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Basketball is largely an indoor sport. Officially, it is played on well-maintained hardwood courts, which is why brands primarily design basketball shoes for indoor use.
With that, we consider it a huge plus when we find out that a shoe is actually good for outdoor courts. This only means that the manufacturer went out of their way to add more durability to the shoe.
In this guide, we present shoes that we found to be most suitable for harsher outdoor conditions. Our top picks are based on both playtesting these basketball shoes on the blacktop and measuring dozens of parameters in our shoe lab.
How we test outdoor basketball shoes
To keep our opinions on basketball footwear as objective as possible, we do the following:
- Steer clear from sponsorships. While freebies are nice to have, we don't want them to colour our judgments. We see it fit to purchase the outdoor basketball shoes using our own cash.
- Test the shoes on outdoor courts. We make sure to do it on surfaces that are typical of outdoor courts: rough, dusty, and made of solid concrete with asphalt on top.
- In addition to our qualitative descriptions, we also cut the shoes in half to perform lab tests on them. We then publish the results in our in-depth reviews and make them comparable across all basketball shoes.
Best outdoor basketball shoes overall
What makes it the best?
We say that the Nike Cosmic Unity 3 is currently the best for outdoor hooping because of its durable outsole, low-to-the-ground profile, and immense foot containment capacities. Because of all these benefits, we felt not only protected but also well-supported and much more in control.
While the outsole rubber (3.5 mm) is not really thicker than the average (4.1 mm), our lab assessments revealed that the sole of the Cosmic Unity 3 is actually harder. It registered 86.5 on the HC durometer, while the average is only at 81.5. Based on our experience, harder rubbers last longer outdoors!
Court feel was also something that we didn’t have issues with. In fact, we had so much of it; it’s crazy! The heel and forefoot are only 27.9 mm and 20.7 mm high, or 2.1 mm and 0.9 mm lower than the typical measurements. These figures do not sound much, but when coupled with the midsole’s firmness as gauged by our HA durometer (33.3 vs 26.6 average), they translated to much more pronounced ground feedback, which in turn allowed us to be more confident with our steps.
In the lab, we also manually twisted, pushed, and pulled on this shoe to teach just how resistant it is to force. We gave it a 4 out of 5 for torsional rigidity , while it got a 4 out of 5 for heel counter stiffness. On the court, this meant no ankle rolls and zero heel slippage. We could focus on the game, and our sprints and strides were much more precise and purposeful.
The firm midsole was a two-edged sword. It was not able to deliver that amount of impact protection that we needed. Players who expect pampering from their cushioning systems should look for something else.
Pros
- Perfect for outdoor courts
- Outstandingly durable
- One of the most stable shoes
- Wide platform
- Very secure lockdown
- Reliable traction on all courts
- Breathable enough
- Sustainable materials
Cons
- Firm sole with poor impact protection
- Heavier than average
- Break-in needed
Outdoor basketball shoes with the best traction
What makes it the best?
Being suitable to play outdoors is already challenging for most basketball shoes, but reaching the number 1 in our best traction category for streetball sounds almost impossible! We've analysed lots of hoopers, but the only one suited for the throne is the Puma All Pro Nitro.
We didn't have a single issue with this shoe's traction. No matter if we played on clean or dusty courts, it bit the floor consistently. When we took it to our lab we saw why: it features wide grooves that make it hard for the dust to get stuck. We also noticed how there are 2 different patterns, a linear one at the toebox separated into different sections, and some kind of web at the heel. This offered us multidirectional traction, which was really convenient when we wanted to move fast and get past our defenders.
When we pressed our durometer against the rubber, it returned 80.0 HC. This higher score was a positive surprise for us, as great grip usually comes with a softer compound. The good thing here is that this translated into durability, as our Dremel only caused a 1.0 mm deep dent. Also, according to our calliper, the outsole is 4.6 mm thick, surpassing the average and providing a lot of material to wear out.
Nevertheless, if you want your shoes to bit AND let you feel the court, you might want to look for something else. The ground feel of this Puma is not its best feature.
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Pros
- No-frills grip on floors
- Feels quite stable
- Secure foot containment
- Good for occasional outdoor use
- Dependable impact protection
- Lightweight construction
- Flexible structure
Cons
- Not spacious enough for wide feet
- So-so court feel
Outdoor basketball shoes with the best cushioning
What makes it the best?
