Black basketball sneakers

The color black and the sport of basketball

Who doesn’t love the color black? Purists might say that black is the absence of color, but sneakerheads would beg to differ. The black shade is one of the most popular colorways in sneakerdom and shoes with this hue often sell out. And why shouldn’t they? Black is classy and sophisticated all by itself. Throw in other colors, and the mixture can go from extremes such as youthful and funky to dark and broody.

And what about basketball? The sport is fun to watch, sure, but have you seen the shoes? They’re hip and cool, and surely you can pretend to be Kobe Bryant for a while as you wear them on your feet. You don’t even have to play or be a basketball fan to like bball sneakers. It’s enough to put them on. And what could be more attractive than the pairing of black and basketball shoes?

Just like with other types of kicks, basketball sneakers have transcended the sport and went into lifestyle use. Why waste all that cool design on the hardcourts when you can model them on your feet as you walk the urban landscape?

All Black Basketball Shoes

For sneaker lovers who like the monochrome look, try all-black basketball sneakers such as these:

Nike Lunar Force 1 Duckboot - The Lunar Force 1 Duckboot is a descendant of that famous outdoor basketball silhouette, the Air Force 1. These men’s and women’s all black basketball shoes combine the profile of the Air Force 1 with the superb comfort of the brand’s Lunarlon tech. The supremely stylish and comfy Lunar Force 1 Duckboot is the result of such ingenious mix.

Lunar Force 1 Duckboot is Lunar Force 1’s fashionable answer to the cold winter season. The shoes are crafted with water-repellant leather uppers, Internal WaterShield linings, and Lunarlon soles to keep the shoes light while protecting the feet from the elements. Metal eyelets, flat laces, aggressively patterned soles, and tongue and heel pull tabs complete the look.

Nike Air Force 1 Low - This iconic silhouette was first seen in the early 80s with a higher-cut profile and the groundbreaking Air technology, exciting basketball fans the world over. Since the model’s reintroduction in the late 80s, a slew of variations and versions of the model came out one after another as proof of its extreme popularity.

 Air Force 1 Low sneakers have much of the same features of their predecessor but with updated materials. The uppers are made of premium leather, the midsoles contain the much-vaunted Air tech, and, of course, the profile became lower.

Nike Flight Bonafide - While the design definitely takes cues from the basketball court, Flight Bonafide shoes are more suited for lifestyle use. These kicks are inspired from the design of Zoom Flight 95 basketball shoes, which were among the first few chosen from among the brand’s basketball shoes to don the Zoom Air tech.

The silhouette represented the year 2017 for Nike’s Five Decades of Basketball Collection along such models like the Air Force High SL, Air Zoom Generation, Air Foamposite Pro, and Blazer Studio Low.

Flight Bonafide sneakers feature high-top profiles, soft and snug Flyknit uppers, zippered heel closures, plush insoles, and ribbed outsoles. The Air cushioning is contained inside the round side pods in the midsoles of the sneakers.

Fans of the futuristic look of these kicks would be pleased to know that the black basketball shoes are available in men’s and women’s sizes.

PUMA Basket Classic - PUMA Basket Classic is descended from that notable silhouette that was first seen five decades ago—the PUMA Basket. A leather version of PUMA Clyde, these kicks are great for winter and the cold season, when you want to look dressed up but not too made up.

The shoes do not offer much in the way of technology, but they do provide an elegant and classic look that never goes out of style.

PUMA Fenty Suede Cleated Creeper - These popular women’s black basketball shoes may not look like sneakers you will use for the ball sport, but they do descend from one. PUMA Suedes were renowned basketball training shoes which became iconic in the way they defined many cultural moments in history including the 1968 Olympics’ Black Power Salute.

Rihanna took the famous silhouette and incorporated it into her Fenty line by adding platform soles to come up with the PUMA Fenty Suedes. For this newer iteration, cleat-style rubber soles were added to the thick platforms for an even more striking look.

Adidas Tubular Invader Strap - Described as the everyday man’s Yeezy 750 Boost, Adidas Tubular Invader Straps have everything that their more expensive brand brother has, without the same tag price. The shoes combined the Invader basketball shoes of the 80s with Tubular tooling for a more streamlined look.

