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.
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
- Best indoor budget basketball shoes - adidas Dame 8
- Best outdoor budget basketball shoes - Under Armour Lockdown 6
- Best budget basketball shoes for jumping - adidas Harden Vol. 6
- Best budget basketball shoes for wide feet - Li-Ning Wade All City 10 V2
- Best budget basketball shoes for guards - PUMA MB.02
Best indoor budget basketball shoes - adidas Dame 8
Being Damian Lillard's 8th signature shoe, the adidas Dame 8 has been tailored towards providing you with a combination of speed and precision on the court.
As touched on earlier, you get Bounce Pro foam in the midsoles to keep you protected, but to also deliver exceptional energy returns to improve your speed off the mark.
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Not only that, but the shoes are made from lightweight Air Mesh, and feature a unique 'waved' traction pattern below to increase your levels of grip on a hardwood surface.
It's also worth noting the shoes are made in part with recycled content generated from production waste, thus reducing the impact on the environment and aligning with adidas' campaign to end plastic consumption.
So, not only can these shoes benefit your indoor court game, but they're also built sustainably. As an overall package then, we'd say they're a top pick to consider.
Best outdoor budget basketball shoes - Under Armour Lockdown 6
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.
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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 helping to keep the shoes lightweight and responsive. All in all, there's plenty to like about this Under Armour pick.
Best budget basketball shoes for jumping - adidas Harden Vol. 6
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.
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Vol.6 also sees the return of the classic herringbone traction pattern from the 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.
Best budget basketball shoes for wide feet - Li-Ning Wade All City 10 V2
Finding basketball shoes to comfortably fit wide feet can be tricky. However, the two pull tab entry system along with the predominately flexible mesh upper of the Li-Ning Wade All City 10 V2 makes it a great option to consider.
Additionally, the shoes feature full-length BOOM cushioning for comfort, and Cloud technology in the midsoles to help you propel, make turns, and break away from opposition defences with ease.
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You also get a midfoot strap that's designed to keep you lock-in on the court. This should also help you stay in control during quick changes of direction as your feet remain strapped in place.
Speaking of changing direction, Li-Ning boasts the shoes feature a multidirectional traction pattern underfoot to ensure there are no wasted steps when switching up the gears. So, in our opinion, we'd say these Li-Ning shoes are well worth checking out.
Best budget basketball shoes for guards - PUMA MB.02
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.
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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.
Frequently asked questions about basketball shoes
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 a number of 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 which 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 large 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.