Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes in 2022 | Reviews and Buying Guide

If you play a lot of outdoor basketball, then you may be familiar with the problem that most of the indoor basketball shoes aren’t designed for outdoor courts and do not last long due to ruggedness and uneven surface of dusty courts.

So unless you want to buy a new pair of shoes every month, it is essential that you find the best pair of shoes that can take a beating of dusty outdoor courts and last longer.

But the problem is the big basketball shoe brands release very few to none dedicated outdoor shoes every year, and they are too costly.

So if you want to spend a whole lot of money on these custom shoes, you need to find the regular shoes that will last outdoors too. Fortunately, there are some shoes available that will last longer on dusty outdoor courts.

But the real trouble begins here guys. In order to find the best outdoor basketball shoes, you will need to read a lot of reviews and watch videos and hope that the reviewer mentions that if this particular shoe works outdoors.

To save you the trouble we have tested many basketball shoes according to their outsole durability, material, cushioning, traction, and support on dusty outdoor courts. After rigorous testing, we came up with the Reviews of Best Basketball Shoes for Outdoor Courts in 2022.

Quick Answer: The Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes

1. Adidas Pro Bounce Low Basketball Shoes

Adidas Pro Bounce has one of the best durable outsoles so far. The rubber compound of this shoe is a solid build, and it is identical to the Adidas Harden Vol 1.

The spiral pattern of this shoe is excellent, and I did not have any problems regarding traction while playing on the outdoor court. But there are chances of dust getting stuck between the shallow grooves of the traction pattern. This shoe will provide you consistent and reliable traction, no matter which court you play on.

Adidas was using Boost cushion in most of their shoes, but for the Pro Bounce 2018, they chose the Bounce cushioning system over the Boost. If you have worn any Bounce shoes, then you know how reliable these shoes are when it comes to impact protection and cushioning.

Adidas has used ForgeFiber material for the upper which is a combination of lightweight mesh with additional stitching to add more strength and durability.

The ForgeFiber material is quite nice; in fact, I found it to be very breathable and lightweight. Also, you will notice textile material in some of the areas too. Aside from that, the Low-cut silhouette with padded collar is great for ankle and Achilles support.

If you play quick guard then during the jump, your shoe may get rail-roaded. Well to help you eliminate this situation, the Adidas Pro Bounce features a TPU shank and propulsion plate for optimal support and durability.

Once you lace up tightly, there won’t be any dead space left on the side or at the forefoot area including toe box. Internal padding and lacing system keeps the foot perfectly locked in and reduces the inner movements.

The midsole is wide and flat enough to provide you the stability you need and also it has two large exaggerated outriggers too. And as far as the torsional support goes, then Pro Bound is fitted with TPU spring plates that run all way up to forefoot.

Now coming to the fit of these shoes, this shoe is a perfect fit for me; however narrow footers may find the empty space in the sides.

Overall the Adidas Pro Bounce is a great pair of shoes, and I would definitely recommend this shoe to be worn outdoors.

2. Nike Kobe 1 Protro Basketball Shoes

Nike Kobe 1 is one of the most durable shoes we have reviewed so far. Because of its exceptional durability and resilient outsole, this shoe has become the number one choice for best outdoor basketball shoes.

Starting from the traction, the Kobe 1 Protro features a combination of herringbone and diamond pattern for multi-directional coverage.

These shoe grips like glue in indoor as well as outdoor courts and the groves of the traction pattern are widespread which results in less dust accumulation.

If you mostly rely on your heel while playing basketball, then you will love these shoes as they feature a full-length Zoom Air unit cushioning and large volume met bag in the forefoot.

The designer has reduced the volume of phylon midsole so you will be able to get low to ground ride. Also, the poron is added at the bottom of the insole that increases the impact protection without making this shoe bulkier

The whole shoe is constructed from leather material which I found very durable, but it makes the shoe denser than newer age materials like knitted uppers, textiles, and woven materials.

The more you wear them, the more they will break-in, and you will be able to get a nicer outdoor court feel. The nubuck material is used to make the medial side lightweight and smooth.

Also, the carbon fiber material in the heel cup and midfoot shank is just fabulous. All you need is a little break-in time, and you are good to go.

