Most people across the globe play basketball primarily outdoors, but, a lot of those people head out onto the blacktop in their regular hoop shoes and end up tearing them to shreds. There are often big differences between shoes that are well-suited for indoor basketball and a good pair of outdoor basketball shoes.
It’s important to understand how to find shoes meant for outdoor play so you don’t throw away your hard-earned money on shoes that lack durability or don’t have enough cushion to spare your joints from a beating. I you are just looking for the best all-around basketball shoe, you can check out that list as well.
Last updated 06.01.2023
10+ Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes Show
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2023 Overall
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoe 2023
Way of Wade Son of Flash
The Way of Wade Son of Flash is an easy pick on our best outdoor basketball shoes page because it is one of the few shoes on the market today built specifically for outdoor, and out of those models, it is easily the best. With the Way of Wade Son of Flash, you get beastly and resilient traction, very nice and reactive cushioning, and a well-built layered upper that is built to do battle outdoors for hours on end. Read full review. Price: $120
Nike KD 15
The Nike KD 15 is a great outdoor option, especially if you get the EP version (usually available in Asian markets) with the extra-durable rubber (XDR). The KD 15’s cushioning set-up features cushlon is used as the primary foam carrier and on top of that is the full-length Nike Zoom Air Strobel unit to provide impact protection and bounce under your feet and just may be the best cushioning setup ever for outdoor use. It’s a combo that makes hours of outdoor hooping much more manageable. See the full review. Price: $150
Nike Air Max Impact 4
The Nike Air Max Impact 4 was a big surprise. Easily the best budget model on the market today. The shoe’s support is also a stand-out feature with two outriggers that make sure your foot is secure during play. The cushion setup and the shoe’s traction are the shoe’s best features. They are incredibly soft and comfortable and have a very durable rubber outsole with an aggressive herringbone traction pattern. There’s really no other shoe under $100 that performs this well, both indoors and outdoors. Read the full review. Price: $90
Jordan Zion 2
The Jordan Zion 2 is a very solid performance basketball shoe. It comes after a not-so-stellar performance from the Jordan Zion 1. This time around, with a different cushioning setup that offers a ton of impact protection, and upgraded traction, the performance is way better. The traction, in particular, shines in the Jordan Zion 2 as it grips the floor like nobody’s business after just a short break-in period, and is sufficiently robust to hold up well outdoors. Read the full review. Price: $120
New Balance TWO WXY V3
The New Balance TWO WXY V3 is an upgrade from the last version and is even better than their flagship model for the Klaw. The traction is fantastic, and the cushion which is provided by FuelCell and Abzorb DRS works well for most positions. The FitWeave upper is comfortable and moves well with your feet. A very solid outdoor offering from New Balance. Read the full review. Price: $120
Puma Court Rider 2
The Puma Court Rider 2 is a great outdoor basketball shoe thanks to its durable and grippy traction pattern, its responsive and dense cushioning set-up, and its excellent build and budget materials. Puma has been doing a great job with their basketball shoes, and these are their best outdoor basketball shoes. Read the full review. Price: $110
adidas Dame Certified
The adidas Dame Certified is Damian Lillard’s budget model for the year, a very solid performance basketball shoe. The shoe features full-length Bounce cushioning which is on the reactive side, great durable traction, and a highly functional upper built with nice cheap layered materials. That durable outsole and the well-built upper make this shoe a good outdoor option. The one drawback for outdoor play is the cushioning which is good but reactive. read the full review. Price: $95
Air Jordan 36
The Air Jordan 36 is the latest flagship model of the Jordan Brand and it doesn’t disappoint. Unlike its predecessor, the Air Jordan 35, this model actually has some nice deep grooves. It isn’t anything crazy, but it will last longer. If you get the XDR version, all the better. The cushion is also a plus with a full-length Zoom Air strobel and an additional forefoot Zoom unit. Don’t be fooled by the upper material made up of leno weave as it’s a lot more durable than it looks. Support is enhanced by the Eclipse Plate. See the full review. Price: $185
adidas Dame 8
The adidas Dame 8 is the latest in the signature line of the brand and it packs a punch, albeit a balanced one. You definitely won’t feel like you’re jumping out of the gym with the Bounce Pro setup but you won’t feel like you’re walking on bricks either. It’s just right. The traction is also durable enough, especially the solid rubber sections. The materials are durable where they need to be and breathable where they need to be. Some may look at it and say that it looks basic, but we think it’s one of the best out there. Plus, the price isn’t out of reach. See the full review. Price: $120
