This article covers many amazing basketball shoes that have the durability and strength needed to withstand the rigors of streetball.
I reviewed every shoe in this guide by referencing reviews, firsthand accounts, and my own personal experience. I have spent over two decades playing basketball both in the gym and on the street. That time has taught me a lot about good athletic footwear.
The Peak Streetball Master is my pick for the best street basketball shoe due to its stellar EVA sole, rubber construction, and exceptional graphic design.
It’s a great shoe made with asphalt in mind. Where many models can work outside, the Masters have a build, look, and traction all made to improve your game beyond the gym. They are comfortable, eye-catching, and enhance your general performance no matter how you play.
That being said, they aren’t the only good street basketball shoes money can buy. I go over the other top options in the sections below.
Quick Navigation
Who Should Get This
These shoes are best for people who like to ball outside. Of course, people who play in the street will get the most out of them. That being said, they come with premium materials and have a robust construction that makes them plenty useful for the driveway or blacktop too.
Note that, while the shoes do a good job on asphalt, they are also serviceable in the gym. Outdoor shoes can always be used indoors. Each of the below items has tons of premium traits that make them perfect for just about any surface you’ll find yourself playing on.
Top Street Basketball Shoes: Our Picks 2022
This section reviews all of the best street models by looking at their key traits and personal niches in the larger market.
Best for: Overall
Key Features: Honeycomb traction pattern. Incredibly stable. Seamless integrated weaving. Good lockdown. Snug fit. Flashy colors and design.
Sole: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
Fit: True to Size
Weight: 2 pounds
Though the name is a bit on the nose, the Streetball Master from Peak is truly the best street shoe on the market. The model has special materials and a reinforced seamless weaving both aimed at playing outside. You won’t have any issues on rough surfaces or in wet weather.
The other big plus here is the excellent comfort. Playing in the street can be hard on the soles of your feet. Peak fights that through its ample cushion and reinforced padding. You also get plenty of support to help fight potential ankle injuries. As with many great shoes, they also look great.
Just note, to make them better suited for outdoor play, Peak made the Masters quite rigid. That’s especially true in the midsole. If you’re someone who values shock absorption you may not be a fan of that change. Otherwise, you’ll have nothing to complain about with this pair.
Best for: Responsiveness
Key Features: Robust, grippy outsole for excellent traction. Plush feel. Circular outsole pattern. Great lateral mobility. Plush foam tongue and padded collar.
Weight: 2.36 pounds
Sole: Rubber
Fit: Narrow
The Air Zoom is a Nike sneaker that does well out on the street. That’s because it’s incredibly well cushioned thanks to the three layers of Nike React foam and two Zoom units. There’s plenty of impact protection throughout the midsole, as well as a padded collar and foam tongue.
As with any street shoe, the model comes with plenty of durability. The outsole happens to be grippy as well, which is incredibly important when you’re trying to find traction on asphalt. Slipping is one of the biggest issues with streeball. This ensures that never happens to you.
The BB NXT is a great shoe for both indoor and outdoor play. However, some people may not like the look or general design. It’s definitely a bit bulkier than some players may be used to. If that’s not an issue for you, then it’s a fantastic way to lace up when you’re going out of the gym.
3. Embiid 1
Best for: Toughness
Key Features: TPU wing. Great ankle support and well-rounded lockdown. Strong traction. Lightweight design. Breathable. Die-cut EVA sockliner.
Sole: Rubber
Fit: True to Size
Weight:13.9 ounces
The Embiid 1 is a shoe with a huge focus on durability. That is why it does so well on the street. Where many great footwear options will quickly wear down when used outside, you can truly push these to their limits. They have a rubber sole and an exceptional build that’s made to last.
Adding to that is the wonderful padding on the shoe’s interior. The die-cut EVA sockliner is worth a mention, as is the soft feel that keeps your foot protected on hard landings. You get a good amount of lockdown here as well, which lessens your chance of blisters on hot days.
The one drawback some people might find with the Embiid 1 is their bulk. The shoes, as the name suggests, are more aimed at big men than guards. That means they are a bit heavier and larger than many may be used to. Even so, they are the most durable street shoes around.
4. HOVR Havoc 3
Best for: Grip
Key Features: UA HOVR roam technology. Molded textile upper with webbed lacing system. Mesh tongue. Great ventilation and energy return.
Fit: Narrow
Sole: Rubber
Weight: 1.72 pounds
One of the biggest issues players have when playing on the street is traction. Not only is the ground uneven, but it can be dirty or slippery too. The Havoc 3 fights that issue thanks to its premium traction, herringbone pattern, and responsive HOVR foam.
Those traits make the shoe incredibly comfortable as well. It has a solid, molded fit and comes with a midfoot TPU shake for additional stability and lockdown. If you’re someone who values control or quick cuts, this shoe enables you to play the way you want on the street.
Just be aware that the Havoc 3 definitely fits on the tight side. That narrowness won’t be a big issue for those with regular feet, but if you have wider ones you want to go up a half-size. Also, they take a little extra time to break in. They’re worth the effort, but practice in them first.
