The 5 Best Basketball Shoes for Flat Feet
Last updated on October 31st, 2022 at 02:13 am
Balance and footwork are crucial in any sports including basketball. They not only help us perform at optimum levels, but play a key role in our overall performance.
Having flat feet often affects our balance greatly. Lack of balance makes us more prone to injuries and might also contribute to poor execution and fatigue.
When we are not fully supporting our body weight, specifically in the lower half, our body gets less effective during workout sessions and pickup games.
In short, we might end up becoming less successful as athletes. Thus, without the right shoes, players with flat feet might end up having a difficult time on the court.
In addition, most of the basketball shoes in the market were not designed with flat people in mind. That said, it is essential for players with flat feet to get shoes that are geared towards the shape of their feet.
Ideally, proper shoes for players with flat feet should be one that offers very minimal arch support. In addition, the best shoes for flat feet should also have a proper balance of cushioning and overall support.
What are some of the things that you should consider when buying basketball shoes for flat feet?
Things to Consider When Buying Basketball Shoes for Flat Feet
Comfort and Durability
The best basketball shoes for players with flat feet should comprise a well-designed rubber sole. While many basketball shoes come with rubber outsoles, proper basketball shoes for flat feet should not be too rigid.
Rigid outsoles can hurt the player’s feet over time, leading to serious complications. The rubber sole should be able to successfully absorb pressure while walking.
Apart from pressure absorption, the outsole should also be constructed from lightweight and highly durable material. The durability of the outsole and the entire basketball shoe is important, as you will need a pair that’s able to cope up with excessive motion.
Arch Support
Poor arch support often leads to misalignment of the entire body, which often leads to knee, pelvis, hip and back problems. All these problems can easily be avoided by choosing proper basketball sneakers that offer proper arch support for the players’ type of foot.
Players with flat feet should avoid basketball shoes that have too much arch built in the shoe as it can overstretch the arch, leading to injuries and pain. The right basketball shoes should not only offer proper support to the arch, but should also keep the player’s feet as low as possible to the surface or ground.
In addition, the shoe should always also be able to exercise your arch in strengthening it. That said, these are the best basketball shoes for wide feet.
Best Basketball Shoes for Wide Feet
1. Adidas D Lillard 2: Best Overall
If you are looking for comfy basketball shoes that come with great cushioning, lockdown, traction, and support, then you should get the Adidas D Lillard 2. Unlike most basketball shoes in the market, the Adidas Lillard 2’s comes with a wide width and a length that’s about ½ an inch longer than other similar-sized basketball shoes.
All these two features and plenty of others make this pair ideal for players with wide feet. Featuring Continental rubber on the outsole, the Adidas D Lillard 2 is suitable for indoor courts and semi-dusty courts as well.
Although the traction on this pair is great, the thin thread patterns on this pair make the Adidas Lillard 2 not suitable for outdoor use.
Apart from the solid traction, the Adidas D Lillard 2 also comes with the new Adidas Bounce cushioning, which feels somewhat like the Micro G used mostly on the Under Armor line of basketball shoes.
Besides the full protection against impact, the Adidas Bounce technology also allows players to have a solid feel on the court. As expected, the D Lillard 2 uses Jacquard materials on the upper sections, which not only give the shoe a premium feel but also are highly durable.
By using these materials, you will need little to no time to break into the shoes. The lockdown on the Adidas Lillard 2 is perfect, while the heel counter always does an excellent job of keeping the player’s heel in its rightful place.
| Pros | Cons |
| Solid traction on clean and semi-dusty basketball courts | Not ideal for outdoor use |
| Highly durable due to the Jacquard material on the upper | |
| Great cushioning and impact protection |
2. Adidas Harden Vol 2: Runner’s Up
Designed for players who speed up and those with quick footwork, the Adidas Harden Vol 2 is another great option for players with flat feet. While Adidas had discontinued the boost technology in the previous model, the Harden Vol 2’s comes with boost pellets within the midsole, which makes the entire midsole firmer.
Because of the firm midsole, the Adidas Harden Vol 2 offers exceptional impact protection and stability. Being a medium budget signature offering, the Adidas Harden Vol 2 also comes with a textile upper mesh, which not only enhances the durability of the shoe but also ensures that this pair lasts for a long time.
True to size, many players with wide feet and flat feet will definitely get to enjoy playing with the Adidas Harden Vol 2’s. Although the pair is high off the ground, stability is not an issue thanks to the wide Zoom platform.
However, the traction on this pair is quite inconsistent. With the firm midsole, boost pellets and great stability, it’s clear to see why the Adidas Harden Vol 2’s are one of the best basketball shoes for guards.
| Pros | Cons |
| Exceptional impact protection and stability | Inconsistent traction |
| Highly durable due to the textile upper mesh construction | |
| Extremely stable |
3. Nike Kobe 5 Protro
The Nike Kobe 5 Protro basketball shoe is another great shoe for basketball players with wide feet. The overall width of the Nike Kobe 5 Protro is wide enough while the size is true to fit.
Like the OG Kobe 5 and the original Nike Kobe 5, the Nike Kobe 5 Protro uses lightweight materials, which are more flexible as well. However, the embossed patterns and structure are different.
The cushioning in the Kobe 5 Protro is quite responsive, while the Cushlon foam that has been used on the heel is not only comfortable but also quite responsive. The glass composite plate on the heels is one of the major features of the Nike Kobe 5 Protro shoes.
Overall, the Nike Kobe 5 Protro is basically an improvement to the most popular shoe line in the Kobe signature shoe series.
| Pros | Cons |
| Light in weight | Features plastic upper |
| Solid traction |
4. Nike Lebron 18
Featuring beefed-up cushion technology, the Lebron 18 is arguably one of the best basketball shoes for players with flat feet. With plenty of cushioning and superb traction, the Lebron 18s are highly recommended for the most explosive players.
Like Jordan’s line of shoes, the Lebrons have also developed a cult following, and this shoe is no exception.
While the Lebron 18 does not feature the herringbone pattern, the overall traction offered by the shoe is great for indoor and outdoor use. The flex grooves on the Lebron 18s always allow the shoe to remain in contact with the court.
However, in extremely dusty courts, players may have to regularly wipe the outsole of the shoes. The cushioning set-up of the Lebron 18 offers great impact protection while the upper materials not only give the shoe a premium feel but also enhance its breathability as well.
| Pros | Cons |
| Outstanding impact protection | Requires time to break-in |
| Premium finish and feel | Quite pricey |
| Ideal for indoor and outdoor use | |
| Great traction | |
5. Nike PG 5
Released in December 2020, the Nike PG is the latest installment in Paul George’s signature shoe line. Featuring a full-length air unit that helps players to get that bouncy effect and flexible cushioning, the Nike PG 5 is the perfect basketball shoe for players with flat feet.
In addition, the Nike PG 5 also offers all-around flexibility, ensuring players can perform at the optimum level on both ends of the court. In the upper section of the shoes, Nike has used mesh construction with synthetic overlays.
Because of the mesh construction on the uppers, breathability on the Nike PG 5 is not an issue. The toe area uses exposed stitching while the heel sports a yellow swoosh.
Using a multi-tread pattern on the rubber outsole, the traction is superb, allowing the players to play perfectly in indoor courts and outdoor courts.
| Pros | Cons |
| Solid traction | Not suitable for outdoor use |
| Premium finish |