adidas DON Issue 4
The adidas DON Issue 4 is a good shoe for those who love stability. The cushion is definitely more reactive than plush, making it stable; a substantial shank plate and a broad base contribute to its overall feel. The traction performed well on outdoor settings despite it being mostly translucent rubber. The upper is Jacquard, that’s both light and durable. Going true to size is recommended. See the full review. Price: $120
Nike LeBron Witness 7
The Nike LeBron Witness 7 packs a ton of cushioning for just $115 which is one of the main things we look for in a good outdoor basketball shoe. On top of that you get an aggressive and durable outsole. A good outdoor option. Read the full review. Price: $115
Nike KD 14
The Nike KD 14 is great for outdoor courts for a lot of reasons. First, and most importantly, the cushion set up is ideal to protect your joints against the impact of the blacktop. The full-length Zoom Air strobel in conjunction with the soft, plush Cushlon are more than enough and comfortable. If you get leg soreness playing outdoors, these should help immensely. The rubber compound may not be insanely firm, but there’s a lot of tread to go through, so it should last you a while. Plus, the grip is fantastic. As with any shoe, make sure you get your right size. See the full review. Price: $150
Nike KD Trey 5 X
The Nike KD Trey 5 X is Kevin Durant’s latest budget signature model that takes cues from his flagship, in this case the Nike KD 14. The biggest and most welcome surprise is the cushion. The foam midsole is React, and a rectangular forefoot Zoom Air unit is in the forefoot, similar to the Nike Kyrie Low 5. It provides impact protection without making you sink into the midsole, thus making it a viable outdoor option. Read the full review. Price: $100
Adidas Son of Chi 2
The adidas Son of Chi 2 may end up as the best adidas basketball shoe of 2022. The traction is a big highlight. Even with translucent rubber, the shoe gripped all floors well. It’s also durable and will last longer outdoors than most rubber outsoles today. The midsole is full-length Bounce, providing the impact protection needed for long hours on outdoor courts. Everything aspect is well-balanced and functional. Read the full review. Price: TBA
Li-Ning Sonic Team Low
The Li-Ning Sonic Team Low is an outdoor basketball hooper’s dream shoe, especially if you’re a point guard. The outsole is made of what they call “Tuff RB” for tough rubber. And did it ever stick to that name. The shoe can hold up not only hours upon hours but also months of outdoor play. The grip was never inconsistent and just looked dirty after all the hours put in it. The midsole is Light Foam, which does a good enough job of protecting you from impact, but it’s still neutral and low to the ground. See the full review. Price: TBA
Best Budget Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2023
Check out our full overall best budget shoes list here.
Nike Air Max Impact 4
The Nike Air Max Impact 4 is one of the cheapest Nike basketball shoes out there, but don’t be fooled by the price. The Nike Air Max Impact 4 boats have excellent cushioning, traction, and fit. Materials are on the cheap side, but they are functional, breathable, and lightweight, and they help maintain the shoe inexpensive. These are the best budget basketball shoe out there, a great overall basketball shoe, and one of the best outdoor options you can pick up. See the full review. Price: $90
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes for Wide Feet 2023
Check out our full list of the best basketball shoes for wide footers overall here.
Way of Wade All City 10 V2
The Way of Wade All City 10 V2 offers top-notch cushioning, excellent traction, and great fit. On top of all of that, they have an accommodating forefoot, with an adjustable strap which makes it a good option for wide footers. See the full review. Price: $149
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes for Flat Feet 2023
Check out our full list of the best basketball shoes for flat feet overall here.
Anta Shock the Game 5.0
The Anta Shock the Game 5.0 looks to be a mix of the old and the new. Which is great because older sneakers tend to be more durable. The old part comes with all the overlays and even a vent on the upper. The newness comes from the cushion, which is the brand’s very bouncy and plush A-Flash Edge foam. They added a stabilizer so you don’t roll your ankle and get injured. Even with all the thick overlays, the main build is still textile mesh which means it will be comfortable and flexible. See the full review. Price: $100
Most Comfortable Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2023
Check out our full list of the most comfortable basketball shoes overall here.
Nike KD 15
Of all the best outdoor basketball shoes, the Nike KD 15 is easily the most comfortable among them. The full-length Zoom Air strobel plus the Cushlon midsole is hard to beat. The KD 15 is so good all around that it’s one of our top overall picks for the year. See the full review. Price: $150
Best High Top Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2023
Check out our full list of the best high-top basketball shoes overall here.
