the shape of the basketball shoes goes up to the ankle which will be very inconvenient for you if you are using them to run. The only thing I can recommend you to do with basketball shoes is jogging.

From experience, you will not find it comfortable at all running with basketball shoes. If you compare the sole of basketball shoes and that of running shoes, you will notice that running shoes have tiny studs that cause friction and gives you good traction when you are running.

This will give you a good grip on the floor and enable you to run faster without slipping. This feature is absent in basketball shoes. You may even end up slipping and injuring yourself when you use basketball shoes to run.

Basketball shoes are mostly made of rubber and it also tends to be relatively thin with the aim of keeping the shoe very light. For you to use a particular shoe for running, it needs to have these features:

• Traction stability
• Reflective material for nighttime running
• Removable insoles for easy cleaning
• Lightweight & breathability

Traction stability

Traction stability is needed so that you will have a good grip and will be able to run swiftly. The Traction stability will prevent them from slipping while running.

Reflective material for nighttime running

Your running shoes should have reflective material to enable your shoes to get visible while running at night. This will enable commuters to know that you are actually running at night and it will help to prevent any form of accident at night.

If the reflective material is not there, you could get hit by a vehicle while running at night.

Removable insoles for easy cleaning

It is very important that your running shoes get cleaned occasionally. That is why your running shoes should have removable insoles so that when you want to wash or clean it, you can easily remove the insole and clean it.

Also, if you want to replace it, you can remove the insole and replace it with another.

Lightweight and breathability

One important thing you need on your running shoes is the ability for you to run with it for a long period of time. For you to achieve this, your shoes need to be very light.

When your shoes are light, you will wear them and it will not feel like you are wearing something. You also need it to be breathable so that moisture does not accumulate in the shoes.

Great running shoes you know

Running Shoes	Special features	Rating
Under armor Men’s running shoes	Underfoot comfort & good traction	4/5
Brooks women running shoes	Performance fit & good traction	4/5
Asics men’s running shoes	Rubber outsole & good traction	4/5
Nike men’s running shoes	Rubber outsole & good Traction	4/5

Under armor Men’s running shoes

This shoe was specifically built for running. The upper is engineered to be extremely lightweight and breathable at the same time.

When you wear this shoe, it is almost like you are not wearing anything. It makes it so light and comfortable. The carbon rubber pods in the sole enable you to have maximum grip while you are running.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Breathable
• Good Traction
• Underfoot comfort

The fact that this shoe is not water-resistant is a turn-off, however, you need to note that you should not make use of it under the rain or in the wet season.

Brooks women running shoes

 

This shoe has a lightweight and maximum cushioning.  It comes with a rubber sole and synthetic outer material build. It also comes with a performance fit that gives you. The woven upper helps to provide good stretch and breathability while making use of it.

Pros:

• Good breathability
• Lightweight
• Performance fit
• Very efficient

Final verdict

You will love this running shoe so much. It is lightweight, performance fit, and very efficient. You will enjoy the breathability as well.

Asics men’s running shoes

 

This running shoe comes with a good sockliner feature. It has good moisture management by coming with a good breathability system. With this, your shoe will not always be filled with moisture.

It has a lace-up closure system, rubber sole, and synthetic fabric build.

Pros:

• Synthetic fabric build
• Good breathability
• Rubber sole
• Good traction

Cons:

• Too narrow

This shoe is very narrow and it may not fit some kind of food. If your foot it so wide, this show may not fit you so well. It has a good traction and good breathability as well.

Nike Men’s running shoes

 

This shoe comes with an inner textile material build, a rubber outsole, and a smooth leather outer material build. This shoe is very comfortable and will serve you well with a good traction sole.

Pros:

• Rubber Outsole
• Smooth leather material outer material build
• Good traction
• Good breathability

With this shoe, you are going to enjoy Running and you will not have any cause to regret getting it. The good traction, the leather outer build will serve you well.

Conclusion

Playing basketball in running shoes is not the best thing to do, you can only do that If you are just doing a couple of shots and you are not moving around on the court.

If you are going to be playing basketball professionally, do not even think of making use of running for playing basketball, you will end up jeopardizing yourself.