Some basketball players like to play Boxing as a warmup or as a hobby. What do you think in both the cases did they need a separate pair of shoes for each sport? To get the reply, we will compare basketball shoes vs boxing shoes. Might be there some feature has same or different but if you want to play both sports at a professional level, then the answer to the above question is NO.
Why?
Nowadays, sports are very competitive, and every aspect has its weight. Basketball and Boxing are entirely different sports. The shoe requirement of both the shoes has entirely apart.
Basketball Shoes VS Boxing Shoes – Key Points To Check
The main difference between basketball shoes and boxing shoes is the top style, comfort and traction. Firstly you have to find out the difference between basketball and boxing and their shoe requirement.
Let’s look deeper into the main key points and features of both sports and their shoes so that we can make the well-informed decision
Boxing Shoes Features
Basketball shoe Features
Why Basketball Shoe is not the Good Choice for Boxing?
Popular Boxing and Basketball Shoe Brands
Let’s have a look in detail.
Boxing Shoes Features
In Boxing, you are moving a small step backward and forward repeatedly, and most of the time, you are on your toe. Your speed movement in Boxing is very fast.
Professional boxing shoes have designed with all above and other feature which required for Boxing.
Outsole Grip
The grip of the boxing shoes is adequate. Boxing has played usually on matt or in the ring; both have their traction requirement.
Breathability
As you have the quick backward and forward movement, so the sweating chances are also more. Boxing shoes has designed with breathable textile upper material to overcome the sweating problem.
Ankle Support
Usually, all basketball shoes have designed with a high-top design to give excellent ankle support.
Basketball Shoes Features
As basketball is the sport of quick movement, it is a sudden stop and has to start quickly. 2ndly it would help if you jumped high again and again.
Basketball shoes have designed in such a way that they can cater to all the requirements mention above.
The main features you need in basketball are
Outsole Grip
The outsole grip of boxing shoes is crucial in providing stability, traction, and agility to fighters during their bouts.
Designed specifically for the demands of the ring, boxing shoe outsoles feature specialized patterns and materials to enhance grip on the canvas. The outsole’s grip is vital for quick footwork, pivoting, and maintaining balance while delivering punches and evading opponents.
High-quality outsoles utilize rubber compounds or synthetic materials with multidirectional patterns and strategic grooves.
This optimal grip allows boxers to generate power from their lower body, make rapid lateral movements, and change directions without slipping or compromising performance.
The outsole grip is an essential attribute that ensures fighters maintain control and maximize their footwork efficiency inside the ring.
Ankle Support Style
There are mainly three types of basket shoes ankle support.
One is Low top which is best for the quick player who wants lightweight shoes with minimum ankle support.
2nd is mid-top shoes which weight is slightly higher than the low top, and it has adequate ankle support, most of the beginner player love to play basketball in mid-top shoes
3rd is high-top shoes, their weight is higher than the other two types, but their ankle support is marvelous. It is for the player who needs a sudden stop and stops and accelerates.
Cushioning
The third most important factor in basketball shoes is cushioning because you have to dunk again and again. At every landing, you need the perfect cushioning which can reduce the landing impact. Usually, there are three areas in which extra cushioning has imposed, heel, midsole, and the forefoot. The basic types of cushioning are
Air Cushion
Gel Cushion
Extra Padded Cushion
Difference Between Basketball Shoes & Boxing Shoes
Features
Weight
Ankle Support
Traction
Comfort
Basketball Shoes
Light to Medium
Low to High Top
Excellent Traction Required
Full Length Comfort Required
Boxing Shoes
Light
High Top
Normal Traction Required
Normal Cushioning Required
Why Basketball Shoes Is Not Good Choice For Boxing?
As you have read the feature of both shoes. Both have different requirements. So if you play basketball professionally with boxing shoes or are playing Boxing in basketball shoes, It is not a recommended practice. You will not be able to perform well as your shoes didn’t support you. The grip, the outsole design, and the floor traction with shoes has entirely changed in both shoes. If you play basketball in boxing shoes, then the risk of ankle rollover has increased a lot.
The side-to-side movement support of the boxing shoes is much higher than the basketball shoes.
Basketball shoe weight is much heavier than boxing shoes due to its extra thicker sole and the extra cushioning support.
If you are a beginner boxer and don’t have enough that budget to buy professional boxing shoes, you can initially start Boxing with sneakers or running shoes. It works better than the basketball shoes.
Popular Boxing & Basketball Shoes Brands
All the big brands have made both sports shoes, either Boxing or basketball. The below top 4 sports shoe manufacturer has made both the basketball and the boxing shoes.
Nike
Adidas
Asics
Reebok
Conclusion
As I explained in my previous sports shoe comparison article that every sport is very competitive that you can’t ignore any minor thing if you want to play professionally, so wearing one sports shoes for other is highly not recommended as you can’t grow your expertise and don’t give your 100% in that game.
Ans: If you are playing basketball for fun or exercise, you can wear the normal sports shoes for basketball, but if you are a professional basketball player, then it is not recommended because it affects your performance a lot and you might encounter an injury.
Q-3:Can You Use Basketball Shoes for Boxing?
Ans: If you are a professional player then you can`t yes basketball shoes for boxing or vice versa because both game requirements and courts are entirely different.
