7 Best Cheap Basketball Shoes, 90+ Shoes Tested in 2023

Dimitrije Curcic
Dimitrije Curcic on
7 Best Cheap Basketball Shoes, 90+ Shoes Tested in 2023
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Getting more for less is always appealing. Because of this, brands such as Adidas, Under Armour, and even industry leader Nike make cheap basketball shoes available for everyone.

We have reviewed over 70 shoes under $100 to find which ones have the best performance in this price range. And we were surprised to find that in some aspects, these shoes come very close to their more expensive counterparts.

How we test basketball shoes

The best cheap basketball shoes among all these are then determined by ranking them according to their Corescore. A corescore is an aggregate numerical assessment that is based on reviews by players, expert reviewers, and even ordinary users. We spent hours scouring the web for these.

To create the list below, we got the ratings and opinions of 109 experts and about 12,400 users. Their views and comments were posted on social media, video hosting websites, retailer sites, and other platforms.

Best cheap basketball shoes overall

Jordan One Take II
Jordan One Take II

Corescore

86
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 326 users
87 / 100 from 3 experts

Pros

  • True to size
  • Comfy, snug fit
  • No break-in period
  • Close to ground contact
  • Breathable
  • Impressive lockdown
  • Light
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Outsole needs constant wiping
  • Not for outdoor play

What makes it the best overall?

Russell Westbrook is back on the scene with his second takedown sneaker, which has been debuted by multiple NBA players this season so far. The shoe is a dependable performer all around, and plays best on indoor hardwood gyms but is still capable outdoors with less longevity. For the recreationally competitive player who wants a decent pickup without banking the bank, this shoe fits the profile well.
Read our full review of Jordan One Take II here
jordan one take ii laces
jordan one take ii midsole

Best basketball shoes

Nike Lebron Witness 6
Nike Lebron Witness 6

Corescore

89
Great!
4.7 / 5 from 1,064 users
81 / 100 from 5 experts

Pros

  • Side-to-side containment
  • True to size
  • Thin but durable materials
  • Comfortably padded tongue
  • Smooth heel-to-toe transition
  • OK for outdoors
  • Easy on-off
  • Stylish

Cons

  • Dust-prone outsole
  • Lacking impact protection
  • Barely there court feel
  • Break-in needed

What makes it the best outdoor?

The Nike LeBron Witness 6 can now cease to exist so that the LeBron Witness line can go to being the glorious line that it was. Sure, this shoe is not a lot like the Witness 5, but the updates do not do it any good. With many serious flaws, this shoe is great only as a collector's item on a lighted glass-enclosed shelf. If you want a safe game shoe, take your money somewhere else. We recommend the Nike Mamba Rage.
Read our full review of Nike Lebron Witness 6 here

Best low top cheap basketball shoes

Nike Giannis Immortality
Nike Giannis Immortality

Corescore

88
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 1,825 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

What makes it the best low top?

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.
Read our full review of Nike Giannis Immortality here

Best mid top cheap basketball shoes

Adidas Pro Model 2G
Adidas Pro Model 2G

Corescore

91
Superb!
4.6 / 5 from 3,194 users
89 / 100 from 5 experts

Pros

  • Superb comfort on & off the court
  • Clean & classic look
  • Reliable traction
  • Great cushioning
  • Excellent lockdown
  • Good for casual wear
  • Great for guard positions

Cons

    • Needs break-in
    • Narrow toe box

What makes it the best mid top?

With a grip that works well on any court condition, the Adidas Pro Model 2G is well-received by basketball players, especially those who play the guard positions. Many are happy that this updated pair looks and performs just as well as the original Adidas Pro Model. Fans are delighted that these retro basketball sneakers are a steal for their price.
Read our full review of Adidas Pro Model 2G here

Best basketball shoes

PUMA Ralph Sampson Mid
PUMA Ralph Sampson Mid

Corescore

90
Superb!
4.7 / 5 from 4,332 users
92 / 100 from 2 experts

Pros

  • Dope-looking
  • Flawless
  • Premium quality leather
  • Comfortable cushioning
  • Multisurface grip
  • Worth the money

Cons

  • Limited color options
  • Looks different from the original

What makes it the best ankle support?

