The 10 Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes in November 2020

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 702 reviews of 146 of the most popular basketball shoes and recorded the opinion of the reviewers about traction, cushion, material, support and their fit.

But most importantly for this article, I also looked if the reviewer would recommend the tested shoe for outdoor use. You can check out the complete list of shoes here.

Below you can find a list of affordable basketball shoes that are recommended for outdoor use:

Under Armour Curry 3Zero 3

8.9 rating based on 2 expert reviews
Outstanding traction, comfortable fit and very supportive upper
Great budget option for players who prefer lightweight and minimal shoes
Recommended for outdoor use by 1 shoe reviewers

Puma Clyde Hardwood

8.8 rating based on 2 expert reviews
A nice blend of old-school leather and new-school performance textiles and synthetics
Great shoe if you are looking for beastly traction and minimal, responsive cushioning
Recommended for outdoor use by 2 shoe reviewers

Adidas Dame 5

8.8 rating based on 7 expert reviews
Dame's best shoe so far! A great all-around performer at a very affordable price
The Dame 5 works best for quick guards who prefer responsive cushioning
Recommended for outdoor use by 5 shoe reviewers

Nike Lebron Soldier 13

8.8 rating based on 4 expert reviews
The Lebron Soldier 13 provides awesome traction and no real weaknesses
A great all-around performer that works very well for heavier players
Recommended for outdoor use by 3 shoe reviewers

Under Armour HOVR Havoc 2

8.7 rating based on 3 expert reviews
Comfortable fit and premium upper materials
Best for players looking for a supportive shoe with well-balanced cushioning
Recommended for outdoor use by 2 shoe reviewers

Jordan React Elevation

8.7 rating based on 2 expert reviews
A great all around performer at a solid price.
Great for any position or style of play.
Recommended for outdoor use by 1 shoe reviewers

Adidas Dame 7

8.7 rating based on 2 expert reviews
Damian Lillard's 7th signature shoe is a significant upgrade over last years model.
A perfectly balanced shoe that fits any position or player.
Recommended for outdoor use by 1 shoe reviewers

Nike Zoom Freak 2

8.5 rating based on 3 expert reviews
An affordable signature sneaker and all-around performer.
A great choice for guards who prefer court feel over impact protection.
Recommended for outdoor use by 2 shoe reviewers

Adidas DON Issue 1

8.4 rating based on 6 expert reviews
Donovan Mitchell's first signature sneaker is very affordable at only $100 retail price
Recommended for explosive guards looking for a supportive and responsive low-top
Recommended for outdoor use by 1 shoe reviewers

Adidas Pro Model 2G

8.3 rating based on 2 expert reviews
A supportive, low-to-the-ground, all-around performer.
Perfect if you are looking for affordable shoes that work outdoors.
Recommended for outdoor use by 1 shoe reviewers

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The Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes

1. Under Armour Curry 3Zero 3

8.9

Overall rating based on 2 reviews

Pros:

Really good traction

Super lightweight

Cons:

Very firm cushioning

What do the experts think?

At only $90 retail price, the Curry 3 Zero 3 is a surprisingly good performer! The traction is absolutely top-notch on clean courts and doesn't require any wiping on dusty courts either. The synthetic leather breaks in very nicely and provides a comfortable and supportive 1:1 fit. The only downside of this shoe is the very firm Micro-G cushioning. This setup works well for lighter players who prefer responsiveness and court feel over impact protection, but heavier players looking for impact protection should probably look elsewhere.

Colorways of the Under Armour Curry 3Zero 3:

2. Puma Clyde Hardwood

8.8

Overall rating based on 2 reviews

Pros:

Premium leather and knit materials

Beastly traction

Cons:

Slightly heavy

Basic foam cushioning

What do the experts think?

Waiting for 3 expert reviews to post summary.

Colorways of the Puma Clyde Hardwood:

3. Adidas Dame 5

8.8

Overall rating based on 7 reviews

Pros:

Responsive Bounce cushioning

Very comfortable

Cons:

Slippery on dusty courts

A little dead space in the toe box

What do the experts think?

The Dame 5 is Damian Lillard's latest signature shoe, and it's also his best! The traction works amazingly well on clean courts, but the translucent rubber versions are a little too slippery on dusty courts. The full-length Bounce cushioning provides a great balance of responsiveness and impact protection. The materials are super comfortable and very supportive, but the felt that is used on some colorways receives very little love from sneaker critics as it feels cheap and gets dirty easily. Overall, this is a great performer, especially at a very affordable retail price of only $115.

Colorways of the Adidas Dame 5:

4. Nike Lebron Soldier 13

8.8

Overall rating based on 4 reviews

Pros:

Awesome traction

Very supportive

Cons:

Cushioning could be more comfortable

What do the experts think?

