Basketball can be an incredibly good way to stay in shape, have a ton of fun, and connect with a group of friends. However, if you play basketball without proper shoes, then you are risking serious injury.
It may sound overexaggerated, but without proper shock-absorbing shoes, you can seriously damage your knees and ankles when playing even semi-competitive basketball.
To help mitigate the risk of damage to your legs, you need to invest in some good basketball shoes that will absorb the shock created by playing. In this article, we are going to look at the best outdoor basketball shoes. If you want us to recommend you a pair, we would say to go for the Nike Jordan Zion 1 Bloodline.
A Spotlight On Some of The Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2022:
Outdoor Basketball Shoe Reviews
Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro Vi
For the first review on our best outdoor basketball shoes list, we are going to be taking a look at a shoe from one of the kings of basketball shoes, Nike. It wouldn’t be a basketball shoe list without at least a few entries from Nike.
They are the favorite shoe of many NBA players for a good reason after all. In this case, we are looking at one of Nike’s less popular and more affordable shoes in the form of the Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro Vi.
We will look at some higher-end options from them later on in the review list, but for the moment, we wanted to review a more affordable option that still keeps that signature Nike quality.
In terms of heel and sole support, the Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro Vi is equipped with a few different features to help in this area. For example, the shoe has a very nice rubber sole that really does a good job of not only providing support but also providing that very crucial shock absorption that you are going to hear quite a lot about during the course of this article.
Are there shoes out there with even better support? Sure, in fact, some of them are on this list. But, this entry from Nike is no slouch in this regard either, so it deserves some recognition.
When looking for the perfect pair of basketball sneakers, an online search can be a great way to save time and money. There are plenty of resources such as this website where you can find a wide selection of brands and models similar to Nike, often at discounted prices.
Search for basketball sneakers with outsoles made of rubber, which offer flexibility and better traction on the court. Additionally, read reviews and get feedback from other players who have purchased the same kicks.
Doing your research will go a long way in helping you find the right basketball sneakers that match your style and budget.
Something that is really notable about this shoe is its weight. This is an exceptionally lightweight shoe. How heavy a particular shoe is isn’t exactly something that one thinks about a lot, but it can be very important when picking a basketball shoe (for reasons that we will talk about later on in our buying guide).
A light shoe like the Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro Vi can be great for playing basketball, or any other kind of sport for that matter, because it takes less energy and less effort to move with the shoes on, which is obviously quite helpful when playing ball.
The only real issue that we can bring up regarding the Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro Vi is that it could use a bit more ankle support. It is pretty good in this department as is, but if it were a high-top shoe, it would obviously offer a bit more support.
If you want the absolute most ankle support possible, then you may want to look for one of the high-top options in our best outdoor basketball shoes article.
PUMA Mens Rs-Dreamer Basketball Sneakers Shoes Casual
- Fully knitted upper with suede overlays
- Lace up closure
- RS foam cushioning
- ProFoam midsole
- Full sticky rubber outsole with engineered traction points
With the RS Dreamer, PUMA continues to use a high-quality rubber composition in its performance basketball footwear. This shoe’s traction was one of its best features, and it operated equally well inside and out.
In terms of performance, the feather-inspired design seems shaky, particularly on the lateral side, but on the court, they were excellent. They performed the same way on every surface I tried them on, which is an encouraging indicator of their consistency.
If you’ve participated in prior PUMA Hoops events, you should know what to anticipate from the shoe. It provides exceptional grip on most surfaces.
Most of the structure is comprised of textile mesh, while the minor sections are constructed from suede. As a result, the RS Dreamer has a nice balance of new and vintage features.
When you wear it, it has a 90s vibe, yet the cloth has a contemporary fit and feels to them. The shoes are ready to play right out of the box, except for the ankle collar, and there is no need to break them in.
The rubber’s durability should be sufficient for usage in the open air. Even though the padding lacked puncture resistance and was uncomfortable to wear, the setup was quick and had a good court feel.