Air Jordan 36
If you are into high tops and are looking for a great outdoor basketball shoe, the Air Jordan 36 is the shoe for you. The shoe is an awesome on-court performer, whether it be indoor or outdoor, and it’s higher cut makes it a must if you don’t trust low-tops. See the full review. Price: $185
Best Low Top Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2023
Check out our full list of the best low-top basketball shoes overall here.
Nike KD 15
The Nike KD 15 is the best outdoor basketball shoe out there and it just happens to be a low-top basketball shoe. See the full review. Price: $150
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes for Ankle Support 2023
Check out our full list of the best basketball shoes for ankle support overall here.
New Balance TWO WXY V3
The New Balance TWO WXY V3 is a great outdoor basketball option, but easily their best attribute is support and stability. Read the full review. Price: $120
Best Traction Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2023
Check out our full list of the best basketball shoes in terms of traction overall here.
Li-Ning Sonic Team Low
The Li-Ning Sonic Team Low has an outdoor traction that can only be described as beastly. You’ll be able to wear these consecutively for months and not burn through the rubber immediately. It’s grip is also without question. If you want a shoe that will both last long and perform well outdoors, this is it. See the full review. Price: TBA
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes for Jumping 2023
Check out our full list of the best shoes for jumping overall here.
Way of Wade All City 10 V2
The Way of Wade All City 10 V2 has some thick grooves combined with durable rubber. But this isn’t the reason why it’s the best for jumping outdoors. The three-quarters length BOOM cushioning in the midsole is the one to thank for it being featured in this section. It provides a lot of impact protection without sacrificing weight. See the full review. Price: $149
Best Value Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2023
Check out our full list of the best value basketball shoes overall here.
Nike Air Max Impact 4
The Nike Air Max Impact 4 is the definition of a great bang for you buck basketball shoe. After the successful stint of its previous iteration, the Air Max Impact 4 gives us a worthy successor. You get a great cushioning set-up with from the combination of the Phylon midsole and heel Air Max unit and durable and grippy traction from the outsole. The support features are likewise robust for a shoe at this price. See the full review. Price: $90
Best Retro Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2023
Air Jordan 12 Playoff 2022
The Air Jordan 12 Playoff 2022 is one the best retro Air Jordans for basketball and just one of the best retro basketball shoes out there period. They have very durable materials with an all-leather upper. It will get scuffed and all, but it won’t rip like knits and meshes. The cushion is full-length Zoom Air, which was not seen again in the main Air Jordan line until the Air Jordan 18. The rubber outsole is extremely thick and durable and will grip any surface, much like most of the shoes from that era. There’s little to complain about here. See the full review. Price: $200
How to Choose an Outdoor Basketball Shoe
Admittedly, there are a lot of things to consider when choosing an outdoor basketball shoe. We have a full article on how to choose the perfect outdoor basketball shoe for you, but here are a few quick tips that will help you quickly distinguish a good outdoor basketball shoe:
- First, let’s talk traction and rubber. Will it grip the surface well? Will it last long enough? Preferably, you want to find a shoe with a tough rubber sole that has its traction pattern recessed into the outsole a bit.
- You also have to think about cushioning. Playing on concrete for hours on end is a lot to handle for your joints. Shoes with more cushioning will be better suited for outdoor hoops.
- You will also want a shoe with durable materials along the upper.
- And, lastly, there’s the price of the shoe. No matter how well-built a shoe is, it will break down quicker when playing outdoors. You probably don’t want to wear (and trash) a $200 pair of shoes outdoors.
Outdoor Basketball vs Indoor Basketball
The main difference that affects your footwear for indoor basketball and outdoor basketball is the court itself. There are other differences like court size, types of rims, and even rules of the game that can vary greatly, but none of those directly impacts your shoes.
Outdoor basketball courts can have very different finishes going from the more abrasive, sandpaper-like courts, to the sleekest, concrete-style ones. This is why the rubber compound of the sole and the traction pattern are so important. The rubber compound needs to bite the court surface while not wearing down too quickly.
Whereas the surface texture is different, all outdoor basketball courts lack impact-absorbent floors like we get indoors with parquet wood floors. Whether the floors are plastic, concrete, or asphalt you know that it’s going to be less forgiving than an indoor court.
Abrasive courts will chew through your shoe’s outsole and upper and these harder surfaces don’t absorb any of the impacts when you jump, change directions, or start sprinting. Your ankles and knees end up absorbing the majority of those impacts. That’s why cushioning is an important feature to take into consideration when choosing a good outdoor basketball shoe.
There’s no question that it’s hard to find a shoe that checks all the boxes. Because of this, and because we end up testing hundreds of basketball shoes every year, we at WearTesters have compiled a list that highlights the best outdoor basketball shoes you can buy today.
