Best Adidas Basketball Shoes – Reviews (Sneakers & Boots)
Isn’t it frustrating when you have a big game coming up, and your basketball shoes fail you last minute? Isn’t it heart-wrenching when you’re going for the winning basket, and your basketball shoes don’t give you the needed traction for it? Or when you want to make someone proud and have that buzzer-beater but get an ankle injury instead? A lot of these unfavorable situations can be avoided if you have the right kind of basketball shoes.
Basketball shoes can have a significant impact on your performance in a basketball game by absorbing impact through cushioning, allowing the user to perform higher jumps and cuts, and enabling the users to experience fantastic traction and grip on the playing field.
But now you’re browsing through different Adidas basketball shoes and can not seem to find the right one! You are faced with several dilemmas. There are loads of Adidas basketball shoes in stores with a variety of specs and features, and now you are severely confused. Worry not!
This article will review some of the best basketball shoes Adidas has ever made and hopefully will help overcome your dilemma. Let’s go!
1. Adidas Harden Vol 3 – Best All-Time Basketball Shoes Ever
One of the essential characteristics of a good pair of basketball shoes is a firm grip, which can be accomplished by a herringbone pattern. The Adidas harden vol 3 has its fair share of herringbone! This allows you to have a firm grip, fantastic traction, and immense stopping power. The herringbone proves to be of tremendous use in outdoor plays, and the traction performance is excellent on clean courts as well.
Although I must add that the tight spacing of the lines in the herringbone makes it rather difficult to wipe out trapped dirt or dust, nevertheless, the close spacing still gave its perks by enhancing traction.
This Adidas basketball shoe has a soft but solid rubber outsole. Now, why is this relevant? Well, the rubber feels comfortable and does not attract dust like other outsoles. But this rubber outsole frays due to its softness, and the grooves in the rubber outsole are more subject to wear and tear. One user reported that it began to wear off after 2 hours of outdoor play. This one characteristic makes it rather unsuitable for outdoor play.
The midsole provides great cushioning and is not too bouncy. This will definitely help in minimizing foot injuries. The fabric is good quality knit, which is almost like leather, and it gives a luxury feel to the wearer! This popular basketball shoe also has a rubber band on the forefoot, which supposedly helps in lockdown, but there isn’t any evidence that this is true. Some believe it is merely an object of design.
Apart from all this, it is also more suited for light-weighted players as they might not be able to absorb the impact that well due to the soft rubber outsole.
Pros
- Perfect stopping power
- Herringbone traction
- Soft rubber
- Great cushioning
Cons
- Fraying
- Traps dirt
- Insufficient impact absorption for heavy players
Due to its outstanding performance, traction, and cushioning, Adidas Harden vol 3 is the highest rated product among Adidas basketball shoes. You could say that it has a perfectly balanced ratio of traction, impact absorption, cushioning, and stopping power, all of which make it an excellent choice wen it comes to picking the best basketball shoes.
2. Adidas Dame 5 – Best 2022 Adidas Boys Basketball Shoes
Unlike Harden Vol. 3, Adidas Dame 5 has widely spaced lines in the herringbone pattern. This makes it almost impossible for dust to be trapped on the outsole. In fact, most believe that the Adidas Dame 5 has the best herringbone spacing among all Adidas basketball shoes, and this is the best kind of spacing ratio they’ve had in a while. Not only in terms of dust accumulation, but also in terms of traction, stopping power, and grip. It is safe to say that the Adidas Dame 5 is superior in terms of its herringbone design, and this allows it to work astonishingly well on all kinds of courts.
While most of us need some time to adapt to our new shoes and wear them a few times to adjust, Dame 5 is trouble-free and comfortable to wear on the very first try. Also, the fit of this basketball shoe is just right and is enjoyable to the wearer.
Collars help prevent foot injuries, and Dame 5 has an adjustable one and also a full tongue. Apart from all this, it has good heel cushioning for those that prefer it.
One of the most widely criticized features of the Adidas Dame 5 is the design and color. This may be due to the mesh upper of the shoe. Also, the dame five might not be suitable for those who need more cushioning in their go-to Adidas basketball shoes. While the appearance isn’t as attractive as other basketball shoes, the Dame 5 is an all-in-one provider of fabulous fit, excellent traction, divine comfort, and convenient dust removal.
Pros
- No dust trapping
- Stopping power
- Great traction
- No break-in time required
- Heel cushioning
- Works on all surfaces
Cons
- Not attractive enough
- Not enough cushioning
The traction and grip of Dame 5 make it a fantastic pair of shoes for basketball games on all types of surfaces. The herringbone pattern on this shoe is designed to have adequately spaced grooves, and this ensures sublime grip and propulsion.