After countless hours in our lab and days and nights hooping in the streets, we’ve finally decided the New Balance TWO WXY V4 has the top of the tops cushioning in the outdoor basketball shoes category.
At 31.2 mm and 21.3 mm, its heel and forefoot stacks are pretty much average. That’s what our calliper confirmed, but our feet had something else to say. During our wear tests, we felt incredibly comfortable whenever we landed after a rebound. At the same time, this NB’s energy return allowed us to perform quick split steps and fast footwork overall, such as Euro-steps.
We took the shoe to our lab and cut it in half to learn more about its cushioning system. It features a dual-technology midsole that combines Fresh Foam X and FuelCell. First, we grabbed our durometer, and at 25.0 HA, it agreed with our feet: the TWO WXY V4's midsole is and feels pretty soft. Then we took our calliper and measured the shoe’s outsole thickness at 5.1 mm, which makes this shoe one of the best we've tested so far to play ball outside.
Despite being great for streetball, its lack of breathability might not make it suitable to hoop in the summer or when it's hot overall.
Pros
- Wonderful foot containment and lateral stability
- Great bounce and shock absorption
- Very supportive underfoot
- Comfortable and soft
- Okay to play streetball from time to time
- Super versatile
- Wide and stable platform
- Optimal and consistent traction
Cons
- Might need a break-in period
- No court feel
- Not many updates from v4
Best budget outdoor basketball shoes
What makes it the best?
It was the amazing hardness of the sole that made the Nike Air Max Impact 4 one of the favourites for outdoor play. Then we have the firmness of the midsole and upper breathability to thank for this shoe’s sustained agility on the court. But it was its £90 price, which is a lot lower than the £140 average, that convinced us that it’s the outdoor shoe that offers the most value for money.
We couldn’t believe our eyes when the HC durometer gave the outsole an 87.5, making it significantly firmer than the average sole that gets a score of only 81.5. Having such a sturdy sole allowed the shoe to withstand the unique pressures of the outdoor courts.
The midsole of the Air Max Impact 4 is arguably one of the most balanced cushioning systems ever. The HA durometer pegged the softness at 25.5, while the average is 26.6. This close-to-the-average firmness allowed us to be quicker on our feet without jeopardising impact protection.
The breathability of the upper was felt the moment we put on this shoe. We confirmed this when the shoe got a solid 3 out of 5 after we conducted a smoke test on it in the lab.
The width of the footbed is no better than average: 101.1 mm (the average is 101.0 mm). Hence, we can never recommend this shoe to players who have wider-than-usual feet.
Pros
- Traction is consistently good
- Responsive cushioning
- Decent impact protection
- Comfortable and well-ventilated upper
- Dependable foot containment
- Great for outdoor use
- Value for money
Cons
- Needs to be broken in
- Not for wide-footers
5 qualities of the ideal outdoor basketball shoe
A vast majority of basketball shoes are designed with smooth indoor courts in mind.
But because outdoor courts are often more readily available for spontaneous games in public parks and community spaces, there is a considerable demand for shoes that can handle rough surfaces.
If you are on the lookout for a streetball-ready shoe, make sure that it checks the following five boxes:
- Hard, durable, and thick rubber outsole
- Thick tread pattern
- Sufficient cushioning and impact protection
- Durable and reinforced upper
- Good breathability
Choose hard, durable, and thick rubber outsoles for the blacktop
Hard outdoor courts will almost always put more miles on your shoes but different surfaces can have varying effects on your basketball shoes:
- concrete and asphalt are the harshest and most abrasive ones
- rubberized courts are more forgiving
- artificial turf is not very common but is the least demanding on shoes
Thus, the type of rubber used in the shoe’s outsole is a critical consideration.
In our lab, we perform three tests with four different tools to determine the essential characteristics of each shoe’s rubber outsole: hardness, abrasion resistance, and thickness.
Hardness
We press a Shore C durometer against the bottom of the shoe to measure its outsole hardness. The readings range from 50 to 90 HC, where the lower number indicates softer rubber.
Shoes with a softer rubber outsole tend to wear out quickly and lose their grip on the outdoor court, compromising both the shoe's longevity and the player's performance.
