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 1866 reviews of 351 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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13% Outdoor Rating based on 4 reviews
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The Jordan Luka 4 is a shifty yet stable performer. Traction and lateral support are the standout features.
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This shoe is best for bigger, shifty guards.
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8% Outdoor Rating based on 6 reviews
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The Jordan Zion 4 makes slight improvements but the fit is still tricky.
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The Zion 4 is best for players with narrow feet who want extra support and comfortable cushioning.
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38% Outdoor Rating based on 4 reviews
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The Nike KD 18 sticks to what worked for the KD 17, but the support update is a welcome one.
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This shoe is best for players who enjoyed the KD 17 and want better support and lockdown.
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63% Outdoor Rating based on 4 reviews
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The Nike LeBron NXXT Genisus offers impressive support and containment through a rigid upper.
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This shoe is best for players who like supportive uppers.
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25% Outdoor Rating based on 2 reviews
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The GT Cut 3 Turbo makes minor adjustments to improve the traction and support.
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This shoe is best for players who want a more stable, improved version of the previous model.
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14% Outdoor Rating based on 11 reviews
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The Adidas Harden Volume 9 is another solid performer in the Harden signature series.
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This shoe is best for all positions prioritizing a secure upper and springy cushioning.
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0% Outdoor Rating based on 2 reviews
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The Puma Scoot Zeros 2 is an upgrade from the first shoe, especially regarding traction.
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This shoe is best for laterally quick players who use side-to-side movements.
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0% Outdoor Rating based on 3 reviews
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The Curry Fox 1 is reminiscent of the main signature Curry shoes with minor tweaks to the midsole.
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This shoe is best suited for nimble guards with good footwork.
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50% Outdoor Rating based on 3 reviews
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The Adidas Dame Certified 3 provides decent cushioning and support for a low cost.
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This shoe is a good low-budget shoe for stability.
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25% Outdoor Rating based on 6 reviews
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The Jordan Tatum 3 makes minor improvements to the cushioning and is the best shoe in the lineup so far.
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The Tatum 3 is best for players who move a lot on their forefoot.
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The Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes
Performance Rating:
The Jordan Luka 4 is a shifty yet stable performer. Traction and lateral support are the standout features.
Pros:
Solid lateral containment and stability
Reliable traction on clean courts
What do the experts think?
Luka Doncic's fourth signature sure might be his best yet.
The traction on the Jordan Luka 4 is one of the shoe's best features. It performs very well on clean courts. Make sure to wipe on dustier courts.
Jordan Brand adds a vertical Zoom Air unit to the cushioning, but it feels muted. The Cushlon 3.0 foam feels comfortable.
Material usage is nothing special, but the shoe feels soft and flexible.
This year's Isoplate, along with the lacing system, helps provide extra lateral containment and support. Some reviewers mentioned that torsional stability takes a step back this year, though.
The fit is also true to size, and no reviewers had any complaints.
The Jordan Luka 4 makes slight improvements to offer solid traction and stability.
Performance Rating:
The Jordan Zion 4 makes slight improvements but the fit is still tricky.
Pros:
Bouncy and comfortable cushioning
Durable and supportive upper materials
Cons:
Cheap, non-breathable upper
What do the experts think?
Zion Williamson's fourth signature shoe is a niche performer providing decent value for the price.
The traction performance is decent, especially on clean courts. However, the outsole picks up dust and can be inconsistent on dirtier floors.
Jordan Brand once again uses a drop-in midsole in the Zion 4. The Cushlon 3.0 is thin but responsive. The main draw of this setup is the full-length Zoom Strobel beneath the drop-in. It feels bouncy and plush.
Materials are not premium but are supportive. Containment is not an issue with this upper setup.
Most reviewers mention some form of discomfort with the narrow toe area. The fit requires a break-in period to become more comfortable. There are also complaints of heel slippage.
Outside of the heel slippage, the rest of the shoe has impressive support thanks to the thick upper.
If the shoe fits you well, the Jordan Zion 4 is a solid performer for the price, thanks to its cushioning, which is a standout feature.
Performance Rating:
The Nike KD 18 sticks to what worked for the KD 17, but the support update is a welcome one.
Pros:
Improved support and lockdown
Comfortable and breathable material usage
What do the experts think?
The Nike KD 18 feels like a slightly updated version of its predecessor.
The outsole is the same, but that's not a bad thing. The traction performance feels good on clean courts. Just make sure to keep the dust off.
Cushioning is unchanged. The setup feels comfortable, and the forefoot is somewhat bouncy.
The fit is slightly long and narrow. However, it is accommodating enough for most.
Materials are slightly updated. The addition of rubber side cages feels supportive, and the upper is breathable.
The support and containment feel better because of the new rubber side panels.
If you enjoyed the Nike KD 17, the KD 18 may be a slightly better shoe for you. The changes are minor but primarily work.
Performance Rating:
The Nike LeBron NXXT Genisus offers impressive support and containment through a rigid upper.
Pros:
The forefoot Zoom unit feels bouncy
Lockdown and containment are supportive
Cons:
Materials require a break-in time
What do the experts think?
LeBron's latest NXXT Genisus uses an outsole similar to the Air Zoom Generation, and it feels consistent but isn't the tackiest.
The cushioning features a Phylon-like foam and a forefoot Zoom Turbo unit. It feels comfortable and offers impact protection with some bounce.
The upper material feels stiff initially, but it breaks in to soften up. It provides solid support, lockdown, and containment.
