Basketball Jump Shoes That Help You Learn to Dunk

There is not a baskeball player on the planet that doesn’t remember the first time they ever dunked a basketball.   There is probably not a more desired skill for basketball players than to be able to dunk a basketball.

For our older readers, who was the first guy in your class who was able to dunk a basketball?  I don’t care if you are forty years old, you remember the first guy in your class who could dunk, don’t you?   Compare that to the first 3 pointer you hit, or the first time you had a double diget scoring game.   There is nothing more significant in the life of a basketball player than the first dunk!

Learning how to dunk a basketball is one of the coolset skills in basketball.  Some people think having the athleticism to dunk a basketball is a  “God Given Talent”.     However many dunkers know, it was something they trained and planed for.   Yes some people are going to be born with the hops and body to be able to dunk, but for many others they actually trained on how to dunk a basketball.  That is why you see some short dudes who can dunk,  they trained for it, and gave themselves every possible advantag they could.

Even though a dunk goes on the scoreboard as two points, the same as a long two, there is nothing like a dunk to give the whole team a confidence boost.  It  is a great way to assert your dominance on the court. While the best way to achieve higher vertical jumps is to master vertical jump exercises, specialty jump shoes also help you get off the ground better and learn to dunk by supplementing your regular workout regimen.

Choosing the right basketball jump shoes for you, however, is another matter. With so many shoes available on the market all claiming to be the best of the best, which one should you choose? Well, good news is we have done all the hard work for you here at BestBasketbasllShoes.co and we are going to share our findings in this article.

Basketball Shoes vs Jump Shoes

Basketball shoes are designed specifically to support your ankles and prevent injury.    Quality basketball shoes provide extra support around the ankles compared to regular athletic or tennis shoes that may be more designed for walkinging and overall comforts.    When choosing basketball shoes, you should look for those that are made with thick rubber soles. The rubber soles support the bottom of your feet well and help reduce pressure on your heels.   You can see our best list of over all basketball shoes here.

However, there is a difference between regular basketball shoes and specialty jump shoes. Basketball shoes are great for practicing and playing basketball, while jump shoes help you work on one specific aspect of the game: your vertical leap.   The players I know who learned how to dunk early, spent time working specifically on their verticle leap.  When they moved into this part of their basketball workout, THE CHANGED SHOES.

Specialty jump training shoes generally are extra heavy and have an extended pad under your toes. These features force you to train your calf muscle and work extra hard when jumping.

Purpose-Built Basketball Jump Shoes

There are 3 Shoes on the market designed specifically for your vertical jump workouts.

1ATI Katapault Training Shoes are jump shoes where the forepart of the shoe is the main feature of these shoes. ATI Katapault Training Shoes allow for flexibility in your movements while practicing your dunks and they are also comfortable to wear. These are probably the best shoes for basketball dunking  workouts that money can buy.

2Similar to ATI Training Shoes, the Athletic Training Innovations Strength Shoes are top-notch athletic jump shoes with the platform also built in the forepart. The increased weight of the shoes helps you train the calf muscle, which in turn helps increase your vertical jump. These are strictly training shoes to help you achieve better results with your jump and not meant to wear during competition.  These have become hard to find, a
friend told me that they went out of business, but I have not been able to confirm that.  I was able to find a few
pair on eBay, you can click the button below to see what they currently have available.

3Nike Hyperdunk basketball sneakers are designed specifically to help you jump as high as possible. This ultra-light weight pair of jumping shoes uses the same technology that NASA uses on space suits called fly wire. Each pair weighs around 13 oz while normal basketball shoes are about 16 to 18 oz.  These have been become very popular with players who have focussed on mastering the dunk.  They are in an out of stock on Amazon, we have found the best selection on eBay.  To see what they currently have available you can click the the button here:

Jump Soles Basketball Dunk Training Shoes

The jump soles are not shoes, in and of themselves.  They are made to strap on your regular sneakers or basketball shoes to help train your calf muscle and increase your vertical jump. Working similarly to strength shoes, the jump sole padding is three inches thick and elevates your heels which makes the training more demanding.

Many users have reported increased vertical jump using jump soles. So if you already have a regular pair of basketball shoes you love,  it’s wise to invest in jump soles instead of buying a brand new pair. The great thing about jump soles is that you can use them with different pairs of shoes, so you can leave them in your gym bag and just attach them to whichever shoes you are wearing for the day.

Many players invest in these shoes for their vertical jump workouts.  After they learn how to dunk, they recoup much of their investment by selling the specialty jump shoes on an after market platform.  The 2nd hand market for these typ;e of shoes is very strong.

Places to Buy Affordable Jump Shoes

Athletic shoe stores are the best places to buy jump shoes because these stores offer a variety, but you are going to pay full retail.   The very best place to purchase quality basketball jump shoes at bargain ivestment  is eBay.   As mentioned earlier after players master the ability to dunk, many liquidate their jump shoes on eBay or   Amazon.  Over all we you will find a better selction online than in a retail store.   Online you will find brands or sizes of  jump shoes that you may not find in big box retail stores. You might even find affordable basketball jump training shoes in some mail-order catalogs but beware many of these catalogs sell knock offs and cheap junkie brands.

Conclusion

Jump shoes or jump soles are necessary training tools for improving your vertical jump if you want to master dunking a basketball.  However, they are not a substitute for regular basketball practice workouts and a healthy diet. If you practice jumping everyday with  and established, proven, vertical jump work out program, & your jump shoes, chances are your vertical jump will increase quickly, and who knows you may be the kid your classmates will remember for the rest of their life as  “The first one in our class to dunk a basketball”.