If you’ve ever played any hoops at all, you’ll know that your shoes take quite the beating. Running, jumping, diving for loose balls, the game never stops. That action is only ramped up a notch- or two- when you get on the outdoor court. Outdoor basketball is far from gentle on either you or your shoes. Because of that, you need something that goes a little further than the ordinary indoor pair would allow you to go. What you need is toughness and durability, and that’s what they bring to the table. Today, we’ll be exploring the ins and outs of outdoor basketball shoes in our buying guide, informing you of everything you need to know to make your time on the court last as long as it can possibly go. After that, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular and best pairs of shoes in our reviews. So, line up; it’s time to tip it off!
Top Outdoor Basketball Shoes Comparison Chart
Product | Material | Price | Where to Buy? |
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1. Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro VI | Synthetic | $$$ | Check Price On Amazon |
2. Nike Men’s Air Versitile Li Basketball Shoes | Textile & Synthetic | $$$ | Check Price On Amazon |
3. Adidas Men’s Pro Spark 2018 Basketball Shoes | Textile & Synthetic | $$$ | Check Price On Amazon |
4. Adidas Men’s Streetfire Basketball Shoes | Textile & Synthetic | $$$ | Check Price On Amazon |
5. Adidas Originals Men’s Pro Bounce 2018 Low Basketball Shoes | Textile & Synthetic | $$$$ | Check Price On Amazon |
6. Adidas Men’s Explosive Bounce 2018 Basketball Shoes | Textile & Synthetic | $$$ | Check Price On Amazon |
7. Nike Boys’ Kyrie Flytrap Basketball Shoes | Mesh | $$$$ | Check Price On Amazon |
8. Under Armour Men’s UA Fireshot Basketball Shoes | Synthetic | $$ | Check Price On Amazon |
9. Under Armour Men’s Jet Mid Basketball Shoes | Textile | $$ | Check Price On Amazon |
10. Adidas Men’s D Rose 773 | Leather | $$$ | Check Price On Amazon |
11. Nike Men’s Mamba Rage Basketball Shoes | Synthetic | $$$$ | Check Price On Amazon |
Outdoor Basketball Shoes Buying Guide
Why Indoor Shoes Won’t Cut It
The first temptation you’re going to have is to be to use your indoor basketball shoes. The reasoning is simple: it is the same game, right? The answer is a yes and a no, all at the same time. It’s the same basic game. You are trying to take a ball and put it through the hoop. That much is the same. But how you arrive there is much different. The court is tougher and harder. It’s made out of concrete or pavement or asphalt. That’s not nearly the same as a gym. Let’s think about the gym for a moment. Basketball gyms are going to be using a few materials for their floor’s construction. The one we all see a lot, but relatively few of us get to play on much is that of hardwood. The pros and college players play on this, and even if looks don’t indicate as much, it has a ton of spring and forgiveness to it. Next up is what’s called “multi-purpose” flooring. This type of floor is basically plastic. While it is fairly harsh, it’s still far more forgiving than asphalt is. Lastly, there is foam. Obviously, this type is much more forgiving than an outdoor court is. Indoor shoes can be used on an outdoor court, but you just can’t expect much durability out of them simply due to the fact that the conditions are harsher. One fact that you may not know is the asphalt is the surface that is most commonly played on throughout the world. This dizzying stat means that the majority of players you see on TV in the NBA learned playing on the ‘streets.’ This is amazing, but it does show that you have to have different shoes to compete and last.
What Else You Need
There is more to the picture, however, when it comes to outdoor basketball shoes. It’s not just about the durability that you need to have. Indoor shoes rarely are going to hold up long enough if faced with constant abuse out there, but that’s not your only concern. The forgiveness factor is another big one you have to think about. The ground is super rough when you play on asphalt, so it’s going to make your jumps much harder on your feet and your joints. This can have a really awful effect on your knees over time, especially if you don’t have the right shoes. Many times, the shoes made for indoor use don’t have as much spring to them because the court has it for you. But when you’re outdoors, you miss out on that and you don’t have as much protection.
On top of that, you also want to take really good care of your shoes, obviously. When you play indoors, you see all kinds of pretty and flashy colors. White is common on the court. Outdoors, though, this would be a recipe for disaster, at least in terms of keeping them clean. A good outdoor basketball shoe is going to be one that can handle a lot of use and abuse. While many of them are going to be darker colors, they do not necessarily have to be just because. With that said, you need something that won’t scuff up too much from the hardcourt beneath you. When you make spin moves, on or off the ball indoors, you don’t see nearly as much damage to the shoes as you do on the outdoor courts. The asphalt digs into the shoes and grinds them up, requiring you to have that little bit extra that indoor shoes just do not have. All of these reasons are why you need to steer clear of consistently using pairs intended for indoor use!