The sneakers come with soft suede uppers, midfoot straps atop laces, high-top collars, Ortholite sockliners, heel straps, and block stabilizers at the soles reminiscent of the NMD.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Core Ox (Monochrome Black) - The ageless silhouette was given yet another distinguished version with the release of the CT All Star Ox. The basketball staple shoes of the 20s got a low-cut version of itself in 1957, and Chuck Taylor All Star Core Ox is the brand’s modern interpretation of these winsome shoes.

These men’s and women’s black basketball shoes may look cool, but the silhouette is also available in a wide range of other colors.

Jordan 6 Rings - Jordan enthusiasts would likely be excited at the release of a new Jordan version, but the 6 Rings are something else. These Jordans are a mixture of all the shoes that MJ used at the height of his career, with Jordan XI and XIII influences easily detected.

Jordan 6 Rings feature Phylon midsoles with Zoom Air tech, Velcro straps, Huarache-style sockliners, heel loops, and TWO3 logo stitching, all of which are details taken from the Air Jordan VI, VII, VIII, XII, and XIV.

Adidas Tubular Dawn - These women’s black basketball shoes have an ultra-modern design that is perfect for the ladies who are not into dainty, feminine footwear. The sporty shoes started as basketball kicks in the 80s with a minimalistic design. Brought back in 2014 as retooled runners, the silhouette was given the makeover several times resulting in refreshing new reinterpretations.

Tubular Dawn shoes feature Primeknit uppers, web overlays for securing laces, and the signature Tubular outsoles which take inspiration from car tire tubing.

Black and blue basketball shoes

The black and blue scheme is a familiar and comforting colorway in the sneaker world. It conjures classic shoes and days gone by.

Adidas Superstar 2 (Black/Blue) - First seen in 1969, these sneakers’ ancestors were the low-top versions of Adidas’ Pro Model with a few modifications thrown in, such as the rubber shell toes which easily identify the Superstar from other silhouettes. The Superstar 1 quickly rose to fame and became a basketball must-have after being worn by the likes of Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

Superstar 1’s fame was the reason for the introduction of the Superstar 2. Superstar 2 shoes retained many elements of the 1s but introduced new details. The thin leather tongues were replaced with thick padded ones, the heels had better padding, the leather uppers became full-grain, and the colorways were vastly expanded.

Adidas EQT Bask ADV (Carbon/Carbon/Collegiate Royal) - A relatively new silhouette in Adidas’ vast archives, EQT Bask ADV—which released early 2018—is based off the sporty EQT range of the 90s. The shoes took their cue from a 90s hoop model but upgraded these for a more contemporary styling.

The shoes consist of knit uppers, TPU supports at the heels, rope laces supported by textile and TPU straps, chunky midsoles for a thoroughly retro feel, and sculpted outsoles. These black and blue basketball shoes feature mostly black uppers with royal blue heels that give the kicks a welcome pop of color.

Jordan Fly 89 (Black/Royal Blue) - Riding the minimalistic trend of today, Jordan Fly 89s feature quite straightforward uppers that offer no frills. The shoes took details from the iconic Air Jordan IV such as the midfoot wing cages with lace loops, heel pull tabs, and paint-splattered midsoles.

The textile uppers and the TPU wing cages of these kicks are done up in a royal blue shade while the laces, collars, and the overlays attached to the cages are dipped in black resulting in sleek and aerodynamic-looking shoes. The black paint-splattered white Lunarlon midsoles provide plush cushioning, and the asymmetric pods in the outsoles bring enhanced traction.

Black and white basketball shoes

There is nothing considered more staple than the combination of black and white. Any sneaker collection seems bereft without this classic colorway mixture.

Nike Air Force 270 (Black/White) - Another memorable iteration from that famous silhouette with near-cult status—Nike Air Force 1—these sneakers feature the tallest Air units yet. Designed with a mid-top profile, these black and white basketball shoes contain busy uppers with hook and loop strap closures plus huge Air units at the heels.

TPU cages, which enclose most of the heels, and midfoot overlays provide ample support to the feet while Nike Air Force 270’s Phylon-injected midsoles deliver plush yet light cushioning.

Air Jordan Future (Black/White) - Bridging the gap between performance and lifestyle, Air Jordan Futures deliver supreme cushioning at an extremely light weight. The one-piece check-patterned uppers (some colorways contain camo patterns or reflective uppers), while adapting to the shape of the feet, also contribute to the light feel while the Phylon midsoles provide uncompromising comfort.

