Most people across the globe play basketball primarily outdoors, but, a lot of those people head out onto the blacktop in their regular hoop shoes and end up tearing them to shreds. There are often big differences between shoes that are well-suited for indoor basketball and a good pair of outdoor basketball shoes.
It’s important to understand how to find shoes meant for outdoor play so you don’t throw away your hard-earned money on shoes that lack durability or don’t have enough cushion to spare your joints from a beating. If you are just looking for the best all-around basketball shoe, you can check out that list as well.
Best Budget Basketball Shoe:
Wow All City 12
Best Budget Outdoor Basketball Shoe:
Nike Air Max Impact 4
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoe for Wide footers: WOW 808 v3
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes for Flat Footers: WOW Son of Flash
Most Comfortable Outdoor Basketball Shoe: New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2
Best High Top Outdoor Basketball Shoe:
NB TWO WXY V4
Best Low Top Outdoor Basketball Shoe: Serious Player Only Player 1 Plus
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoe For Ankle Support: NB TWO WXY V4
Best Traction Outdoor Basketball Shoe: Serious Player Only Player 1 Plus
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoe for Jumping: New Blance Fresh Foam BB V2
BestValue Outdoor Basketball Shoe:
Nike Air Max Impact 4
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes Show
Last updated 11.18.2024
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes Overall 2024
For more options, you can also check out our list of the best basketball shoes overall.
Way of Wade All City 12
The Way of Wade All City 12 is a very solid all-around performance model with no real weak points and several strong points. The full-length Boom cushioning is very well balanced, the multipurpose traction is excellent, and containment and support are top-notch as well. But what makes these a great pickup is the versatility factor.
The fact that they can handle any type of playing surface and that they will suit almost any position and playing style make the All City 12 stand out among other similarly priced basketball shoes.
In the $150 price range, there aren’t many shoes out there that will give you the same on-court performance, and all-around value as the Way of Wade All City 12. Read the full review. Price: $150
New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2
The New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2 just might be New Balance’s best basketball shoe to date. With this shoe, you’re getting elite traction that can handle outdoor play with ease, a thick plush cushioning system (that’s also ideal for outdoors), excellent materials and build, and this is completely subjective, one of the best-looking hoop shoes of the year.Read the full review. Price $140
Way of Wade Son of Flash
The Way of Wade Son of Flash was an easy pick as one of the best outdoor basketball shoe of the year, as it is one of the few shoes on the market today built specifically for outdoor use, and it is an excellent performance model on top of that. With the Way of Wade Son of Flash, you get aggressive and resilient traction, very nice and reactive cushioning, and a well-built layered upper that is built to do battle outdoors for hours on end. Read the full review. Price: $135
Anta Kai 1 Speed
The Anta Kai 1 Speed is an excellent basketball shoe for players who prioritize speed, traction, and agility. The shoe’s traction is one of its strongest attributes, offering superior grip for fast, shifty movements on the court. As a bonus, it is durable enough to handle outdoor surfaces without skipping a beat. The Nitro Edge foam provides a responsive ride with just enough cushioning and compression to handle impact without sacrificing court feel. Read the full review. Price $125.
Nike Giannis Immortality 4
The Nike Giannis Immortality 4 is a very solid shoe in general, and it is all the more attractive considering that it retails for just $85 — which is as inexpensive as it gets for a modern hoop shoe. Traction is great and pretty durable outdoors, cushioning is solid, and lockdown is excellent. The biggest drawbacks of the Immortality 4 are the cheap materials and the fact that it is so similar to the Immortality 3.
If you are looking to pick up a basketball shoe that is in the lowest price bracket and will still give you great on-court performance, this is a great pick. The Giannis Immortality 4 is geared towards lighter, shiftier players, but the cushioning setup and lockdown will also make it attractive to some bigger hoopers who are looking for a secure and agile ride. Read the full review. Price $85.