Keeping You Cool
Another big-time factor you have to think about in relation to outdoor basketball is going to be staying cool. In the summer months, you are already going to be hot enough out there, but that is only going to be amplified on hot concrete. Asphalt gets super warm in the sun, so that’s going to really tax your feet and your energy reserves. That is where breathability is going to come into play. Shoes that have a lot of mesh and ventilation are going to be very necessary for you to have if you are going to be playing a lot in the warmer months. This way, you can get plenty of air flowing into your feet so that you are a little less warm out there. It may not seem like much, but this can really be a huge helper to you, so don’t overlook it. Indoor play is done, most of the time, in a controlled environment where the temperature is regulated, so you don’t need nearly as much ventilation to get through comfortably. Of course, there is a bit of a drawback here. And it’s the fact that mesh is going to make your shoes a little less durable, or a lot less durable, depending on the type and how much of it was used. You have trade-offs with all shoes, so you’ll just have to make the call on what you need- and what you don’t need. If you’re playing in the cold, this won’t matter much. In fact, you’ll probably want less breathability so you don’t let that cool, stiff air in!
Traction
Regardless of where you are playing, basketball is going to require you to have excellent traction. This is going to be provided to you by a pair of shoes that have good soles for them. Soles are the bottom of the shoes, which are used to grip the ground. If you don’t have traction on the court, it’s never a good thing. But on the outdoor court, it can get downright ugly. Playing with indoor shoes repeatedly will scrub off the traction compound in many cases, setting you up for violent falls and gashes and cuts all over your body. Those will plain out hurt, so you will want to have a good, thick sole with a bigger tread pattern to help you through your time on the outdoor court. A thicker sole is not only going to help you with your grip, but it will also help the shoes last longer as well on the hard, unforgiving pavement. This, however, does come with a slight negative. The downside to it is that the thicker sole is going to make your shoes heavier than their indoor counterparts are. This, though, really shouldn’t be seen as a deal-breaker. Shoes are constantly evolving, with manufacturers finding ways to make them last longer all while reducing their weight via new technologies. Besides, even if that were not the case, a couple of ounces isn’t much to sacrifice for a longer lifespan, is it?
Talking About Midsoles
This is the area of the shoes where we say the “magic” is done. This is the part between the upper, the top part you can readily see, and the soles. This part has many components that can’t be seen by the naked eye, so a lot of times it goes overlooked and without thought. This is a big mistake to make, though, because it does a ton of work, particularly in a basketball shoe. The midsole is where cushioning comes into play. Cushioning refers to not the cushion and softness you feel when you slip on shoes and feel the insert, but rather the space they have between you and the ground. The more space between you and the ground, the more the shoes will give. Shoes that are flat, like skateboard shoes or literal flats, have little cushioning and therefore are not very supportive. Shoes that are made for basketball have much more, since you have a ton of shocks to absorb during play. Whether it’s running up and down the court or jumping, that’s a tremendous load you are placing upon the body. On the indoor court, you need to have cushioning, for sure, but you don’t need nearly as much as you do outside. That’s because the floor is so much springier and forgiving to you. Yes, you can get shin splints and agitations from indoor court usage, but you’re much more likely to develop those things from outdoor courts. Due to that fact, you need to have a pair of shoes with a more cushioned midsole for playing outside. To prove this, just look at how modern track and field is today. In former times, the track was made out of the same pavement as roads were. Nowadays, they are using foam to make them more forgiving to runners. This has drastically cut down on shin splints; we’ve even experienced this! So, looking for shoes that have thick, padded midsoles is very much a need for you to survive play.
Insoles
Insoles are not everything in a pair of shoes, contrary to what many may believe, but they are still vastly important to you and your game on the court. If you slip on a pair of shoes and find them to be uncomfortable, you’re just not going to wear them. So, you do need to find an insole that is going to be cushy enough that you can stand them. If you don’t like them, you won’t wear them too much. The insole isn’t just the insert itself, either. You also have to think about the materials used inside of it. Are they rubbing up against you and causing blisters to form, or are they also comfy? You could have a super comfortable insole only to find its sweaty and doesn’t breathe well, too. So you can’t just look to see if the ‘padding’ is good. It’s about so much more. Sometimes, the sides will be too hard and not have enough padding, too, so that’s something you’ll have to consider.
