If you have wide feet, then picking footwear is most likely a challenge for you. Many shoe models don’t even come in wide sizes, and those that do often are still too narrow.
This problem can be particularly serious for athletes – like basketball players – because comfort and good fit are very important to them.
Today, I’d like to relieve your headache, so to say, by showcasing what I think are the 10 best basketball shoes out there. We’ll go over their specs and features so that you know what you are looking at.
And in the buyer’s guide down the line, I’ll give some tips on choosing the right shoe for your needs – all based on my experience as a basketball coach!
Jordan Air Big Fund - All-Around Best Basketball Shoes For Wide Feet
I think that the Jordan Air Big Fund basketball shoes are good enough to get the title of all-around best basketball shoes for wide feet. Although you’ll see 9 other interesting options below, Air Big Fund is very likely to work for you.
Air Big Fund has everything – great cushioning, grippy outsole, overall great comfort, and great quality. Not only that, but Air Big Fund is a particularly good choice if you want to keep your ankles mobile – the low-top design in this shoe model minimally restricts the ankle joint.
I also love the design of Jordan Air Big Fund – not only does it look gorgeous, but it also attaches a premium feel to the shoe. The pricing is accordingly premium though – this is quite a pricey shoe.
Compared to other shoes down the list, Air Big Fund may be hotter as well since it has very little ventilation. With that, if your feet tend to get sweaty, these shoes may not be right for you.
All in all, if you don’t have special needs and just want a high-quality shoe with great performance, Jordan Air Big Fund might be for you.
Pros
- The low top keeps the ankle mobile.
- Gorgeous design.
- Great cushioning.
- Great grip.
Cons
- Fairly pricey.
- Makes the feet hot.
AND 1 Men’s Tai Chi - Best Basketball Shoes For Casual Players
- Extremely versatile shoe with excellent on-court...
- Asymmetrical synthetic panels allow for bold color...
- Collar foam and traditional tongue construction...
- Injection molded tpu shank provides torsional...
- Non-marking, abrasion-resistant molded rubber with...
The Tai Chi Lx Sneaker from AND 1 is a good choice if you are a casual basketball player. As a sneaker, Tai Chi Lx won’t deliver astounding performance on the court, but it’s overall a good shoe both for play and wearing throughout the day.
The Tai Chi Lx shoe offers a sleek design that I really like. AND 1 also offers this shoe model in 4 colors, so if you want an eye-catching shoe, Tai Chi Lx may be for you.
Although the upper in these shoes is leather, they are fairly breathable as well thanks to the mesh tongue. The mid-top design makes Tai Chi Lx rather supportive as well.
When it comes to comfort, Tai Chi Lx offers an EVA footbed to provide cushioning, while the low-profile outsole allows you to feel the court better.
The grip in Tai Chi Lx may be relatively weak, however. A good portion of the outsoles seem not to be very grippy, and it would have been nice if the herringbone pattern covered the entire outsole surface.
This may limit your performance on the court, which is why I think the Tai Chi Lx shoes are going to work the best for casual players.
Pros
- Sleek design.
- Reasonably breathable for its build.
- Great for casual and recreational play.
- Fairly supportive.
Cons
- Comparatively weak grip.
Nike Men’s Zoom Freak 1 - Best Value In Basketball Shoes For Wide Feet
Nike Men’s Zoom Freak 1 offers the best value for the money on this list. These shoes have a very attractive price while providing excellent grip and support.
The rubber outsole in Zoom Freak 1 is particularly notable – it features a deep hexagonal pattern for added grip on the court.
The high-top design of Zoom Freak 1offers increased ankle protection and support as well, which is great for forwards and players recovering from ankle injuries. The high top will somewhat restrict mobility though, so keep that in mind.
I also like the looks of Zoom Freak 1 basketball shoes, particularly the volt/black/silver version – this color scheme looks fresh and eye-catching.
In the end, if your budget is fairly limited, I’d say that Zoom Freak 1 shoes are your best bet thanks to their insane value.
Pros
- Very attractive pricing.
- Excellent grip.
- Provides ankle support without restricting mobility much.
- Good-looking.