The shoes feature midsoles taken from Air Jordan XIs, asymmetrical lacing systems that give off an HTM vibe, and with some colorways, 3M reflective accents.

Adidas Superstar Boost (Black White) - Applying the much-admired Boost technology to a classic basketball trainer just seemed the right way to go for the Adidas brand. Although still carrying the same profile and shell-toe design of the original, the Superstar silhouette just got much more comfortable with the introduction of the Boost tech to the shoes’ midsoles and undersoles.

These basketball-inspired sneakers boast of full-leather uppers and laces in black. The midsoles, Boost element, shell-toes, heel counters, and 3-Stripes are done up in cool white.

Adidas Crazy BYW (Core Black/Cloud White/Real Purple) - Inspired by the Feet You Wear tech of the mid-90s, Adidas’ Crazy Boost You Wear boasts of chunky basketball elements so prevalent in that era.

The shoes are a mix of vintage and futuristic details that at first glance would seem highly unlikely to mesh. Yet they do, as crazy as it seems, and the shoes do it exceptionally well. The bulky Boost soles, translucent rubber outsoles, mesh collars, knit uppers, suede overlays, and neoprene toes combine to give off a one-of-a-kind look that somehow works.

Nike Vandal High Supreme (Black/White-Cool Grey) - The Nike Vandal silhouette was first seen on the hardcourts in 1984 when high-tops reigned supreme. Born in the same era as other notable models such as Nike’s Air Force 1 and Dunk, these kicks were often relegated to the backseat. However, the shoes’ lighter weight and cutting-edge looks garnered some dedicated group of fans including B-boys and Back to The Future aficionados.

From the hardwood floors of the bball courts to the feet of pop culture fans, the silhouette has managed to stay relevant throughout the years. Now coming out as Vandal High Supreme with upgraded textile uppers, it looks like the model is here to stay for some few decades more.

Black and gold basketball shoes

The touch of gold brings a hint of elegance to any colorway it combines with, and this is no more obvious than when it is mixed with black.

Nike Air Force 1 07 LV8 (Leather Black/Metallic Gold) - The Air Force 1 is one of the most recognized silhouettes of all time, and this version of the old classic is truly deserving of the prestigious legacy. Air Force 1 07 LV8s were designed with many elements of the Air Force 1 present. However, this new iteration features more modern improvements such as bouncier cushioning and thicker midsoles which give the wearer an “elevated” look.

Although the silhouette is available in many colorways, the black and gold basketball version of these basketball shoes stand out. The inky black uppers are given a touch of luxury with the gold Swoosh logos and heels. White soles round off the look.

Black and pink basketball shoes

Pink adds a daintier touch to the somber black.

PUMA Vikky LS SoftFoam (Black/Atomic Mango) - If you’re having a hard time searching for women’s pink and black basketball shoes that are a touch more feminine than the usual sporty designs, PUMA Vikky LS SoftFoam may be what you need. Designed exclusively for women, these sneakers have a classic look emphasized by the smooth black leather uppers and contrasting fuschia Formstrips made of suede at the sides.

The shoes come with SoftFoam inserts that not only deliver superior comfort and cushioning but also minimize heat retention and odor.

PUMA Suede Classic (Black/Pink) - These are direct descendants of PUMA’s most influential and iconic shoes, the PUMA Suede, which defined many important historical moments. Suede Classic continues the much-loved tradition of full-suede uppers with the narrow tooling of the original, but with enhanced comfort features more suited to the present time.

A few pink and black colorways for these basketball shoes are offered along with a ridiculous amount of other color schemes.

Black and green basketball shoes

Green is an energizing color which looks amazing and sporty when paired with black.

Air Jordan Future Low (Light Poison Green) - Much like their mid-top brothers, Air Jordan Future Lows carry Jordan XI soles and sleek one-piece uppers. This time, however, the uppers are made of mesh instead of the usual weave-patterned fabrics.

For the green and black rendition of these basketball shoes, the brand put camo prints under light green mesh uppers for a subtle design that should still grab you some second looks. Black tongues and asymmetrical laces, white midsoles, and icy blue outsoles complete the trendy package.

Air Force 1 07 Mid (Black/Neptune Green) - While sporting a mid-cut silhouette, Air Force 1 07 Mids stayed true to their roots by offering much of the same profile beloved by millions for decades. The uppers are textile and leather with ankle straps for foot and ankle lockdown and pivot points are placed on the forefoot and heels for smooth directional transitions.

