In recent years, Adidas sneakers have become more and more popular. Collaborations like Kanye West's Yeezy line or Beyonce's take on the classic Superstar are selling out in minutes and the Boost cushioning technique has redefined comfort in performance shoes. So it's no wonder that Adidas is gaining market share every month and growing much quicker than Nike or any other big footwear company!
But Adidas is not only producing hot lifestyle sneakers, they also make some of the best performance basketball shoes on the market and signed NBA stars like James Harden, Damian Lillard, and Donovan Mitchell to represent the brand.
Starting in 2017, I have analyzed all competent performance reviews that I could find on sneaker blogs or Youtube channels (1717 in total!) to create a best-of list sorted by average critic rating.
The following list shows the five Adidas basketball shoes that received the best average rating:
- 8.6 rating based on 10 expert reviews
- The Adidas Harden Volume 8 is a fantastic performer with excellent traction on clean courts and comfortable cushioning.
- The Harden Vol 8 is best for players who use powerful footwork to create space.
- 8.5 rating based on 5 expert reviews
- The Adidas D.O.N. Issue 6 is a great performer. The shoe is lightweight and reliable.
- The D.O.N. Issue 6 is best for quicker players looking for a bottom-light shoe.
- 8.4 rating based on 8 expert reviews
- The Adidas Dame 9 is an excellent performance shoe. It features impressive traction and support.
- The Dame 9 is best for players looking for soft cushioning and containment.
- 8.1 rating based on 3 expert reviews
- The D.O.N. Issue #5 provides solid performance, especially with fit and support.
- The Adidas D.O.N. Issue #5 is best for players who like to get up and down the court quickly.
- 8.1 rating based on 2 expert reviews
- The traction and cushioning of the Adidas BYW Select stand out, and the rest of the shoe just works.
- The BYW Select is an all-around shoe that performs well in all categories.
- 8.1 rating based on 2 expert reviews
- Trae Young's first budget model provides well-rounded performance for a reasonable price.
- Players with grounded play styles will benefit the most from the Adidas Trae Unlimited.
- 8.0 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- The Adidas AE 1 Low is a mixed bag with decent performance but the fit may bother some.
- The shoe is best for shifty players who like to feel low to the ground.
- 8.0 rating based on 5 expert reviews
- The Adidas Trae Young 3 is a decent next entry in his lineup. It features standout traction and a comfortable new cushioning setup.
- This shoe is meant for shifty players with a quick, grounded playstyle.
The 10 Best Adidas Basketball Performance Shoes
1. Adidas Harden Volume 8
Performance Rating:
8.6
The Adidas Harden Volume 8 is a fantastic performer with excellent traction on clean courts and comfortable cushioning.Overall rating based on 10 reviews
Pros:
The Jetboost cushioning feels plush
Traction is tacky
Cons:
Heavy shoe for modern performance standards
Picks up dust quickly
What do the experts think?
James Harden's signature shoe continues to be one of the best on the market with the release of the Adidas Harden Volume 8.
All reviewers agree the traction performance is excellent on clean courts, but the outsole picks up dust quickly. After the rubber warms up, the performance on dust improves.
The full-length Jetboost cushioning setup provides comfort and responsiveness.
The materials are interesting, especially the EVA sidewall. The shoe is comfortable, but it retains heat longer than other shoes. The weight is also on the heavier side.
Support and lockdown are not an issue. The shoe's construction keeps you stable and secure through lateral movements.
Overall, the Adidas Harden Volume 8 is another impressive performer because of the tacky traction and comfortable cushioning.
2. Adidas D.O.N. Issue 6
Performance Rating:
8.5
The Adidas D.O.N. Issue 6 is a great performer. The shoe is lightweight and reliable.Overall rating based on 5 reviews
Pros:
Lightweight performance
Top-tier traction
Cons:
Not very responsive
Lack of court feel
What do the experts think?
Adidas continues its run of impressive signature models with the latest release in Donovan Mitchell's line.Â
The traction is one of the shoe's main highlights. It's consistent and reliable. Some reviewers consider it top-tier.Â
The cushioning setup has a decent amount of impact protection, and the bottom of the shoe feels light. However, the foam does not feel springy.Â
Adidas' materials are lightweight, durable, and comfortable. The shoe is well-padded, and the upper construction helps with containment.Â
Lateral security and containment are not issues, but some reviewers did report minor heel slippage.Â
The Adidas D.O.N. Issue 6 is a strong performer with impressive and reliable traction.Â
3. Adidas Dame 9
Performance Rating:
8.4
The Adidas Dame 9 is an excellent performance shoe. It features impressive traction and support.Overall rating based on 8 reviews
Pros:
Lightstrike is bouncy and comfortable
Excellent traction performance
Cons:
Lacks breathability
Fits slightly large
What do the experts think?
Adidas has another impressive basketball shoe on their hands with the Dame 9.
Most reviewers were impressed with the traction performance. The outsole has an impressive bite and feels grippy.
The Lightstrike foam feels soft and plush. It feels better than most other Lightstrike setups.
The materials are not breathable, but the upper keeps your foot contained.
Support and lockdown are also impressive. The upper provides containment, and the shank and base provide stability.
Reviewers also agree the shoe fits slightly large. Many recommend going down half a size.
The Adidas Dame 9 is an excellent performer thanks to its combination of traction, cushioning, and support.
4. Adidas D.O.N. Issue 5
Performance Rating:
8.1
The D.O.N. Issue #5 provides solid performance, especially with fit and support.Overall rating based on 3 reviews
Pros:
Excellent traction
Solid support and lockdown
Cons:
Cheaper materials
Quick dust pickup
What do the experts think?