Shoe Cuts
The ‘cut’ or ‘top’ of your shoe is another very big factor in the world of basketball. As time has gone on, things have changed dramatically. 100 years ago, Converse Chuck Taylors were being worn by athletes in a number of sports, including basketball. They were high tops that were designed primarily to keep players from rolling their ankles over. They didn’t offer much more support than that, to be fair, but they did pass on the high top status for nearly a century. High tops ruled the land due to the fact they keep those ankles protected and have more weight to them. This keeps you safer against injuries, particularly if you are a bigger person. However, things have really changed in the last decade or so. Even less than that, really. The low top has come into vogue with a number of professional players preferring them due to their lack of weight and the freedom of movement that they allow the wearer to have. They do not have nearly as much ankle protection and will cause rolling of them to happen much more frequently, but some players see this as a risk well worth taking, at least until it happens to them the first time and they realize it’s not so fun after all. So many pairs today can be found, whereas you could hardly find a pair of low tops made truly for basketball 10-15 years ago. Still yet, this type is best served for small, agile players and those who have not had injury woes to their ankles, knees, or feet in the past. Somewhere in the middle of them comes the mid-top. This is just like what it sounds like. It’s a compromise between the two approaches. It’s a decent amount of protection and support, all without giving you as much weight. The truth of the matter is that this type is becoming the high top of modern times, and that’s definitely of interest to anyone that likes the history of shoes and their evolution. Basically, you have pluses and minuses for both camps, and it’s going to be up to you to determine which is best for you.
Closures and Lock Down
Another one of the more overlooked aspects of basketball shoes, indoor or outdoor ones, is going to be the closures that they use and the way in which they ‘lock you down.’ Closures are pretty simple. It’s how the shoes are put on your feet. Most of the time, this is going to be down via laces. But you can also see methods such as Velcro or Velcro with laces as well. Sometimes additional materials being used can be helpful in not only helping you stay laced up but also to help you get a more secure and stable fit. This is known as ‘lock down.’ A pair of shoes that do not have good lock down will end up having you moving up and down in them. This can occur when you don’t have the right size, or if the system they use is just not up to par. For example, the heel counter might be too shallow for you and your foot starts to slide out of it. Both the top of the midfoot area and the heel play a major role in the lock down you are given. What you want to feel is nice and secure, like you aren’t moving anywhere. You don’t want any slippage inside the shoes at all, or else you will be more prone to error on the court when executing moves. These are all things to look for and more basketball shoe terms to put in the memory bank!
Ensuring Proper Fit
To make sure you get the most out of your pair of shoes, in terms of comfort, protection, and durability, you have to make sure that you have the right fit. This goes for both indoor and outdoor, as well as shoe types. You have to size yourself appropriately, or you will be in a spot of bother for sure. Here’s a few steps you can take to make sure you are doing it properly:
– Simulate the game. When you are trying on pairs of shoes, whether it’s in store or at home after they have shipped to your house, you need to approach it like it’s the game. Don’t put them on when you are ‘cold’ and aren’t in the same shape as the game. Make sure you have your socks on, the ones you’ll be playing in or similar, and also make sure you have been active prior to doing so. This way, you’ll know if you have the proper amount of space when your feet are swollen as the game progresses.
– Length and width are equally important. We all know, or should know, that you need to have a bit of room between your toes and the ends of the shoes. This way you have wiggle room. We also are very aware that you want to be able to splay your toes out some. The only way to be able to do this is to have shoes that are wide enough for you. You can’t have that if they are too narrow. However, some people take this issue much too far. They overdo it looking for a pair that is wide enough to the point that they negate the length and end up with shoes that don’t fit so well there. Don’t be like KD, who has his shoes fall off all of the time. Instead, make sure you have both of them balanced, or go to different pair of brand that fits you better.
– Check any reviews and sizing charts that can be accessed if you are buying online. Online buying is a savior for many, but it does not come without its own set of challenges. When you try on shoes in a store, you get an idea for how they fit. When you don’t get to do this, you find yourself guessing. You can take a bit, a small modicum, of this guessing out of the equation by reading over reviews of how products fit. If Tommy, Sue, and Joe all claim that something is small and narrow, then you can start to see a definite pattern forming. We’ll make sure to point out in our reviews if anything is off or not just so you can be better serviced.