The base of the shoe is wide and boasts outrigger at the lateral forefoot. You will notice the teeth design that runs to the midsole which will help you achieve greater grip and stability. You will get an internal heel counter at the bottom while the midsole is fitted with fiber shank.

Because of the reduced Zoom air unit in the forefoot, the heel to toe transition is excellent. For the additional torsional support and rigidity, the Kobe 1 Protro is equipped with a carbon fiber plate at the base of the outsole.

This carbon fiber plate doesn’t extend all the way to the forefoot, so it does not restricts the movement of the forefoot and makes the midfoot stronger than ever.

Some people think that this shoe is bulky and heavy but trust me its exceptional durability outweighs the bulkiness and once you will start playing in it you will find them to be very lightweight.

And above all, it is the most durable outdoor basketball shoe I have come across. And if we talk about the fit, then this shoe is true to size for me, and I did not find any dead space in the forefoot and toe area.

3. Nike LeBron 16 Basketball shoes

It feels the Nike has released the first LeBron just recently, but it is 16 years passed by since then. Nike has been continually updating their LeBron line series, and this year they released the latest shoe of LeBron series that is a lot cooler and durable than older model shoes, let’s have a look.

Nike’s special Battleknit was introduced in the last year’s LeBron model that was very durable and capable of withstanding higher forces when playing an outdoor basketball game.

But in LeBron 16, Nike used the new and improved version of Battelknit named Battelknit 2.0 that is stretchable and breathable at the same time. Other than that, the Battekknit 2.0 is backed by a nylon sleeve to make it non-stretchable that results in higher durability when doing lateral movements.

The nylon sleeve of this shoe feels like a second skin, and it stretches the shoe when you land on a heel or forefoot. Also, the nubuck panel is used in the tongue for added comfort.

When you do hard cuts, quick changes in movement or do a lot of jumping then in order to successfully execute these moves your balance depends on your forefoot. So that is why you need an aggressive traction pattern in the outsole.

Well, the Nike LeBron 16 is incorporated with an aggressive yet durable herringbone pattern that does not require any wiping even in the dusty outdoor courts.

This wave herringbone pattern starts from the heel as more of LBJ’s silhouette and gradually turns into traditional yet aggressive pattern lines with a slight angle to it.

If you are worried about how the outsole performs outdoors, then this shoe has a durable outsole with a sticky traction pattern that will last for years.

The support of the LeBron 16 is decent, and I liked the added outrigger at the midsole. Also, Nike has fixed the instability issue of previous LeBron shoes by adding the midsole cage in LeBron 16 that has increased the stability to a great extent.

What I like most about this shoe is its variable lacing system that locks your foot onto the foot bad while the double-layered heel cups and internal padding offer top-notch support and containment.

The cushioning system sounds like same in the LeBron 15 but it is not. The Max Zoom cushioning in LeBron offers a lot more impact protection when you land on your heel or forefoot. Nike did change the caging around tooling to make it a bit stiffer and tighter.

I did not like the overall fit of this shoe because there was a lot of room at the forefoot area and my toe was slamming into the toe box. I don’t know if it was me or others felt it too. Anyways I would definitely recommend you to try this shoe first before ordering them.

4. Under Armour Curry 6 Basketball Shoes

The curry 6 is the latest model of curry line and has incredible traction and durability than previous models, let’s have a look.

If we talk about the material, then the upper of the curry 6 is made out of fully knit material and has a fuse overlay in areas having high wear and tear.

The knit material is comfortable and durable enough to play in outdoor courts. Also, it has decent breathability compared to other materials, and it feels like socks on your foot.

The lacing system on these basketball shoes is a traditional old school. Though the material of laces could have been better but they are not bad either. Once you lace them tightly, you will not have any heel slippage.

The first and foremost feature of any basketball shoes is the traction. If your basketball shoes do not provide the required traction, then you will find yourself slipping on the court.

This outdoor basketball shoe features a combination of spiral and waffle-like traction pattern. Although I prefer herringbone pattern however the cross-hatched pattern used on the medial side is actually great.

However, the dust easily accumulates at the cross-hatched area (Below the medial outer sole), so you would need to wipe that dust otherwise you will not be able to get the best traction out of this shoe.