Wade Shadow 5 V2
The Way of Wade Shadow 5 V2 is a solid all-around performance basketball shoe, especially considering that it retails for just $120. The traction is trustworthy and will hold up very well outdoors, the cushioning provides a well-balanced and fluid ride on court, the support features will keep you locked in and reactive on court, and the material setup is elite. It is one of the most well-ventilated shoes we have ever tested, making it a great option for hooping outdoors during summer. Read the full review. Price: $120
Serious Player Only Player 1 Plus
The Player 1 was already a great hoop shoe and the Player 1 Plus takes things to another level. Everything has been refined and improved slightly in this version of the shoe: more versatile traction, better materials, better fit, … it’s just a better performance basketball shoe. The biggest drawback of the Player 1 Plus is the price. $180 is, admittedly, steep. But you are getting a ton of bang for your buck and excellent traction both indoors and outdoors. Read full review. Price: $180
Anta Shock Wave 6
In terms of overall performance, the Anta Shockwave 6 is a solid, well-rounded basketball shoe that excels in durability, traction, and support. It is particularly well-suited for players who favor a minimalist cushioning setup, preferring a shoe that provides excellent court feel and a snappy reactive ride. The shoe is built with synthetic materials, but it still feels relatively premium in hand and, at the end of the day, we are talking about a $105 shoe. The Anta Shick Wave 6 is built for players who prioritize speed, agility, and court feel, this shoe delivers on all fronts. Read full review. Price $105.
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Nike Air Max Impact 4
The Nike Air Max Impact 4 was a big surprise. Easily the best budget model on the market today. The shoe’s support is also a stand-out feature with two outriggers that make sure your foot is secure during play. The cushion setup and the shoe’s traction are the shoe’s best features. They are incredibly soft and comfortable and have a very durable rubber outsole with an aggressive herringbone traction pattern. There’s really no other shoe under $100 that performs this well, both indoors and outdoors. Read the full review. Price: $90
Nike LeBron NXXT Gen AMPD
The Nike LeBron NXXT Gen AMPD is a solid and well-rounded basketball shoe. For $170 you’re getting almost everything the Nike LeBron 21 has to offer, and that shoe is currently our top pick for the best overall basketball shoe of the year. It is also a basketball shoe that almost any type of player will enjoy, and a more than decent option for outdoor play. If you are looking for a more inexpensive version of the flagship LeBron, this is the shoe you are looking for, and even if you aren’t, this might be one of the safest bets out there in terms of on-court performance. Read the full review.
Serious Player Only Ranger 1
The SPO Ranger 1 is a very versatile shoe, which theoretically is intended for both on-court performance and off-court fashion, bridging the gap between athletic and lifestyle footwear. The SPO Ranger clearly stands out for its innovative design and dual-purpose functionality. It packs substantial cushioning, durable traction, and beefy support features. The Ranger 1 will take some time to break in and won’t be the most well-ventilated shoe on the market, but it is built like a tank and will be a top-notch outdoor option. Read full review. Price: $190
Serious Player Only Game 1
The Game 1 is another solid hoop shoe from Serious Player Only and it does exactly what the brand wanted it to do: be more versatile than the Player 1. The Player 1 and the Player 1 Plus are great guard-orientated basketball shoes. The Game 1 on the other hand is a basketball shoe that more playing styles and body types will enjoy on court. The more robust support features, the added cushioning, and the updated fit and lacing system make the Game 1 a shoe more types of players will enjoy. On top of that, they are less expensive than the Player 1 and can be equipped with any of the drop-in midsoles SPO has to offer. Read full review. Price: $138
Nike Giannis Immortality 3
In a world where signature basketball shoes will run you no less than $160, and can’t even be used outdoors, it’s refreshing to see a shoe like the Immortality 3. This is a very solid performance basketball shoe, that will hold up well outdoors for just $90. Now, there is nothing I would call elite on the Giannis Immortality 3 but it is a very versatile and well-rounded basketball shoe indeed. Read full review. Price $190.
