Updated: March 27, 2026
If you play basketball for long enough, whether it’s a pickup game or at the pro level, you are going to suffer a bad ankle sprain (or even worse, an ankle break). There’s just no way around it. You go up for a rebound and land on your opponent’s foot and immediately, you’re on the ground holding your ankle.
However, there are many ways to reduce the risk, the most important of which is a basketball shoe that has proper ankle support. This starts with the stability and support lower in the shoe. You want a sneaker that distributes your weight evenly across the bottom of your foot, preventing your ankle from twisting unnecessarily.
A cushioning setup with balanced compression, combined with features like outriggers or internal shank plates, can provide this stable ride. Fit and lockdown are important, too. When your foot is well contained it sits where it’s supposed to inside the shoe, and that allows the sneaker’s support features to do their job. Rounding out the list of requirements is strong traction that will keep your foot from slipping after landing.
When choosing the right shoe to prevent an ankle sprain, most people have recommended the high top over the low top. However, the evidence suggests otherwise. The best low top shoes are just as good at stabilizing your ankle and keeping it in its proper position after you go up for that jump shot and land awkwardly. In fact, there’s some evidence that high top sneakers increase the risk of injury to other joints, like the knees and hips, because they limit the range of movement in the ankle.
There are other factors that might influence your decision, too, like if you often play outdoors or need budget-friendly sneakers, but as long as you focus on support, stability, and fit, you’ll get the ankle support you need. Our team has tested the best basketball shoes available today to put together this list of the best sneakers for ankle support. Check out our list below to find your new favorite pair.
