Basketball is a fast-paced game that includes plenty of lateral movements, as well as jumping.
These movements and jumps cause a hard impact on your feet and can lead to some serious injuries, as well as strains and sprains.
Your best bet is to get proper footwear that will support your feet laterally and support your ankles, as well as provide the best cushioning to reduce the hard impact on your feet and joints.[1]
New Balance basketball shoes offer some high-performance attributes that are applied to help with sudden acceleration, quick stops, pivots, and the impact of landing from a Jump.
New Balance uses ABZORB cushioning, especially in the heel, for impact absorption, along with FuelCell technology in the midsole. Their outsoles have a more gum rubber texture for grip, and the basketball shoe range has a higher top for ankle support.
Why You Need Good Basketball Shoes
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. In the game, footwear is vital because it forms the only equipment that the player has.
Here are a few ways in which good Basketball shoes help;
- Improve Performance – Basketball shoes give you comfort and confidence, enhancing your performance. You can execute your moves perfectly with feet that are protected and comfortable.
- Helps Lower the Risk of Injuries – Good basketball shoes provide good impact absorption to protect your feet during jumps. They also provide a fit that stabilizes your ankles to protect them against sprains.
- Speed and Support – Basketball players make dizzying moves. They run fast and make quick stops. The demanding sport needs shoes that offer good support and also allow for maximum speed and versatility.
- Appeal – Appealing to Basketball shoes that are your personal preference can boost your confidence on the court and depict your personality.
High Tops or Low Tops
High Top Basketball shoes generally provide much better stability and ankle support. High-top basketball shoes are suitable for larger and taller players like the centers and power forwards that are involved in more rebounds. Higher top shoes require less muscle activation. However, they can limit freedom and movement.
Whereas Low-Top basketball shoes are built for speed and agility for smaller and faster players like the point guards. However, low-top sneakers offer little to no ankle protection and stability.
Features of a Good New Balance Shoe for Basketball
- Uppers – New Balance Specific Basketball shoe models feature leather uppers with Kinetic Stitch technology that helps to control movement and improve durability, or Weave Lite Uppers that offer a more locked-down fit. We have also included some training and running shoe models that are ideal for Basketball with a sleek and more supportive fit, as well as a snug heel such as the Ultra-Heel technology. Most of the chosen Basketball shoes will have a high-top design for better ankle support and stability.
- Insole – Most New Balance Training and Basketball shoes do come with a comfort insole such as the NB soft removable insole or an Ortholite sock liner for your comfort and support.
- Midsole -In the Basketball, shoe ranges from New Balance, we have either the FuelCell Midsole that is energizing, with ABZORB Heel cushioning, and ABZORB DRS technology that is a Gum Like midsole and outsole substance for rip and shock absorbency. Some models do come with a Performance plate for better support and stability. The Training and Running shoe models for Basketball may offer energizing and Soft Fresh Foam cushioning, along with ABZORB cushioning or firmer IMEVA or ACTEVA flexible cushioning in the midsole.
- Outsole – The Outsole may be regular rubber or a high abrasion Ndurance rubber. For the Basketball shoe models, the outsole is more of a Gum rubber with ABZORB DRS technology.
- Options – New Balance doe offer a wider width fit, as well as more color options in their basketball shoes and training shoes for basketball.
Key Specs Compared
Numbers match the reviews below (tap to jump).
| No. | Shoe | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 V14 | Running Shoe |
– = not stated on the Amazon listing. Specs as stated by the listing, not tested by us; check the listing before you buy.
Reviews: The Best New Balance Basketball Shoes
In our list, we have some of the best available shoe models from New Balance for playing basketball at all levels;
1
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 V14 is a cushioned breathable running shoe, made for daily miles, and it is worth a look for New Balance basketball shoes.
- Fresh Foam X midsole foam with approximately 3% bio-based content delivers the brand’s most cushioned Fresh Foam experience for incredible comfort, a useful trait in New Balance basketball shoes.
- These running shoes for women feature a gusseted tongue designed to help keep debris out.
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper, which helps feet stay comfortable through court play.
- Adjustable lace closure for a customized fit, so it is easier to get a secure, comfortable fit for court play.
- Check the Amazon listing for current colors and size availability before you order.
- Compare the size chart on the listing, since fit can vary between colorways and versions.
Index Table: Top Rated New Balance Basketball Shoes
| No. | Shoe | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Balance Women's Fresh Foam X 1080 V14 - Cushioned Breathable Running Shoe for Daily Miles |  |
| New Balance |
Sources
General background on foot health and footwear. This is not medical advice; see a doctor or podiatrist about foot pain or a foot condition.
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: Foot Comfort and Safety at Work
Update History
- Oct 2026: Updated New Balance Fresh Foam 1080V11 to New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 V14
- Oct 2026: Removed New Balance OMN1S, New Balance BRD, New Balance 440 HIgh and New Balance 440 High (unavailable)
- Aug 2022: First published
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