The outer sole is durable enough to last for years, and the traction is excellent too. The resilient and long-lasting outer sole of this shoe makes it a great choice for the outdoor basketball game.

If you are wondering about the cushioning system then the curry 6 boats the Full-length HOVR cushioning system that protects your heel against any impact.

The entire heel and some area below the midsole is heavily cushioned while the front foot area has minimal cushioning. Overall the curry 6 provides the low profile feel when it comes to cushioning, and it is super bouncy at the heel area.

Lockdown of the shoe is excellent, it kind of hugs your foot in and gives you a great ride when playing basketball. The fit of this shoe is true to size; however, for most of the wide footer, we will advise you to try them on first in stores before choosing this shoe.

Overall, I like playing in curry 6 as it offers excellent support, durability, and traction for outdoor as well as indoor courts.

5. Adidas Dame 5 Basketball Shoes

The Adidas Dame 5 is the latest signature shoe of Damian Lillard. Let’s take a look at this outdoor basketball shoe and see if it is worth your money or not.

Just like all the Adidas shoes, Dame 5 also utilizes the full Herringbone traction pattern from heel to toe. The whole pattern at the outsole is the same giving you equal traction at forefoot, heel and midfoot too.

Each line of the pattern is thick and widespread which results in less dust accumulation. But still, you may need to wipe this shoe a little bit when playing on dusty outdoor courts.

The forefoot of the Dame 5 is less thick than the Dame 4 which may disappoint some hoopers. Adidas uses its own cushioning system called bounce which is fairly bouncy, quick and responsive.

The substantial cushioning is used in the heel area and midsole while the forefoot includes minimal cushioning. On top of that, the bounce the midsole of this shoe absorbs almost all the impacts and shocks you throw at it.

You will feel the bouncy effect the moment you put this shoe on, and you will appreciate the mind-blowing cushioning of this shoe no matter if you are running full speed, stopping or cutting or jumping.

The upper of the dame 5 is made out of soft suede material which is very breathable while the forefoot is made out of soft mesh and has foam padding on it.

I really liked the heavily padded internal area that provides mind-blowing comfort to your foot, and it will let you play basketball for hours and hours without hurting your foot. Also, you will find the tongue of this shoe to be very well padded including the midfoot area too.

For the support, the Dame 5 features a TPU lateral support wind which is made of soft rubber and holds you steady. Dame 5 also includes an internal heel counter, and it has a YKWTII logo on it.

For midfoot support, there is no actual outrigger, but the midsole and outsole are flattered so it should be able to provide you some decent stability.

As for the fit, I would suggest you go a half size down as it will not fit snuggly. But if you have narrow foot then by applying the laces tightly, it will fit you true to size.

Overall the Dame 5 is an excellent choice for outdoor courts because the outsole and traction of the shoe are durable enough to last long on harder surfaces.

6. Nike Kyrie 5 Basketball Shoes

The Kyrie line shoes have been great since its inception, and this latest Kyrie 5 outdoor basketball shoe is no exception.

This mid-top basketball hoop shoe is a signature line of Kyrie Irving since 2014. Its affordable price range has made it popular among many users and despite its low price range, this shoe has not compromised on quality let alone durability.

The material used in this shoe is the same as Kyrie 4. The whole upper and outer area of the shoe is made out of engineered mesh that provides higher flexibility and breathability.

There are flytrap contraption places between the lacing system that helps in getting the proper containment and lockdown. Other than that Flywire cables are used below the mesh overlay to secure your midfoot.

It does not have the signature zig-zag pattern of old Kyrie models, but it performs well. The Kyrie 5 uses the multidirectional pattern that offers the top-notch traction even on worst outdoor courts.

Outdoor players will love the traction of this shoe, but they may need to wipe this shoe because the pattern is shallow and dust may accumulate in it.

As you may know, the Kyrie 4 had teeth design on the midsole that wraps around the lateral sides of the shoe. But Nike has completely removed that pattern which results in poor traction when doing quick side to side movements.

Nike has introduced a curved rubber outsole that runs bottom to all the way up to lateral sides that helps in getting you the excellent lateral control as well as traction.

What I like most about this shoe is its Zoom Air Turbo cushioning setup. The older Kyrie models were using the Zoom Air Unit cushioning, but Nike has replaced it with Zoom Air Turbo which is softer and gives you a plush ride.