5. KD Trey VIII
Best for: Comfort
Key Features: Dual-density midsole. Soft, responsive foam for cushion and stability. Wavy tread rubber outsole. 2-layer textile forefoot material.
Weight: 1.3 pounds
Sole: Rubber
Material: 2-layer Textile
The KD Trey VIII is a comfortable shoe that feels great regardless of what surface you’re playing on. It comes with a dual-density midsole in addition to a mid-high foam collar. Both features provide extra support to your entire foot and make sure every cut or landing feels great.
These also excel outside due to the rubber outsole, which has a wavy tread pattern, and multidirectional traction. Both come together to ensure you can start or stop on a dime. You never have to worry about slipping with these on, which is essential when playing outside.
For all of its pros, the Trey VIII is not without cons. The biggest is that it doesn’t have the best ventilation. The snug fit is great, but the materials aren’t as breathable as similar models. If you play streetball in the middle of summer this may not be the best
Best for: Lockdown
Key Features: Zoom Air with foam. Comfortable fit with ample lockdown. Breathable. Mesh upper. High-top for additional support.
Sole: Rubber
Upper: Mesh
Weight: 3.25 pounds
The Lebron Soldier XIII is a good shoe for those who need a perfect fit. Getting a tight feel is essential for streetball, and this delivers through the excellent, versatile lockdown. The stylish model is fully equipped with two dual Velcro straps that allow you to perfectly adjust the feel.
On top of that, you get a Zoom Air cushion and foam sole. Both of those are then backed by an incredible herringbone tread pattern for ample traction. The entire backpack is durable too, ensuring you can use them for months outside without any worries.
As nice as the lockdown is, the shoes do run on the small side. If you’re someone with wider feet, you need to get a half-size above your normal one. It’s also important to not pull the straps as tight as they go, as that can lead to some discomfort while you run around.
7. Lockdown 5
Best for: Affordability
Key Features: Breathable mesh construction. Ventilated tongue. Sturdy support. Stable and supportive. TPU film toe cap.
Sole: Rubber
Fit: True to Size
Weight: 1.94 pounds
Streetball shoes, even premium models, break down quickly due to the rigors of playing on asphalt. The Lockdown 5 eases that issue by delivering an incredibly diverse, well-rounded shoe that won’t break the bank. It’s affordable, but still packs in quite a few features.
Those include a tough sole, sockliner, TPU film toe cap, and breathable mesh. No matter how hard you play, these have you covered. They even have a unique mesh air tongue and powerful base that lends a lot of stability to the entire model.
The low price point, however, is also the Lockdown 5’s biggest drawback. It’s a pretty basic, bare-bones shoe in terms of look and design. If you’re someone who wants sneakers that look modern, these may be too simple.
Best Street Basketball Shoes: What to Look For in 2022
Focusing on these traits will ensure you get the best possible street basketball shoe when making your final purchase.
Comfort
Asphalt is tough on your feet, especially when it’s cracked or uneven. To make sure you stay protected, get comfortable shoes. Always do your best to find options that have a lot of cushion in the base and midsole. Keep an eye out for padded tongues and collars as well.
The other part of comfort is fit. No matter how many traits a shoe has, it won’t be fun to play in if it doesn’t fit right. Know that models have different sizings, and getting the right one is key. Don’t be afraid to go up or down a half size depending on the shoe, as well as the size of your foot.
Also Read: Best Cushioned Basketball Shoes
Sturdiness
Your shoes have to be durable as well. Even in a gym setting, premium models see a lot of wear and tear. If you don’t get footwear with the materials and all-weather protection needed to play outside, you’ll have to replace them every couple of months. Strong construction prevents that.
To ensure your shoes are well made, get ones from top-of-the-line brands. Weather-resistant models, as well as ones that fight off moisture, are important if you play in areas with rough weather.
Style
While look should never be the first reason you buy a shoe, there’s nothing wrong with putting stock into appearance. There are many street shoes on the market, and many of them come with similar characteristics. If you find a few you like, it’s ok to pick one for a color or style.
When choosing shoes, pay attention to aspects like unique patterns or stylistic choices. There are many modern pairs with stunning graphic designs. If they catch your eye and meet all of the other above areas, don’t be afraid to pull the trigger.
Useful Tips and Resources
Street shoes undergo a lot of abuse. That’s why you should always take steps to protect them as much as you possibly can. That’s true even if you don’t play that often. For the best tips, follow this video to see how to know when you need a new pair.
Something else all players know is how rough the sport can be on the feet. Even with the best shoes, you can get sore or hurt after long periods of pounding the pavement. If you shoot on the street, figuring out how to quickly break in shoes will give you a lot of comfort down the line.
My Verdict
There are quite a few good streetball shoes on the market, but I find the Peak Streetball Master to be well above the pack. Not only is it affordable and easy to slip into, but it manages to be comfortable, powerful, stable, and tough all at the same time. No part of the shoe is lacking.
Few premium shoes have the strength or durability to stand up to the elements. Even fewer still can take hours and hours on asphalt. The Master can do both, and it manages to do so with some of the most exciting traits on the current market.
Comments