The materials functioned well and had a pleasant appearance, especially considering how inexpensive they are. The fitting was excellent and gave the day a secure but comfortable feeling. They were somewhat too lengthy in the toe region. One of the shoe’s best features is its ability to provide excellent support.
The lateral containment and stability were rated as excellent by the reviewers. Overall, the RS Dreamer is a pretty nice performer and delightful to play in for its price point below $100.
Nike Jordan Men’s Shoes Jordan Zion 1 Bloodline DA3130-006
- Nike
- Mens Shoes
- Athletic Shoes
- Black/White/Bright Crimson
- Synthetic & Rubber
The top of this shoe is made with very thin mesh/synthetic material. Just stick your hand inside the shoe, blow on it, and feel the air entering. As a result, it’s safe to say they’d give first-rate ventilation as standard.
A thin setup also helps with the form-fitting aspect, and the Zion 1 suited me well from the beginning. Please be aware that the material does not have a high degree of flexibility. That’s why getting the appropriate size and a little more time spent fine-tuning the lacing system is the trick to getting a fit that works for you.
To avoid accidents, the Zion 1 has one of the most extensive lateral outriggers ever seen in a basketball shoe. On clean courts, the grip pattern is quite tacky, but on dirty courts, it attracts dust and requires frequent cleaning.
Soft foam, Air Strobel, and forefoot Zoom unit provide well-balanced cushioning. Even though it isn’t too springy, this shoe offers excellent impact protection and a comfortable ride from heel to toe.
The Zion 1 is a dust trap on indoor courts due to either a tight design, transparent rubber, or a mix of both. My feet were firmly planted on the ground with rage as they won my confidence to let them do their business while I concentrated on mine.
Overall, this product’s materials are cheaply made; they accomplish the job but don’t have a high-end aesthetic and tactile feel. All in all, this is a decent, inexpensive, and versatile signature shoe for all players.
AND 1 Men’s Chosen One Ii Sneaker
- Tactical EVA vamp mesh for durability & breathability
- Dual strap support system
- Full length injected EVA midsole
- Full length rubber outsole
- Full grain leather counter
While AND 1 isn’t quite as famous when it comes to shoes as say Nike or Adidas, their brand profile has risen a bit since they started working with up-and-coming NBA superstar Fred VanVleet. So, their shoes are a bit higher in status now, which is great since they make some pretty good (not to mention affordable) basketball shoes.
The shoe from them that we are going to be taking a look at is the AND 1 Men’s Chosen One Ii Sneaker. This is a surprisingly well-made basketball shoe that comes equipped with a ton of great features and that won’t bankrupt you, what more could you really want out of a pair of basketball shoes?
The shoes, despite being one of the most affordable options on our best outdoor basketball shoes list, are made from surprisingly high-quality materials. The AND 1 Men’s Chosen One Ii Sneaker is actually made from imported leather that is tough and comfortable. It makes for a really good base for the shoe.
Also used in the shoe is a very helpful mesh material that is great for letting air circulate throughout the shoe. As we have said in countless other reviews, this is great for helping to keep your feet comfortable during long games.
Something that we always talk about in these reviews is how well a particular shoe does when it comes to providing support for your feet. As always, you want to make sure that your basketball shoes provide that crucial shock absorption.
The AND 1 Men’s Chosen One Ii Sneaker does a pretty good job in this regard. The shoe has a nice rubber sole and a dual-strap system to provide even more stability and support.
Adidas Men’s Ownthegame Wide Basketball Shoe
- Wide fit, Mid cut
- Lace closure
- Mesh upper with coated synthetic leather zones
- Durable Adiwear outsole, Textile lining, Heel pull
For the final review on our list, we are going to be taking a look at a basketball shoe from one of the other major shoe manufacturers out there in the form of Adidas.
The Adidas Men’s Ownthegame Wide Basketball Shoe is one of the best pairs of basketball shoes currently available from Adidas and so it was a no-brainer to include it on our review list.
These shoes are designed to be both comfortable and to fit very snugly, which is a nice combination. It ensures that the shoe fits comfortably on your feet, without giving your feet so much room to move around that you risk injury when playing.
