Zero Drop Running Shoes

Zero drop shoes can help to improve your form and running when training in basketball. However, most lack the features designed to for changing of direction and/or cutting. This guide will recommend the best zero drop shoes that can be used for basketball.

The best zero drop or minimalist basketball shoes is the Vivobarefoot motus. It provides the most powerful grip among all zero drop shoes that can enable a basketball player to make quick change in directions, abrupt stops and other lateral movements. Over time, this shoe reduces your dependency on shoes and instead strengthens your natural form.

Benefit of using zero drop shoes for basketball

Even though a zero drop shoe can never compete against a good basketball shoe in terms of grip and durability, it helps in one thing that a basketball shoe can’t: the correction and improvement of your form.

Zero drop or minimalist basketball shoes takes away the reliance of the sole cushioning to let you see how much you are relying on shoes, rather than your own form.

Instead, minimalist basketball shoes reveals all the bad forms you have been using from the pain you will be experiencing when you are wearing these shoes for the first time. Through these, you will start to adjust your form to reduce the pain, and the in the process, building stronger feet without relying on any shoes.

Over time, you will be able to play faster and stronger as you get better in your new and correct form.

Below are more detailed reviews of the motus and as well as reviews of other models.

Vivobarefoot Motus Minimalist Basketball Shoe 

The Vivobarefoot motus is one of the rare zero drop shoes that can cater to the demands of a basketball player.

It has plenty of grip for you to get around fast or make that quick turn of directions. Even if you are a guard, the sole is good enough to enable you to do your job.

That grip comes from its hex pattern sole, which is developed to provide powerful grip in hard surfaces.

What I like

• Solid grip: See above. Best grip among all zero drop or minimalist shoes to provide plenty of support for direction changing. However, if compared against basketball shoes, the grip might be less strong.
  

• Durable: The school held up well in court play despite not being labelled as a basketball shoe.

• Light weight: These are very light when compared to your basketball shoes.

What can be improved

• Nothing much to complaint except its higher price point but it is not a deal killer.

Sizing wise, it is recommended that you take half a size bigger, like all Vivobarefoot brands.

Vivobarefoot steath 2

The vivobarefoot stealth 2 shoe is one of the popular zero drop shoes around. They let feel the ground well, thus helping you to detect any kind of unnatural feet movement that would otherwise be masked by a well cushioned shoe.

For example, if you are a heel strike kind of person, wearing these will let you know that you are doing heel strikes and should change your form to have more forefoot strike. In this way, you will be causing less strain on your calf and leg, thus removing lots of common leg problems.

What I like

• Grip: Ok grip but not as strong as the motus

• Lightweight: These shoes are very light, especially when compared against traditional basketball shoes

• Wide design: the vivobarefoot stealth 2 has a roomy toe box and a wider design, suitable for wide feet

• Durable: Among the zero drop brands, this model has one of the longest shelf life of about 9 to 12 months. I used them for gym, everyday walking etc. I expect them to have a shorter shelf life due to the constant direction changing in basketball.

What can be improved

• Pricing: The main complaints I heard is its price and that is true to some extend. A pair will set you back about $100. However, that is comparable to any branded basketball shoes.

• Smell: The smell of the shoe tend to stick around. I suggest you air it after each wear so that it will not smell too disgusting after weeks of wearing it.

For sizing, the company recommended that you take one size up, from your usual sizing.

Xero Prio

The Xero prio is a good zero drop gym shoe that will work well as a basketball training shoe. I wouldn’t say they can last the real match but they can definitely help to improve your form during training.

What I like

• Grip: Some kind of grip suitable for gym but weakness among the 3 models

• Wide design: Like the stealth 2, the prio also features a wide toe box design that is great for those looking for shoes for wide feet.

• Design: Unlike some of the other zero drop or barefoot shoes, the prio does not look weird or have a clown shoe feel. It looks pretty much like a normal sneaker so you can wear it everywhere without attracting attention.
  

What can be improved

• Quality control: There seems to be some issues with certain batches whereby the stitching comes off easily. 

Sizing wise, these run just slightly smaller so you have to order half a size bigger. However, some other reviewers have commented that are true sizing as well. I recommend erring on the larger size.

Guide to buying zero drop basketball shoes

• Grip: One of the most important factor is whether the shoe can allow you to make the moves required of a basketball player like quick turns, lateral moves etc. Most zero drop shoes lack that kind of grip. That being said, no zero drop shoes has enough grip to match the best that a basketball shoe can offer. If you take, say Kobe shoes as a 10 in terms of grip power, the best a zero drop shoe can do is a 6 or 7.

• Durability: The demand on the sides of the shoe for basketball is much higher than normal walking or running. So, get shoes with strong stitching. Again though, even the best will not be as good as any basketball shoes for durability on the court.

Conclusion

Most basketball players will never consider zero drop shoes. However, if you are experiencing pain or wants to improve your form, you should give zero drop shoes a try. However, do not go hard in them. Let your body slowly adjust to the pain and feel of zero drop shoes.

Over time however, your natural form will improve and you will be able to go faster without the help of any shoe.