Last summer, WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu’s signature basketball shoes disappeared from the locker room after a game in Las Vegas. Ionescu was understandably upset, though not for the reason you may think.
While Ionescu scrambled to find another pair of shoes, what she really wanted back were her insoles.
“Never thought I would get my shoes stolen from an opposing arena… Please just bring me my insoles back,” she tweeted.
Basketball players demand a lot from their feet, and having the right insoles can make a significant difference in comfort, performance, and injury prevention. Here are some key features to look for in insoles for basketball insoles.
Basketball is a high impact sport. As a result, basketball shoes need cushioning insoles with excellent shock absorption.
Not only does a cushioning foam enhance comfort, but it can also reduce stress on your feet. Cushioning insoles minimize the impact forces from jumping, running, and quick lateral movements. This reduces stress on your lower body joints, helping to prevent injuries related to impact such as shin splints.
While insoles for basketball shoes need to provide cushioning and support, they should be responsive enough to provide that needed energy return without compromising court feel.
Arch support is essential for distributing underfoot pressure evenly and preventing conditions like plantar fasciitis. Insoles for basketball shoes should offer arch support to maintain proper foot alignment and prevent overpronation.
While proper support is important, players should also be sure that their shoes are flexible enough to not restrict natural movement.
Basketball is a sport that requires quick, lateral movements, but many basketball shoes lack sufficient stability.
Insoles with a heel cup can help stabilize the foot while running and jumping for better efficiency on the court. A heel cup along with proper arch support can keep the foot in place for a steadier stride.
Founded in 2020, Move’s mission is to bring the same comfort technology used by professional athletes to the masses.
All Move insoles are based on the patented INSITE Contoura® shape. We designed the Contoura shape using 120,000 3D foot scans. The result is a shape with ergonomic features like a dynamic arch support shape, a stabilizing heel cup, and cushioning foam.
Read More: INSITE Contoura x Move Game Day Insoles
Move insoles are loved by basketball players of all skill levels, including pros like Damian Lillard and Chris Paul.
These insoles are made for basketball shoes, with shapes and materials specifically chosen to help athletes excel on the court.
Whether you’re a casual player or a professional athlete, investing in the right insoles can be a game-changer for your play.
When shopping for insoles or basketball shoes, the most important feature is comfort. Every foot shape is different and what works for one player may cause pain for another.
If your brand is looking to take your basketball shoes to new heights, INSITE can help.
Our line of lightweight foams like Pulsion EVA and Levation PU are designed to provide the performance athletic footwear needs with less weight to help your customers excel.
Ready to redefine gravity for your footwear customers? Request a tech pack from INSITE today, and we’ll send you samples of INSITE’s latest foam innovations.
Last month we sat down with INSITE Biomechanics Research Lab Assistant Lily Bartel to discuss her research as she completes her master’s degree at Oregon State University and how it relates to her work with INSITE.
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