Which Basketball Sneakers Have Good Arch Support?

Foot-related basketball injuries may be avoided with more support for a player's arches. Players with flat feet or high arches may be more prone to injuries and need different types of arch support. You can either buy orthotics, which are arch supports you insert in the shoe, or sneakers that provide more appropriate support than the average basketball shoe.
Recommended Shoes
Players with flat feet need to avoid shoes with too much arch built into the shoe, as this can overstretch the arch, causing pain and possible injury. The Sneaker Report recommends the Adidas Crazyquick as the top shoe that supports the arch and keeps the foot low to the ground. It also exercises your arch to strengthen it. A player with high arches is prone to ankle injury and needs a sneaker with support in the midsole and the uppers. The New Balance Leadville 1210 or Brooks Running PureCadence 2 provide these features.
The Orthotic Solution
Research by the sports medicine faculty at Duke University revealed that foot injuries for basketball players could be avoided by simply adding additional arch support to an athletic shoe. Both the Duke study and Sneaker Report suggest that selecting an orthotic insole is the best solution because you can buy an insole that is customized to your specific needs.
References
- López-López D, Vilar-Fernández JM, Barros-García G, et al. Foot arch height and quality of life in adults: A strobe observational study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(7):pii: E1555. doi:10.3390/ijerph15071555
- Tong JW, Kong PW. Association between foot type and lower extremity injuries: systematic literature review with meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2013;43(10):700-714. doi:10.2519/jospt.2013.4225
- Dufour AB, Losina E, Menz HB, LaValley MP, Hannan MT. Obesity, foot pain and foot disorders in older men and women. Obes Res Clin Pract. 2017;11(4):445–453. doi:10.1016/j.orcp.2016.11.001
- Hume P, Hopkins W, Rome K, Maulder P, Coyle G, Nigg B. Effectiveness of foot orthoses for treatment and prevention of lower limb injuries: a review. Sports Med. 2008;38(9):759-779. doi:10.2165/00007256-200838090-00005
- Zhao X, Wang M, Fekete G, Baker JS, Wiltshire H, Gu Y. Analyzing the effect of an arch support functional insole on walking and jogging in young, healthy females. Technol Health Care. 2018 Nov 9. doi:10.3233/THC-181373
Writer Bio
Based in London, Eleanor McKenzie has been writing lifestyle-related books and articles since 1998. Her articles have appeared in the "Palm Beach Times" and she is the author of numerous books published by Hamlyn U.K., including "Healing Reiki" and "Pilates System." She holds a Master of Arts in informational studies from London University.