Shoes with a harder rubber outsole offer better durability and grip on concrete and other outdoor surfaces. However, hard rubber can affect the shoe's cushioning and comfort, making it crucial to find a balance between durability and comfort when choosing basketball shoes for outdoor play.
Abrasion resistance
In the next step, we turn to a Dremel with a sandpaper tip to test how much damage the shoe’s rubber can sustain within 22 seconds. The speed of the tool is set to 10K RPM while the pressure remains at 3.2N.
After that, we measure the depth of the indentation with a tread gauge. It shows how much rubber the Dremel managed to burn through. The results typically range from 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm, where the smaller number represents better abrasion resistance.
Outsole thickness
Last but not least, we want to make sure that the shoe's outsole rubber is thick enough because this directly affects the shoe’s lifespan.
We measure outsole thickness on half-cut shoes for higher accuracy of the calliper measurement. The results typically range from 3 to 6 mm averaging at 4 mm.
Putting all these measurements together, we can see which of our lab-tested basketball shoes live up to the durability criteria needed for the blacktop.
Tread pattern matters in outdoor basketball shoes
A good grip on the court means better control over your movements and the ability to jump higher. This is why the tread, traction, and grip of your basketball shoes are crucial.
But here's the thing: outdoor and indoor basketball shoes have different needs in this regard:
Indoor basketball shoes have thin razor-like tread lines that have a strong bite on hardwood but are instantly destroyed on concrete or asphalt. Some indoor shoes also feature circular flat spots on the sole that allow for a suction-like grip on smooth and flat surfaces. But take them outside and you may find them slipping and sliding all over asphalt, especially if the surface is not smooth.
Outdoor basketball shoes typically come with larger thicker tread patterns that provide good lateral stability and grip on all types of surfaces.
If you are in doubt about the treading on your pair of shoes, try this quick DIY test:
- When trying a shoe on foot, test the outsole by firmly pressing down against the floor.
- Try to slowly rock your foot back and forth and side to side. With most soft outsoles and thin tread lines, you are going to feel the rubber grooves warping and bending. You don't want that outdoors.
- You can further test it by running a bit, slamming the brakes (stopping to change direction), and stomping with your forefoot.
Sufficient cushioning and impact protection are essential
Concrete courts are much less reactive than wood or PVC courts, so if you’re aiming to play as hard as you would indoors you should invest in a pair of well-cushioned shoes to protect from overloading injuries in the ankles and knees.
The findings of Zhou et al., 2023 suggest that players who habitually strike the ground with their rear foot may be at a higher risk of developing overuse injuries when running on hard surfaces such as concrete.
In basketball, most explosive movements involve a forefoot strike. These can occur while boxing out, jump shots, cutting, and finishing off two feet.
To make sure you’re fully covered for streetball, we meticulously check each shoe’s heel and forefoot stack height as well as cushioning softness in our lab.
Stack height
Stack height indicates how much material sits between your foot and the court. Using a calliper, we measure its thickness in both the heel and the forefoot.
The average stack heights of our lab-tested outdoor basketball shoes hover around:
- 29.5 mm in the heel
- 21.5 mm in the forefoot
Depending on your individual needs, position, and playing style, you may want to go for a more pronounced ground feel or for more impact protection. But keep in mind that concrete and asphalt courts are going to be much harder on your feet and legs than indoor courts. Sometimes betting an extra couple of milimeters can elevate the comfort quite a bit!
Midsole softness
Choosing how soft you want to go in a pair of streetball shoes is also entirely up to you. We are only here to measure cushioning softness on each pair with the help of a Shore A durometer.
To help you understand what each HA reading means in a real shoe, here are two videos illustrating cushioning foams on both sides of the spectrum:
Softer cushioning with a 20.1 HA reading
Firmer cushioning with a 33.3 HA reading
To give you an overview of cushioning in our best-rated basketball shoes for outdoor courts, we gathered the data on stack height and softness in the table below:
Consider upper materials too: are they durable enough?
Playing basketball outdoors WILL deteriorate your kicks faster than playing indoors. This is an important cost factor to keep in mind when considering the upper construction of your shoes.
But how do you know if the shoe’s toebox is reinforced enough to survive constant toe drags against the blacktop?
We are here to test that with our trusty Dremel.
Drilling each shoe’s toebox with sandpaper at a constant speed (5K RPM) and pressure (3.2N) for 12 seconds, we can assess the damage it caused to different types of uppers.
