That’s why we’ve brought you a comprehensive list of the best men’s outdoor basketball shoes alongside an extensive buying guide that highlights all the considerations you need to make before picking up a new pair of kicks.
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes
Image | Product | |
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![]() | Reebok Royal(Editor’s Choice)
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![]() | Adidas Performance Cloudfoam Ilation Mid
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![]() | Under Armour Men's Ua Clutchfit Drive Ii
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![]() | Adidas Performance Crazy Explosive
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![]() | NIKE Men's Lebron XIII
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Nike Men’s Air Jordan 1 – Best Nike Basketball Shoes For Outdoor Use
Forefoot perforations give you great breathability. Meanwhile, the padded collar and tongue give a little extra ankle support. Plus, genuine leather uppers enhance the life of these sneaks.
We’d highly recommend these reconfigured classics. Not only are they reasonably priced, but their popularity for both indoor and outdoor basketball also speaks for itself. Only Nike could pull off such an impressive full-grain leather mid-top.
- Cushioned Air sole unit for tough impacts
- Breathable mid cut uppers
- Uppers wrinkle with wear
- Keeping dirt and debris out of the deep outsoles requires regular maintenance
Adidas Performance Men’s Cloudfoam Ilation Mid – Best Adidas Outdoor Basketball Shoes
The shaft of these shoes measures from about mid-top to the arch. These kicks feature a mesh tongue with full-grain leather uppers with perforated sides for maximum ventilation. A mesh collar and rear panel help to maximize ventilation and keep your feet dry the whole game through.
The flex-zoned soles of the Ilation eliminate the need to break-in these b-ball beasts. Plus, they offer support without compromising comfort. Rock these high-contrast athletic shoes, and you might just become the master of the court.
- Exclusive Cloudform sockliners
- Superb ventilation
- Tread peels after minimal exposure to rough surfaces
Adidas Performance Men’s Crazy Explosive – Best Men’s Outdoor Basketball Shoes
Meanwhile, Adidas’s proprietary boost™ padding provides players with one of Adidas’s most comfortable soles. The sock-like Primeknit uppers cling to your ankles, providing lightweight support. If you’re worried about durability, you’ll be happy to hear that forged TPU yarn helps stabilize and reinforce the sides.
Adidas has hooked up the bottoms with a never-before-seen multidirectional herringbone tread. In between grippy rubber, panels are smooth reservoir-like plates for extra support during rapid passes. Cloth lace eyelets add to the Xeno’s flexible feel.
If you’re a leather upper diehard, you might balk at the site of these Primeknit uppers. While we don’t deny they look a bit like a turtleneck sweater, the sock-like hug gives you the lockdown you need for crazy air.
- Boost orthopedics
- Reinforced Primeknit uppers
- Multi-directional herringbone outsoles
- The futuristic design may not appeal to retro enthusiast
- Textiles offer less impact resistance than leather uppers
Nike Men’s KD 8 – Best Budget Outdoor Basketball Shoes
This shoe is lightweight thanks to mesh uppers, rubber outsoles, and Phylon midsole cushioning.
For defensive guards who are more concerned with holding their ground than prepping for impact, these eighth-generation KD kicks will do alright.
Like all Nike products, you can select from a wide range of colorways. To top it all off, we can’t stop drooling over Leo Chang’s saber tooth heel counters. Inspired by Durant’s leg tattoo, these stylish attributes provide a generous amount of lockdown and support.
The Flyweave uppers and articulated Nike Zoom cushioning offer exceptional lockdown and comfort. Plus, stylish technologies such as heel counters and springy gel-like outsoles make us feel like we are six-time All-Stars too.
- Leo Chang’s sabertooth heel counters
- Extremely lightweight
- Outsoles made for hardwoods
- Not impact resistant
Adidas Isolation 2 – Best Outdoor Performance Basketball Shoes
Choose between the grey & white or navy blue, grey, & white colorways. Both colorways are bold, simple, and characteristic of Adidas’s athletic designs. Small details, such as perforated side panels, reinforced tongues, and rubber toe guards, don’t take away from the minimalist aesthetics. Although, they do help improve an already breathable and strong shoe.
This type of simplified, reliable shoe is after our minimalist hearts. There are plenty of packaged details that promote solid court feel, under-the-foot cushioning, and reliable impact-resistance, yet they’d make a decent pair of everyday street shoes too.
- Coated leather uppers
- Padded collar
- EVA foam midsoles
- Very limited colorways
Adidas Performance Men’s D Rose 7 – Best Affordable Outdoor Basketball Shoes
The limited colorways include athletic mainstays like heather grey, scarlet, and black & white. If you’re looking for a solid performer with a classic look, these may be for you.
Yet another well-priced and reliable shoe from Adidas, though we can’t help but worry about the integrity and lifespan of the foam midsoles.
- Nike’s proprietary Zoom L.E.A.P. system
- Several unique colorways
- Durable with solid ventilation
- Multidirectional Hexagonal herringbone outsole
- Questionable posite panel placement
Under Armour Men’s Clutchfit Drive Ii – Best Outdoor Court Basketball Shoes
If you play any sport, you’ve probably notice that Under Armour has quickly risen to the status of Nike and Adidas. Not surprisingly, the company carefully douses their products in plenty of recognizable logos, this one has twin side, top, and outsole stamps showing the sporting apparel company’s bold interlocking letter logo.
