Nike AlphaDunk review
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all basketball shoes.
Verdict from 13 experts & 100+ users
Pros
- Bouncy
- Pretty responsive
- Excellent impact protection
- Great on foot
- Soft
- Flexible
- Sturdy
- Excellent support
- Great lockdown fit
- Easy to put on
- Good traction
Cons
- Outsole attracts a lot of dust
- Heavy and bulky
- Chunky midsole






65% say it's true to size.
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Rankings
- Our 1st pick in best Nike high top basketball shoes
- Our 1st pick in best pink basketball shoes for men
Comparison to similar basketball shoes
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Who should buy the Nike AlphaDunk
This Nike shoe is a good match for you if:
- You want a shoe with excellent support and a great lockdown fit for basketball
- You are after basketball shoes with a visible air unit for aerial advantage
Profile of the Nike AlphaDunk
The Nike AlphaDunk is the ultimate weapon of powerful players who rise above the rim. Pulling together the best Nike technologies, these high-top basketball shoes are engineered to withstand the bangs and bruises of playing in the paint.
“The AlphaDunk began from a study in jump height,” Nike Basketball Senior Creative Design Director Ross Klein explains. “We began to consider what would happen if we bring our most responsive technology, Zoom Air, to the entire forefoot to cover the full motion of a jump, from load to launch. What could it do?”
The Nike AlphaDunk boasts the highest stacked Zoom unit ever to generate push and ensure engagement during takeoff. A re-engineered Flyknit upper provides a sock-like fit that is both strong and flexible.
“We wanted to ensure durability for athletes working in the key,” Klein continues.
Performance
Cushion. The Nike AlphaDunk boasts a Zoom Air unit that extends under the ball of the foot to the toes. The large Zoom unit keeps the foot engaged with the cushioning until the point of liftoff. At the heel, a foam midsole provides added cushion during hard landings.
Traction. These high-tops from Nike feature a durable rubber outsole with a fingerprint-like traction pattern that provides grip on the court.
Closure. The Nike AlphaDunk’s high-top construction is designed to keep the ankle firmly in place. An external heel cup helps stabilize the ankle.
The AlphaDunk features a Flknit upper that offers a sock-like fit. These basketball shoes also utilize a traditional lacing system with Flywire cables to keep the foot locked in. A padded inner collar provides added support for the Achilles tendon.
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Material
The Nike AlphaDunk boasts a re-engineered Flyknit construction that provides both flexibility and strong support where you need it. Along the upper, added thickness enhance durability without the excess weight.
Style of the Nike AlphaDunk
Its engineering defines the AlphaDunk. These basketball shoes feature a large, visible air unit at the forefoot to provide high-fliers an aerial advantage. At the top of the shoe, a textured upper solves for abrasion.
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Special Colorways of the Nike AlphaDunk
These high-top Nike basketball shoes are currently available in the following color options:
- Black/Photo Blue-White ‘Pure Magic’
- Metallic Silver/Hyper Royal/Red Orbit ‘Dunk of Death’
- Racer Pink/Volt/Black ‘Hoverboard’
Nike AlphaDunk ‘Dunk of Death’
The ‘Dunk of Death’ colorway is a nod to Vince Carter’s dunk over 7-foot-2 Frenchman Frederick Weis. These Nike sneakers are dressed in the colors of Team USA with insoles that read “Dunk of Death.”
Nike AlphaDunk ‘Hoverboard’
This special edition colorway takes inspiration from the movie Back to the Future 2. Details include an arrow graphic on the right shoe and an embroidered “LOB” on the left shoe. The insoles also come with “Library of Bounce” and “Imagination” graphics.
Nike AlphaDunk ‘Pure Magic’
Feature a Magic-themed color scheme, the ‘Pure Magic’ colorway pays tribute to Aaron Gordon’s All-Star dunk.