adidas Dame 8 EXTPLY
The Dame 8 EXTPLY is a solid hoop shoe. There is nothing groundbreaking or flashy about it, but it’s a very well-rounded performance model that’s built tough. The fact that they can handle playing on the blacktop with no issues as well as the level of containment and support they provide make it a very versatile basketball shoe. Read the full review. Price: $130
Way of Wade 808 3
The Way of Wade 808 3 promises to be one of the best guard shoes for the third straight year. You’re getting a great, low profile, speedy cushioning setup, top-tier traction, and support features, and a versatile shoe that will work equally well indoors and outdoors, all for the very reasonable price of $119. Our recommendation is to go with the “normal” version instead of the Ultra version. Read the full review. Price: $119
New Balance TWO WXY V4
The New Balance TWO WXY V4 follows up, the best New Balance basketball shoe to date. There have been several important changes in tech compared to last year’s model, but the V4 didn’t disappoint with a few minor caveats regarding the Fit. Other than that, the V4 knocked it out of the park in terms of every aspect of performance. For its price point, this shoe is an absolute gem, especially considering that this shoe will be a great outdoor option. Read full review. Price $120.
Nike Book 1
The Nike Book 1 will be an awesome hoop shoe for some people. If you like 90’s style basketball shoes, this is a no-brainer. The Book 1 has everything you could ask for in terms of simplicity of design, quality of materials, and no-frills on-court performance, AND, surprisingly, it will hold up really well outdoors. They look good, they play good, and they just get the job done. End of story. Read full review. Price $140.
Way of Wade All City 11 V2
The Way of Wade All City 11 V2 is virtually identical to the original model, which is a very good thing. The All City 11 V2 features an updated upper and enhanced lockdown, but, at the end of the day, it’s still the same very well-balanced, do-it-all hoop shoe, that the original All City 11 was. The reason they are so great for outdoor use is the TUFF RB outsole which is super durable and super grippy, and the use of full-length Boom for cushioning. In the $150 price range, there really aren’t many shoes out there that will give you the same on-court performance, versatility, and all-around value as the Way of Wade All City 11 V2. Read the full review. Price: $150
adidas Dame Certified
The adidas Dame Certified is Damian Lillard’s budget model for the year, a very solid performance basketball shoe. The shoe features full-length Bounce cushioning which is on the reactive side, great durable traction, and a highly functional upper built with nice cheap layered materials. That durable outsole and the well-built upper make this shoe a good outdoor option. The one drawback for outdoor play is the cushioning which is good but reactive. read the full review. Price: $95
Best Budget Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2024
Check out our full overall best budget shoes list here.
Nike Air Max Impact 4
The Nike Air Max Impact 4 is one of the cheapest Nike basketball shoes out there, but don’t be fooled by the price. The Nike Air Max Impact 4 boats have excellent cushioning, traction, and fit. Materials are on the cheap side, but they are functional, breathable, and lightweight, and they help maintain the shoe inexpensive. These are the best budget basketball shoe out there, a great overall basketball shoe, and one of the best outdoor options you can pick up. See the full review. Price: $90
Nike LeBron Witness 8
The Nike LeBron Witness 8 is a big improvement on the Witness 7. It’s a much more low-to-the-ground, responsive, and secure feeling shoe on court thanks to the improved containment and the switch in the cushioning system. As far as budget shoes go it’s one of the more solid options, but also one of the more expensive ones. Read full review. Price $110.
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes for Wide Feet 2024
Check out our full list of the best basketball shoes for wide-footers overall here.
Way of Wade 808 3
The Way of Wade 808 3 makes another appearance on our list because, not only is it a solid outdoor basketball shoe, it is also a good choice for wide-footers. Read the full review. Price: $119
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes for Flat Feet 2024
Check out our full list of the best basketball shoes for flat feet overall here.
Way of Wade Son of Flash
The Way of Wade Son of Flash is a great outdoor basketball shoe all around, and a more than decent option for flatfooters. See the full review. Price: $135
Most Comfortable Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2024
Check out our full list of the most comfortable basketball shoes overall here.
New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2
The New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2 are super comfy and can handle outdoor play with ease. Read the full review.
Best High Top Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2024
Check out our full list of the best high-top basketball shoes overall here.
New Balance TWO WXY V4
The New Balance TWO WXY V4 is a great outdoor option and is one of the few options out there that is not a low-top basketball shoe. Admittedly it is more of a mid-top, but it a world with almost no true high-top options this is the best way to go. Read full review. Price $120.
Best Low Top Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2024
Check out our full list of the best low-top basketball shoes overall here.