Cons
- Nothing to complain about.
adidas Men’s Ownthegame 2.0 - Best Budget Basketball Shoe For Wide Feet
- Men's basketball shoes for all-game comfort
- Regular fit
- Dual-material mesh upper offers breathable comfort
- Lightmotion cushioning enhances dynamic movements;...
- This product is made with recycled content as part...
Adidas Ownthegame 2.0 basketball shoes are nice for those players who want something on the cheaper side.
Obviously, the quality in Ownthegame is lower than in higher-end shoes. So this model isn’t quite the best option if you are serious about basketball and want something for heavy use. But these shoes are great for beginners or casual players.
Like the Cloudfoam Ilation shoes, Ownthegame comes with the Cloudfoam insoles. If you remember, these are soft and shock-absorbing, so they should keep your feet safe. But again, not everybody will like the feel of these insoles.
I like the outsoles on these shoes too – they have a herringbone pattern and thus good grip. in the front, the grip pattern also extends onto the front of the shoe, so you should be able to maintain good grip when running or jumping as well.
The outsole doesn’t look particularly durable though, and there are visible traces of glue on the edges. But these aren’t major downsides for the price.
Like the Ilation shoes, Ownthegame also offers pretty decent breathability along with a good balance of support and ankle mobility.
All in all, if you are looking for cheap basketball shoes, I think that these shoes are going to be your best bet.
Pros
- Very pocket-friendly.
- Decent breathability.
- Soft Cloudfoam insoles.
- Grippy outsole pattern.
- Good balance of support and ankle mobility.
Cons
- Again, some people may dislike Cloudfoam.
- Probably won’t live long with heavy use.
Nike Lebron 17 - The Coolest Basketball Shoe Of The Bunch
If you want to stand out on the court, then you probably won’t find anything better than Nike Lebron 17.
The bizarre upper texture is thanks to a mix of knit and heat-molded yarns. Not only is this combo aesthetically unique, but it is also light and fairly breathable.
Now, I personally don’t really like the look of these shoes, but I think that Lebron 17s are definitely unique and eye-catching.
The support in Lebron 17 shoes is excellent as well thanks to a plastic clip at the heel. Lebron 17s have a tall upper too, so they are pretty supportive but don’t restrict ankle mobility much.
The impact absorption in Lebron 17 basketball shoes also seems excellent. Nike advertises that this shoe model has Nike’s largest heel for added shock absorption. The so-called Zoom Air inserts under the ball of the foot are advertised to deliver increased responsiveness too.
I like the outsoles in Lebron 17 shoes as well – they have a diamond pattern, and the area under the ball of the foot is accentuated to seemingly reinforce grip and support.
So all in all, Nike Lebron 17 is a great pick if you want a unique pair of basketball shoes. Not only that, but Lebron 17s are great performers and are also nice if you want to become better on the court.
Pros
- Looks cool and distinct.
- Really sturdy and stable.
- Excellent grip.
- Good breathability.
- Great shock absorption.
Cons
- I personally am not a fan of Lebron 17s design, but they definitely are eye-catching.
adidas Men’s T-Mac Millennium - Best Basketball Shoes For Really Wide Feet
- adidas genuine
- Imported
Adidas T-Mac Millennium appears to be an excellent option for people with really wide feet. You should do more research to determine how these shoes will work for you, but they seem optimal for super-wide feet.
The fit aside, T-Mac Millennium shoes offer very good amount of support too. The upper features TPU inlets to make the shoe sturdier, while the fairly tall top embraces the ankle to provide some additional support.
The grip in T-Mac Millennium is excellent as well thanks to the herringbone outsole pattern. The pattern covers the entire outsole, so the T-Mac Millenium basketball shoes should provide grip in any situation.
I like the looks of T-Mac Millennium as well – the white variant with gilded elements looks particularly good.
Interestingly, adidas markets T-Mac Millenium as casual basketball shoes, and they probably indeed aren’t the best option for serious players. However, it’s still nice for competitive play, though you will need to try them out to decide.
All in all, adidas T-Mac Millennium might be your best bet if you have very wide feet, and this shoe is also a great performer overall.
Pros
- Really wide.