– For parents of kids, make sure you get something that fits nice and snug. Don’t try to get them a couple of seasons of use out of them by going larger. This could cause them to get injured by falling, and they will just get too worn out for it to make any sense because of the harshness of the court. Just don’t do it, as Nike (wouldn’t) say!
Price and Durability
We have already talked ad nauseam about the fact that durability is a chief concern for you as an outdoor basketball player. While it is true that you don’t want a pair of shoes that will fall apart instantly when you use them, there is a line to be drawn. You have to realize that outdoor basketball shoes are just going to take more of a beating than other types of shoes. That means they will not last as long, no matter how great they may be. This leads into our main point: that you shouldn’t pay over the odds for a pair outside. Even the best shoes will get ruined on the hardtop, so it’s going to be a smart choice to save some money. Rather than spend a ton of money on one pair, as you might do for indoor play, you can buy two or three pairs for outdoor use. You’ll get better durability that way, and you will save some money at the same time. With this being said, you also need to think about how much you are paying. If you feel that a price is “too good to be true,” then it probably is. You don’t want to be a complete cheapskate and pay little to nothing, because those will get ruined in no time flat.
Brands
Much like with price, the brand you pick is going to have a lot to say about the overall durability you get. Brands are essential in today’s market, with Nike and Adidas forging out as the big dogs and Under Armour following close behind. Because of the sheer size of their market share and the abundance of products they have on the market, those are going to be the easiest ones to find. They certainly were when it came to our list below. By going with a brand you know and trust, you can count on them being more durable and superior than many of their counterparts. This is not always the case, but reputations do mean a lot. If you have two pairs for an identical price that look the exact same, you’re going to always pick the one you’ve heard of, after all.
Colors
Last but not least, before we get to our reviews, is a discussion on colors. The colors you rep are always worth a talk, just like with the brand you want to wear. Colors are not going to be as much of an issue outside, or at least they shouldn’t be. Because of the pavement, you’re going to see scuffs become more of an issue. This should virtually rule out the use of white for you, if you are wise. Black is the best color for outdoor use, but just because that’s the case doesn’t mean you have to stick to it. You can go with whatever, just know that the lighter the color is, the more dirt and scratches will show!
The Top 11 Outdoor Basketball Shoes of 2019 Reviews
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Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro VI
Topping out list is a pair of shoes that combines the high top with a mid top, producing a very comfortable bootie style fit in which the laces are well above the heels. This does take adjustment, at first, but many find this to be incredibly appealing to them as it does offer slightly more freedom than a full on high top. Along with that, these are extremely rugged and durable, using synthetic leather and a strong rubber compound beneath to give you the utmost in life. Not only do you get that, but you also get a lot of cushioning from the midsoles and will be supported well by the bootie. There is not a plethora of breathability here, and with the colors being black only, it’s going to get very hot on warmer days. So that is a strike against them.
Pros:
- Bootie stands out and supports
- Rugged and durable
- Very well cushioned
Cons:
- Not much breathability
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Nike Men’s Air Versitile Li Basketball Shoes
By offering a few more colors, these are more appealing style wise than their predecessors. At any rate, these are also great outdoor shoes for a bevy of reasons. One of them is that they have a visible air gel unit in the heels that is made for cushioning. Not only does it give you that, but it does so at a lower weight as well. These mid tops are also great for someone that just wants a mixture of protection and weight and for those that don’t want to try something new out like the bootie. Through the use of their awesome flywire cables, you get plenty of lock down, making your stability a key component of these shoes. The tread pattern does a great job and the tops are durable but have more mesh laced in to them to give you more breathability. All said, they are still comfortable with soft foam to pad you in the insole.
Pros:
- Light and responsive cushioning
- Mid top best of both worlds
- Very stable
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Adidas Men’s Pro Spark 2018 Basketball Shoes
Next up comes Adidas’ first entry to the list, and these have to get recognition for their solid yet brilliant looks. Apart from that, they make great outdoor basketball shoes due to the breathability they build in, making them ideal for summer time play. Along with that, they have reinforced stitching to the upper, helping to combat the typical lack of durability that tends to come along with mesh. The midsole uses Adidas’s cloudfoam, which makes them super comfortable both when putting them on and after you are done playing as well due to the level of cushioning they pack into them. These are also mid tops, which are going to be a nice blend of the low and high, and they have great padding in the heel and sides to keep you nice and comfortable.
