If you play a lot of outdoor basketball you are probably familiar with this problem: Most basketball shoes are designed for indoor use and won't last very long on rugged outdoor courts.
So, unless you want to buy a new pair every month, it is important to find shoes that can take the beating of playing on blacktop.
How do you recognize good outdoor basketball shoes?
- The outsole is made from hard and durable rubber
- The traction grooves are wide and deep
- They shouldn't cost a fortune because they won't last forever
- The upper material needs to be tough and resilient
Unfortunately, big basketball shoe brands release very few (or none) dedicated outdoor basketball shoes these days. So if you can't afford to customize your favorite Nike ID sneaker with a durable XDR outdoor rubber sole, you need to find regular basketball shoes that also work well outdoors
In reality, this means you need to watch dozens of shoe reviews and hope that the reviewer mentions if this particular shoe works outdoors. Check any Youtube video about a basketball shoe and there is a good chance that someone asked this question in the comments!
To help you avoid wasting so much time watching sneaker videos I have checked out 1692 reviews of 322 of the most popular basketball shoes and recorded the opinion of the reviewers about traction, cushion, material, support, fit and also outdoor usage.
Users of thehoopsgeek.com can also leave their own outdoor rating for their shoes. You can check out the complete list of shoes here.
Below you can find a list of affordable basketball ranked by combined user and expert outdoor ratings (minimum 5 ratings):
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33% Outdoor Rating based on 3 reviews
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The New Balance Hesi Low V2 is a definite improvement compared to the V1 because of the traction and cushioning.
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This shoe is best for lighter, nimbler players.
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0% Outdoor Rating based on 4 reviews
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The Adidas Dame 9 is an excellent performance shoe. It features impressive traction and support.
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The Dame 9 is best for players looking for soft cushioning and containment.
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13% Outdoor Rating based on 4 reviews
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The Adidas AE 1 Low is a mixed bag with decent performance but the fit may bother some.
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The shoe is best for shifty players who like to feel low to the ground.
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17% Outdoor Rating based on 3 reviews
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The Adidas D.O.N. Issue 6 is a great performer. The shoe is lightweight and reliable.
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The D.O.N. Issue 6 is best for quicker players looking for a bottom-light shoe.
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32% Outdoor Rating based on 11 reviews
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The Nike Sabrina 2 is a lightweight shoe with fantastic traction performance.
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The shoe is a great pick for responsive and quick guards. The court feel and responsiveness will cater well to that play style.
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0% Outdoor Rating based on 2 reviews
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The Puma Stewie 3 introduces an interesting drop-in midsole setup, but the traction performance on dust holds the shoe back.
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Players who don't require much bounciness and excel with low-to-the-ground setups.
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25% Outdoor Rating based on 4 reviews
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The Jordan Zion 3 SE upgrades the materials and lockdown, but the fit and traction are problematic.
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The Jordan Zion 3 SE is best for narrow-foot players who like a drop-in midsole setup.
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31% Outdoor Rating based on 8 reviews
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The Kawhi 4 is an improvement from any previous Kawhi shoe. The traction is reliable, and the cushioning is a standout feature.
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The New Balance Kawhi 4 is best for players who enjoy springy, plush cushioning setups.
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50% Outdoor Rating based on 8 reviews
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The Nike KD 17 is a solid performer with grippy traction and decent support.
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The Nike KD 17 is best for players who enjoyed the 16 and are looking for better traction.
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25% Outdoor Rating based on 6 reviews
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The Jordan Tatum 2 is a decent performance shoe, mainly held back by the traction.
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The Tatum 2 is best for players who prefer balanced setups with Air Strobel.
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The Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes
Performance Rating:
The New Balance Hesi Low V2 is a definite improvement compared to the V1 because of the traction and cushioning.
Pros:
Amazing traction performance
Impressive impact protection
Cons:
The soft upper can affect the containment
What do the experts think?
New Balance makes much-needed improvements on the Hesi Low line with the V2.
Reviewers agree the traction performance is tacky and grippy, especially on clean courts. The outsole is one of the shoe's best features.
The full-length FuelCell midsole is soft and comfortable. The impact protection feels better than the last model.
The materials are nothing special, but they feel comfortable.
Support and lockdown are also solid. Reviewers like the heel counter and the inclusion of the midfoot shank.
The New Balance Hesi Low V2 is one of the best low-cost options. The traction and cushioning are the shining features.
