Basketball Shoes - Does weight "really" matter?

I personally play basketball at a recreational level. I'm not a pro per say, but I do take it seriously and believe that certain advantages matter. However, it has come to my attention that basketball shoe designers and companies are making a big deal out of shoe weight. Now I'm not exactly sure when lightness in a shoe became a big deal for basketball, but it wasn't always like this. You've got shoes like the Adidas Crazy Light & Crazy Light 2 being the "lightest basketball shoes ever", but let's sit back for a moment and ask ourselves - does weight really even matter? Now if the shoes weighed over 1lbs then I would definately think otherwise, but the average basketball shoe weighs 15 ounces. Are basketball makers trying to convince us that shedding 5 - 6 oz off of a shoe is gonna make a big difference? Quite frankly, unless a shoe weighs over 30 oz then I really think it isn't going make one bit of difference performance wise. In my experience it's traction, durability, ankle support, cushioning, & comfort that matters in a shoe. But weight? Really? Call me crazy, but if I was wearing shoes that weighed 9.5 oz I'd feel like it would fall apart or break at any moment, which is a big deal to me if I'm dropping more than $100 on a pair of shoes. I personally find the Adidas Crazy Lights a marketing gimmick more than a performance shoe, because the last time I checked 9.8 oz shoe isn't going to be any different than a 15 oz shoe when dunking. Maybe running, but not jumping...

yes

yes

Optical_Order

I shaved .5 oz off my shoes and now I go hard in the paint.

I agree, seems alot like a marketing ploy, but hey I guess it kind of goes back to the whole, why not get every advantage you can get?

I'm almost certain if my shoes weighed a few ounces less I'd be in the NBA right now

So of course.

Lets say if your shoes weighed 5 pounds you won't be balling. If your shoes weighed 0. You'll be balling if you can play. Your shoes can weigh you down,etc. For me it doesn't matter, I just buy basketball shoes since they're the only shoes that look good besides Casual and skater shoes. Pretty much more weight=Bad less weight=Good

add up how much extra weight you lift each time you lift each leg in a basketball game thats the differencecheese_game619

though i dont play basketball that much anymore, im a tennis player and i definintely feel a difference between running, basketball, and tennis shoes. tennis shoes are very light which greatly improve agility and maneuverability.

so yes i would say it does matter cause for basketball you need to be quick on your toes, be able to sprint and jump quickly as well.

I'm almost certain if my shoes weighed a few ounces less I'd be in the NBA right now

So of course.

bobcheeseball

Ball shoes are top heavy to support your ankles and tend to have a thick sole to cushion you landing on hardcourt surfaces; thus, they're usually heavier than non-studded sports shoes. Weight does matter. But be wary, as the right amount of support and flow to the feet is the more important and it differs from person to person. The most sensible thing to do is to just try them on.illmatic87

[QUOTE="cheese_game619"]add up how much extra weight you lift each time you lift each leg in a basketball game thats the differenceDigital_DJ_00

You don't want to ball in bulky asss shoes like crazy 8's or Air force 1's,sh*t feels like you ballin in timbs Bucked20

Placebo effect. It might not actually do anything, but you think it does thus it increases your performance.Agent-Zero

This. Also, Air Jordans that MJ wore weigh ALOT more than shoes of today. I'm pretty sure MJ could still ball effectively in them though.

[QUOTE="Agent-Zero"]Placebo effect. It might not actually do anything, but you think it does thus it increases your performance.sayyy-gaa

This. Also, Air Jordans that MJ wore weigh ALOT more than shoes of today. I'm pretty sure MJ could still ball effectively in them though.

Placebo effect. It might not actually do anything, but you think it does thus it increases your performance.Agent-Zero

[QUOTE="Agent-Zero"]Placebo effect. It might not actually do anything, but you think it does thus it increases your performance.sayyy-gaa

This. Also, Air Jordans that MJ wore weigh ALOT more than shoes of today. I'm pretty sure MJ could still ball effectively in them though.

[QUOTE="Optical_Order"]

yes

Digital_DJ_00

I think it's mainly with the mind. If you're feet feel noticeably lighter, you feel like you can jump higher, run faster, etc...

Heavy shoes when you're playing for an hour or whatever is impractical.

[QUOTE="sayyy-gaa"]

[QUOTE="Agent-Zero"]Placebo effect. It might not actually do anything, but you think it does thus it increases your performance.cheese_game619

This. Also, Air Jordans that MJ wore weigh ALOT more than shoes of today. I'm pretty sure MJ could still ball effectively in them though.

[QUOTE="cheese_game619"][QUOTE="sayyy-gaa"]

This. Also, Air Jordans that MJ wore weigh ALOT more than shoes of today. I'm pretty sure MJ could still ball effectively in them though.

Digital_DJ_00

A simple way to answer this question would be to get some weighted shoes or ankle weights then go see for yourself. BranKetra

[QUOTE="Digital_DJ_00"]

[QUOTE="cheese_game619"]everyone else was in heavier shoes as well, geniusescheese_game619