- Charged cushioning
- 3D molded tongue forms around your foot
- Full-length molded Micro G® sockliner
- Hard plastic heels dig into ankles
- No toe guard
NIKE Men’s LeBron XIII – Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes Under 100
This shoe boasts a showy hexagonal outsole with a webbed shank plate nestled in between. You’ll get explosive air off the two strategically placed strike zones. Plus, the lightweight heel makes it easier to land a jump and redistribute your weight.
The Nike Men’s LeBron XIII look a bit showy, but they offer the unmatched traction and comfort you need to take down your opponent game after game.
- Ultra lightweight Phylon midsoles
- Nike Flywire suspension system
- Impact resistant Hyperposite panels
- Runs Narrow
Nike Men’s LeBron Soldier IX – Best Basketball Shoes For Indoor And Outdoor
What stands out most on the Soldiers are the dual wraparound Velcro straps. Meanwhile, high-contrast colorways help the forefoot and ankle straps become a prominent feature. Then, their ability to bind and support the feet is what has us coming back for more.
If you struggle with arch issues, the wedged foam midsoles are here to help. Not only do they limit hyper-pronation, they help stabilize your feet stride after stride. Finally, while LeBron’s iconic crown logo may not lift your arch, protect your feet from impacts, or leverage your bounce, it looks sick.
- Mesh, vinyl, and Hyper
- Wedged foam midsoles
- Runs Narrow
- Velcro isn’t for everyone and adds time to lacing up
Reebok Men’s Royal – Best Basketball Shoes For Outdoor Use
In a world flooded with seasonal prints and celebrity collabs, it’s freeing to embrace a minimalist sneaker like the Royal. It also doesn’t hurt when removable Ortholite sockliners, cushioned midsoles, and padded ankles await your feet. Plus, they offer great lockdown.
If you’re a fan of keeping it simple on the blacktop, these kicks are for you. For fans of retro Reeboks, there a cleaner take on Pumps, which were made famous through Dominique Wilkins’s short-lived commercial saga.
- Bold solid black and white colorways
- Orthopedic sockliners
- Narrow
- Sized small (Recommended to buy a 1/2 size up)
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes – Buyer’s Guide
Basketball shoes can be expensive, but if you’re a serious player then make no question about the importance of investing in a solid pair of kicks. High-quality comfortable footwear helps protect your body from sustaining injuries. It also helps you fair the harsh environment of an outdoor court without inhibiting your natural range of movement.
From rigid ankle supports that help you avoid a painful sprain to grippy soles that prevent slips and falls. Best outdoor basketball shoes help players train properly, reach new heights (literally), and keep themselves from getting benched.
What’s more, basketball shoe companies have thoroughly embraced unique styles and colorways that give individual players a sense of confidence and attitude on and off the court. In a sport that requires minimal gear and quick footwork is a rite of passage, there’s no better way to show your affection for basketball than to invest in a solid pair of shoes.
Before you go out and buy your next pair of basketball shoes, carefully consider what you’re looking for and what you need. A solid pair of outdoor b-ball kicks needs to provide comfort, stability, and traction. They also need to be worthy of the demands of your chosen position, style of playing, and the right fit for your personal physique.
Durability
A solid outdoor basketball shoe needs to be durable enough to withstand the force of hard, unforgiving outdoor courts while utilizing materials that allow for ample ventilation. This requires manufacturers to bulk up the outsoles with heavy-duty rubber and chunky tread. With slightly heavier bottoms, reinforced high top collars and flywire systems give the foot the extra reinforcement it needs. Still, plan on carrying a little extra weight if you are an avid outdoor player.
Material and Design
Manufacturers are fairly consistent with their use of leather, mesh, and various proprietary synthetic textiles for their uppers. Traditional styles feature one-piece bootie designs. In this case, perforations or mesh patchwork serve as a way to regulate moisture and heat. Meanwhile, more modern forms tend to utilize stylistic patchwork panels that incorporate a wide range of choice materials.
Basketball shoes are known for their flashy colorways and over-the-top accessories. However, many seemingly ornamental embellishments have a purpose. Take, for example, the LeBron lace lockdown system or reinforced cable knit patterns. These features both serve to lock-in the foot to maximize jumps and strides. They also add to the aesthetic character of a shoe.
Traction and Sole
If you’re adamant about playing outdoors, there is no more important feature than the sole of your shoes. The rubber surface of outdoor b-ball shoes needs to be able to resist the hard, rigid source of concrete and outdoor synthetic courts. Plus, unlike the smooth hardwood floors of indoor courts, outdoor courts are likely to have a quite a good deal of surface debris, such as rocks, dust, and grime. Therefore, the tread needs to be tight enough that it isn’t going to gather every little pebble and particle it comes in contact with.
What’s more, many players tend to wear specific parts of their sole down quicker than others. If you find yourself in this category, look for a shoe that has reinforced heels and/or the outsoles.