The PUMA Ralph Sampson Mid is one of the best retro releases of 2019. Owners have little to no complaints about these basketball sneakers. According to them, the materials are just top-notch, and the comfort is on another level. Indeed, an excellent job is done with the Ralph Sampson Mid. Those looking for quality retros other than Air Jordans should cop a pair.
Read our full review of PUMA Ralph Sampson Mid here

Best value cheap basketball shoes

Adidas Harden Stepback 3
Adidas Harden Stepback 3

Corescore

88
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 1,576 users
91 / 100 from 3 experts

Pros

  • Excellent bite on the court
  • A lot of court feel
  • Good energy return
  • Comfortable wraparound
  • Sufficiently supportive
  • Ergonomic design
  • Fast break-in
  • Value for money

Cons

  • Not for outdoor use
  • Dust-prone outsole
  • Cheap-feeling materials

What makes it the best value?

The Adidas Harden Stepback 3 is good news to those who want to perform beastly on the courts without slashing their pockets too much. This shoe's got the chops needed for fast and decisive movements toward the basket, making it a good partner for players who want to take the offense to the next level. It is arguably one of the best picks in its price range.
Read our full review of Adidas Harden Stepback 3 here

Which basketball shoes are considered “cheap”?

Here at RunRepeat, we consider “cheap” the bottom 25% based on SRP. Out of the bottom 25%, Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour offer the most number of cheap shoes.

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What makes up the top cheap basketball shoes

Generally, cheap basketball shoes are made from materials that are less expensive and far more common than the ones used on more expensive options. The table below summarizes some of the most commonly used materials across brands.

 

Material

Description

Cushion

Old Cushioning Technologies

Cheaper basketball shoes make use of old technologies. A good example is Nike’s Air technology, which is light and comfortable.

EVA Foam

Closed cell ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer foam or EVA is among the most commonly used material for midsoles primarily because it is durable, water-resistant, and comfortable.

Upper

Synthetic fabric

The upper of cheap basketball shoes also need to be durable, hence synthetic fabrics are usually used.

Artificial rubber

The upper material is sometimes reinforced or infused with much cheaper artificial rubber such as neoprene to ensure comfort.

Best basketball shoes for less

Cheap basketball shoes, even the best among them, can be classified into three categories. You can easily remember them with this acronym: NOT Expensive.

Cheap-basketball-shoes.png

Non-signature models are not less pricey simply because no big name is attached to them, so there is no need to pay a premium for that personality’s brand. 

Shoe models, hailed and sought after during their time, will eventually be replaced with newer and touted to be innovative ones. But new is not always better; older models, even with their price cuts, can still hold their own on the court.

Brands, in their efforts to appeal to a much wider audience, purposefully produce basketball shoes that are cheaper. They are often referred to as takedown models.

Cheap signature basketball shoes

To widen their reach, some basketball stars work closely with brands to come up with their own takedown basketball shoe releases.

LeBron James. Aside from his main LeBron line, which released its 17th shoe in 2019, The King LeBron James also has a takedown line known as the Soldier, which already made its 13th release in.

Kyrie Irving. Besides the main Kyrie line, shooting guard Kyrie Irving also has a series of budget basketball shoes called the Kyrie Flytrap. As of the first half of 2020, it made its third release.

Kobe Bryant. The late Kobe Bryant also drops budget-friendly basketball shoes every now and then. The Nike Mamba Fury is the first one to release since his death in January 2020. 

When you go for less pricey signature basketball shoes, always consider your style of play. If you are a big man who takes on the center and power forward position, you’d need a shoe with more cushioning. LeBron’s basketball shoes can help you with this.  

However, if you are a guard who needs a more pronounced feel of the court, Kobes and Kyries are what you need.  Otherwise, you can go for cheap basketball shoes with great traction and court feel.

When is the best time to buy cheap basketball shoes? 

Basketball shoes can also come significantly discounted; if you know when to shop for them, that is!

When-can-I-get-cheap-basketball-shoes_.png

Buying at clearance sales are among the most obvious ways to get basketball shoes at significantly discounted rates. Clearance sales usually happen right after big events when retailers scramble to bring their inventories back to normal.

Speaking of big events, the retailer’s anniversary day or week is usually a period of generous discounts, especially for their loyal customers. Celebrations that push people to shop such as Christmas also bring prices down. 

You can also get basketball shoes for less upon the release of a new model in a basketball shoe line. The price of the one that the new release replaces will surely be brought down to entice buyers to at least consider buying it.

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.