Best Budget Basketball Shoes 2024

Finding the best budget basketball shoes that suit your game can be difficult with so many options available. But with the right pair, you can upgrade your on-court footwear for less.

Fortunately, we've put together a list of top picks based on reviews, features, and price, which, in comparison to some of the best basketball shoes around, are relatively inexpensive to buy.

Being inexpensive doesn't mean cheap and low-quality though. Although all the shoes we've selected typically retail for less than $150, they all come packed with technology designed to take your basketball game to the next level, making them some of the best sneakers on the market today.

For instance, the adidas Dame 8 features Bounce Pro foam in the midsole to keep your lower body protected by absorbing shock. The foam should also deliver greater energy returns for each stride and leap you take, thus helping you save energy while outperforming your opposition.

So, while our selection of shoes falls toward the budget end of the scale, it doesn't mean any of our picks aren't excellent options to consider this season. With this in mind, here are the best budget basketball shoes available now...

Best budget basketball shoes

1. adidas Dame 8 - best option for indoor games
2. Under Armour Lockdown 6 - a great alternative to use outdoors
3. adidas Harden Vol. 6 - best choice to maximise your jump
4. Li-Ning Wade All City 11 - a superb contender for wide feet
5. PUMA MB.02 - top pick for guards

Credit: adidas

1. adidas Dame 8

Best indoor budget basketball shoes

The adidas Dame 8, Damian Lillard's eighth signature shoe, is designed to offer an impressive blend of speed and precision on the basketball court.

A key feature of these shoes is the incorporation of Bounce Pro foam in the midsoles, which not only ensures excellent cushioning and protection but also delivers exceptional energy return to enhance your acceleration and agility.

Crafted with lightweight Air Mesh materials, these shoes provide a comfortable and breathable fit too. They also sport a unique 'waved' traction pattern on the outsoles, enhancing your grip on the hardwood surface and giving you the edge in maneuverability.

It's worth highlighting that these shoes are produced with a commitment to sustainability. A portion of their materials is derived from recycled content, sourced from production waste. This eco-friendly approach aligns with adidas' mission to reduce plastic consumption and minimise the environmental impact of their products.

In short, the adidas Dame 8 is an outstanding choice for your indoor basketball game, offering both performance and sustainability. With their innovative features and eco-conscious design, these shoes are a top recommendation for any basketball player

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Credit: Under Armour

2. Under Armour Lockdown 6

Best outdoor budget basketball shoes

Indoor courts are one thing, but when you want to take the game outdoors onto a much harder concrete surface, you'll need a pair of sneakers that can withstand the added punishment.

The Under Armour Lockdown 6 might just be the answer here as it's primarily made from leather, although you do get a number of mesh panels along the sides to reduce weight and to help improve breathability.

Underneath, you'll find what Under Armour boasts as being a durable rubber outsole, complete with a herringbone traction pattern to give you the grip you need when performing quick turns of pace on a more challenging surface.

Other notable features include the foam sockliner to increase comfort underfoot, plus the EVA midsole which helps to keep the shoes lightweight and responsive. All in all, there's plenty to like about this Under Armour pick.

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Credit: adidas

3. adidas Harden Vol. 6

Best budget basketball shoes for jumping

To maximise how high you can jump, your best bet is to go for something lightweight and packed with foam to give you a little extra spring. With this in mind, we'd suggest checking out the adidas Harden Vol. 6.

One of the reasons we like these shoes for jumping is because they come with adidas' Boost foam in the midsoles to give you greater energy returns during each leap.

Vol. 6 also sees the return of the classic herringbone traction pattern from Vol. 3. As a result, you should find you can break away from the mark with ease when you're not attacking the rim thanks to the grip these shoes provide.

It's also worth mentioning that, like the Dame 8, 25% of the uppers on the Vol. 6 are made from a minimum of 50% recycled content. Therefore, if it's a sustainably made shoe you're after to help increase your jump, then this adidas option is one to keep in mind.

The only caveat here is the Harden Vol. 7s. We've not included the latest iteration simply because of its price. However, it does upgrade on the 6 in several ways, so is definitely worth checking out if you are willing to extend your budget just that little bit further.