I find this shoe to be a bit narrower from the sides, but still, the fit was great and true to size. So I would recommend you to get the true to size fit for this shoe.

If you do lots of v-cuts, jab-steps, and step-backs, then you don’t have to worry about hurting your toe or getting it ripped. The reinforced toe area of these shoes provides abrasion resistance.

Also if you are forefoot heavy player, then you will love the padded collar that supports and protects the Achilles tendon.

7. Jordan Why Not Zer0.2 Basketball Shoes

The Jordan Why Not Zer0.2 has received many positive reviews from seasoned players as well as designers too for excellent traction and durable material.

If we talk about the traction, then the shoe gripped very well on outdoor as well as indoor courts too. This shoe features a diamond-shaped design with grooves and shallow design. I am a huge fan of circular and herringbone pattern, but this pattern works too.

The rubber outsole is relatively soft and squishy. But if you are worried about its durability then rest assured, this shoe will last outdoors.

The upper of the shoe is constructed using the combination of mesh and knit materials. Because these materials don’t require any break-in time and they are moderately comfortable and durable.

Also, this shoe will keep your skin fresh as it is very breathable and feels like a second skin on foot. Furthermore, there is an extra layer of padding is added on the collar for ankle support.

The cushioning setup is the same as Air Jordan 33. The midsole is made of injected phylon which is very plush and fluffy compared to other Jordan models.

This shoe will provide you extra impact protection at forefoot because the large volume of the Zoom Air Unit is used in the forefoot area. If you are a forefoot heavy player who likes to land on a forefoot when playing then you will love this shoe.

Despite phylon heel, it is very comfortable and provides great stability and impact protection while running or doing quick changes in movement.

Unlike Jordan Why Not Zero 1. This shoe does not have a broad base, and it feels bit narrower and feels tipsy upfront, but it is something you can get used to quickly.

The TPU plate provides support to midfoot and rear heel. Also, this TPU plate prevents the shoe from bending when you land on your forefoot.

This shoe will perfectly fit any wide footer as well as a narrow footer too. And as for me, this shoe was true to size, and the internal padding keeps my foot in place and prevents it from rolling on the footbed. To top it off, the exaggerated TPU heel counter also helps in giving you the top-notch containment and lockdown.

Overall, the performance of Jordan Why Not Zer0.2 is mind-boggling, and it is best suited for outdoor use.

What to look for when buying outdoor basketball shoes?

• The outer sole of the shoe should be made out of hard and durable rubber.
• The shoe should be able to provide you the best possible traction on dusty courts.
• The shoe shouldn’t cost a fortune because they won’t last long.
• The material of the upper of the shoe should be sturdy and resilient.
• Also, the shoe should have basic features like impact-protection, fit, comfortability, ankle protection, breathable material, and interior cushioning.

What to know before you choose any outdoor basketball shoe?

If you are a new buyer who doesn’t know anything about the basketball shoe at all then first you should be aware of all the shoe terminologies like upper, midfoot, midsole, tongue and ankle collar, etc.

So when you are researching for shoes, you can better understand different parts and what material they are made of.

You should know that, what type of shoes you will be very comfortable wearing. Some people hate high-top shoes but on the other hand, some people love them, so it is a personal choice.

If you are a heavy forefoot player, then you should use a shoe which has a lot of cushioning in the forefoot, and if you are a striker or guard, then you should buy a shoe which has a lot of cushioning in the heel area for better impact protection.

The skill level also matters when buying basketball shoes. If you are starting out in the basketball game, then you don’t have to choose the premium shoes. Instead, you can work with simple shoes too but if you are a pro player then select the one which has a lot of features.

Factors to consider when choosing outdoor basketball shoes

Durability of Outsole

This is one of the most essential and primary factors to be considered when choosing outdoor basketball shoes. You will play on uneven outdoor courts that contain stone, dust and so many impurities that will affect the rubber of the outsole.

The rubber of the outsole should be durable and resilient enough to handle this; otherwise, your shoe won’t last long, and your money will be wasted.

Most of the shoes are made explicitly for indoor gaming, so it features the soft rubber outsole. But the outsole of outdoor gaming shoes should feature the hard rubber for better durability.