Donovan Mitchell's latest signature model with Adidas, the D.O.N Issue #5, only slightly moves the needle.
Reviewers agree that the traction performance is one of the better aspects, especially after an initial break-in period to warm up the rubber.
The Lightstrike cushioning is dense. The shank Adidas included keeps the shoe lively, but the setup is not plush.
The snug fit is one of the shoe's better features.
The materials feel cheap, but they do a solid job of contributing to the shoe's fit and containment.
Because of the combination of fit and materials, the support and lockdown are superb.
The Adidas D.O.N. Issue #5 makes its name on the secure fit and supportive lockdown.
5. Adidas BYW Select
Performance Rating:
8.1
The traction and cushioning of the Adidas BYW Select stand out, and the rest of the shoe just works.Overall rating based on 2 reviews
Pros:
Comfortable cushioning
Consistent traction
Cons:
Materials feel cheap
Noticeable drop in stack height
What do the experts think?
Adidas' BYW Select has solid and consistent traction. It performs well on clean courts and only needs occasional wiping on dusty courts.
The cushioning is a combination of Lightstrike and Boost. It's comfortable, provides impact protection, and feels responsive.
The material quality is low, but the performance is not affected.
The lacing system and midsole setup keep your foot contained and stable during play.
Fit on the shoe is also accommodating.
Overall, the Adidas BYW Select is a well-rounded performer. It provides a bit of everything.
6. Adidas Trae Unlimited
Performance Rating:
8.1
Trae Young's first budget model provides well-rounded performance for a reasonable price.Overall rating based on 2 reviews
Pros:
Sticky traction on clean courts
Stable and supportive
Cons:
Not very breathable
Dust takes away from performance
What do the experts think?
Trae Young's first budget model with Adidas offers consistent and reliable traction when playing on clean courts. The performance drops off on dusty courts but wiping can help.
The cushioning setup uses Bounce. It's low to the ground and responsive.
For materials, the quality isn't the best. The shoe is well-padded and comfortable but not the most breathable.
Like other Adidas models, the Trae Unlimited is stable and supportive because of the base and midsole setup.
The fit is also accommodating to most players.
The Adidas Trae Unlimited provides a bit of everything for a budget model. The cushioning and traction are best suited for players with a ground-based game.
7. Adidas A.E. 1 Low
Performance Rating:
8.0
The Adidas AE 1 Low is a mixed bag with decent performance but the fit may bother some.Overall rating based on 6 reviews
Pros:
Lighter than the original
Reliable traction performance
Cons:
Heel slippage is a problem for some
Cushioning is not as bouncy
What do the experts think?
The Adidas AE 1 Low can't quite keep up the impressive momentum of the original mid-top version.
Traction performance is reliable. The setup is similar to the AE 1 Low and feels that way on feet.
Cushioning is a slight downgrade. The setup is slightly different, and it's not as bouncy. It feels lower to the ground, with less impact protection.
The fit is controversial. Some reviewers experienced heel slippage, which affected performance, while others didn't.
Support and lockdown are solid outside of the heel issues. The shoe contains your feet well laterally and feels stable.
Materials are mostly the same except for the tongue setup. Reviewers mention the tongue on the mid-top being better.
Missteps with the fit around the heel and the downgraded cushioning hamper the Adidas AE 1 Low's overall performance.
8. Adidas Trae Young 3
Performance Rating:
8.0
The Adidas Trae Young 3 is a decent next entry in his lineup. It features standout traction and a comfortable new cushioning setup.Overall rating based on 5 reviews
Pros:
Incredible traction
Comfortable foam cushioning
Cons:
It takes time to break in the materials
Poor outsole durability outdoors
What do the experts think?
Trae Young's third signature shoe is quite the departure from the first two in tech and design.
Reviewers agree the traction is a standout feature of the Adidas Trae Young 3. It doesn't hold up outdoors, but the indoor performance is excellent.
Adidas uses a new foam in the cushioning setup. It feels soft and bouncy without being explosive.
The fit is tricky. Some reviewers mention the shoe taking time to properly break in before feeling comfortable.
The design of the upper looks more traditional than past models. The materials are lighter and more flexible, but it takes time to feel comfortable.
The shoe is low to the ground, so it feels stable. Some reviewers mentioned the ankle collar isn't snug, and one reviewer experienced a bit of heel slippage.
The Adidas Trae Young 3 is a solid shoe if you have a similar play style to Trae. The cushioning and support features cater to a specific niche.
The Top 3 Reasons to buy Adidas Basketball Shoes
1. Boost Cushion Technology
"Boost is life!" If you have watched as many sneaker review videos as I have, then you are probably familiar with this phrase. The Boost cushioning technology was released in 2014 and provides unmatched comfort while still remaining responsive enough for high impact sports like basketball. Check out this video to learn more:
2. You're a fan of James Harden, Damian Lillard or Derrick Rose
Adidas doesn't have the number of stars under contract that Nike has, but they feature two of the most exciting players in the NBA right now:
James Harden is one of the most efficient scores in today's games and has led the league in scoring for three consecutive seasons from 2017/2018 to 2019/2020
Damian Lillard is one of the best playoff performers of this era highlighted by his insane, series-winning, buzzer beater against the OKC Thunder in the 2019 playoffs.
Derrick Rose, the 2011 NBA MVP, is not the same player anymore after many injuries, but his shoes are still some of the best performance sneakers available and very popular in China.
3. You want to try something new!
Maybe you are just tired of wearing the same Nike models every year? Try something new and exciting and switch to Adidas sneakers for a change! The laceless Adidas N3XT L3V3L 2020 stands out on any court!
