4 Best Cushioned Basketball Shoes for Larger Players and Feet Ailments

Larger players have difficulty playing due to the stress basketball puts on their joints.

Not having the right shoes often leads to foot medical conditions. 

For this reason, knowing the best-cushioned basketball shoes and their importance is essential.

This article explains their necessity, and four recommended best-cushioned basketball shoes.

Best Cushioned Basketball Shoes

Why Get The Best Cushioned Basketball Shoes?

Even though every player can benefit from a comfortable, well-cushioned shoe, bigger players need them more than smaller guards.

That’s because the pressure bigger bodies put on joints is more likely to get hurt. 

A good cushion fights this and helps in avoiding foot-related ailments.

In addition, people with ankle and knee problems would always use more padding.

Proper padding can’t prevent all injuries, but it can help reduce the wear and tear of each game.

Related Reading: Best Basketball Shoes For Ankle Support – Read It Here

Different Types of Padding

It’s hard to say which cushioning setup is the best because they all meet different needs and play styles.

Firm cushions, such as pure Phylon, provide a great feel and response to the court.

These are great for guards who are light and quick. 

Other cushions, like Nike Zoom Air, are suitable for big players or older athletes who wish to protect their joints.

Nike Zoom Air

Since its debut in 1995, Zoom Air has become one of the industry’s most enduring and widespread cushioning technologies.

It is made from tight stretched tensile fibers under pressure in an “Air” unit. 

It is commonly seen in high-priced signature lines of basketball sneakers, such as the Lebron and KD lines.

Nike Zoom Air is an extra-springy cushioning system that gives back a lot of energy because the fibers stretch back to their original size after each impact.

Because of its flexibility, it has many potential applications. 

This ranges from modest Air units like the Kyrie 4 to a full-length Zoom unit like the Jordan Why Not Zero 1.

Adidas Boost

Adidas Boost is still pretty new. In 2014, the Adidas Crazylight Boost was the first basketball shoe to use it. 

Since then, it has taken the sneaker world by storm because of how comfortable it is.

It is used in popular lifestyle models like the NMD and the Yeezy Boost.

The outsoles of Boost shoes are made of many tiny pellets of thermoplastic urethane glued together with hot steam.

These pellets stand out because they are very soft but have enough spring to give back energy. 

This lets Adidas make supremely comfortable and responsive shoes for sports like basketball, where you need to move quickly.

Most of Adidas’ high-end basketball shoes, like the Crazy Explosive, D Rose 8, and Harden Vol. 2, are made with Boost.

Other Cushioning Made of Foam

Every shoe brand has different foam padding, usually made of EVA, a mix of two plastics.

These plastics are called Ethylene and Vinyl Acetate. EVA is a foam that has a lot of tiny air bubbles in it. 

These bubbles give the foam the bounce and comfort that were intended.

Phylon, used in many Nike shoes, is a well-known example of a simple EVA cushion.

Nike Lunarlon, Adidas Bounce, and Under Armour Micro G blend EVA with various rubbers to form lighter, more comfortable foam.

Even though foam cushioning can have very different qualities, it is usually very responsive and gives a great feel to the court, but it isn’t the best at absorbing shock.

Now that you know this, here are trustworthy and popular recommendations for the best-cushioned basketball shoes:

Related Reading: Best Insole For Basketball Shoes – Learn About Them Here.

Under Armour Lockdown 5

Under Armour Lockdown 5

The most comfortable shoe for heel-related health problems is the Under Armour Lockdown 5.

It has a pattern of traction that looks like a herringbone, which is very helpful. 

The ability to stop is very smooth, and it wasn’t setting off any alarms.

The thick rubber outsole is durable, and the shoe’s grip on the ground is good.

The midsole unit is very responsive and has a cushioning unit that bounces back and forth to give better protection and make jumping more comfortable. 

This kind of stiff cushioning unit is excellent for people with pain in their heels.

The upper is made of 100% leather and is extremely light and breathable.

It looks expensive, but it’s not. It is still extra-durable despite the high-top style of the shoe.

Nike Air Versatile

The Air Versatile is a well-rounded shoe that is very comfortable and supportive.

It has flywire cables and an internal lacing system. 

This shoe holds your foot in place, so it doesn’t move or shift.

This is especially important for players who make a lot of cuts.

This shoe makes a list because of its two levels of support and modified herringbone pattern, and air-sole pocket.

The tread gives the shoe a firm grip on all courts, and the pocket helps with shock absorption and softens hard landings.

Even though the tread is excellent, this shoe has less grip when you’re not on a court.

Outside, the pair does well but will be less sticky. 

Also, the padding doesn’t last as long as other popular models do.

Air Jordan Men’s Zoom 92

The upper of this Nike Jordan Zoom 92 is made of mesh, which lets air in and keeps your feet dry and clean.

Also, this fine mesh upper material is extra light and will last a long time.

Under the cushioning zoom pods, the midsole is light, and the cushioning is soft and springy.

This springy cushioning is meant to give your feet more comfort and protection. 

This shoe will make your feet feel like you’re not even wearing socks or shoes in a good way.

Rubber outsoles with a herringbone tread pattern work well both indoors and outdoors.

This Mj’s sneaker can be worn as an everyday shoe, a fashion sneaker, or a court shoe for multiple sports.

Adidas Marquee

The Adidas Marquee is an excellent shoe with much more to offer than just a lot of cushion.

It is tough, light, and breathable. 

It is a soft, comfortable shoe that helps protect your foot on the court and has many high-end features.

This includes the firm grip that sticks to any surface, the excellent heel support, and the unique style that isn’t too flashy. 

All of these help you play the best game of ball you can.

If you wear these for the whole game, you won’t be slowed down or feel any pain.

Even though the Marquee shoes are great, they do lose a bit of their excellent grip on surfaces that are not as smooth.

This isn’t the best pair of shoes for dusty or dirty courts. 

But they work great when you’re inside or in a clean area.

Related Reading: Best Basketball Shoes For Flat Feet – Check Out The Shoes Here.

Final Thoughts

These are just the top recommendations for excellently balanced and cushioned basketball shoes.

That does not mean it will 100% work or fit anyone and everyone. 

Take the time to find the right fit and pair of shoes for your feet.

Once you do, your feet will thank you and reward you with a significant boost to comfort and performance.