The outrigger, or part of the outsole that extends to the lateral side of the foot, helps establish good control on the court and optimizes directional changes. Think of this part of the shoe as a bumper system to keep you going in the right direction. It should be made out of solid rubber that won’t easily chip or disintegrate.
Another important but oftentimes overlooked aspect of the sole is the shank plate. While not all b-ball sneaks have an articulated shank plate, this is the area of the sole that extends between the toe and heel. It is usually slightly elevated, as it is employed in supporting the foot’s natural arch.
Backed by popular request, many manufacturers have incorporated reinforced TPU (thermoplastic urethane) metal, or titanium shank plates to satisfy their customers’ demands. A quality shank plate prevents the shoe from caving on itself and provides extra support where the foot needs it most.
Ventilation
We cannot overemphasize the importance of proper air and moisture ventilation in an outdoor sneaker. Not only is the foot going to build up exercise-induced moisture and heat, it is going to have to cope with the harsh outdoor elements. If you’re planning on playing in the summer or have dealt with issues such as fungus or athlete’s foot in the past, we’d highly recommend you opt for a shoe with mesh uppers or wide mesh ventilation panels rather than small eyelets.
Cushion and Support
Whether you’re an advocate for Nike Zoom Airs or Adidas Boosts, modern ingenuity has brought us an abundance of cushion systems that offer incredible energy return, support, and durability. While we won’t go into specifics, most of these cushioning systems utilize condensed lightweight foam that is injected into some sort of carrier system.
When put to the test, these cushions should soak up the stress of impact to protect specific pressure points, such as the heel and toes. They are often the reason for those extra chunky high-rise soles that are commonplace in most basketball shoes. If you are looking for an extra bouncy shoe that is going to eliminate harsh impacts, you need one that has strategic cushions and quality lightweight midsoles.
Lightweight foam midsoles are the pillow-like shock absorbers that are sandwiched between the outsoles and your feet. Common materials for midsoles include Phylon and EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) foam. Most companies have developed an exclusive blend of foam and given it a brand name of its own. For example, Nike has Lunar and Adidas has boost.
Final Thoughts
Before you take to the courts, you’ll want to make sure you’ve landed yourself one of the best outdoor basketball shoes. The right shoe will give you an on-court advantage, helping you to maximize your movements and protecting your most valuable assets the whole game through.
Thick rubber soles, grippy herringbone treads, foam cushions, and breathable uppers are just a few of the major features you’ll want to consider before making a purchase. Take a look at our reviews for some of the best outdoor basketball shoes on market and find a hot pair that will help you sore to new heights.
After delving through the article, I found a couple of things that are worth attention. First of all, I do particularly appreciate that it’s possible to look up some of the best outdoor basketball shoes on Amazon and see the price range beforehand. Secondly, I am inclined to value the pros/cons division of every type of shoes as it objectively gives a bright outlook. Finally, it’s valuable that the author attached pictures of the shoes themselves, thereby making it easier for me to make a final and justified judgment call.
I am not a professional player. But I have long been following the changes in the style of sports shoes. The first sneakers on high soles became my favorites. They brought me many victories in games. In my opinion, new improvements in basketball shoes make them worse. The leg is not so mobile in high tops. That’s why I get tired faster when I play. Maybe I’m old-fashioned. I do not want to impose my opinion on anyone. It would be interesting to know: what blog readers think about this issue?
I am honestly shocked to see Reebok on top 10 best outdoor basketball shoes. I have those shoes and while the Royals are great, they have flaws when you play on outdoor courts. I ended up getting the Adidas Performance D Rose 7 ones and they are by far more comfortable and flexible for playing basketball outdoors. Great reviews!
The Nike Men’s Air Jordan 1 is the best outdoor basketball shoe. I wish I could just go out and buy them right now but they are definitely not in my budget.
I am in love with the simplicity and sleekness of the Adidas Cloudfoam Ilation Mid. It is the best outdoor basketball shoes for me. Do they sell them instore or are they only online?
No surprise to see Nike and Adidas coming out on top here! Always been a fan of both brands. I am going to decide between the top 4 – Nike Men’s KD 8 – best budget outdoor basketball shoes. My brother and some of our friends are starting an outdoor league soon so I want to get a new pair of shoes to be at the top of my game. Thanks for the list and information.
I never thought I would be shopping around for basketball shows at the age of 48 but here I am! I managed to lost a lot of weight and I am in the best shape of my life now. My doctor recommended taking up a sport to continue to stay in shape and since I always loved watching basketball, I decided to go with that. There will be a local adult league starting up soon so I will be joining that. I just needed help finding the best outdoor basketball shoes. The Adidas Performance Isolation 2 shoes sound perfect for me!
My wife decided to get a puppy for our daughter’s 8th birthday last month. Oh, what a treat it has been. He destroyed my only pair of basketball shoes I liked that didn’t bother my feet. I have been looking online for days trying to find a good pair that will support me while playing in or outdoors. Thanks a million for the information and the feedback on these shoes. Making it a lot easier for me to narrow a pair down and find the best outdoor basketball shoes.