Traction

Alright, so traction is something you should be very careful of when choosing the outdoor basketball shoe. Because if the outsole of the shoe is not gripping well, then you will be slipping a lot during your game.

The traction pattern and grooves on the pattern widely affect the overall traction of the shoe.

If the grooves are spaced very widely, then the dust will accumulate between the slots which result in reduced traction. Also, the traction pattern of the shoe should be such that it covers almost every area of the shoe and grips exceptionally well on virtually any surface.

So for best traction, the groves on the pattern should be widely spread and should grip on dusty courts.

Stability and support

During the game of basketball when you jump or make quick changes in your movement, your foot requires a lot of stability and support to do this.

In order to achieve that, your selected should have some basic support features and stability. If your shoe does not have such features, then you will injure yourself during the game because of quick jumps.

As I said earlier, there are three types of basketball shoes. Low top, Mid-top, and High top. For better support, you can choose any one of them according to your comfort.

Price

Getting the right shoe is very important, but it should not cost a fortune for just a pair of shoes. So choose wisely.

Some people might think that it is so costly so it should be better, but sometimes that is not true.

Try to get the best deal when buying online. There is always some offers on different sites so check them all before buying any shoe.

Fit

The shoe should fit you perfectly; otherwise, you will not be able to concentrate on your game at all. You will always be worrying about the shoe that I should lace up the shoe tightly, and you will regret buying that shoe.

For the best fit, I would suggest you should try the shoe first in near stores then you will get a clear idea of what size to buy.

Comfort

When buying an outdoor basketball shoe, it all comes down to the comfort of the shoe. The shoe should be comfortable enough that you will enjoy your game to the fullest.

The shoe must contain a lot of padding at the forefoot so your foot won’t slam at the toebox and it will be locked in perfectly restricting any internal movements.

Types of outdoor basketball shoes

Low-top shoe:

The low-top shoe is very lightweight compared to other shoes because the materials in the collar area have been removed in this type of shoe. But this shoe won’t give you any ankle support, but on the positive side, it will increase your speed because it is lightweight.

Mid-top shoe:

In this shoe, the collar area reaches a little bit higher than the low top shoe. Most of the seasoned players choose mid-top or high-top shoes because it gives them better support and stability. But this shoe also does not offer proper ankle protection.

High-top shoe:

The high-top shoe is the by far most loved shoe we have ever seen. In this, the collar area covers the area above the ankle and Achilles. This type of shoe significantly reduces ankle injuries. But this shoe is a little bit heavier than the above two, so this is something you will have to work with.

Advantages of outdoor basketball shoes

The outdoor basketball shoe has so many advantages than you can count.

The indoor shoes are very soft and prone to wear faster; also it does not give you a better grip. But the outdoor boots are made such a way that it overcomes all these problems.

First of all, the outsole of the outdoor shoes is made of hard and durable material so that it can withstand the beating and abuse of outdoor courts.

Also, the outdoor basketball shoes last longer than indoor shoes, and you can wear these shoes even indoors too. But you can’t wear indoor shoes in every court.

The dusty courts will give you better traction because of the perfect attraction between the dust and the outsole.

FAQ

Q: Are Kyrie 5 good for outdoor?
A: Yes, Kyrie 5 is good for outdoor courts because the outer sole feature of the durable and resilient rubber material and traction pattern of the shoe is decent too. However, you may need to wipe your shoes more often because the dust will accumulate in the grooves.

Q: Can you use basketball shoes outside?
A: It depends on what kind of outsole the shoe has. If your basketball shoe has a hard sole and good grip then you can wear them outside however indoor basketball shoes are not recommended to wear outside, otherwise, it will lose grip and outsole overtime.

Q: Can you wear indoor shoes outside?
A: No, you cannot wear indoor basketball shoes outside as the rough surface of the outdoor court will completely destroy the outsole as well as the traction pattern of the shoe.

Q: What is the best outdoor basketball shoe?
A: According to our research, the Adidas Pro Bounce Low is the best outdoor basketball shoes because it has one of the durable outer sole and the traction pattern grips very well even on the dusty outdoor courts. And Durable ForgeFiber material adds another advantage to the list.