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Usually, if you write an article about cheap basketball shoes it is already outdated a few days later.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.
- 8.9 rating based on 11 expert reviews
- The Nike LeBron 21 maintains its high level of performance while improving its support and stability.
- The Nike LeBron 21 is fit for all play styles because of the mix of traction, cushioning and support.
- 8.9 rating based on 4 expert reviews
- Following the footsteps of the original Puma MB.01, the low-top remains one of the top performance options on the market.
- Players who want an all-around performer with no weaknesses.
- 8.7 rating based on 5 expert reviews
- The Curry 11 remains a fantastic basketball shoe. The traction is excellent, and the cushioning provides more impact protection.
- The Under Armour Curry 11 is the perfect shoe for quick and shifty guards.
- 8.7 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- The LeBron NXXT Gen has grippy traction and responsive cushioning.
- This shoe is a good pick for players who don't need maximum cushioning but still want Zoom.
- 8.5 rating based on 4 expert reviews
- The Air Jordan 38 Low provides all the performance of the 38 with a lower cut.
- All players can take advantage of the comfortable cushioning and reliable traction.
- 8.5 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- One of Puma's best basketball shoes. The traction is outstanding, and the cushioning is comfortable.
- Players looking for a versatile shoe that's not expensive will love the Puma All Pro Nitro.
- 8.5 rating based on 10 expert reviews
- The Nike Air Zoom G.T. Cut 2 continues to offer plenty of cushioning and solid overall performance.
- Shifty players who enjoy lots of cushioning
- 8.4 rating based on 5 expert reviews
- The New Balance TWO WXY V4 is a fantastic all-around shoe with improved impact protection from the cushioning.
- This is the perfect pick for players seeking versatility in play style and court surface durability.
- 8.4 rating based on 10 expert reviews
- The Nike KD 16 is a versatile performer with comfortable, plush cushioning.
- The shoe has something for all positions. There are no outstanding weaknesses.
- 8.3 rating based on 10 expert reviews
- The Nike Sabrina 1 is an excellent debut sneaker catering to low-to-the-ground players.
- The Nike Sabrina 1 is best for shifty guard-type players.
- 8.3 rating based on 9 expert reviews
- Luka Doncic's second shoe sees improvements to the lockdown and support.
- Guards and wings who make quick cuts and stepbacks will benefit the most from this shoe.
- 8.3 rating based on 5 expert reviews
- The Puma Stewie 2 is similar to the MB.02. The traction and cushioning are the best features.
- This shoe is best for players looking for a low-cut version of the MB.02.
- 8.3 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- The Nike Zoom Freak 4 is a worthy upgrade in Giannis Antetokounmpo's line.
- Players looking for solid performance and springy cushioning on a budget will enjoy this shoe.
- 8.3 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The excellent traction and light materials make for an excellent budget-friendly option.
- A great pick for players that rely on quick footwork.
- 8.2 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- The Nike G.T. Cut Academy has pleasantly surprising traction, and the cushioning is comfortable.
- This shoe is best for players looking for shifty and reliable traction.
- 8.2 rating based on 3 expert reviews
- The Adidas Dame Certified 2.0 is an impressive budget performer which excels in traction.
- The shoe is for players who prefer thin, responsive cushion setups with grippy traction.
- 8.2 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- Giannis' fifth signature shoe scales back the tech but maintains the performance, such as the traction.
- The Zoom Freak 5s are best for players looking for a minimal shoe that doesn't sacrifice many features.
- 8.2 rating based on 11 expert reviews
- Ja Morant's debut sneaker is a good starting point for the young star, with the fit being the best feature.
- A good pickup for shifty guards who play low to the ground.
- 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 7 expert reviews
- The Nike G.T. Hustle 2 is a lightweight, bouncy, and responsive performer.
- The Hustle 2 is the perfect shoe for players who want to get up the court quickly.
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.