Pros:
- Very nice colors and style
- Lots more breathability
- Padded and reinforced
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Adidas Men’s Streetfire Basketball Shoes
If you want to take a bit of step outside of the usual box, then this is a way for you to go. These shoes even have the word ‘street’ in them, telling you just what to expect from them straight away. These have a bootie like design, though they take a different approach, with the heel being higher than the laces to give you supreme ankle support. All the while, they have made sure to put extra padding in the Achilles area, which is so often overlooked and very rough on you. The sockliner is super plush and wicks sweat away well, all while helping them remain light as possible. The upper is covered with plenty of mesh, helping you to breathe out so much better than much of the competition, all the while they use the Adiwear to make them more durable in high wear areas. This just adds to them and makes them one of the best for outdoor balling.
Pros:
- Breathable but reinforced upper
- Easy to get on and off and comfy
- Excellent cushioning
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Adidas Originals Men’s Pro Bounce 2018 Low Basketball Shoes
If a wider range of colors is what you would like, then these certainly have a lot of sway on you. These ‘low’ shoes are actually mid tops, giving you a nice blend of the best of the high and the best of the low. The biggest thing you’ll like about these, though, has got to be the cushioning on offer. Just a glance at them shows you that you’ll be getting a ton of that through thick midsoles that extend upwards and outwards. They’ve also got good lock down from their cable lacing system, all the while they are made to fit to the individual anatomically, fitting your foot rather than someone else’s. With a TPU shank in the midfoot, you’ll get plenty of support, all the while you have a highly durable blend of material and fibers up top to make you breathable without costing you too much lifespan.
Pros:
- Off the charts cushion
- Tons of nice colors
- Durable and breathable
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Adidas Men’s Explosive Bounce 2018 Basketball Shoes
Adidas keeps up its monopoly of sorts at the moment with a fourth consecutive entry via the Explosive Bounce. These are pretty similar to the previous offering, only they have some nuances that make them standout. They have the same awesome cushioning as the previous, but they also offer a strap in the midfoot that helps both with lacing and with providing you lock down. On top of that, they have a high heel that is also padded to help the Achilles area out greatly, all the while fitting your foot anatomically. Like the one before, they have a highly durable use of mesh, thanks to TPU fibers, helping you remain breathable without making you pay for it down the line by having to buy a new shoe. Plus, they’ve also got some really snazzy colors that are sure to make the envy of a lot of people you face off against.
Pros:
- Midfoot strap locks you in better
- Tons of cushioning
- Anatomical fit
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Nike Boys’ Kyrie Flytrap Basketball Shoes
If you want a very quick and agile shoe for the youngster in your life, then you can definitely do a whole lot worse than these. These low tops are made so that they can buzz around the court with minimal fuss. This way, there is hardly any weight and you won’t get complaints about them hurting or being too heavy, something that’s much more common than you might think. With the prevalence of mesh all over them, they are great for play in the summer time, since the airflow will be exceptional. The fold over design that they have gone with makes them super easy to put on and get off, a welcome sight for any parent that needs a break and can use the help of their youngster helping them out a bit. The upper uses 3D printing, so that helps them resist abrasions, while the heel is cushioned with their Zoom Air, helping them run and jump more safely. The price is pretty high, so that’s a bummer if you’re on a budget.
Pros:
- Light and freeing
- Easy to get on and off
- More resistant to abrasions
Cons:
- Quite pricey
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Under Armour Men’s UA Fireshot Basketball Shoes
Under Armour’s first entry to the list comes here in the form of the Fireshot, which is another good pair of outdoor basketball shoes due to the use of mesh all over them. It’s in the top of the foot and on both sides, helping you to replenish the air supply that you need so badly. On top of that, these mid-tops are going to give you good support without bolstering you down and saddling you with way too much weight you can’t stand it. Synthetic leather and synthetic rubber soles make them durable and offer you great grip, all the while giving you a unique look that few others can offer you. The midsoles utilize UA’s Micro G foam, which is going to make takeoffs and landings so much easier, safer, and efficient than they were before.
Pros:
- Lots and lots of mesh
- Landing is easier than before
- Resistant to high wear on the soles
Cons:
- Pretty expensive
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Under Armour Men’s Jet Mid Basketball Shoes
Here is an option that is going to be cheaper for you from Under Armour. These mid tops are made with a bootie like design and have a lot of cushioning beneath them, even if they aren’t as crazy as the Bounce from Adidas we saw earlier. With a full-length sockliner that’s made out of EVA, these are going to not only be comfy and light, but they will also do a good job at absorbing shocks when you jump up and down on the court. The upper is made into panels, rather than having one solid piece, making it much more breathable and supportive than many of their competitors are able to bring to the table. With a huge number of colors and a vibrant style to them, that part of your game won’t be let down at all, either.