Performance Rating:
The Adidas Dame 9 is an excellent performance shoe. It features impressive traction and support.
Pros:
Lightstrike is bouncy and comfortable
Excellent traction performance
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.
Performance Rating:
The Adidas AE 1 Low is a mixed bag with decent performance but the fit may bother some.
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.
Performance Rating:
The Adidas D.O.N. Issue 6 is a great performer. The shoe is lightweight and reliable.
What do the experts think?
Adidas continues its run of impressive signature models with the latest release in Donovan Mitchell's line.
The traction is one of the shoe's main highlights. It's consistent and reliable. Some reviewers consider it top-tier.
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.
Adidas' materials are lightweight, durable, and comfortable. The shoe is well-padded, and the upper construction helps with containment.
Lateral security and containment are not issues, but some reviewers did report minor heel slippage.
The Adidas D.O.N. Issue 6 is a strong performer with impressive and reliable traction.
Performance Rating:
The Nike Sabrina 2 is a lightweight shoe with fantastic traction performance.
Pros:
Grippy herringbone traction
Lightweight and comfortable
Cons:
Overall lack of durability
Not the best material quality
What do the experts think?
Sabrina Ionescu's second signature shoe with Nike is a lightweight performance model. It's reminiscent of the Kobe line.
The traction is consistent and is one of the shoe's best features. It performs well on all court surfaces.
Cushlon 3.0 makes its way into a Nike shoe for the first time in the Sabrina 2. The shoe remains low to the ground, but the comfort improves slightly.
The material quality isn't the best, and the shoe's durability takes a hit. However, the performance is not affected. The shoe feels comfortable, flexible, and light.
Support and lockdown are not an issue. The shoe is secure around the heel and ankle, and the midfoot cable setup keeps your feet contained.
The fit is also improved this year. The width is more accommodating, and most reviewers reported no issues with sizing.
The Nike Sabrina 2 will continue to be one of Nike's most popular shoes thanks to its consistent traction performance.
Performance Rating:
The Puma Stewie 3 introduces an interesting drop-in midsole setup, but the traction performance on dust holds the shoe back.
Pros:
Well-balanced and supportive
Cons:
Stiff outsole at the back of the shoe
Dust pickup hinders traction performance
What do the experts think?
Puma looks to mix things up by introducing a drop-in midsole in the Stewie 3.
The traction performance is solid on clean courts. The outsole tread and pattern pick up dust quickly, which hinders performance and causes sliding.
Puma's drop-in midsole is comfortable when you step in the shoe, but it's not bouncy. The outsole is stiff around the heel, which affects the impact protection.
The materials are mainly engineered mesh. The upper feels supportive and light, but the breathability is not good.
With the elevated side walls on the midsole and the outsole setup, lateral containment is not an issue. There's also a torsional shank piece under the drop-in.
The Puma Stewie 3 is a niche shoe catering to specific play styles. The balance and stability help with being quick while staying low.
Performance Rating:
The Jordan Zion 3 SE upgrades the materials and lockdown, but the fit and traction are problematic.
Cons:
Dust heavily affects the traction
What do the experts think?
The Jordan Zion 3 SE is Jordan Brand's attempt to upgrade the standard Zion 3 that doesn't hit the mark.
The traction performs well on clean courts only. The outsole picks up tons of dust, causing players to slide on dirtier courts.
The updated drop-in midsole features full-length Zoom but loses the shank. The performance is better for shock absorption but worse for bounciness.
The materials feel more premium without losing much breathability.
Jordan Brand added a midfoot strap on the SE version. Coupled with the heel counter, it keeps your foot contained nicely. However, the narrow fit negates the added benefits of the improved support and lockdown.
The cons of the updated Jordan Zion 3 SE outweigh the pros. The performance is held back by the traction and fit.
Performance Rating:
The Kawhi 4 is an improvement from any previous Kawhi shoe. The traction is reliable, and the cushioning is a standout feature.
Pros:
Dual-density FuelCell cushioning feels plush
Cons:
Takes extra effort on the laces for lockdown
What do the experts think?
The New Balance Kawhi 4 is Kawhi Leonard's fourth signature shoe with the brand, and it's shaping up to be one of his best.
The traction is reliable. Reviewers say the performance is outstanding on clean courts and solid on dusty courts. Make sure to wipe.
