How To Increase Grip Or Traction On Basketball Shoes?

Socks & Shoes
December 27, 2024
Saeed Anwar

In every indoor sport, maintaining a firm grip on the floor is essential. Whether it’s basketball, volleyball, badminton, racquetball, or fencing, having shoes with strong traction ensures stability for sudden stops and sharp movements.

One frequent question that beginner athletes ask is: how can you improve grip or traction on basketball shoes or any sports footwear?

Often, the suggested methods involve wiping the soles of your shoes with your licked hands or sweat, or applying gel, hairspray, or hand sanitizer to enhance grip.

While these methods do provide a quick fix, they are only effective for a short time, losing their efficiency in just minutes. And during the heat of a fast-paced game, there’s no time to keep reapplying gel or hairspray or wiping your shoes repeatedly.

A better solution is to use long-lasting products that don’t require constant reapplication. If you’re on the court, tools like a traction mat or Grip Spritz spray are more effective. Also, proper cleaning and maintenance are key to keeping your basketball shoes gripping the floor well over the long term.

This guide will explain everything you need to know about increasing grip or traction on basketball shoes. Stay tuned to learn about the do’s and don’ts of achieving grippy basketball shoes!

Table of Contents

First, Why Are Your Basketball Shoes Losing Their Grip?

Several factors contribute to why your basketball shoes may be losing their grip, including constant friction, dirt buildup, and the surfaces you’re playing on.

Here are the main reasons your shoes might be getting more slippery over time:

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Wear and Tear: Regular friction from rough court surfaces or intense movements wears down the texture of the outsole.
Lack of Cleaning: Dirt, debris, and bacteria can build up on your shoes if they’re not cleaned regularly, leading to a loss of traction.
Aging or Materials: Natural aging of the shoes or certain materials used in the outsole can contribute to a reduction in grip over time.

Once you understand why your basketball shoes are losing traction, you can take the necessary steps to restore their grip.

How to Increase Grip or Traction on Basketball Shoes?

This can be split into two parts: how to increase traction during a game and how to maintain your shoes when you’re off the court.

During the Game: Quick, Long-Lasting Fixes

When you’re playing, you need something fast and effective to keep your shoes gripping the floor. Methods like wiping your shoes with hands or applying gels/hairspray/sanitizers are not ideal because their effects wear off quickly. Instead, products like traction mats or Grip Spritz spray are better options as they provide long-lasting grip with minimal effort.

Off the Court: Proper Cleaning and Maintenance

When you’re not playing, it’s important to clean and maintain your shoes to ensure they maintain their traction. Dirt, moisture, and debris can degrade the texture of the outsole over time, reducing their grip. Regular cleaning can help keep your shoes in top condition.

In the Game: What NOT to Do!

Several common methods used to increase grip on the court, such as wiping the soles with your hands or applying grip gels or sprays, are actually ineffective in the long term.

Do Not Wipe Your Shoes With Your Hands!

If you’re a fan of basketball, you’ve likely seen players wipe the soles of their shoes with their hands. Often, they’ll even lick their palms or wet them with sweat to enhance grip.

While this method might provide a quick fix, it’s not recommended due to the following reasons:

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Unhygienic: Constantly licking your hands or wiping them with sweat can spread bacteria, increasing the risk of illness.
Dehydration: Repeatedly using saliva to clean your shoes can make you more thirsty during the game.
Slippery Soles: Moistening your shoes this way might temporarily improve traction but can make them slippery after drying, increasing the risk of accidents.

Instead, opt for a more effective, safer method like a traction mat or Grip Spritz spray.

Do Not Apply Grip Gel or Lotion on Your Soles!

Grip gels or lotions are another common solution for increasing traction. However, they are not practical for long-term use during games.

Here’s why:

Drying Time: The gel requires time to dry before you can wear your shoes, which is not feasible during a game.
Temporary Solution: The gel loses its effectiveness as soon as it picks up dirt from the court, requiring frequent reapplication.
Dirt Buildup: Applying gel repeatedly leads to a buildup of dirt and gel residue, making your shoes even more slippery.

Do NOT Use Hand Sanitizer or Hair Spray

Using products like hand sanitizer or hair spray on your shoes is not advisable for these reasons:

Slippery Soles: These products can make the soles even more slippery instead of improving traction.
Material Damage: They may contain chemicals that can damage the shoe materials.
Temporary Fix: Similar to gels, they only provide a brief improvement in grip, requiring constant reapplication.

What TO DO Instead: Use a Traction Mat!

Experienced athletes know the importance of reliable traction during a game, which is why many invest in traction mats. These mats are made of adhesive sheets that remove dirt from your shoes in seconds, restoring their grip.

When your shoes become slippery mid-game, simply step onto the traction mat, and it will clean the dirt off your soles. When the top sheet gets dirty, just peel it off to reveal a fresh adhesive layer.

Or, Try Grip Spritz Spray!

If you prefer a non-sticky solution, Grip Spritz is another effective option for improving shoe traction. Unlike adhesive mats, Grip Spritz cleans the rubber soles of your shoes without leaving behind any residue.

Simply spray it on the bottom of your shoes and wipe them with the included cloth for a quick, mess-free grip enhancement.