Pros:
- Cheaper price than many
- EVA within the entire insole
- Supportive and breathable upper
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Adidas Men’s D Rose 773
If you want a full on bootie, then this is the way to go if you want it from Adidas. These shoes, made for Derrick Rose, also have the sprintweb, which makes them light, supportive, and breathable all at the same time without forcing you to give up durability. The frame these utilize is the ‘sprintframe,’ which is going to make sure you are locked in to the shoes at all times, a mechanism you need due to the fact that so many booties are not great for keeping you in them and responsive at one time. With a few different colors, from the bold and outrageous, to the classy and understated, these are going to catch your eye not only for how they feel but also how they look on court. One thing to keep an eye on is that they are narrow. So you may have to make adjustments for that.
Pros:
- Locks you in with a bootie
- Durable and breathable
- Bold colors
Cons:
- Runs narrow
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Nike Men’s Mamba Rage Basketball Shoes
These Mambas, made to represent Kobe Bryant, are low tops that are going to emphasize pure speed and agility on the court. They also have superior looks to virtually everything we have seen so far, taking a great looking upper, that is made from mesh and synthetics to give durability and breathability in one package, and putting in on top of a gum rubber-like sole. This makes them stand out while also causing you to remain with more than decent traction, helping you check both of those boxes. With their Lunarlon midsole foam included in them and the flyweave upper, they are supportive and cushioned for the whole foot, helping you get through those tough hours on the court outside. Like so many of the Nikes out there, these do run narrow, but if you stick with them, they will break in a bit and help you out.
Pros:
- Very fast and agile
- Freeing and supportive
- Durable and breathable
Cons:
- Not the most protection for ankles
- Can be narrow for some
Conclusion And Final Outdoor Basketball Shoes Recommendations
Finding shoes- any kind of shoes- in 2019 is both easy and difficult at the same time. You can find hundreds of thousands online via any search tool or website, yet that also serves to help confuse a person greatly. That’s why having a one-stop shop for all you need to know is such a helpful, valuable tool. Today, we have broke down all that you needed to know in order to get the very most out of your shoes. Whether it’s your first time playing on the ‘streets,’ or you are a veteran of them, you’ll no longer be worrying about them wearing out and falling apart much too soon. The game is much rougher out on the concrete, but your shoes won’t be letting you down anymore!
FAQ’s About Outdoor Basketball Shoes
What If I Only Shoot Outdoors?
If you’re someone that is just working on their jump shot or free throws, you can probably get away without having to buy a pair of outdoor basketball shoes. In fact, you might just be fine wearing virtually any old shoes you have to shoot in. With that being said, if you are dribbling at all, or going to be playing, even if it’s just 1 on 1 with the dog, you’ll be best served with a pair of basketball shoes for the outdoor court.
Do Outdoor Basketball Shoes Cost a Lot?
The answer here is that they should not. If you are buying expensive pairs of shoes, then you are doing it all wrong. The truth is that shoes just won’t last as long, no matter how awesome they are, so it’s not wise to spend a ton on them. This isn’t to say that you should buy the cheapest ones, either, though. You still want some durability at least!
What Other Shoe Types Can I Use For Outdoor Basketball?
It’s hard to give a good, clear, and concise answer here, but most shoes just will not be very good for use on the outdoor court. Indoor basketball shoes would be one of the next best things, obviously, even if they don’t hold up as well. Tougher shoes, perhaps ones like those made for cross training would also do a commendable job. Outside of that, it’s hard to make a good case for a type that could work well given the multiple facets of the job that faces them. Running shoes are definite no-nos since they don’t have enough lateral support or support for the ankles. Tennis shoes are much too bulky in many cases and just won’t last. Anything else is sure to be a major disappointment, or at the very least, a minor disaster.
How Do I Break In Basketball Shoes?
Breaking in shoes can be super easy at times, but it can also be frustrating. You never know for sure until you get a pair and begin to wear them. So, that’s how you start. Regardless of what reviews might say, wearing your shoes before play is really essential. You’re not really breaking in the shoes as much as you are getting acquainted to them. Doing this on the court can be a painful, harrowing experience. So, wearing your shoes a little bit around the house is a good idea. As you get more and more used to them, you can wear them more and more. Then, you can hit the court and start playing with them on. It’s the best, safest, and most practical way to protect your feet.