Basketball isn’t just about what you do on the court. As we’ve learned from the greats like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James, the work starts off the court. But you can’t just train for training’s sake. There has to be intention and planning incorporated with it. If not, you risk underdeveloping the correct muscle groups and increasing the likelihood of serious injury. Part of staying healthy is making sure you do plenty of off-court training. With that in mind, these are the Best Basketball Training Shoes currently available.
Basketball training usually includes a lot of plyometrics and dynamic movements. And some workouts even mimic moves you’d make in games. With that in mind, you want a shoe that’s stable for lateral and explosive moves, some extra cushion for impact protection, and at the same time allows you to lift weights effectively. The shoes listed here are versatile enough for both types of training, which is a rarer combination than you’d think.
At WearTesters, we test hundreds of sneakers each year. To put together this list, we found outstanding basketball training performers that can offer a little bit of everything. We chose shoes that cushion jumps and sprints, can grip the floor like no one’s business, and remain stable throughout all workouts. Basketball training is no easy task for one shoe, but we think you’ll enjoy our picks for the best basketball training shoes.
Categories are used below so you can easily find what’s important to you. If you know what you need, you can simply click the category link. If not, feel free to browse the whole list.
Updated: 05.25.2023
Best Basketball Training Shoes
Best Basketball Training Shoes
Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3
The Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3 was made specifically for HIIT (high-intensity interval training), though you can use it for much more. The Zoom Air pods are perfect for jumping and plyometrics because they provide bounce and impact protection. You can also run on the treadmill in these with no issues, but be sure to get a feel for the arch support as it won’t be enough for some people. The foam midsole is plush and comfortable, so even walking to and from the gym in these is a treat. See the full review. Price: $120
Nike Metcon Turbo 2
The Nike Metcon Turbo 2 feels like the cross training shoe version of the Nike GT Cut 2. The main reason for this is the drop-in React midsole with a built-in forefoot Zoom Air unit. It does a great job of protecting against impact and keeping your legs and feet fresher for longer. The broad, stable base also helps when doing explosive exercises for basketball training. Adding to all that, the traction is top-notch. The Metcon Turbo 2 grips well, which will pay dividends during the agility drills and side-to-side movements key to basketball success. Read the full review. Price: $150
Under Armour Project Rock 5
The Under Armour Project Rock 5 is a cross training shoe that’s durable and solid, kinda like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. You can beat these up in the weight room, on turf, or in a CrossFit box and they’ll easily handle the load.
The last is wider than most, so wide-footers will find the fit enjoyable. It’s not a great setup for running so stick to short sprints when you do run. But the TriBase outsole technology that makes running clunky also keeps you stable while you push big weights and post big PRs. Looks-wise, the Project Rock 5 is one of the better-looking cross-training shoes on the market…and likely the best-looking Rock shoe to date. See the full review. Price: $150
Under Armour HOVR Rise 4
The Under Armour HOVR Rise 4 is well set up for basketball training. The HOVR midsole cushion does an excellent job of combining comfort and stability (plus impact protection for plyometrics). What contributes most to the stability, however, is the TriBase tech built into the outsole. Your feet are always planted and steady during functional movements. The outsole is also durable and grippy on all surfaces, indoors and outdoors. The Rise 4 is a do-everything cross trainer that’ll help get you ready for the upcoming basketball season. See the full review. Price: $110
adidas Mahomes 1 Impact FLX
The adidas Mahomes 1 Impact FLX is Patrick Mahomes’ first signature shoe with adidas, and it’s a banger. The midsole is comprised of their propriety EVA foam with caged Boost. The outsole is reminiscent of Feet You Wear, which ensures that your feet move naturally and without hindrance, unlike other training shoes that may be too stiff for explosive and dynamic movements. There’s also a torsional support system for additional peace of mind while training. See the full review. Price: $130
GORUCK Ballistic Trainer
The GORUCK Ballistic Trainer may not stand out visually but never judge a book by its cover or a shoe by its picture. The upper uses a ballistic Cordura mesh which is soft and flexible. The Ballistic Trainer features Gradient Density EVA foam for the cushion, which means the shoe is more cushioned in the forefoot to accommodate jumping, running, and explosive movements. At the same time, the heel is more dense and stiff, a stable platform while lifting. The traction is also a highlight. The outsole uses three different rubbers. Remember that the GORUCK Ballistic Trainer fits longer than other training shoes, so make sure to go down half a size. Read the full review. Price: $125
Best Basketball Shoes for Training
Nike Kyrie Low 5
The Nike Kyrie Low 5 is aesthetically very similar to the flagship Kyrie 8 (Infinity), but the shoe is quite different in performance features. The main difference is in the cushioning. The Kyrie 8 is plush while the Kyrie Low 5 is more low profile and responsive. This means the Kyrie Low 5 can handle off-court training drills just as well as on-court drills. The Zoom Air unit in the forefoot does provide some impact protection but doesn’t make the forefoot too cushy, so the Kyrie Low 5 can even be used to lift weights without any instability. See the full review. Price: $110
Li-Ning Wade 808 2
The Li-Ning Wade 808 2 brings back a technology we all loved: drop-in midsoles. They were most popular on various Nike Kobe models, the Nike LeBron 11, and the Harden Vol 5. The drop-in for this pair is pure Cloud foam which is plush and comfortable. You can also exchange it for the BOOM drop-in from the Li-Ning Wade 808 2 Ultra. The upper is lightweight and extremely breathable. It’s awesome when you can customize the cushion to your preferences. One of the best Li-Ning Basketball Shoes. See the full review. Price: $119 $109
Jordan Luka 1
The Jordan Luka 1 was highly rated by our team, and that’s saying a lot. Luka Doncic and the Jordan design team did well on this one. Jordan Brand used the Luka 1 to introduce its newest foam: Formula 23. Right off the bat, you’ll feel how comfortable it is underfoot. Support is an obvious priority with the IsoPlate system acting as torsional support while really beefing up lateral support for extra support on stepbacks and defensive slides. And at $110 ($120 for the special editions), you get a lot of performance for the money. Read the full review. Price: $110
Bonus: Best Volleyball Shoes for Training
Mizuno Wave Momentum 2
Mizuno is probably the most popular volleyball shoe company and they know what they’re doing. With the Wave Momentum 2, Mizuno combines their signature Wave Plate technology with an improved cushioning setup and better materials. The stability and fit are versatile enough for off-court training. If you only buy one shoe for volleyball training and playing, look no further. See the full review. Price: $160
Thinking of a shoe we should add to the best basketball training shoes list? We’d also like to hear your thoughts on this list and see your best basketball training shoe shoes list in the comments. Comment below or message us on Instagram or Twitter.
