Are Basketball Shoes Good for Everyday Use?

Wearing basketball shoes everyday is inherently different from wearing them for basketball games solely. Whereas the latter requires frequent movement, pacing, running, and jumping, wearing basketball shoes casually each day, particularly day-over-day, requires just as much care and attention to ensure that the shoes are properly tended to and taken care of.

However, wearing basketball shoes everyday can be done, but only if you are willing to put in the time, effort, and care that basketball shoes require to make them long-lasting.

Below, we are going to look at whether or not you are able to wear basketball shoes everyday and if basketball shoes are good for everyday use. In addition, we will briefly touch on how to care and tend for your basketball shoes so that they look and feel new, no matter how many times you’ve worn them.

What Are Basketball Shoes?

Basketball, being one of the most popular sports in the world, has built a loyal and diehard following. And, within the world of basketball, a cult of “sneakerheads” have emerged. These individuals look to collect and trade sneakers, particularly basketball sneakers, and are often extremely knowledgeable on the history of the basketball shoe.

And whether you are purchasing a pair of basketball shoes to wear on the court, to wear casually, to wear while on your feet, or to collect and trade, understanding the many different choices can more easily help you navigate the landscape.

Traditionally, basketball shoes were created with basketball players in mind. These shoes were meant to reduce the overall stress and act as shock absorbers for the basketball players who wore them.

With basketball players switching direction, on average, every two seconds and running over 105 short sprints per game, basketball specific shoes were seen as a necessity to the game and helped to reduce ankle injuries and sprains.

However, with the added cushioning and support that basketball shoes provide, they have been coopted by non-players for more casual and rigorous wear. Utilizing the benefits provided in a pair of basketball shoes, non-basketball players can enjoy many of the same benefits a basketball shoe provides, without the need to play the game.

In addition, with the popularity that basketball shoes have enjoyed in the mainstream, many basketball shoes are now created with the casual wearer in mind. These basketball shoes, though still able to be worn in a game, are more meant to be worn casually and daily and provide a nice flair to your overall outfit and look.

What to Look For in Basketball Shoes to Wear Everyday?

When it comes to choosing a pair of basketball shoes to wear daily and everyday, there are a few considerations which need to be met before you can narrow down your choices. Ideally, you should understand these parameters before purchasing a pair of daily and everyday basketball shoes to make a better and more informed decision.

Below, we will provide a few additional considerations to take when you are looking to purchase a pair of basketball shoes specifically for everyday wear and use.

• The outsole design should be wide and flat – the outsole of the basketball shoe should be as wide and flat as possible. An outsole with better ground contact is best to spread the pressure from your body more evenly and will help to reduce the pressure on any single point in your sole. If you are wearing a pair of basketball shoes everyday, then comfort should be one of your main goals and choosing a pair with a wide outsole design will help with the overall comfort you feel while wearing them.

• There should be sufficient cushioning in the midsole – thankfully, for this point, most basketball shoes provide superior cushioning and support due to the shock and stress basketball players place on their feet from jumping throughout the game. This is an important point if you are standing or wearing them all day as you will want to have ample cushioning for maximum and superior comfort.

• Ample spacing for your toes – similarly, when choosing a pair of basketball shoes to wear everyday, look for ones that provide a wide spacing towards the front to provide you with ample and sufficient spacing for your toes. Again, thankfully, most basketball shoes do so as a default.

• Superior grip and stickiness – while you don’t want to purchase a pair of basketball shoes which are sticky, you should look to purchase a pair which provide superior grip on tiled, wood, and concrete flooring. Again, thankfully, most basketball shoes provide superior grip as that is needed on the basketball court and easily translate well over to other flooring types.

• Personal style and preference – lastly, and perhaps most importantly, if you are planning on purchasing basketball shoes to wear everyday, then be sure to choose a pair that fit with your overall style, preference, and look. Shoes are one of the biggest fashion statements and you should be both satisfied and happy with your choice.

Additional Considerations for Basketball Shoes to Wear Everyday

While the above mentioned points are important, there are a few additional considerations which should be made regarding the purchasing of a pair of basketball shoes for everyday use. Notably, many of these considerations are care specific, so be sure to review just how you plan to wear these shoes on a daily basis to ensure proper cleaning and care.