- Very good-looking.
- Supportive.
- Great grip.
Cons
- Nothing to complain about.
Under Armour Men’s Drive 5 - Best Support In Basketball Shoes For Wide Feet
- Under Armour mission is to make all athletes...
- Where we started? It all started with an idea to...
- Under Armour's assortment for men, women and youth...
The Under Armour Drive 5 shoes are great for those who want added ankle support.
The Drive 5 shoe is a high-top shoe, so it is going to provide more protection to your ankles than lower-top models. The external heel counter reinforces the heel area and keeps your feet locked in the shoes as well.
With that said, the ankle mobility will be comparatively bad in these shoes. So Drive 5 would only be good if you don’t care about mobility as much as support.
Personally, I’d recommend these basketball shoes to athletes recovering from ankle injuries, as well as forwards. Forwards often need added support for power plays.
I also didn’t mention that the Drive 5 shoes are rather inexpensive, so they are also great for players on a budget.
I like the design of Drive 5 shoes too – this model has a simple look that seems very attractive to me.
In conclusion, the main reason for buying Under Armour Drive 4 would be its excellent ankle support. But it would also be a good choice if your budget is limited.
Pros
- Very inexpensive.
- Added ankle support.
- Great for forwards.
- Very good-looking.
Cons
- Will restrict ankle mobility.
Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro Vi - Great Performer For Not Too Much Money
- Foam padded tongue and collar
- Phylon midsole
- Tri-vis-air-sole midsole heel unit
- Nubuck and textile upper
Nike Air Visi Pro Vi is a great performer for not too much money. Though this certainly isn’t a high-performance shoe by any means, it’s a great pick if your budget is limited. If you didn’t like the previous low-price shoes on the list, Air Visi Pro Vi might work for you.
When it comes to design, there are two things that catch the eye in Air Visi Pro Vi. First, you are getting a good amount of ankle support without much impairment to mobility. And secondly, the tread pattern in Air Visi Pro Vi covers the entire shoe outsole and seems very grippy.
In terms of cushioning, the Air Visi Pro Vi shoes aren’t as good as some of my other picks – most remarkably, adidas shoes with Cloudfoam insoles – but it’s sufficient for casual play. Plus, Air Visi Pro Vi still is a great performer, especially given the low price.
Pros
- Wallet-friendly.
- Provides plenty of ankle support.
- Nice-looking.
- Very grippy outsole.
Cons
- Nothing to complain about.
Nike Men’s Air Force 1 - Best Vintage Basketball Shoe For Wide Feet
- Iconic Nike Air Force 1 design with leather upper...
- Padded high-cut collar and perforated toe box...
- Foam midsole cushioning absorbs impact for a...
- High-top silhouette offers ankle support and...
And lastly, we have Nike’s Air Force 1 basketball shoe, which is a great pick if you like vintage attire. Besides, I would recommend this shoe if you want ankle support.
Air Force 1 boasts a vintage design that is an homage to the original Nike Air Force shoe from 1982. The meta tag on these shoes even reads “AF-1 ‘82” to honor the original shoe’s debut.
Air Force 1 is undoubtedly a modern-looking shoe, but old basketball fans can instantly recognize the 1982 Air Force in this model.
The design aside, Air Force 1 offers excellent support. The high top along with the ankle strap comes straight from the 1982 Air Force. The strap allows you to enjoy support without having to retighten the laces every once in a while.
For shock absorption, Air Force 1 features Nike Air cushioning under the foot, while the rubber outsole is non-marking and offers good grip. The grip in Air Force 1 probably is not as great as in modern shoes with herringbone or hexagonal outsole patterns, but it’s still really nice.
Lastly, Air Force 1 also boasts vent holes throughout the upper for increased breathability.
As final words, I would recommend Air Force 1 to those who like vintage shoes. Air Force 1 has excellent ankle support as well.
Pros
- Attractive vintage design.
- Very supportive.
- Excellent for forwards.
- Great cushioning.
- Fairly good breathability.
Cons
- Pricey.