The laceless Lebron signature model is very well-received among sneaker testers. The upper material is comfortable, durable and provides a ton of lockdown, in part because the straps do a great job and never come undone. The simple solid-rubber herringbone traction pattern is deep, attracts very little dust and works well - even outdoors. The cushioning is a little bit divisive, some like the forefoot and heel Zoom units, others would have preferred a more comfortable setup. Overall, the Lebron Solider 13 is a great allrounder with outstanding traction and no real weaknesses.

Colorways of the Nike Lebron Soldier 13:

5. Under Armour HOVR Havoc 2

8.7

Overall rating based on 3 reviews

Pros:

Premium materials

Comfortable fit

Cons:

Inconsistent traction

What do the experts think?

The first Under Armour HOVR Havoc was a hit with reviewers, so how does the second version perform? Unfortunately, the traction has taken a step back and is inconsistent, even on clean courts. The HOVR cushioning is a nice mix of responsiveness and impact protection, not too firm but not too soft either. Materials feel surprisingly premium in-hand, comfortable on-foot and do a great job locking your feet down. The mid-foot shank, outrigger, and heel counter provide a lot of support and stability. Overall, the HOVR Havoc is a good performer that could have been great with more consistent traction.

Colorways of the Under Armour HOVR Havoc 2:

6. Jordan React Elevation

8.7

Overall rating based on 2 reviews

Pros:

Great cushion setup

Traction works well on all surfaces

Cons:

Materials could be more premium

What do the experts think?

The traction of the Jordan React Elevation performs nicely on clean courts, dusty courts, and outdoor courts. They have you covered no matter where you play. The cushion setup with React foam in the heel and Zoom in the forefoot is very comfortable and provides nice impact protection as well as court feel. The materials are nothing crazy, but they get the job done well and provide good support. The lacing system provides very good lockdown and reviewers found that true to size worked great. The support is also fantastic - you should have no issues with lateral containment or stability. Overall the Jordan React Elevation is a very good performer that comes in at a nice price. Reviewers had a lot of fun playing in these!

Colorways of the Jordan React Elevation:

7. Adidas Dame 7

8.7

Overall rating based on 2 reviews

Pros:

Balanced cushioning

Solid traction indoors and outdoors

Cons:

Not the most premium materials

What do the experts think?

The traction on the Dame 7 performs well - significantly better than the 6. Good news if you play outdoors a lot: the outsole is made of very durable rubber and performs well on the blacktop. The Lightstrike foam cushion setup is also an upgrade over the 6 and is a good balance of impact protection, court feel, and responsiveness. The materials are of decent quality, well ventilated, and get the job done performance-wise. The support offers good lateral stability and containment but the low cut doesn't provide any additional ankle support. Overall, the Dame 7 is a great all-around performer - especially for the price!

Colorways of the Adidas Dame 7:

8. Nike Zoom Freak 2

8.5

Overall rating based on 3 reviews

Pros:

Overall improvement from the previous model

Great fit and support

Cons:

Minimal impact protection

Poor ventilation

What do the experts think?

The traction of the Zoom Freak 2 is improved and works great on clean courts. Some wiping will be necessary if you play on dusty courts and the outsole is also durable enough to play outdoors. The cushioning is minimal with full length foam and Zoom Air in the forefoot, but provides great court feel for players. The upper materials are nothing to write home about, but they provide a comfortable fit and the TPU on the outer front of the shoe helps with support as well. Overall, the Zoom Freak 2 is a clear improvement over the Zoom Freak 1 and is an affordable shoe with no glaring weaknesses.

Colorways of the Nike Zoom Freak 2:

9. Adidas DON Issue 1

8.4

Overall rating based on 6 reviews

Pros:

Affordable price

High-quality materials

Cons:

Inconsistent traction

Heavy and bulky for a low-top

What do the experts think?

Donovan Mitchell's first signature sneaker is a divisive shoe among shoe critics. Some really like the traction, but others complain that they are slipping a lot - even on clean courts. The Bounce cushioning is responsive and offers a lot of court feel, but impact protection is only decent. Materials feel pretty premium in-hand and on-foot, especially considering the very affordable retail price of only $100. The shoe also provides a lot of support and stability, but this comes at the expense of added bulk and weight.

Colorways of the Adidas DON Issue 1:

10. Adidas Pro Model 2G

8.3

Overall rating based on 2 reviews

Pros:

Super durable materials

Bouncy, low-to-the-ground cushioning

Cons:

Minor heel slippage

What do the experts think?

How does the updated version of Adidas' classic Pro Model perform in 2020? The traction is top-notch and sticks like glue on clean courts and needs little wiping on dusty courts. The Bounce cushioning is low-to-the-ground with nice, bouncy feedback and solid impact protection. The patent leather upper is super durable, supportive, and gets comfortable after the break-in period but there is no ventilation. Overall, the Pro Model 2G is a modern performance basketball shoe with retro looks that performs well across all categories and will work for players of all positions.

Colorways of the Adidas Pro Model 2G:

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!

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2 thoughts on “The 10 Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes – Durability and Performance”

Arpan
December 23, 2017 at 19:37

Gr8 advice

Knick
March 14, 2019 at 02:54

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!