The green and black colorway of these basketball shoes come from the “Black Leather Pack” which released in 2017. Instead of the usual leather and textile, the uppers were made of tumbled leather with a Neptune Green color applied to the Swoosh brandings and 3M reflective touches on the larger Swoosh on the sides. Midsoles and outsoles came in the same inky shade as the uppers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are basketball sneakers?

A: Basketball sneakers are lifestyle footwear that are inspired by shoes specifically made for playing the sport. Most of the retros are now lifestyle shoes because newer basketball shoe releases contain better technology and comfort more suited for playing the ball sport.

Q: Can you wear basketball sneakers for playing the game?

A: Yes, of course, but some models won’t last long if used extensively for playing basketball or, they won’t really provide much in the way of support or comfort. Most retros aren’t built the exact same way they were when they debuted, and there are far better models for playing the game than lifestyle shoes or old basketball silhouettes.

If you need to browse lifestyle kicks inspired by classic basketball shoes, click on the Sneakers link on top of our page. This should take you to a page with a list of all sneaker articles on our site. You can make a more specific search by using the filters on the left of the Sneaker page. You can filter by brand, gender, and which sport the shoes are inspired from.

If you need specific shoes for playing the game, click on the Basketball link at the top of the page instead.

Q: What clothes match with black basketball sneakers?

A: There is no hard and fast rule when styling lifestyle kicks like sneakers because they go well with all outfits. Yes, sometimes including even suits.

Q: What color of socks go well with black basketball shoes?

A: Shoe and sock rules aren’t strict when it comes to sneakers so wear whatever color you like as long as they kinda match with the rest of your outfit.

Q: Why are some basketball shoes high-tops?

A: There was a time when high-tops were all the rage when playing basketball although that number seems to have dwindled in recent years. It’s believed that high-cut sneakers are better for the ankles, preventing injuries that might occur with sudden twists and turns. Since Kobe bucked the high-top trend, more and more low-top basketball shoes started coming out.

Low-tops have their advantages too. Aside from and because of the lighter weight, a player’s stamina may be enhanced because far less energy is exerted when compared to high-tops.

Q: Are basketball shoes suitable for the gym?

A: It depends on what exercises you do when you go to the gym. Squats and weightlifting exercises need somewhat flat and stable heels, so basketball shoes with bulky curved soles are definitely out. However, basketball sneakers as a whole are not a bad choice because most tend to provide lots of stability and support.

Q: Do basketball shoes prevent injury?

A: Basketball-specific shoes can, as well as several lifestyle sneakers. Most injuries in playing the sport occur from improper landings. Shoes that emphasize shock absorption will not only help you play more comfortably but will also lessen the risk of injury from bad falls.

Q: Are Jordans and Nikes the same?

A: The Jordan brand is under the Nike umbrella. The Jordan brand is mainly focused on basketball shoes while the Nike brand markets all kinds of footwear for sports and lifestyle use.

Q: What is the difference between the Jumpman and the Air Jordan?

A: The Jumpman is just what people call the Jordan logo because of the silhouette of the jumping man with a ball. Air Jordan is a collection of Jordan shoes utilizing Air technology.

Q: How do you clean black basketball shoes?

A: First, remove the insoles if they’re removable and clean with a mixture of water and detergent. Air dry. Then do the steps below according to the fabric of your uppers:

Mesh/Knit:

• Mix water and a bit of mild detergent.
• Dip a small towel into the soapy mixture and dab carefully at the uppers, careful not to snag the fabric.
• When all dirt and stain have lifted, rinse the towel. Dab again at the shoes’ uppers until you’re satisfied no soapy residue remains.

Suede/nubuck:

• Carefully brush the sneakers’ uppers with a special suede brush.
• You can use a special suede cleaner for stubborn stains.
• Suede protector sprays keep suede shoes cleaner longer and prevent really bad stains from sticking to your shoes.

Leather:

• Wipe off the fabric with a soft damp cloth or sponge. You can also use a water and soap mixture for this.

Canvas:

• Mix some detergent with water.
• Dip a soft toothbrush or scrub brush into the soapy mix and gently brush the canvas with it.
• Rinse off any soapy residue from the shoes with warm water.

Don’t forget to air dry your kicks before storing them away. Keep out of direct heat, and never use bleach.