There isn't much else needed for support, but the carbon fibre shank and rigid heel counter also provide stability. The only downside is that the ankle collar can feel stiff and restrictive.
The Nike LeBron NXXT Genisus is a decent performance shoe, excelling at support and containment.
Performance Rating:
The GT Cut 3 Turbo makes minor adjustments to improve the traction and support.
Pros:
Improved support and lockdown
Excellent traction performance
Cons:
Needs a longer break-in period
What do the experts think?
The Nike G.T. Cut 3 Turbo is an expensive improvement to the previous model in the lineup.
The outsole improves traction. The pattern is the same, but the rubber is better at handling dust.
Cushioning is the same. The only differences are the shank, which feels fantastic, and the insole, which doesn't add much comfort.
The materials feel comfortable and provide structure at the cost of ventilation.
Support and lockdown feel better. The shank provides extra stability, and the upper helps keep your feet secure.
Overall, the G.T. Cut 3 Turbo is an improvement over its predecessor, thanks to the traction and support.
Performance Rating:
The Adidas Harden Volume 9 is another solid performer in the Harden signature series.
Pros:
Breathability is better than expected
Cons:
Thin outsole tread picks up dust
What do the experts think?
James Harden's ninth signature shoe makes tweaks to the upper to continue improving the performance of the previous two models.
The outsole is mostly the same as his previous shoe. It grips well on clean courts, but the thin tread can pick up dust on dirtier floors.
Adidas uses LightBoost in the midsole, and it's bouncier and more springy. This setup feels nimble while still providing impact protection.
The materials are lighter than the Harden Volume 8, but it's still a heavy shoe. The upper also feels supportive and secure once broken in.
The combination of the new upper, the heel counter, and the shank creates a locked-in experience.
Overall, the Adidas Harden Volume 9 is another step in the right direction as an evolving performance line, thanks to its support and cushioning.
Performance Rating:
The Puma Scoot Zeros 2 is an upgrade from the first shoe, especially regarding traction.
Pros:
Confident and consistent traction
Secure during lateral movements
Cons:
Material quality feels cheap
Cushioning feels slightly stiff
What do the experts think?
The Puma Scoot Zeros 2 is a genuine improvement from the original Scoot Zeros.
Reviewers agree the traction performs surprisingly well, especially on clean courts. Dust also isn't much of a problem.
Puma's NITRO foam feels stiff but is slightly bouncy. Responsiveness and the court feel could be better.
The materials feel cheap, especially the textile mesh upper. Performance-wise, the materials are comfortable.
Support and lockdown are secure through lateral movements, and containment is not an issue. The front-to-back support is not as good, but it's not a serious flaw.
Overall, Puma does a good job of improving some key features, like the traction, in the Puma Scoot Zeros 2.
Performance Rating:
The Curry Fox 1 is reminiscent of the main signature Curry shoes with minor tweaks to the midsole.
Pros:
Excellent traction on clean courts
Cons:
Flow foam struggles on dust
The cushioning setup is not too explosive
What do the experts think?
De'Aaron Fox's first signature shoe under Curry Brand has a lot of similarities to Curry's signature line.
The Flow outsole is the exact outsole found on some Flotro models. The grip and traction are excellent on clean courts but struggle with dust.
There is a dual-density Flow midsole for cushioning. The main difference is the larger shank. It provides some extra pop and liveliness.
The materials are breathable and soft. The shoe conforms nicely to your feet.
Support and lockdown are solid. The midfoot strap doesn't do much for stability, but it does help contain your heel slightly. Torsional support and containment are also not an issue.
The Curry Fox 1 is a solid debut signature model. The Flow foam setup is safe and reliable, particularly on clean courts.
Performance Rating:
The Adidas Dame Certified 3 provides decent cushioning and support for a low cost.
Pros:
Decent cushioning for the price
Accommodating fit and support
What do the experts think?
The Adidas Dame Certified 3 is a decent budget option with some pros and some glaring cons.
Traction is solid on clean courts, but reviewers report dust causing issues for them.
Adidas' Bounce foam feels soft and provides decent impact protection. The stack height is a bit high, though.
The materials feel stiff and are not breathable. The rest of the performance gets the job done.
The fit is accommodating and felt good to all reviewers.
Support feels secure, particularly laterally. However, some reviewers reported some mild heel slippage.
The Adidas Dame Certified 3 is a solid option for cushioning for the price.
Performance Rating:
The Jordan Tatum 3 makes minor improvements to the cushioning and is the best shoe in the lineup so far.
Pros:
Cushlon 3.0 feels soft and comfortable
Lightweight and flexible upper materials
Cons:
Lacks a lateral outrigger
What do the experts think?
Jayson Tatum's third signature shoe is his best yet, but not by much.
The traction performance is inconsistent. Sometimes, the grip performs well, but other times, reviewers mention slipping.
Jordan Brand uses Cushlon 3.0 as the midsole foam. It feels soft and comfortable.
The materials are flexible, lightweight and breathable. The upper conforms to your feet well, but the materials loosen with time.
Support and lockdown are not the best. The upper lacks containment, and heel stability could be improved. There's also no outrigger.
The Jordan Tatum 3 improves, but not enough to be a good performer. The traction is too inconsistent.
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!
Founder of thehoopsgeek.com. A passionate basketball enthusiast and coding geek, Andy combines a love for sports with technology.
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 😂