3. Adidas Harden Vol 4 – Best Looking Adidas Basketball Shoes
In terms of traction, the Adidas Harden Vol 4 is no joke. It has made it easy to play in any kind of environment, whether an outdoor park, a clean court, or an extremely dusty surface. While dust may accumulate from time to time, it is easy to unclog. Also, almost every basketball shoe needs a little unclogging from time to time. So I guess it is only fair. With intense grip and power, the Harden Vol 4 is also supplemented by immense comfort and heel protection.
Even though there isn’t any boost cushioning in this edition of the Hardens, the light strike cushioning still provides excellent impact absorption. But if you were to compare it with earlier volumes like vol 3, which had boost cushioning, you could say that the Harden Vol 4 has comparatively lesser impact protection. In this edition, you can choose from a wider variety of colorways and materials to suit your needs. Be it a combo of full-mesh leather, full-length prime-knit, and what not!
In terms of fit, Harden vol 4 has hardly any dead spaces or loose sections and adequately fits most. Support is enhanced by a stable base and remarkable lockdown. Harden Vol 4 gives excellent responsiveness and bounce.
As for the drawbacks, of course, the light strike does not provide the same impact protection and the boost midsole did, and many complain of that. There is also the issue of the tiny dead space in the forefoot area and the fact that it can get very narrow in the front. You could rank the Harden vol 4 a little below Harden vol 3 in terms of bounce, impact protection, and fit. But overall, the hardens vol 4 is not that far behind and is still the right choice for someone seeking a decent pair of Adidas basketball shoes.
Pros
- Works on every surface
- Variety of materials
- Comfort
- Protection
Cons
- No boost cushioning
- Not enough impact absorption
The variation in materials is one reason why you would love Harden vol 4 as it allows you to pick from a diverse range of suitable quality materials to suit your choice. Apart from this, the easy-breezy and weightless feel of this shoe are enough reasons why anyone would be lucky to purchase them.
4. Adidas Marquee Boost – Best Adidas Shoes For Ankle Support
The Adidas marquee boost is the perfect choice for people wanting basketball shoes for wide feet as it caters to their size adequately. For those of you whose feet are wider, the Adidas marquee boost provides breathable space and ample room for your feet to relax and feel right at home. With its retro feel, this pair of sneakers has the ability to raise a feeling of nostalgia in its users. The basketball shoe is comfortable, lightweight, and has increased flexibility. The light property gives comfort and prevents the user from getting tired. The comfort is further enhanced by ankle pads made of foam to deliver a velvety, soothing sensation to the user as well as excellent ankle support. The Adidas marquee boost also has a herringbone pattern for better traction and grip, and this makes it an ideal choice for outdoor basketball games. The translucent rubber also supplements good traction. However, it is subject to dust attraction.
The design of the Adidas marquee boosts is unappealing to some people, and the translucent rubber is notorious for attracting dust particles into the grooves of the herringbone. Also, the build of this Adidas basketball shoe is relatively flat, which means that it provides discomfort for those who play better with slightly heeled or raised soles. The flatness may hinder the performance of some. But overall, the Adidas marquee boost performs just as good as its predecessors!
It’s called the Adidas marquee boosts because of the full-length boost midsole it has, which is an excellent absorber of impact and provides court feel. For ankle support, you can see a molded collar.
Pros
- Breathable
- Suitable for wide feet
- Divine comfort
- Retro stylish look
- Ankle support
- Herringbone traction
Cons
- Too flat
- Translucent Rubber traps dust
Adidas marquee boost is a good product in lieu of the fact that it caters to a broader variety of us. It’s compatibility with both broad footed, and narrow footed people makes it an excellent pair of shoes that provides size choices as well as a stylish retro look.
5. Adidas N3xt L3v3l – Best Adidas Outdoor Basketball Shoes
The Adidas n3xt l3v3l is the first basketball shoe by Adidas that has no laces. By looking at the product’s name, you can clearly see that Adidas was trying to pull off something different and unique. But it is not just different in terms of the laceless feature. Adidas N3xt L3v3l comes with a light strike foam to resist impact and to provide luxurious comfort to the user. And this foam isn’t heavy, so you are provided with ease without the tiring weight of bulky cushioning.
This Adidas basketball shoe has a herringbone pattern for outstanding traction and stopping power. This pattern works exceptionally well in multidirectional footwork and is super useful during cuts and yields superior grip, especially on clean courts.
While the Adidas n3xt l3vel gives the user a good fit and lockdown, it can be suffocating and narrow for those of you with a broader foot. Also, this basketball shoe encompasses a prime knit upper, which is laceless and stifles unnecessary movements and yields sublime lockdown.
