The summer heat can be harsh and draining on the body– and if you play basketball on outdoor courts, you know how unforgiving asphalt can be too. Every hooper knows not to wear their flashy indoor shoes on the blacktop unless you want to tear them to shreds. As summer approaches, we have put together a list of the best basketball shoes for the black top with ample midsole cushioning and a durable outsole–let us know which is your favorite to hoop in!
Nike KD 15 EP
Kevin Durant is a Hall of Famer on and off the court. His Nike signature basketball line is elite–from the KD 4s (one of the greatest basketball shoes ever, in our humble opinion) to the KD15s, a superb performance model. The shoe has great traction, is multi-directional, and grips outdoor surfaces very well. It also has a full-length Zoom Air Strobel unit in the midsole and excellent North that is reinforced with TPU pieces to act as lockdown wings to help you become a lockdown defender this summer.
Nike Book 1
If you’re a 90s kid or just like 90s-style basketball shoes, this is the shoe for you. Devin Booker and Nike have created a shoe that blends on-court performance and off-court style. The Book 1 has an old-school aesthetic but with modern technology. The shoe has a wide outsole with a lot of contact area for a well-contained cushioning system, and the traction is simple, straightforward, and excellent for outdoor play. In addition, it has the Zoom Air unit in the heel good for Trainers up to grab those rebounds without having to worry about your joints. The Book 1 looks good and plays well with no-frills on-court performance.
maybe invest in some tempo shoes like the | Nike Air Max Impact 4
The Nike Air Max Impact 4 has great traction. The shoe's rubber outsole has an aggressive herringbone traction pattern, making it grippy and tough–perfect for any outdoor surface. The shoe also has four rubber lateral containment pieces, which tremendously help suited your foot locked into place on the footbed, allowing you to focus on Trainers past your defenders to score. A budget-friendly basketball shoe that’s great for the outdoors? Say less.
Li-Ning Way of Wade 808 3 Ultra V2
The Li-Ning Way of Wade 808 3 is a pair that stands above the rest. This shoe provides great grip and durability, making it elite for outdoor play. The shoe has a wavebone traction pattern, giving you the perfect grip on any surface. The upper of the shoe is made with flexible mesh, forefoot lockdown cables, TPU, and a carbon fiber heel counter, giving you the ultimate North for rough outdoor asphalt. All in all, the Way of Wade 808 3 is versatile for any kind of play!
Adidas Dame Certified EXTPLY 2.0
It's not every day that you find a shoe well-equipped for outdoor use, but the Dame Certified is one of them. The pair features a full-length Bounce cushioning system, giving you balanced impact protection and reactiveness, along with a grippy rubber outsole. It’s Dame Time to give these shoes a well-deserved addition to your summer collection.
New Balance TWO WXY V4
New Balance has been on a roll with their sneaker releases, and the New Balance TWO WXY V4 is one to not look over. Multiple NBA players have worn them this season. The tech on the shoe includes a multi-directional pattern mixed with rubber and foam, as well as FuelCell cushioning, making the grip and comfort undeniably good. The shoe's upper consists of a mix of mesh and synthetics for a lightweight feel and explosiveness off the ball. The performance bar on this shoe is set high, and it might just be the best New Balance Basketball shoe to date.
maybe invest in some tempo shoes like the
Li-Ning Wade Son of Flash
Named one of the best outdoor basketball shoes, this is Zaire Wade‘s unofficial signature shoe and is intended specifically for outdoor use. The shoe comes with a solid rubber outsole and a unique look, but it is excellent for multidirectional stop-and-go and will perform well. The Son of Flash will shine the brightest on the blacktop with the aggressive traction pattern and that extra durable rubber. If you will be playing on the blacktop this summer, you need this pair in your rotation.