New Balance updates the cushioning with a dual-density FuelCell foam. It feels plush and bouncy.
The upper is engineered mesh. It's not the most premium feeling, but it's comfortable and well-padded. It also does a solid job of providing containment.
Support and lockdown get the job done. The shank plate provides stability, and the upper keeps your foot contained nicely.
The Kawhi 4 is the best in the Kawhi lineup, with the most plush cushioning setup yet.
Performance Rating:
The Nike KD 17 is a solid performer with grippy traction and decent support.
Cons:
It holds onto some moisture
What do the experts think?
Kevin Durant's 17th shoe with Nike, the Nike KD 17, maintains the performance level of its predecessor by only making minor updates.
Reviewers consistently mention traction as the shoe's best feature. It's grippy and consistent.
The cushioning is the same Air Strobel under the heel and Zoom Air under the forefoot as last year. The forefoot shank also helps add some bounce.
Nike uses a basic-feeling mesh material on the upper. The padding is comfortable, and the shoe performs well.
The shoe has impressive lateral containment, but not like the KD 16. Most reviewers said they felt secure in the shoe.
The fit is true to size, but there is extra length at the front of the shoe.
The Nike KD 17 maintains a strong performance with traction as the main highlight.
Performance Rating:
The Jordan Tatum 2 is a decent performance shoe, mainly held back by the traction.
Pros:
Lateral containment is excellent
Air Strobel is comfortable
What do the experts think?
The Jordan Tatum 2 would be a better shoe if it weren't for the traction. The outsole collects dust quickly, which hinders performance.
The full-length Air Strobel is a step up in cushioning. It feels balanced but not bouncy.
Jordan Brand uses lower-quality materials, but the durability is solid. The shoe is lightweight and comfortable. Heat retention could be better.
The upper construction provides extra stability. The lateral containment is excellent, too.
Overall, the Jordan Tatum 2 improves on the construction and stability of the previous model, but the unreliable traction on dust is too much of a drawback.
How do you find good outdoor shoes?
Before you start to search for your next pair of outdoor basketball shoes, you should be clear about what you are actually looking for. What differentiates a great outdoor sneaker from a regular indoor performer? Let's find out!
Durability of the rubber
The rubber of the outsole suffers the most from playing on rougher outdoor courts. If your shoes feature a soft rubber compound you will probably end up with a completely slick outsole, or even worse, holes in your shoes, pretty fast! Overall, there are two things you want to look for when it comes to outsoles:
Solid and dense rubber:
You can either go with regular shoe models that come with a firmer rubber compound out of the box like the Adidas D Rose or the Nike Lebron Soldier line. Or you look for shoes that are specifically made for outdoor use. Especially Chinese brands produce a lot of outdoor models like the Anta KT Outdoor Low as indoor courts are much harder to find there compared to the US.
If you can afford to spend a little more on your outdoor shoes, you can also customize your favorite Nike Sneaker with an XDR (extra durable rubber) outsole using NikeID.
Wide traction pattern:
A very narrow traction pattern will attract a lot of dirt and rubble and lose grip quickly. Make sure to get a traction pattern with wide and deep grooves that will last a lot longer on dirty blacktop.
Durability of the upper material
The upper material usually suffers less from outdoor play as it shouldn't be in contact with the surface of the court all that often. But if you tend to toe-drag a lot, or if other players are stepping on your feet all the time you might want to look into more durable upper materials like fuse or mesh.
Cushion
Indoor courts are much easier on the joints than less-forgiving outdoor courts. Especially, if you have recurring knee problems, you shoud look for shoes with more comfortable cushioning that reduce the stress you put on your joints. If you are a younger and lighter player, additional cushioning is probably not as important, but firm shoes can still lead to sore legs after a day of playing outdoors.
Price
Inevitably, shoes that you use outdoors will have a shorter lifespan than shoes that are only used on pristine hardwood courts. Therefore, it might make sense to look for cheaper shoes that you can replace more often. Playing in $200 Air Jordan outdoors could become expensive really quickly!
Gr8 advice
Don’t forget honorable mentions like. The Kobe protro’s , Q4 sports enforcer
& Jordan jump man quick 23 (quick 6).
I really got to say, I’m impressed by your blog. Keep up the good work!
Wait I thought the Curry 2 Low FloTro was made out of the easily-worn-out foam Flow sole! Wouldn’t that be terrible for outside play? It wouldn’t last a week 😂