Firstly, and most importantly, basketball shoes are not suitable to be placed in a washing machine or dryer as they will damage the shoe. Similarly, don’t place the shoes near vents or heaters as doing so can warp the material on the shoe. Lastly, avoid using bleach, rubbing alcohol, non-eco friendly laundry detergent, or fabric softeners on the shoe as those materials may crack the sole of the shoes.

Secondly, be sure to properly clean and take care of your basketball shoes on a weekly basis. Once a week, you should follow the below steps to leave your basketball shoes looking clean and new.

• Use a toothpick to remove any stones and dirt from the bottom grooves of the soles
• Use a soft brush or toothbrush to scrub off any remaining dirt
• With a washcloth, gently wipe away any stains. You can use an eco-friendly laundry detergent mixed with warm water to do so and doing so will leave a fresh look on the shoes
• With another washcloth, wet the washcloth in warm water and remove the excess soap and suds from the shoes
• Remove the laces and insoles from the shoes and wash together in the washing machine. You should set the washing machine settings to cold and delicate with an eco friendly laundry detergent
• Re-insert the insoles and laces and leave aside for a few hours until completely dry

Similarly, if you are planning on wearing a pair of basketball shoes everyday and on a daily basis, consider purchasing a shoe deodorizer. Doing so will help your basketball shoes to maintain a fresh, clean smell, even after repeated use.

Personally, we use both Lumi Outdoors Natural Shoe Deodorizer Spray and NonScents Shoe Deodorizer. We really love the smell of the Lumi Outdoors Natural Shoe Deodorizer Spray, which is reminiscent to lime and lemongrass and leaves for a fresh smelling aftereffect.

The NonScents Shoe Deodorizer, however, claims to remove odors at the molecular level. While we’re not scientists and can’t independently verify those claims, we can say that our basketball shoes do smell better and fresher after use.

Best Basketball Shoes for Everyday Use

Basketball shoes are some of the most popular and widely sought after shoes on the market. Which is great as that means there are a ton of options to choose from. Below are some of our favorite ones and ones we’ve previously purchased and worn.

However, if you don’t like these options or are unsure of what to get, we highly recommend visiting your local sporting goods store and trying multiple pairs on. You should be happy with your choice, especially as you are planning on wearing these basketball shoes everyday.

Alternatively, if you’re still unsure which basketball shoe to purchase, feel free to take our “which basketball shoe should I buy quiz” which can help you narrow down your choices by your preferences and specific style.

• If you really want to make a splash with a new pair of basketball shoes, then the Nike Men’s LeBron Witness IV are the shoes for you.  No matter which one of the 17 designs and color-schemes you decide on, these shoes are expertly designed, providing a level of color, and stitching which will impress even a casual sneaker-head. 

• Adidas has always been known for their casual side, particularly with regards to their more classic black-and-white shoe designs.  The famous Adidas three-stripes have emblazoned many of their products and has come to symbolize quality and excellence. And with the Adidas Harden Stepback, Adidas stuck with a design they are used to and one that continues to evoke fond memories.  This may be the ultimate casual basketball shoe, with the traditional Adidas black base and three white stripes. 

• Honestly, we’re unsure of the naming convention used for these Nike basketball shoes.  Nevertheless, the Nike Zoom Freak 1 Employee of the Month Basketball Shoes definitely have a unique design.  You’re going to either love them or hate them and for us personally, we really like the unique design and plaid coloring that surrounds the shoe from the Nike Swoosh to the back of the shoe.

• Working in conjunction with Paul George, the Nike PG Men’s Basketball Shoes are not only comfortable to wear, but they are simple in design.  With an enlarged lower sole, the top of the basketball shoe is made of a simple black mesh, allowing for breathability and comfort, both of which are needed when wearing a pair everyday.

• The Nike Kyrie 6 Basketball Shoes are a part of the official Kyrie Irving shoe line, which is developed in conjunction with Nike.  These shoes are not only comfortable to wear, but also have a cool, unique design to them.  Probably as an ode to Kyrie himself, these shoes have a triangular eye loop on the front of the shoe, which also doubles as a means to tighten the shoe on the foot.