- Will noticeably limit ankle mobility.
adidas Performance Men’s Cloudfoam Ilation - Best Cushion In A Basketball Shoe For Wide Feet
- Perforated leather upper is soft and durable
- Mesh collar offers comfort and breathability
- CLOUDFOAM midsole for step-in comfort and superior...
- Wide fit
- Rubber outsole provides secure traction
If you want your shoes to be super-soft, then Adidas Performance Men’s Cloudfoam Ilation is a very nice choice.
The highlight of this basketball shoe is the Cloudfoam insoles. These insoles are soft – in fact, Cloudfoam is one of the softest insoles I’ve ever seen in any shoe. One of my everyday Adidas shoes has Cloudfoam insoles, and I absolutely love them!
It is very similar to memory foam to give you some perspective on how Cloudfoam feels. The insoles are about 1/4 inches thick, and when you wear the shoes, your feet pleasantly sink into them.
And like memory foam, the insole restores its shape after you take the shoes off. In my experience, the Cloudfoam is pretty durable and doesn’t flatten for a long time, so these shoes should be very nice in that regard.
Some people may dislike the Cloudfoam insoles, though – they might be annoying and need some getting used to. But when it comes to shock absorption, they are great!
What I also like about these basketball shoes is their breathability. The tongue in the shoe is made of breathable mesh, and there also are quite a few vent holes throughout the upper to keep you cool.
The outsole also seems grippy – the pattern here is herringbone, which generally provides an excellent grip. The mid-top upper also offers a good balance of ankle mobility and support.
In conclusion, if you are looking for cushioned basketball shoes, Adidas Performance Cloudfoam Ilation is a very nice choice.
Pros
- Super-soft Cloudfoam cushion.
- Good breathability.
- The outsoles should provide plenty of grip.
- The mid-top upper offers a good balance of support and mobility.
Cons
- Some may dislike how the Cloudfoam insoles feel.
The Only Buying Guide You’ll Ever Need For Wide Basketball Shoes
Picking basketball shoes – and any kind of shoe, for that matter – for wide feet can be pretty challenging. This is especially true when you are shopping online – with no ways to try the product before paying, it’s easy to make mistakes.
Below, I’ll give you a few tips to hopefully help you avoid returns and help you purchase the right shoe on the first try.
Aside from that, I’ll briefly cover the general stuff that you’d want to have in a shoe as a basketball player.
Upper material
Believe it or not, but the shoe upper material matters quite a lot.
When it comes to wide feet, textile or mesh uppers would be ideal. These materials are stretchy and accommodate feet better as the shoes break in.
In contrast, genuine or synthetic leather isn’t really pliable. Unless you pick the right size spot-on, you might suffer in leather basketball shoes because the upper won’t expand much through use.
With that, I recommend that you buy basketball shoes with a textile upper. But if you are sure that a leather shoe is sized just right for you, you may go for it as well.
Fit
This one is a no-brainer – you have to check the fit of the desired basketball shoe too.
Now, when shopping locally, this is very easy – you may try as many shoes as you want and determine fit on the spot. When shopping online though, you don’t have this luxury – you’ll have to be more meticulous with what you are choosing and perhaps have some luck.
The best tip I can give you for online shoe shopping is to have a look at the shoes’ sizing chart – it should tell you all you need about the fit of the shoe.
Another good thing to do is to stick to shoe brands you’re familiar with. Within a single brand, sizing is generally consistent, so if you have a Nike shoe, for example, you should be okay by picking another Nike shoe of the same size.
Still, sizing may vary even within a brand, so always read buyer reviews before making a decision.
Returns
Given that the chance of picking the wrong size is high, you should also consider the return policy of the retailer you are shopping from.
Amazon, for example, does allow returns for clothes and shoes. However, to be eligible for a return, the shoes should be in new and unworn condition, in the original packaging. So when trying on the shoes, be sure to be careful with them.
If you are an Amazon Prime member, then you will be able to take advantage of Prime Wardrobe as well. This program lets you choose up to 8 clothing items to try on and allows you to pay only for what you decide to keep. Once you receive the package, you will have 7 days to try on the items.
Keep in mind that eligibility of shoes for Prime Wardrobe may vary, so make sure to understand what you are ordering.