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Credit: Li-Ning

4. Li-Ning Wade All City 11

Best budget basketball shoes for wide feet

Finding basketball shoes to comfortably fit wide feet can be tricky. However, with its flexible mesh upper and flywire lacing system, the Li-Ning Wade All City 11 is definitely worth considering. The mesh fabric is designed to conform to the shape of your foot, while the laces give more leeway when it comes to tightening them up.

Additionally, the shoes feature full-length BOOM cushioning for comfort, which Li-Ning boasts provides 8.8% more responsiveness in the forefoot and a 9.6% improvement in rearfoot cushioning compared to previous models.

Underneath, the shoe features a TUFF RB outsole and PROBAR LOC for grip and traction. This can help you explode away from the mark easily and can stop you from slipping at crucial times during a game.

And, finally, the low-cut design features a 7mm toe-heel drop for lighter weight and better court feel under your feet. So, bearing all these factors in mind, we'd say the All City 11s are definitely a great budget option to consider.

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Credit: PUMA

5. PUMA MB.02

Best budget basketball shoes for guards

We're rounding things off with one for guards in the PUMA MB.02. Built for LaMelo Ball, speed and precision are two words that come to mind to describe this sneaker.

It's been engineered toward the explosive, playmaking style of a guard. For instance, the NITRO foam-infused midsole is designed to improve responsiveness and comfort whilst remaining lightweight, thus giving you greater energy returns off the mark.

Moreover, you get a full-length nonslip rubber compound underfoot, with a feather tread to increase grip and, in turn, make quick cuts and spot-up jumpers that bit easier.

Finally, the upper is made from a combination of mesh and what PUMA refer to as 'multizone mixed materials' to target support, comfort, and breathability to the areas which require them most.

Overall, we'd say the MB.02 is an excellent signature sneaker for one of the best guards in the league. However, the MB.03 is now available. Once again, it's a little pricey for this list, but it's still worth exploring if you can afford to spend a bit extra on your kicks.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Finding the right basketball shoes can often lead to a ton of questions. Don't worry though, we've answered some of the most commonly asked queries below.

What should you look for in basketball shoes?

There are several key features to be aware of when buying new basketball shoes, the first being what kind of support they offer.

Sudden changes in movement and pace can be taxing on your feet and ankles. Therefore, we'd recommend choosing a basketball shoe packed with padding and foam to absorb shock and help you avoid injury. High collars can be particularly useful for support around your ankles as well.

Next, make note of what the shoe offers for grip. According to Dicks Sporting Goods, it's one of the most important elements to consider as you don't want to find yourself slipping at crucial moments on the court.

Herringbone or hexagonal patterns are common for basketball as they can be the most effective at providing multidirectional grip on a hardwood surface.

Finally, try and find out how much the basketball shoe you're planning to buy weighs. You don't really want to feel as though you're being weighed down mid-game, so make sure the shoes you want are relatively lightweight.

Do basketball shoes fit true to size?

Generally speaking, basketball shoes fit true to size. However, most manufacturers have their own size charts which you can check if you're unsure. adidas, for instance, has a size guide that gives information on what size to go for if you're feet measure "X"-inches.

One thing that is worth noting though is that not every sports brand's shoes fit the same. For example, when you compare Nike vs adidas sizing, Nike shoes are half an EU size larger than adidas, despite both claiming to be the same UK size.

This can make buying basketball shoes in the right size tricky. However, as long as you double-check with the manufacturer in question's size chart, you should be okay. As an aside, check out our guide to measuring shoe size as well to help get you started with your comparison.

When should you replace basketball shoes?

Figuring out precisely when to replace your basketball shoes isn't a one-size-fits-all matter; it hinges on factors such as their quality and your frequency of use. However, there are some guidelines to consider.

Dr. Michael Lowe, the Utah Jazz team podiatrist, suggests changing shoes monthly during the season to minimise injury risks. Yet, this advice pertains more to professional athletes who undergo rigorous training and competition. As an amateur player, you won't typically need to swap out your shoes that frequently.

A good rule of thumb is to keep an eye out for any noticeable wear or decline in performance. If you start to observe significant damage or a decrease in your sneakers' effectiveness, it's probably time to start shopping for a replacement pair.

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