7 Best PUMA Basketball Shoes in 2023

Dimitrije Curcic
Dimitrije Curcic on
7 Best PUMA Basketball Shoes in 2023
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Nike (together with its subsidiary Jordan) and Adidas have long been the most dominant players in the basketball shoe market. However, this did not stop PUMA from re-entering the game in 2018 after around twenty years of producing only lifestyle sneakers and running shoes among others.

PUMA's grand re-entry was with a rightful nod to its great basketball past. The company produced a new and aptly modernized version of the Clyde Court Disrupt, which of course was a direct pick from Clyde Frazier's arsenal.

Since then, PUMA has produced a handful of kicks, each with its own strength. We get acquainted with the most outstanding among them here.

How we test basketball shoes

Picking the best PUMA basketball shoes requires serious testing; the company has poured years of research and development into each product that all perform so well. We always make sure that each PUMA shoe gets used in more than two games before a verdict or final assessment is made.

To further ensure the objectivity of our picks, we do the following:

  • See to it that each product is bought using our own cash to avoid bias
  • Also consider the inputs and experiences of other testers with the shoe to make our reviews more comprehensive

 

 

Best PUMA basketball shoes overall

PUMA RS-Dreamer
87
Great!

What makes it the best?

The RS Dreamer is borne out of the collaboration between musician J. Cole and PUMA, and it's a success. 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. It's safe to say that the PUMA RS Dreamer is a must-buy item!

Pros

  • All-day comfort
  • Dependable grip
  • Stylish appearance
  • Sufficient lockdown
  • Excellent stability
  • Outdoor use
  • Great court feel

Cons

  • Heavier than most
  • Not breathable
  • Lacks impact protection and bounce
Full review of PUMA RS-Dreamer

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Men
Women
Any color
Blue (19399022)
Yellow (19399019)
Puma White/Puma Black (19459801)
Red (19460201)
Prism Violet/Blazing Yellow (19399004)
White (19399001)
White (19399002)
Blue (19399021)
More colors

Best PUMA mid top basketball shoes

PUMA Dreamer 2
88
Great!

What makes it the best?

The PUMA Dreamer 2 has a revered spot in the basketball shoe market. It offers a really soft and breathable upper, making it suitable not only for in-game use but also for all-day utility at work or school. This PUMA basketball shoe also boasts commendable craftsmanship; its look is so seamless you would think it is much pricier than it really is! Its amazingly supportive fit is the final feature that makes it such a pleasure to wear.

Pros

  • Very comfortable upper
  • Amazing one-to-one fit
  • Great support and lockdown
  • Grip that works
  • Effective cushioning system
  • Nice craftsmanship
  • Neat design

Cons

  • Not for wide-footers
  • Hard to put on
Full review of PUMA Dreamer 2

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Men
Women

Best PUMA low top basketball shoes

What makes it the best?

Since the Clyde Court Disrupt, PUMA Hoops's Clyde line has been dishing out 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 there just because of a personal preference.

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
Full review of PUMA Clyde All-Pro

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Unisex
Any color
Puma White Puma Black (19403903)
Celandine/Black (19537101)
Puma Black/Luminous Pink (19403902)
Puma White/Blue Atoll (19403901)
Puma Black Pink Lady (19403907)
Puma White/Prism Violet (19512402)
Puma White Power Green (19512401)

Best PUMA high top basketball shoes

PUMA Legacy
87
Great!

What makes it the best?

The PUMA Legacy has everything you need in a basketball sneaker. These high-tops provide solid support with their engineered knit mesh upper and ankle webbing. The combination of IGNITE and NRGY foams offers adequate cushioning while the high-abrasion outsole delivers durable traction. Overall, the PUMA Legacy delivers no-nonsense performance at a budget-friendly price.

Pros

  • Great on-court performer
  • Great traction
  • Quite comfortable
  • Very durable
  • Excellent lockdown and support

Cons

  • Easily gets dusty
  • Foam cushion feels a little dense and stiff
  • Don't fully break-in
Full review of PUMA Legacy

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Men
Women
Any color
White (19351201)
Black (19341901)
Grey (19301801)
White (19404801)
Blue (19404802)
Red (19404804)

Best PUMA outdoor basketball shoes

PUMA MB.02
83
Good!

What makes it the best?

The MB.01 had a good run, and the MB.02 is not to be outshone. The second LaMelo Ball signature basketball shoe from PUMA does not stop dazzling players with its superior performance on the basketball court. It is arguably one of those shoes that are able to charm a lot of ballers, regardless of their in-game roles and positions.

Pros

  • Consistently great traction
  • Bouncy midsole
  • Topnotch comfort
  • Fairly breathable upper materials
  • Heavy-duty laces
  • Superior stability
  • OK for outdoor use
  • Feels light

Cons

  • Too similar to the MB.01
  • Might be too snug
Full review of PUMA MB.02

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Unisex
Any color
Black (37828701)
Fluro green/lime squeeze (37758401)
Jade/Jade/Gold (37828401)
Blue (37758601)
Fiery Coral/Ultra Orange (37644201)
Black (37764401)

Best value PUMA basketball shoes

What makes it the best?

Most buyers think that these retro basketball shoes are straight-up fire. From the materials down to the smallest detail, Palace Guard got everything right. These PUMA shoes from the late ‘80s even feature a few updates that contribute to cushioning and comfort. Simply put, the PUMA Palace Guard OG is retro at its finest. For just 90 bucks, you won’t find anything better.

Pros

  • Quality
  • Excellent value for money
  • Super premium
  • Fit perfectly
  • Great style
  • Super durable outsole
  • Quite comfortable

Cons

  • Feels a little heavy and bulky
Full review of PUMA Palace Guard

Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
Puma White-geranium (37058701)
Black (37041201)
Black (37006304)
White (37151201)
Puma White Puma White Gum (37006303)
White (37001701)

Comparison of the 7 best PUMA basketball shoes

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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.