Overall, the Adidas N3xt L3v3l is a chic and trendy pair of shoes. Even though the traction is excellent, I would say that it isn’t as good as the Harden vol 3 and is a tad bit pricey. And then again, there is the issue of the shoe feeling uncomfortably narrow in the front. Also, this shoe is harder to put on as compared to a shoe with laces. It takes quite a bit of time to put it on and get going.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Unique
- Good traction
- Good lockdown
- Primeknit upper
Cons
- Expensive
- Narrow
- Suffocating and narrow
- Difficult to wear
Adidas N3xt L3v3l is a chic pair of shoes with outstanding traction and a well-designed lockdown technology. So it is a must-have for those of you looking for something unique-looking but also high performance in the domain of basketball shoes.
6. Adidas T-Mac Millennium – Best Selling Adidas Basketball Shoes
Adidas T-Mac Millennium features the boost cushion technology for higher jumps and more energetic movements on the playing court. This boost cushioning also bestows this pair of basketball shoes with increased comfort and responsiveness—the herringbone pattern in the T-Mac millennium supplements top-notch traction and grip on the court. The three stripes of the iconic brand are clearly noticeable and accompanied by a retro vibe emerging from the shoe.
The synthetic upper materials may look a little cheap and takes some time to break in. The T-Mac Millennium isn’t the kind of shoe that you fall in love with straight out of the box, and some may argue that the material isn’t that attractive, but the comfort it provides has the potential to overshadow its slight shabbiness.
The T-Mac Millennium is an excellent performer on all kinds of surfaces, but the lockdown it provides is not top-notch. Also, the shoe is rather pricey.
Pros
- Boost technology
- Responsiveness
- More comfort
Cons
- Expensive
- Not enough lockdown
- Slightly unappealing
The boost cushion incorporated into Adidas T-Mac Millennium and the comfort it provides is the most significant plus point to it. It is a must-have for those seeking either comfort or bouncy jumps in their basketball games.
7. Adidas Pro Spark 2018 – Best Cheap
The Adidas pro spark 2018 is a good-looking basketball shoe. Chic, trendy, and elegant. For its midsole, the Adidas pro spark 2018 has cloudfoam for fantastic comfort and excellent responsiveness. At the same time, the insole is made of ortholite. In addition to this shoe being super comfortable, it is durable and less subject to wear and tear.
It performs well in terms of traction due to the herringbone pattern, like most Adidas basketball shoes. The traction is admirable and the stopping power elite. They have a firm grasp, and the synthetic materials used provide divine durability to the shoes. However, there is a drawback to the synthetic upper, and that is water quickly penetrates the upper and can soak your foot if the surface is wet.
The lockdown and support embodied by this shoe are outstanding due to the fit, the collar, and the laces. Also, these shoes are true to size, and there aren’t any issues of length.
The look of the shoes is fantastic and makes your feet look at ease and at home. The Adidas pro spark 2018 is an excellent choice for basketball games, given that the surface is dry. Overall, it is one of the best you can have.
Pros
- Stylish and trendy
- Cloudfoam comfort
- Responsiveness
- Durable
- True to size
Cons
- Water can penetrate the upper
Durable and comfortable, Adidas pro spark 18 is the number 1 choice for those wanting to give their feet a break. The cloudfoam comfort is enough to make Adidas pro spark 18 a fantastic shoe.
8. Adidas Pro Model 2G – Best for 2022
The Adidas pro model 2g has a sleek, shiny look and radiates a feeling of freshness to the user with its glossy look and clean surface. Along with this, it gives promising results in terms of performance with its herringbone pattern and bounce midsole for excellent traction, support, and grip. The bounce midsole is a producer of divine comfort and ease.
Lockdown to the heel and ankle is adequate, and the shoe gives excellent fit with no dead spaces and ample room for breathing. And we can all easily say that shoes with more breathing space are much more comfortable to wear for a longer time as compared to those that suffocate and suck the life out of our feet. Comfort is further enhanced by cushioning at the forefoot. These features make it the right product, given its price.
The materials used are seeming of superior quality and are lightweight. The upper is composed of patent leather, which adds shine and glossiness and is also accompanied by a shell at the forefoot. One drawback is that the shell at the forefoot can be uncomfortable for some people and hinder the game. The Adidas pro model 2g comes in a diverse range of colorways with ample options like clear mint or core black. Each colorway gives off a clean, fresh, and crisp vibe to the user. And the shoe is very aesthetically pleasing to the viewer.
So with reliable grip, excellent traction, trendy style, and fantastic lockdown, the Adidas pro model 2g makes a fine choice for those seeking basketball shoes that are attractive as well as promising on the court.