Way of Wade 808 3
The Way of Wade 808 3 is a pretty great all-around basketball shoe. It is great indoors, its good outdoors, and it is also one of the better low tops out there. Even the “high top” version is more of a low top. Read the full review. Price: $119
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes for Ankle Support 2024
Check out our full list of the best basketball shoes for ankle support overall here.
New Balance TWO WXY V4
The New Balance TWO WXY V4 makes a second appearance on this list. One great attribute of the TWO WXY V4 is precisely the top-notch ankle support, so here it is. Read full review. Price $120.
Best Traction Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2024
Check out our full list of the best basketball shoes in terms of traction overall here.
Serious Player Only Player 1 Plus
The Player 1 makes another appearence on our list of the best outdoor basketball shoes, this time as our top pick in terms of traction. The Serious Player Only Player 1 Plus offers excellent traction both indoors and outdoors. Read full review. Price: $180
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes for Jumping 2024
Check out our full list of the best shoes for jumping overall here.
Way of Wade All City 12
The Way of Wade All City 12 has some thick grooves combined with durable rubber. But this isn’t the reason why it’s the best for jumping outdoors. The full-length BOOM cushioning in the midsole is the one to thank for it being featured in this section. It provides a lot of impact protection without sacrificing weight. Price: $150
Best Value Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2024
Check out our full list of the best value basketball shoes overall here.
Nike Air Max Impact 4
The Nike Air Max Impact 4 is the definition of a great bang for you buck basketball shoe. After the successful stint of its previous iteration, the Air Max Impact 4 gives us a worthy successor. You get a great cushioning set-up with from the combination of the Phylon midsole and heel Air Max unit and durable and grippy traction from the outsole. The support features are likewise robust for a shoe at this price. See the full review. Price: $90
Why are these the best outdoor basketball shoes of 2024?
You can find detailed information on each shoe in its respective performance review. Performance reviews feature an in-depth look at each shoe’s pros and cons, price, technology, and other performance specifics. We also have a detailed breakdown of how we test all of our shoes available if you need any further info in that regard.
How to Choose an Outdoor Basketball Shoe
Admittedly, there are a lot of things to consider when choosing an outdoor basketball shoe. We have a full article on how to choose the perfect outdoor basketball shoe for you, but here are a few quick tips that will help you quickly distinguish a good outdoor basketball shoe:
- First, let’s talk traction and rubber. Will it grip the surface well? Will it last long enough? Preferably, you want to find a shoe with a tough rubber sole that has its traction pattern recessed into the outsole a bit.
- You also have to think about cushioning. Playing on concrete for hours on end is a lot to handle for your joints. Shoes with more cushioning will be better suited for outdoor hoops.
- You will also want a shoe with durable materials along the upper.
- And, lastly, there’s the price of the shoe. No matter how well-built a shoe is, it will break down quicker when playing outdoors. You probably don’t want to wear (and trash) a $200 pair of shoes outdoors.
Outdoor Basketball vs. Indoor Basketball
The main difference that affects your footwear for indoor basketball and outdoor basketball is the court itself. There are other differences like court size, types of rims, and even rules of the game that can vary greatly, but none of those directly impact your shoes.
Outdoor basketball courts can have very different finishes going from the more abrasive, sandpaper-like courts, to the sleekest, concrete-style ones. This is why the rubber compound of the sole and the traction pattern are so important. The rubber compound needs to bite the court surface while not wearing down too quickly.
Now, the surface texture may vary but all outdoor basketball courts are seriously lacking in terms of impact absorption (unlike indoor courts parquet, or PVC rubber floors). Whether the floors are plastic, concrete, or asphalt you know that it’s going to be less forgiving than an indoor court.
Abrasive courts will chew through your shoe’s outsole and upper and these harder surfaces don’t absorb any of the impacts when you jump, change directions, or start sprinting. Your ankles and knees end up absorbing the majority of those impacts. That’s why cushioning is an important feature to take into consideration when choosing a good outdoor basketball shoe.
There’s no question that it’s hard to find a shoe that checks all the boxes. Because of this, and because we end up testing hundreds of basketball shoes every year, we at WearTesters have compiled a list that highlights the best outdoor basketball shoes you can buy today.
