10 Best Black Basketball Shoes in 2022

Dimitrije Curcic
Dimitrije Curcic on
| Reviewed using methodology 1.4
10 Best Black Basketball Shoes in 2022

Pretty much like white basketball shoes, black hooping sneakers are popular with players and fashion-conscious wearers alike because of how easy it is to pair them with any outfit. Black, after all, is a neutral color. 

Because of that, almost every basketball model - from the highly illustrious Nike LeBrons to the fashionable Adidas Dames - has a black variant. Given the high number of options, choosing the right pair can be an overwhelming task. We make things easier by presenting to you here the best black basketball shoes that we can find.

 

 

Best overall
Nike Kyrie 7 Nike Kyrie 7
£140 £115 From Foot Locker
Best Nike
Nike Cosmic Unity Nike Cosmic Unity
£160 £119 From Amazon
Best Jordan
Air Jordan XXXVI Air Jordan XXXVI
£190 £160 From Nike
Best Adidas
Adidas Dame 7 Adidas Dame 7
£120 £93 From Amazon
Best value
Puma RS-Dreamer Puma RS-Dreamer
£130 £55 From Foot Locker
See all 317 black basketball shoes

Overview of this guide

How we test basketball shoes

There are just so many black basketball shoes out there, and choosing the best among them is a task that requires strict competence and a dependable process. Here are some of the things that we do to ensure the objectivity of our picks:

  • purchase shoes using our own money so we are not indebted to anyone
  • all reviews are written after real tests in actual basketball games
  • our reviews are also enriched with the input of experts and players from outside RunRepeat

 

 

Best black basketball shoes overall

Nike Kyrie 7
Nike Kyrie 7
£115
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Top pick

Corescore

91
Superb!
4.5 / 5 from 457 users
90 / 100 from 11 experts

Pros

  • Fit as expected
  • Remarkable lockdown
  • Super comfy
  • Feels light
  • Stable even during lateral movement
  • Durable
  • Breathable
  • Good value for money
  • For players of all levels
  • Feels springy
  • Fits true to size
  • Easy on/off
  • Many color options

Cons

  • Break-in period needed
  • Slightly slipped when rocking backward

Verdict

Players with aggressive playing styles will love the Kyrie 7. Wearing this shoe equips anyone playing with an advantage when playing aggressively. Having an upper that hugs the contour of your foot, a bouncy cushion and an elite tread pattern that will provide control is a winner. The Kyrie 7 is recommended for everyday and competitive basketball players.
See our full review and facts
Puma Clyde All-Pro
Puma Clyde All-Pro
£18
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£60
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£115
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No stock  
Also great

Corescore

89
Great!
4.7 / 5 from 31 users
96 / 100 from 10 experts

Pros

  • Pronounced court feel
  • Amazing traction
  • Insane lightness
  • Nice bounce
  • Grounded and stable
  • Effective moisture-control
  • Comfortable tongue
  • Cushioned heel
  • Very smooth heel-to-toe transition
  • Aesthetically appealing

Cons

  • Lacks forefoot cushion
  • Narrow structure
  • Needs break-in

Verdict

Since the Clyde Court Disrupt, Puma Hoops's Clyde line has been dishing out worthy alternatives to the usually pricier and more popular Adidas and Nike kicks that flood the market. The Puma Clyde All-Pro is assessed to be even better than, or at least comparable to, the Nike Kobe 9, which critics say is among the greatest basketball shoes. The All-Pro's bad points are either easy to remedy or just because of personal preference.
See our full review and facts

Best Nike basketball shoes

Nike Cosmic Unity
Nike Cosmic Unity
£119
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£135
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No stock  
No stock  
Top pick

Corescore

91
Superb!
4.6 / 5 from 108 users
89 / 100 from 15 experts

Pros

  • Top-tier cushioning
  • Consistent traction both on clean and dusty surfaces
  • Supportive once broken in
  • Grippy outsole
  • Wide feet friendly
  • OK for outdoor use
  • Sustainable materials 
  • Awesome looks
  • Soft, snug fit

Cons

  • Break-in period needed
  • Not so breathable

Verdict

At $150, the Nike Cosmic Unity is on the pricier end for basketball shoes, but reasonable because of the top-notch cushioning setup, reliable containment, and elusive recycled materials build. If you are a player who loves a supportive, plush cushioning setup that still feels relatively low to the ground, this is a basketball shoe that fits that mold well. Plus the benefit of being a more sustainable purchase choice!
See our full review and facts
Nike Giannis Immortality
Nike Giannis Immortality
£73
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Also great

Corescore

80
Good!
3.8 / 5 from 50 users
85 / 100 from 9 experts

Pros

  • Dependable traction
  • Balanced cushioning
  • Lightweight
  • Stylish look
  • OK for outdoors

Cons

  • Support issues
  • Lackluster materials
  • Needs break-in

Verdict

The Nike Giannis Immortality is a budget model, and it shows especially in how it performs. Don't get us wrong, it's not really THAT bad. However, it sure still leaves a lot to be desired. After all, going back to the classics after experiencing new techs can truly feel a little lacking.
See our full review and facts

Best Jordan basketball shoes

Air Jordan XXXVI
Air Jordan XXXVI
£160
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No stock  
No stock  
Top pick

Corescore

86
Great!
4.6 / 5 from 34 users
93 / 100 from 8 experts

Pros

  • Dust-proof traction
  • Springy cushion
  • Impact protection
  • Lightness
  • Breathability
  • No-frills foot containment

