10 Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2020 [Buying Guide]

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Heather
Patton

Jennifer
Trimbee

Samantha
Dewitt

How to Choose the Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes

Whether you’re outside in the schoolyard, down at the local park, or even right outside in your own driveway, playing basketball outdoors is often times the first time you get exposed to the game. To help make the experience as great as possible, the right pair of shoes is essential. Whether you’re looking for a high-end option or some cheap outdoor basketball shoes, we got your covered. First, let’s take a quick look at some of the key features you should consider.

Material: There are a few different options when it comes to material. Mesh is a little more pliable and allows your foot to breathe a little more. Leather (or faux leather) is usually a little stiffer and can provide a bit more support.

Rubber Sole: Rubber soles are designed to respond to the quick motions and fast response times that are so important when playing basketball. There are synthetics that perform just as well and can be a little more durable.

Gender: We found great options for both men and women. Keep in mind, though, as long as you get the size right, there’s no reason why you can wear whatever shoe has what you need, regardless of gender.

Color Options: You really will find a bit of everything here. We found simple, plain designs in neutral colors like black, gray, and white as well as bright, colorful options that will bring you a bit of extra attention on the court.

Weight: Lightweight shoes are designed to help you move quicker and respond faster because they don’t bog you down in any way. Most athletic shoes are designed to be really lightweight, especially those meant for playing basketball.

Age: We know that playing basketball outdoors is not just something that grown-ups do so we included some great options for kids in our reviews, too. Perfect for gym class or just shooting some hoops in the driveway after dinner.

Top 10 Products

Now that you know a little more about the key things to look for, let’s move into our outdoor basketball shoes review. If you’re in a hurry, check out our top and budget picks first. This will really give you a good idea of the range that’s available and we made them easy to find, they’re the first 2 items on our list. Stick around if you can, though, there’s a wide range of options available. Alright, let’s get started!

NIKE Air Jordan XXXI Basketball Shoes

The Air Jordan XXXI Basketball shoes are not only our top pick, but they’re also the best Nike outdoor basketball shoes available. The synthetic and mesh upper is lightweight and airy to keep the weight of the shoe down and to keep your feet cool, even when playing on hot asphalt. This high-top design also uses Flywire cables up the front of the foot to keep everything locked in place, even during aggressive play. These shoes also feature a rubber outsole that uses FlightSpeed technology which evenly distributes the force of your foot over the entire sole which provides an impressive spring-back response. That’s not all, there’s even an inner sleeve that wraps around your foot and foam pads in the heel for a customized, comfortable, and cushioned fit.

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adidas Cloudfoam Ilation Basketball Shoe

Our pick for best cheap outdoor basketball shoes is the Cloudfoam Ilation from Adidas. The leather upper helps to lock down your feet while the air holes and fabric accents let them breathe a little. They have a matte finish that looks really unique and is easy to keep clean. Inside, the air mesh tongue and collar provide ankle support while the Cloudfoam sockliner and midsole give you just the right amount of lightweight cushioning for playing on hard outdoor surfaces. That’s not all, they also feature a memory foam footbed that perfectly contours to the shape of your foot. The grippy rubber outsole helps you keep your footing on just about any surface. This shoe is available in 5 different color combinations, each featuring the iconic 3-stripe logo on the sides.

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adidas Performance Basketball Shoe

Up next is another great pair of Adidas outdoor basketball shoes which are actually called the Performance Crazy Explosive basketball shoe. To understand how they got their name, you have to look at the cushioning. Inside, they use a full-length energy-returning boost that is designed to help add lift to your jump shots. The upper is made of textile and XENO, a material exclusive to Adidas that has an iridescent effect when in direct light. They have a colorful striped design that looks amazing on the court. The upgraded lacing system helps your foot stay stable without using too much pressure which can cause discomfort. Plus, the laces are tougher and have a reduced chance of breaking. These shoes are available in 7 different color options, each with the same eye-catching striped design.

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Jordan True Flight Basketball Shoe

If you want a great pair of basketball shoes, it can’t hurt to get one named after the best. The Jordan True Flight basketball shoe has a leather and Durabuk upper provide ankle support while still allowing air to get it for effective breathability. That’s not all, there’s also a Neoprene Dynamic Fit inner sleeve that keeps your foot locked in place and a Phylon midsole with a full-length Air-Sole for soft, supportive cushioning no matter how hard your landing. The rubber outsole features a grippy traction pattern that helps you maintain your footing on multiple surfaces. This is a unique looking shoe that manages to look modern and have a retro feel at the same time. It comes in classic Jordan colors, black with red accents, and features the recognizable logo right on the ankle.

