361 DVD 3: One of the Best Basketball Shoes of 2025?

The traction on the 361 DVD 3 is top tier. With this shoe, you are getting anti-slip rubber with a tightly woven, grippy pattern that works wonders on clean indoor courts. The traction pattern itself is odd, but, traction lines go every which way, so multidirectional coverage is on point. This is the kind of shoe where you feel immediate confidence cutting, planting, or stopping on a dime.

That said, this won’t be the best setup in terms of durability for outdoor play. The rubber compound is not super tough, the traction pattern is thin, and the grooves are shallow, meaning it’ll burn out quick on asphalt. But indoors, the 361 DVD 3 offers elite-level grip.

Here’s where the 361 DVD 3 really sets itself apart. The cushion setup is a dual-density system that feels way more premium than the price tag suggests. In the forefoot, what we have is 361’s QuickTECH foam, an ETPU-style foam that delivers an incredible bouncy and springy ride on court. So much so that it does take some getting used to. When you are standing still, the cushioning feels more neutral, but when you activate the forefoot, it’s like the shoe propels you forward. It’s wild.

The rest of the shoe uses a firmer compound, 361’s Energ-X foam, which is still comfortable, but compared to the forefoot of the shoe, almost anything would feel more neutral. It’s stable and plush enough for comfort without being mushy. It balances the forefoot bounce beautifully.

The materials aren’t blowing anyone away, but they get the job done. The 361 DVD 3 uses modern synthetics and textiles. They’re lightweight, breathable, and durable, though not super premium to the touch. But for a performance shoe, you want something that moves with you and won’t fall apart after two weeks, and this pair delivers.

The 361 DVD 3 retails for a very reasonable $120, so the quality of materials used in this shoe is understandable. Especially when you take into account the level of design and tech packed into this model. However, 361 has featured some very nice raw materials on certain models like the Joker 1, and it would have been nice to see some premium touches on this shoe as well.

Support is another strong suit here. The Quick Drive system’s dual-density TPU plates provide excellent torsional rigidity, which keeps your foot from twisting awkwardly on hard stoops and cuts, but also adds, as we have mentioned, a nice spring plate effect when you are making your moves on court.

This system extends from the heel, where it connects there’s a solid TPU heel counter, all the way to the forefoot. Combined with the stable foam and solid construction, the 361 DVD 3 keeps you feeling locked in without restricting mobility. You don’t get gimmicky straps or overlays here, just pure mechanical stability. It’s a minimalist but well-thought-out support feature done right.

The one real drawback of the 361 DVD 3 is the fit around the forefoot. The toe box tapers aggressively, especially near the metatarsals (the widest part of your foot). For players with wide feet or even standard-width feet wearing thicker socks, this can cause pressure and discomfort during longer sessions

Now, with thinner socks or on days when your feet aren’t swollen, it can feel fine. But that inconsistency knocks it down a notch. Narrow footers: go true to size, normal to wide footers: consider going up half a size. Fit is always personal, but this aspect is worth noting before pulling the trigger on a pair, especially since you can’t try them on in-store. That’s the tough part with more niche performance models like this one.

The 361 DVD 3 is a super solid performance mode that offers one of the more unique rides on-court you can experience in 2025. If you’re looking for an affordable, high-performance basketball shoe that checks almost every box, this model should be on your short list, especially for indoor hoopers.

From a pure value-for-performance standpoint, the DVD 3 punches way above its weight. And while the brand isn’t yet a household name like Nike or adidas, 361 is putting in real work. If they fix that forefoot taper in future models, watch out! If you can manage the fit or already know your 361 sizing, then this is a no-brainer. The DVD 3 is not just a budget sleeper, it’s one of the best basketball shoes of 2025 so far. You’re getting elite tech, great traction, and explosive performance for a fraction of the price most brands are charging.