For example, a minor cosmetic scuff that doesn’t affect the shoe’s integrity gets a score of 5 whereas a see-through hole gets the lowest score of 1.
Here is the overview of outdoor basketball shoes with the most wear-resistant toebox materials:
Also do check the inner side of the shoe’s forefoot for any additional layers of protection against toe drags and slashes.
These days, synthetic, knit, and mesh materials are much more common among basketball shoes. That’s because they offer better breathability, lightness, and instant form-fitting comfort compared to old-school leather hoop shoes.
Of course, no one can stop you from getting genuine leather or suede uppers for outdoor courts as these can withstand rough use, providing excellent support and stability. But do keep in mind that the nature of streetball is so abrasive that you will find yourself splurging on this type of shoe more often than you may wish to.
Check breathability to avoid toasty feet in summer
Did you know that basketball was originally invented as a winter sport? It was meant as an indoor activity for the cold and rainy season. Maybe that explains why most hoop shoes these days lack breathability so badly???
Anyway, the basketball scene has evolved quite a bit since 1898 and for Asian countries, for example, outdoor courts have become the most popular and readily available playground for basketball.
Considering the high temperatures and humidity of these areas, breathability becomes of utmost importance.
In our lab, we perform a series of breathability tests to check each shoe’s ventilation capacity. In one of these tests, we fill the upper with smoke and observe how quickly it passes through the upper material. We also take note of the areas that expel the smoke most effectively and happen to be most transparent in our light test.
We summarise our findings in a breathability score between 1 and 5 where 5 stands for the highest level of breathability we’ve come across in a hoop shoe.
Other factors to consider in outdoor basketball shoes
Ankle support and stability features
Look for shoes that provide adequate ankle support to minimise the risk of injuries. That doesn’t necessarily mean choosing high-top shoes!
Contrary to the common stereotype, a higher collar doesn’t give more ankle support according to science. Here is what does:
- high torsional rigidity
- wide base with a lateral outrigger
- stiff heel counter
- secure lockdown
- grounded platform
- solid traction
To learn more about basketball shoes with the best ankle support, see our guide.
Your playing style and personal needs
Even though basketball is becoming increasingly positionless, there are some features that guards may appreciate more than forwards and centres, and vice versa.
Guards
These athletes may benefit from a shoe with a lighter weight and more flexibility for faster movement and agility on the court.
You’ll want to look for low-profile cushioning to keep the shoe light and your movements liquid. It’s recommended to look for a more snug-fitting upper with additional features like a mid-foot strap or structured lacing systems so that you’re not worried about the foot moving inside the shoe.
Forwards
These highly versatile players shoot both from far away and close up, throw passes, perform rebounds, and take layups. Thus, they will also benefit from a basketball shoe that can do it all - grip, cushioning, and solid stability.
Centres
These players will benefit from maximum support and cushioning, as they often engage in more physical play under the basket.
When playing in front-court positions, regardless of outdoor or indoor your shoes are subject to additional wear and tear. As a player positioned in the paint during a basketball game, the constant need to box out and secure rebounds puts you at a higher risk of encountering moving feet and potential impacts, and setting picks will have smaller guards regularly colliding with you.
If what we’ve just described is your bread and butter on the court, it’s recommended that you look for a stiff upper construction with plenty of added ankle coverage to:
- Protect your feet
- Have your outdoor basketball shoes last a reasonable amount of time.
Famous centres: Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Shaquille O’Neal
FAQs about outdoor basketball shoes
How much break-in time should I give my outdoor basketball shoes?
It really depends on the materials used in the shoe and how often you play in them. We try to give new basketball shoes at least 6 hours of light activity before playing a game in them.
This way you can get used to the shoe’s cushioning and response as well.
How much wear should I get out of outdoor basketball shoes?
Again, it depends a lot on game intensity, how much you drag your feet, and the conditions of the court you play on. Generally, you should get about 70 hours of playtime in with a solid outdoor pair.
Are outdoor basketball shoes more expensive?
They are not! With both premium and affordable options available, you can choose a shoe within your budget.
But based on our personal experience, getting a £200 shoe just to play outdoors is not the best investment considering how quickly you burn through shoes on concrete and asphalt.
If you are a beginner who needs a solid outdoor shoe below £100, there are a few excellent options:
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