These have been just examples of what a good return policy would look like. If the online retailer doesn’t allow returns, then steer away unless you 100% know what you are looking for.
Upper height
Upper height is one of those general shoe features that I’ve mentioned earlier. It is important no matter your foot width, so you should consider it to make sure that you are getting a good basketball shoe for your buck.
Basketball shoes can be:
- Low. Low-top shoes are built with speed and mobility in mind, but they provide little ankle support.
- Mid. Mid-top shoes provide a balance between ankle support and agility. The upper sits right at the ankle in these basketball shoes.
- High. In high-top basketball shoes, the upper wraps around the ankle, providing it with added support. High basketball shoes are ideal for those who have injured or weak ankles, but also keep in mind that they restrict mobility in the ankle joint.
Which style to choose depends on your preferences and ankle health. If your ankles are injured or are prone to injury, then you should get yourself a high-top basketball shoe. Otherwise, a low- or mid-top shoe would probably work better.
Keep in mind your position too. Typically, guards pick low-top shoes to stay mobile, while forwards prefer high-top basketball shoes for their added support.
In terms of support, the best picks on my list are Under Armour Men’s Drive 4 and Nike Men’s Air Force 1. These are high-top shoes, and though they will restrict ankle mobility, they should also decrease the risk of injury.
If you want a more mobile shoe, then Jordan Air Big Fund is probably the best. It is a low-top shoe and thus will keep the ankle agile, although the support will be accordingly low.
Midsole & outsole
Lastly, consider the shoe midsole & outsole as well.
The midsole is where most of the shoe’s cushioning is located. Any decently-priced basketball shoe will have sufficient cushion to absorb impact, but some shoes may be better than others.
Midsoles are typically made of EVA foam, though some brands use proprietary materials and technology to gain an edge in terms of shock absorption.
As for the outsole, it should be made of rubber – rubber is grippy and won’t slip on the court. Synthetic materials designed for grip are also good though.
Outsoles with hexagonal or herringbone patterns generally have the best grip, so you should look for them in shoes as well.
Keep in mind that basketball shoes may be designed for outdoor or indoor courts too. Outdoor outsoles are much tougher to resist abrasion, but they are thicker and heavier.
You may use outdoor shoes indoors, but you shouldn’t take indoor basketball shoes outside – the asphalt will quickly eat them away. For best performance, use the right pair of shoes for each situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
As always, let’s have a look at a few FAQs to give you a better idea of what to look for and what to expect in wide basketball shoes.
Are Kyrie 5 good for wide feet?
Kyrie 5 basketball shoes seem not to be a great pick for wide feet. They would be nice if you have neither too narrow nor too wide feet.
What Jordans are good for wide feet?
Above, we’ve had one Jordan shoe that is great for wide feet – Jordan Air Big Fund.
Which Nike basketball shoes run wide?
We had 5 wide Nike basketball shoes on the list:
- Jordan Air Big Fund.
- Nike Men’s Air Force 1 High.
- Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro Vi.
- Nike Lebron 17.
- Nike Men’s Zoom Devosion.
Nike likely has other wide basketball shoes as well, but these are the best, in my opinion.
Are Nike shoes wider than Adidas?
Nikes generally seem to run smaller than Adidas shoes. At least, it has been so in my experience – Nike shoes are typically a tight fit for me, while Adidas shoes are perhaps half an inch longer than I need. Both have worked fine for me, but maybe that’s because I have pretty normal-sized feet.
The 4th Quarter
Shopping for wide basketball shoes can be pretty tough, but you have to do it no matter what.
The optimal route for people with narrow or wide feet is to shop locally. Local stores offer the super-important perk of trying before buying.
That said, online shopping is appealing because of exclusive deals, a wider range of shoes, and the zero need to go out to order anything.
Weigh the pros and cons of online and local retailers and determine which option would be optimal for you.
Now, I’d also like to hear your opinion. Given how tough it is to find good basketball shoes for wide feet, I’d like to hear about your experiences with the picks I featured if you have anything to share.
I would also like to learn more about the wide basketball shoes you wear – this would help those readers who weren’t quite able to find the right shoe even with my top 10 picks!
