If you too are browsing for Basketball shoes for your son, you are in the right place! I will try to give you some advice to guide you in your choice. After 45 years of Basketball and 20 of specialized basketball shop, I try to do it in the best way!
First important tip! If you can, go to a specialized Basketball physical store! Shoes should always be tried on, especially for children or teenagers. Each model has its own fit, its own peculiarities and trying them on is the only, true right solution. I know... I know... there aren't many stores truly dedicated to basketball and even fewer have a decent Kids section! A little commercial: we at TripleBasket have it and we are truly the only ones in Italy to dedicate ourselves so well to the Minibasket and kids segment! End of commercial!
- SIZES
- SHOE HEIGHT
If you are looking for a shoe that is high on the ankle, you have taken a trip from the past! Nowadays, almost all basketball shoes tend to be Low Cut, that is, low cut. Lightness, flexibility are sought and especially in the case of children, it is now common opinion among almost all orthopedists and physiotherapists that the ankle joint must be free and "work" in order to strengthen itself. Therefore, almost all shoes are quite low and it is the best choice.
- SHOCK ABSORPTION
Major brands such as Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Puma, Li Ning, 361, produce dedicated "kids" lines with features designed specifically for this age group. In most models, cushioning is provided by the EVA midsole, commonly an expanded rubber that provides lightness and cushioning. Only a few models, more expensive, have the same cushioning that you find in adult shoes with inserts in different materials such as AIr Unit, Adidas Boost, Puma Nitro, Li NIng BOOM. The choice you will have to make here depends on many factors, the most important of which are the physical conformation of the player and the intensity and frequency of training.
- UPPER
Again, you will find most models with a breathable mesh and synthetic leather upper. Look for a shoe that will provide your child with breathability, lightness, but also a little support and stability in lateral movements and changes of direction.
- GRIP
- RIGHT SIZE
This chapter is complicated to discuss with parents, who are often used to buying shoes two sizes bigger for their children. "...so much so that they grow.." This discussion can perhaps be made for leisure shoes, but never ever for performance basketball shoes. Kids run, sprint, jump, change direction and in that hour of Minibasket they put their foot under stress. If the foot is not well contained and moves inside the shoes you can be sure that it will suffer a lot and get hurt. If you think you'll save money by buying big shoes, you'll spend that money on the physiotherapist...
- PRICE RANGE
Generalizing, we could identify 3 price ranges for kids shoes.
Between € 45 and €60 you can find shoes specialized in "entry level" basketball. They are perfect for the first years of Minibasket and for those who are starting out. A good example could be UA JET KIDS , or the UA LOCKDOWN. You're already getting a basketball shoe with decent cushioning and a fit that's right for your chosen sport.
Between 60 and 90 €, you go up a level and you find shoes with more important cushioning that guarantee both comfort and reactivity. They are great for young ballers who are starting to do more demanding workouts and push a little more. Indicatively if you already do 3 workouts a week, I would recommend you to stay at least in this price and quality category. The best of this season in my opinion are TRAE UNLIMITED J or SCOOT ZEROS
Over €90 you are choosing excellent shoes for your child. Above this figure, the shoes usually have the same construction and the same technology as the adult ones. In this price range you will also find the so-called SIGNATURE SHOES, that is, the shoes that bear the name of famous players that the major brands sign. MELO BALL, LEBRON JAMES, STEPH CURRY, etc. But don't let the name influence you. Let your child try the shoes! Very often, the signature shoe is not the most technical, on the contrary... UA SPAWN or PUMA MB03
So, always choose considering the characteristics of the shoe! Don't let the name fool you. If you buy your son a Lebron...he won't play like Lebron.
Close your eyes, don't look at the name or aesthetics, but feel the most comfortable shoe for your foot!