The end result is a very comfortable shoe that is amazing for playing any type of sport, but especially excels when it comes to basketball.
The base of the shoe is made using imported mesh fibers. As we have said in many other reviews on this list, the imported mesh fibers help to give the shoe a lot of strength and durability, while also keeping it very breathable.
Despite the great design and construction of this shoe, it actually isn’t all that pricey. We wouldn’t call the Adidas Men’s Ownthegame Wide Basketball Shoe “cheap,” but it is noticeably easier on your bank account than similar shoes from Nike or Under Armour would be.
The sole on the Adidas Men’s Ownthegame Wide Basketball Shoe is pretty good and deserves some mention in this review as well. The rubber is very high-quality, and it provides a great base to absorb impact when you run or jump. It takes a lot of strain off your muscles which could potentially cause both pain and injury.
The only issue with this shoe is that it is a bit plain. It doesn’t come with any sort of endorsement.
Nike Air Max Impact 3 (Bonus)
No products found.
Nike recognizes the importance of being agile and powerful on the field. The Air Max Impact was created as a result of this. As expected, this basketball shoe meets our criteria for top gaming.
The shoe provides high stability. The foot support is ensured even during intense movements thanks to the Air Max Impact’s heel clip and side bands.
It has landings that are softly cushioned. Nike’s go-to technology is featured on the Air Max Impact. Durable cushioning without sacrificing balance or court feel is two of its main selling points.
Unlike the pricier Nike basketball sneakers, there is no spectacular new technology in the Air Max Impact. However, Nike’s Air Max unit provides a sturdier platform for cushioning than other models in the company’s catalog. The materials aren’t the greatest but don’t impede performance like other low-cost sneakers.
The materials in this shoe have always been shown to perform. The materials perform well on the hardwood. The Nike Air Max Impact 3 is praised by reviewers for its all-terrain traction, which comes at an affordable price.
The shoe offers good lateral stability and containment, making it ideal for providing support and locking the foot down. Your foot will feel more at ease because of the cushioning’s firmness. The Nike Air Max Impact 3 is a respectable product that comes at a price range that is easy on the wallet.
Outdoor Basketball Shoes Buying Guide
If you enjoyed the first part of our article, then you may also enjoy this second part of our best outdoor basketball shoes article. In this buying guide, you are going to find out exactly what the most important criteria are to consider when buying a pair of basketball shoes.
These are the same criteria that we used when deciding which basketball shoes to review and which to leave off the list. Obviously, you can just buy off our list, but we also understand that some may be curious about how they can go about picking out a high-quality shoe on their own. We aim to address that in this second part of the article.
The Big 3: Weight, Comfort, and Breathability
When evaluating a basketball shoe, we would encourage you to focus on 3 criteria that we would call the “Big 3.” Those 3 criteria are the most important when it comes to determining how good a particular shoe is.
Weight is an often undervalued criterion to consider when evaluating a shoe. Think of it this way, when you are playing basketball, you need to expend energy to lift your feet off the ground. A heavier shoe is going to require more energy on your part to lift off the ground.
This leaves you with less energy for playing ball and it means that you are going to get more tired, more quickly. So, finding a lightweight shoe is extremely important if you plan to play any sort of competitive basketball.
The next big this is comfort. Even a bit of discomfort on your feet can really throw off your game and make you play noticeably worse. So, in addition, to having a lightweight shoe, you also want one that is comfortable.
Comfort is obviously heavily subjective, so it is difficult for us to tell you exactly what to look for. Personally, we would say that you want something made of a fairly soft material, as well as a shoe that is snug, which prevents your foot from moving around too much while playing.
Finally, you want to be on the lookout for shoes made from breathable material. Trust us when we say that there is nothing that is worse than having your feet feel sweaty and constrained while trying to play ball.
Having a shoe that is made out of a material like breathable mesh can really be helpful when it comes to encouraging airflow throughout the shoe and keeping your feet comfortable.
See our guide on the best pickleball shoes.
Sign up for our newsletter to get the best of The Sized delivered to your inbox daily.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
