Your last pair of basketball sneakers has absolutely no traction left, you had to glue the outer-sole back onto the upper, and the cushioning has completely bottomed out?
Believe me, I've been there! I like to wear my shoes as long as physically possible because finding new and affordable basketball shoes is something I do NOT enjoy. There are so many different models to choose from and hunting for the best bargain can be a real time sink.
Why is this resource more helpful than others?
Usually, if you write an article about cheap basketball shoes it is already outdated a few days later. New shoes are released all the time, older models get huge rebates and online stores offer great discount codes from time to time
To prevent this article from being useless in a week, I coded a tool that checks the prices on the most popular basketball shoe stores and updates them daily.
The following list shows you the best basketball shoes currently available under $100 ordered by the average rating of their performance.
If you want to find more cheap basketball shoes, you can check out the complete list of shoes here.
- 8.7 rating based on 8 expert reviews
- The Adidas D.O.N. Issue 7 is a step up in performance thanks to its excellent cushioning and improved cushioning.
- This shoe is suitable for all positions and play styles. It has something for everyone.
- 8.5 rating based on 11 expert reviews
- The Nike Sabrina 2 is a lightweight shoe with fantastic traction performance.
- The shoe is a great pick for responsive and quick guards. The court feel and responsiveness will cater well to that play style.
- 8.4 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The Nike GT Hustle 3 offers plenty of impact protection with its plush-feeling cushion setup.
- These shoes are best for bigs who get off the ground often and require impact protection.
- 8.2 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- The Nike KD 18 sticks to what worked for the KD 17, but the support update is a welcome one.
- This shoe is best for players who enjoyed the KD 17 and want better support and lockdown.
- 8.1 rating based on 10 expert reviews
- The Nike Ja 2 makes minor changes but delivers a similar experience to its predecessor.
- The Ja 2 is best for players who enjoy light, speedy shoes with a bit of pop.
- 8.1 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- The Immortality 4 is a solid performer that provides improved support at a manageable price.
- The Nike Giannis Immortality 4 is best for players looking for a budget shoe with a durable outsole and supportive upper.
- 8.0 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The Adidas Dame X delivers reliable traction and cushioning at a budget-friendly price.
- This shoe is best for price-conscious players looking for a well-rounded performer.
- 8.0 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The Nike A'One provides consistent traction and impressive support.
- This shoe is best for quick, nimble guards.
- 8.0 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- Luka's first takedown model plays well outdoors thanks to the durability and performance of the outsole.
- The Jordan Luka .77 is best for outdoor courts.
- 7.8 rating based on 4 expert reviews
- The LeBron Witness 9 pairs plush React X cushioning, solid support, and inconsistent traction for budget value.
- The LeBron Witness 9 is best for budget-minded players who want plush cushioning and solid stability.
- 7.8 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The Nike Giannis Freak 7 is a decent performance shoe at a lower price point. The traction is the highlight feature.
- The Freak 7 is best for players who want reliable traction without excess springy cushioning.
- 7.8 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The Jordan Zion 4 makes slight improvements but the fit is still tricky.
- The Zion 4 is best for players with narrow feet who want extra support and comfortable cushioning.
- 7.7 rating based on 3 expert reviews
- The Precision 7 is a solid budget performer.
- The Precision 7 is best for budget-minded guards who value traction and stable lockdown.
- 7.5 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- The Tatum 4 is hit or miss with most of its features.
- This shoe is best for players who enjoy soft cushioning.
How do you find great deals?
Budget Models or Shoes From Last Season
Find well-performing budget models at an affordable list price or older models that sell for a much-reduced price because their successor is already out. Well-known budget models like the Nike Zoom Rise, or Under Armour Charged Controller are not backed by signature players and retail for around $100.
These models often perform just as well as much more expensive signature line shoes but save money by focusing on more affordable materials, less cutting-edge tech, and a much smaller marketing budget.
On the other hand, you can find signature shoes like Air Jordans or the Kobe line that often entered the market at almost $200 for half their price if you are willing to wait for a year.
How to Get the Best Bang for Your Buck
In order to find the shoes that provide the best value we need to know two things about each shoe: price and performance. I put a lot of time and effort in creating a basketball shoe database that contains average review scores from sources like weartesters.com, solecollector.com, and many popular sneaker Youtube Channels. This database also pulls current prices from online shops. This allows me to easily find affordable sneakers that got the thumbs up from real shoe experts.
You can check out the complete list of basketball shoes here.
Founder of thehoopsgeek.com. A passionate basketball enthusiast and coding geek, Andy combines a love for sports with technology.
