How to Buy Customized Basketball Shoes

Customizing basketball shoes, the newest fad in basketball athletic wear, gives shoppers the ability to design a shoe for their specific playing style or day-today-use. Manufacturers such as Nike, Adidas, and Reebok give shoppers the option of changing the cuts and color of their shoes before purchasing them online. Some even offer certain lettering options. Before buying a customized shoe, find out about the different brands and shoe cuts available, how to measure for a proper fit, and the makeup of a basketball shoe.

History of Basketball Shoes
Since the 1920s, the game of basketball has thrilled spectators and fans. Throughout this time span, manufacturers have made basketball shoes that cater to athletes. The section below covers specific eras and show design during those eras.

The Classic Era
It all started in the 1920s with Converse and the canvas shoe. Converse provided the mainstay shoe for the sport of basketball for more than 40 years. In the 1960s, leather replaced canvas as the most popular shoe material. The era from the 1920s until 1984, called the Classic Era, also saw the introduction of Nike's Air Force 1.

The Jordan Era
In 1984, the Jordan Era began. It was during this time that Michael Jordan dominated the sport of basketball and the athletic shoe called Air Jordans came to prominence, taking command of the basketball shoe market. Air Jordan shoes remain popular to this day. Also, during this time, Reebok brought The Pump to the basketball shoe scene with great success. This era ends in 1993.

The Golden Era
With the first retirement of Michael Jordan, shoe companies rushed to fill the void of his absence. Many other basketball stars stepped up to the plate, most notably Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson, and Kobe Bryant. It was also during this time period, called the Golden Era, that many new innovations in shoe design occurred. Almost everything developed during this time period, which fell between 1994 and 1998, sold well.

The Throwback Era
The era following the Golden Era was known as the Throwback Era. It was so deemed because of the lack of big-name stars stepping into Michael Jordan's shoes after his second retirement. In response, shoe companies went retro, bringing back shoe styles from the past. This era started in 1999 and continues today.

The New Era
The New Era of shoe design, which began in 2010, has seen the demand for both classic styles and new technology remaining high. With the ever-increasing rise of the price of a pair of basketball shoes, shoe manufacturers such as Nike, Adidas, and Reebok have to come up with new ways to sell their shoes. One such way is through the ability to design a pair of customized shoes online. Some of these designs have become popular, finding their way to stores and online markets.

Discover Customized Basketball Shoes
While some prefer to go to online sites that allow customization of shoe styles like the Nike Hyperdunk, the Adidas Adizero, and the Reebok Zig series of shoe, these customizable basketball shoes are also available online through such sites as eBay. The following sections below details the inner workings of a custom basketball shoes, how to measure for a proper fit, and what to look for when selecting a customized basketball shoe.

The Inner Workings of a Customized Basketball Shoe
Basketball shoes offer more than just a standard logo and cool design, especially customized shoes. The materials and technology that goes into the creation of a basketball shoe is just as important as its color or exterior design. When searching for a customized basketball shoe, also assess the shoe's durability, stability, and breathability.