Cons

  • Narrow
  • Needs break-in
  • High price
  • Not for outdoors

Verdict

The Air Jordan XXXVI is not perfect, but it does not have real performance issues either. It effortlessly checks all the right boxes, and its wearer is guaranteed to have a really good time on the hard court. Quite frankly, it won't be surprising if this shoe tops the list of the most preferred basketball shoes in 2021.
See our full review and facts
Jordan Zion 1
Jordan Zion 1
£70
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£84
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£110
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No stock  
Also great

Corescore

89
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 160 users
85 / 100 from 15 experts

Pros

  • Reliable multidirectional traction
  • Superb lateral support
  • Great impact protection
  • Minimal break-in period
  • Lightweight
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • Awkward sizing
  • Not durable for outdoor play

Verdict

In all, the Jordan Zion 1 is a trustworthy performer for me due to its reliable traction, forefoot cushioning, and excellent lateral support. The sole area of warning is fit, which I’d strongly recommend trying in stores before purchasing to make sure getting it right.
See our full review and facts

Best Adidas basketball shoes

Adidas Dame 7
Adidas Dame 7
£93
See deal  
No stock  
No stock  
No stock  
Top pick

Corescore

90
Superb!
4.5 / 5 from 788 users
89 / 100 from 11 experts

Pros

  • Great court feel
  • Very stable and supportive
  • Light
  • OK for outdoors
  • Affordable

Cons

  • So-so traction
  • Runs big
  • Needs breaking in

Verdict

The Dame 7 has “no serious weaknesses,” but experts can’t stop comparing it to others that are better. Although a “very solid shoe” and a “jack of all trades,” the Dame 7 is still “master of none;” and it still doesn’t make it as the players’ favorite.
See our full review and facts
Adidas Harden Vol. 5
Adidas Harden Vol. 5
£80
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£135
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No stock  
No stock  
Also great

Corescore

77
Good!
4.0 / 5 from 151 users
69 / 100 from 9 experts

Pros

  • Pronounced court feel
  • Secure foot containment
  • Noticeable breathability
  • Stylish appearance

Cons

  • Unreliable grip
  • No impact protection
  • Ridiculously heavy

Verdict

The Adidas Harden Vol. 5 is very difficult to love. It fails in almost all aspects that matter to a basketball player. One still has to be nitpicky to come up with good things to say about it. Though its debut price is lower than usual signature offers, the price cut still can't compensate for how much of a mess this shoe is.
See our full review and facts

Best black budget basketball shoes

Puma RS-Dreamer
Puma RS-Dreamer
£55
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No stock  
No stock  
Top pick

Corescore

86
Great!
4.7 / 5 from 21 users
89 / 100 from 7 experts

Pros

  • All-day comfort
  • Dependable grip
  • Stylish appearance
  • Sufficient lockdown
  • Outdoor use

Cons

  • Less impact protection

Verdict

The collaboration between musician J. Cole and Puma seems to have paid off because of the positive feedback that the RS Dreamer is getting. The features added to the shoe work together to deliver comfort, support, and overall good performance on the court. The shoe's agreeable aesthetics add to its value. Given all those, it's safe to say that the Puma RS Dreamer is a must-buy item!
See our full review and facts
Nike PG 5
Nike PG 5
£77
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£105
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No stock  
Also great

Corescore

91
Superb!
4.6 / 5 from 134 users
88 / 100 from 21 experts

Pros

  • Highly-cushioned 
  • Superb traction
  • Looks great
  • Good value for money

Cons

  • Feels pretty rigid
  • Runs small
  • Tight fit

Verdict

A highly-cushioned basketball shoe, the NIke PG 5 offers players a solid platform for jumping. This would be a good shoe for a big or power forward who likes to stay in the lanes and remain on the block. Aside from the pleasing looks, the Nike PG 5 offers great value for money.
See our full review and facts

What are the most popular black basketball shoes in 2022?

  1. Nike Precision 5
  2. Nike Zoom Freak 3
  3. Nike Giannis Immortality
  4. Puma Clyde All-Pro
  5. Puma RS-Dreamer
  6. Nike KD 14
  7. Nike Renew Elevate 2
  8. Nike Air Zoom G.T. Cut
  9. Puma Court Rider
  10. Under Armour Spawn 3
  11. Adidas D.O.N. Issue #3
  12. Nike Air Max Impact 2
  13. Adidas Harden Stepback 2
  14. Nike Kyrie Low 4
  15. Nike Lebron 19

See all black basketball shoes sorted by popularity

What are the cheapest black basketball shoes in 2022?

  1. Puma Court Rider - from £36
  2. Under Armour Spawn 3 - from £45
  3. Adidas Pro Bounce 2019 Low - from £50
  4. Nike Renew Elevate 2 - from £57
  5. Nike Precision 5 - from £60
  6. Under Armour Jet '21 - from £65
  7. Adidas Pro Boost Low - from £55
  8. Nike Air Max Impact 2 - from £68
  9. Nike Kyrie Flytrap 5 - from £80
  10. Puma RS-Dreamer - from £55
  11. Adidas Trae Young 1 - from £80
  12. Adidas Harden Stepback 2 - from £80
  13. Adidas N3XT L3V3L 2020 - from £74
  14. Jordan One Take 3 - from £90
  15. Adidas Adizero Rose 1 Retro - from £97

See all black basketball shoes sorted by lowest price

Author
Dimitrije Curcic
Dimitrije Curcic

Dimitrije Curcic has been playing basketball for over 22 years. Like Manu Ginobili, he’s a left-hander whose moves led him to a better career-shooting percentage than the Argentine himself. After playing professionally for 10 years, Dimitrije moved to coaching for two seasons before he became a basketball statistician for StatScore, and FanSided contributor for the San Antonio Spurs. Dimitrije loves to tell hoop stories through numbers and graphics and has been featured on Fansided, FiveThirtyEight, Eurohoops, and TalkBasket among the others.

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