Do High-Top Basketball Shoes Really Prevent Ankle Sprains? Here's What the Science Says

The short answer: The best available science does not support the idea that high-top basketball shoes significantly reduce your risk of rolling an ankle during a game. If you're lacing up high-tops purely for injury prevention, you should know that the evidence isn't on your side.

What the Studies Actually Found

• A landmark field study followed 622 college intramural basketball players over a two-month season. Players were randomly assigned to wear high-top, high-top with inflatable air chambers, or low-top shoes. The result? No significant difference in ankle sprain rates among the three groups. The researchers concluded there was no strong relationship between shoe type and injury .

• Biomechanics lab research backs this up. When researchers tested how shoes performed during simulated landings, high-tops and low-tops showed no meaningful differences in maximum ankle inversion angle, range of motion, or how fast the ankle rolled inward. In other words, a higher collar doesn't mechanically lock the ankle in place the way many assume it does .

• Reviewing the broader evidence, a 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis on basketball shoe collar height found that while some lab tests hint at small kinematic differences, these haven't translated to lower injury rates in real games. The evidence for high-tops as a preventive tool is currently weak .

So What Actually Works?

If high-tops aren't the magic solution, what is? The research points to two far more effective strategies:

1. Ankle Braces: A major systematic review and meta-analysis found that athletes who wore braces had 64% fewer ankle sprains compared to those who didn't (risk ratio 0.36), based on data from 3,581 participants. While the overall quality of the evidence was moderate, the protective effect is striking .

2. Balance and Proprioception Training: The same review found that athletes who performed balance training (think single-leg stands, wobble boards, or dynamic stability exercises) reduced their sprain risk by 46% . Another study focusing on soccer players found a 41% reduction in ankle injuries per 1,000 hours of exposure .

• Clinical guidelines from leading sports medicine organizations consistently recommend bracing or taping, combined with supervised exercise programs, especially for anyone who has already sprained an ankle. For first-time sprains, active rehab—not just rest—is the gold standard .

The Bottom Line for Players

High-top basketball shoes are a valid choice for comfort, lockdown fit, and personal preference—but don't buy them thinking they're proven ankle insurance. If you have a history of "rolling" your ankle, the most evidence-backed approach is:

• A properly fitted basketball shoe (high or low, whichever feels best)
• A lace-up or semi-rigid ankle brace (or athletic tape)
• A consistent balance and strengthening program

This combination gives you a much better chance of staying on the court than simply switching from low-tops to high-tops.

References

Barrett, J. R., et al. (1993). High- versus low-top shoes for the prevention of ankle sprains in basketball players: A prospective randomized study. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 21(4), 582-585. PubMed

Fu, W., et al. (2014). The effect of high-top and low-top shoes on ankle inversion kinematics and muscle activation in landing. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 6, 14. PMC

Gao, Y., et al. (2024). The Effect of Basketball Shoe Collar on Ankle Stability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Physical Activity and Health, 8(1), 132-143. PAAH Journal

Bellows, R., & Wong, C. (2025). The Effect of Bracing and Balance Training on Ankle Sprain Incidence Among Athletes: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. PMC

(2025). Incorporating Balance Training into Ankle Sprain Injury Prevention Programs for Soccer Athletes. Clinical Athletic Training, 8(2), 3. Scholar Commons

Kerkhoffs, G. M., et al. (2018). Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ankle sprains: update of an evidence-based clinical guideline. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(15), 956. BMJ

National Athletic Trainers' Association. (2025). Conservative Management and Prevention of Ankle Sprains in Athletes. NATA