Pros
- Herringbone traction
- Affordable
- Shiny, sleek look
- Comfortable
- Bounce midsole
- Breathable
Cons
- Shell is uncomfortable
Shiny, sleek and fresh, Adidas pro model 2g is a show stopper everywhere you go, and an eye-catcher at every game! Herringbone traction, good looks, and comfort, all at an affordable price. Adidas pro model 2g indeed is the best one can have.
9. Adidas Pro Bounce 2018 Low
The Adidas Pro Bounce low 2018 has its characteristic bounce technology in the midsole, which effectively helps prevent the user from encounters that could damage the knees and ankles. It allows the user to absorb impact and move around with ease due to its light weightedness. Such basketball shoes enable the user to perform more energetic jumps and cuts. It is indeed a consolation to you if you can jump freely and move around without the fear of twisting an ankle or falling on your back. This confidence helps you perform better in the game.
Instead of herringbone, the Adidas pro bounce 2018 low has concentric circles for sufficient traction and grip. This proves to be of immense use in multidirectional footwork and greatly enhances stopping power. A TPU Shank is also present, which adds in rigidity. The T.P.U. Shank is a support between the insole and outsole to make it rigid and provide more stable support to the foot. As for the material, the Adidas pro bounce 2018 low is made of geo-fit and forge fiber, which encompasses extra cushioning for the ankles at the sides of the shoe.
It is stylish and hip and can be used on casual occasions as a chic supplement to your outfit. But the tongue is subject to unnecessary movement and can prove to be a bother during the game.
Apart from this, the aesthetic appeal, traction, comfort, and light-weightedness of the shoes undoubtedly overcome any drawbacks.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Impact absorption
- Good traction and grip
- Aesthetic appeal
- Rigidity
- T.P.U. ShankBounce technology
Cons
- The tongue moves too much
Why should you buy this product? Well, the impact absorption, grip, traction, and rigidity are all the promising reasons why anyone in possession of the shoes would be a great performer for sure!
10. Adidas D.O.N. Issue #1 – Best Budget Adidas Basketball Shoes
This Adidas basketball shoe has a design inspired by spiderman himself. At a reasonable price, the Adidas D.O.N. issue 1 is a shoe that is an all in one provider of comfort, sublime performance, ample cushioning, fantastic traction, perfect balance, and impact protection. The shoe has excellent lockdown thanks to it being a lace-up type shoe.
The stability is enhanced by a propulsion clip, which plays its part in providing support. As for the cushioning, the shoe has the outstanding flexible bounce midsole to allow energetic jumps, cuts, and relaxing comfort at the same time. This cushioning also supplements the responsiveness of the shoes. For the traction, you can see a multidirectional pattern below to help make perfect cuts.
Most users talk of excellent traction and grip; however, it may be a little inconsistent in that it slips sometimes. This might not be the case for all users, though. There is a mesh upper at the top that allows make it a non-suffocating and breathable shoe and fun fact: Also is kind of like a spiderman design! This mesh upper is not heavy by any means and will not hinder movements. The spiderman mesh textile makes it appealing to spiderman fans and is a symbol of agility and light footedness, as seen in the performance of spiderman.
However, heel slipping and the inconsistency of the traction are observed in this shoe, which deems it somewhat unreliable. Also, the shoe seems to attract dirt a lot (but that is the case with many basketball shoes) and requires constant wiping. The slipping may be attributed to the continuous dust trapping, which is caused by closely spaced herringbone lines. The minute you forget to wipe the shoe, its a mess and can make you fall. Furthermore, the shoe may be a tad bit narrow and tight for those with wide feet, and this effect is particularly evident in the midsole area.
Pros
- Cushioning
- Good lockdown
- Flexible bounce
- Light
- Comfortable
- Breathable
Cons
- Attracts dust
- Inconsistent traction
For all of you spiderman fans out there, Adidas Don Issue#1 is just the right basketball shoe for you! Not only will you have your very own spiderman inspired shoe, but you’ll also have a shoe that is light, breathable, and gives you amazing lockdown!
Is Adidas suitable for basketball?
Adidas is one of the top manufacturers of basketball shoes in the United States and also the rest of the world. They are equipped with the right technology and have made all their shoes based on proper research of the basketball game.
What is the best Adidas basketball shoe?
Adidas Harden Vol 3 is the best-rated basketball shoe.
What N.B.A. players have Adidas shoes?
James Harden, Damian Lillard, Derrick Rose, Donovan Mitchell, and others are in possession of Adidas shoes.
We all know how important it is to have a good pair of basketball shoes when you’re a lover of basketball. This article was designed to help you select the right pair of shoes for your needs. Whether you’re a basketball player, or you simply want a nice-looking, breathable pair of shoes, you still need to consider all the choices! We hope this article was helpful and allowed you to make an informed decision.
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