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Under Armour Clutchfit Shoes

Under Armour Clutchfit Shoes are another pair of good outdoor basketball shoes that are surprisingly affordable. The best thing about them is also the feature that gave them their name. Clutchfit technology wraps your foot and provides lightweight, comfortable support. That’s not all, the 3D molded tongue also forms to your foot as you wear the shoe for amazing comfort and a customized fit. Inside, a full-length molded sockliner adds cushioning and helps to lock your foot in place. The midsole was designed to absorb impact and speed up response time while the multi-directional rubber outsole provides control on any court. One of the things that stands out about this shoe is just how many color options you have. With 20 different styles available, you’ll definitely be able to find one that suits your style.

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Hawkwell Outdoor Basketball Shoes

A great pair of outdoor basketball shoes for kids are these shoes from Hawkwell. They feature a man-made upper and a synthetic sole that each provide long-lasting support. The padded collar and textile lining provide support and comfort and the forefoot perforations help your child’s foot breathe. A midfoot shank adds even more support and helps with stability and torsional rigidity to keep the foot and ankle supported even during quick responses. This mid-top design is easy to get on and they stay on, even for young children who don’t like to wear shoes, period. They’re available in 6 different color combinations, including some subdued black and gray options as well as bright, kid-friendly combinations. They’re available in both little kid and big kid sizes, though they do run a little small so check the size carefully.

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Under Armour Jet Basketball Shoe

Another pair of durable outdoor basketball shoes for kids are the Under Armour Jet Basketball Shoe. They’re made of high-quality materials with a leather upper and real rubber sole. The upper feature quarter panels that were designed for both support and breathability to lock the foot in place while also keeping it comfortable. Perforations and a mesh tongue also help with ventilation. The one-piece rubber outsole features a grippy herringbone pattern that provides traction and control on any playing surface. That’s not all, there’s also a lightweight EVA midsole for comfort and support that also features an anti-microbial top cloth to minimize bacterial growth which in turn helps eliminate bad foot odor. These shoes are available in both little and big kid sizes through the color options are different depending on the size.

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Fila Torranado Basketball Shoe

The Fila Torranado are our next pair of top outdoor basketball shoes. If you’re looking for something distinctive, they’re definitely worth a second look. The high-ankle design provides a lot of support and stability while you’re on the court. Inside, the padded collar, cushioned footbed, heel counter, and mesh tongue help keep your foot locked in place while providing excellent comfort and support. One of the most distinctive things about this shoe is the sole. Not only is it made of rubber for increased traction and durability, but it’s also the thing that gives the shoe its character. The thick, diamond-shaped design really makes this shoe stand out. That’s not all, it’s also available in 5 different color combinations that include subdued gray and black designs as well as bright yellow and electric blue.

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Nike Hyperdunk Basketball Shoe

A good choice for Nike outdoor basketball shoes for women are the Hyperdunks. The upper is made of engineered, woven jacquard that’s lightweight, durable, and really lets your foot breath, even when playing outside in the hot summer sun. These shoes have a half-bootie design with Flywire cables that securely lock down your foot so they don’t shift around while you’re making quick moves on the court but they’re also really easy to slip off and on. That’s not all, there’s also a rubber outsole that provides multidirectional traction on any surface. Inside are Zoom Air units that provide responsive cushioning that helps deliver fast rebounds. These shoes are available in 4 different color options: red, purple, white, and black. Each color features the recognizable Nike Swoosh logo in metallic silver for an eye-catching accent.

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Nike Kyrie 3 Basketball Sneakers

Our last pick for men’s outdoor basketball shoes is the Nike Kyrie 3. The synthetic textile upper features a forefoot band with Flywire cables to help lock your foot in place with a supportive and custom fit. Inside, the Zoom Air heel and independent suspension pods provide quick responses to all of your movements on the court. This shoe was actually designed so there isn’t a lot of movement or slipping inside the shoe so that you don’t waste any energy. The rubber sole has a herringbone pattern for excellent traction on any playing surface. This shoe not only performs well, but it also looks really awesome, too. There are a lot of color options available, everything from basic black or red to multicolored designs to plain white designs accented with pops of color.

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About the Author

Jennifer Trimbee

Expert Researcher and Writer

Jennifer Trimbee, a lead researcher and writer at GeekWrapped, is an expert writer with many years of experience. Jennifer writes about technology, sports, outdoor, and gear products.

Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes

Top 10 Buying Guide

Our Recommendations

NIKE Air Jordan XXXI Basketball Shoes

adidas Cloudfoam Ilation Basketball Shoe

How to Choose the Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes

Top 10 Products

NIKE Air Jordan XXXI Basketball Shoes

adidas Cloudfoam Ilation Basketball Shoe

adidas Performance Basketball Shoe

Jordan True Flight Basketball Shoe

Under Armour Clutchfit Shoes

Hawkwell Outdoor Basketball Shoes

Under Armour Jet Basketball Shoe

Fila Torranado Basketball Shoe

Nike Hyperdunk Basketball Shoe

Nike Kyrie 3 Basketball Sneakers

About the Author

TOP PICK

NIKE Air Jordan XXXI Basketball Shoes