My top pick: Nike Air Jordan XX9 I’ll explain why in a minute.
Success on the basketball court requires speed, fluid movement, instant stops, hard cuts and quick pivots – all of which are greatly impacted by your footwear. In order to perform at your highest level in basketball, you need shoes that are not only durable, but that fit and perform well during every aspect of the game.
Standard doesn’t always cut it: For some players, this task is relatively easy – just about any size 10 off the shelf of the local sporting goods store will do the trick. For guys with wide feet though, finding the right shoe can prove to be a serious challenge. Even standard sizes of some of the more popular brands don’t hold completely true to size – when you get into the less common options (like wide varieties) fluctuations can seem even more exaggerated, which makes it more difficult to get your feet into the perfect basketball shoe.
We know the challenges that players with wide feet have finding the right shoes – so we’ve evaluated dozens of pairs from different manufacturers to make it easier for you to find the best basketball shoe for your wider than average feet.
Top Pick
The top position on our list didn’t come as much of a surprise – an ultra-high performance shoe from Nike (the biggest name in basketball), the Nike Air Jordan XX9.
Quality: With Nike athletic shoes you know that you are going to get quality, which eliminates a good portion of the worry that comes from trying a new piece of gear. For decades Nike has been at the top of the game when it comes to just about anything they produce, especially when it comes to basketball shoes. And the style that always gets players excited is the Air Jordan line.
Pedigree: Ever since 1985, when Air Jordan shoes were first introduced for public purchase, both elite and casual players of all ages and talent levels have been upping their game simply by slipping them on. Let’s take a closer look at the latest Air Jordan shoe and break down what makes it the absolute best for players with wide feet.
Comfort
You can’t possibly hope to compete at a high level in gear that doesn’t feel good, but that certainly isn’t an issue with the Air Jordan XX9. This high performance shoe features a synthetic woven upper that is flexible and conforms to the shape of your foot. You get outstanding support during quick moves on the court without having to fight against an upper that is too constricting or rigid. This creates a best of both worlds scenario, especially for guys who have wider than average feet who often have a difficult time finding a lock down fit that doesn’t make it difficult to move.
Cushioning: The Nike Air Jordan XX9 also features outstanding cushioning in both the heel and forefoot. This is especially helpful for forwards and centers who are constantly up and down grabbing rebounds and executing blocks.
Performance
The sole of the Air Jordan XX9 delivers outstanding traction. In these shoes you can execute flawless quick stops and pivots to shake defenders or drive the lane to pick up easy buckets in the paint. There is no slipping or sliding on the court in Air Jordan XX9s so you can play both sides of the ball with the utmost confidence and always at your highest level.
Weight
In most cases, the bigger the shoe, the more weight you have to carry – which can be a serious detriment to the speed of your game. Clunky leather uppers can shave valuable seconds of your time moving up and down the court, which can cost your team points.
The Air Jordan XX9 weighs less than 13 ounces – which makes it the lightest Air Jordan basketball shoe ever. You don’t lose any speed or any ups in this top quality shoe – in fact, if you are used to playing in a leather or synthetic leather upper, the Air Jordan XX9 just might take your game to an entirely new level.
Breathability
Basketball courts can get hot – and your game takes a big hit if you are overheated. The synthetic upper of the Nike Air Jordan XX9 is very breathable compared to other top basketball shoes. This helps you stay cooler on the court all game long and can give you a big advantage over the guys who are playing in leather or suede shoes that trap in the heat.
Price
This is the only possible “con” for the Nike Air Jordan XX9. With prices where they are, the Nike Air Jordan XX9 might be a little bit out of reach for some players who are on a tighter budget. That being said – if you are looking for the absolute best basketball shoe for a player with wide feet, this effort from Nike is absolutely worth every penny.
The Nike Air Jordan XX9 stands head and shoulders above the rest, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the only basketball shoe out there for players with wide feet. Below we’ll take a look at some outstanding “honorable mentions” for the best basketball shoe for wide feet.
Under Armour ClutchFit Drive 2
UA is a company that continually strives to deliver innovative products to the market – and the ClutchFit Drive 2 is an outstanding example of that. This basketball shoe features UA’s exclusive Clutch Fit Technology which delivers a lockdown fit and outstanding support.
Impact absorption: The ClutchFit Drive 2 also delivers incredible cushioning through the midsole and forefoot for great impact absorption – this can make a huge difference in keeping your legs fresh for an entire game. If your legs and knees take less of a pounding throughout the game, you’ll still be able to pulldown rebounds and launch for dunks until the final whistle.
Your wallet: One of the best things about the UA Clutchfit Drive 2 is the price. If you can’t put together the funds for the Air Jordan XX9, the Under Armour Clutchfit Drive 2 serves as an excellent alternative at a much more affordable price.
Question mark: The only real potential complaint about this top quality shoe is that the heel might be a bit too wide, even for guys with wide feet. This can create a little bit of an issue when it comes to lockdown fit and stability, but this could be an advantage if you have trouble finding a shoe that is wide enough through the forefoot and heel
Nike Men’s Hyperdunk
As we talked about above – quality of construction is almost never an issue with a shoe from Nike, so with the Hyperdunk, you know you’ve got a shoe that will stand up strong to the use and abuse of regular gameplay. The Nike Hyperdunk features a synthetic and mesh upper that is fairly lightweight and that provides outstanding stability. There is also a molded heel which adds to the comfort and secure fit, without adding much weight to the shoe. The Hyperdunk has great cushioning, which combined with the lockdown foot, makes for a comfortable fit all game long.
These also come in at a much lower price than the Air Jordan XX9 – allowing you to get Nike comfort and quality at a very reasonable price point.
Adidas Crazy 8
Adidas may not be the first brand that comes to mind when you think of basketball shoes, but their Crazy 8 series is an outstanding option for basketball players with wide feet.
Lockdown fit: The Crazy 8 delivers outstanding cushioning, stability and traction allowing players with just about any style of play to benefit from wearing them. You can make quick, crisp cuts to leave defenders behind and go up for rebound after rebound without pain or fatigue because of the lockdown fit and responsive cushioning from heel to midsole and forefoot.
The Crazy 8 aren’t as lightweight or flexible as our top recommendation, but they more than deliver when it comes to comfort, fit, performance and price. If you are a wide footed baller on a tight budget, the Adidas Crazy 8 could be an ideal option for you.
Conclusion
There are so many different options out there when it comes to basketball shoes, but unfortunately, all of these options are not created equal (especially for players who have fit concerns like wide feet). If you’ve got the budget and are looking for the best shoe that money can buy – don’t hesitate to pick up a pair of Nike Air Jordan XX9 as these are far and away the best overall shoe in terms of fit, feel and performance. If you are on a tighter budget, any of the “runner-up” shoes mentioned above can serve as outstanding alternatives to the Nike Air Jordan XX9.
