In a hurry? If you quickly want to know my choice for the best adidas basketball shoes, then I recommend Adidas Dame 7 as the best overall.
Are you playing basketball competitively yet still stuck trying to find the perfect pair that suits your playing style?
Or are you playing basketball for fun and want to search for the exact fit that complements your quick moves? Worry no more because I have a list of the best Adidas basketball shoes for you.
This list has everything, from signature shoes to non-signature ones. Read on as I review each pair of basketball shoes which I believe would surely enhance your basketball experience.
- Adidas Dame 7
- Adidas Trae Young 1
- Adidas Marquee Boost
- Adidas N3xt L3v3l
- Adidas D Rose 11
- Adidas Pro Model 2G
- Adidas Coll3ctiv3
- Adidas D.O.N Issue #3
- Adidas Exhibit A
- Adidas Harden Vol. 5
10 Best Adidas Basketball Shoes
Of all the basketball shoe brands on the market, Adidas has been offering performance basketball shoes for the longest time. The company has manufactured some of the most dominating hoop shoes in the world.
For that matter, I have listed and have reviewed the ten best Adidas basketball shoes for you to choose from:
1. Adidas Dame 7 – Best Overall
Features:
- Lightstrike cushioning
- Low-cut design
- Textile lining
Running the team’s offense is a difficult task, but one thing is for sure, you can count on a good basketball shoe to help you attack the rim efficiently.
Damian Lillard knows pretty well how true this is. Lillard’s 7th signature shoe with Adidas is a need for every point guard and shiftly basketball player out there.
It has a Lightstrike foam cushion setup that brings your feet comfort with its lightweight midsole cushioning.
This cushion setup also helps you move quickly, as it was designed for explosive movements and lateral stability. It will also boost impact protection.
The lightstrike in Dame 7 exudes the perfect balance for court feel and impact protection.
The Dame 7 has a solid traction pattern. You don’t need to worry about slipping on the court during intense offensive actions. You can also freely play outdoors.
It also comes with different colorways and the three-stripes brand logo.
The Dame 7 can also be compared with the Puma MB as they are head-to-head in traction, stability, and support.
Even though the Dame 7 comes in a low-cut design and does not have utmost ankle support, this is still a cop for its performance, design, and price.
Pros:
- Lightweight midsole cushion for comfort and court feel
- Traction pattern for slip-less transition plays
- Different bold colorways to match your preferences
- Solid materials but still lightweight
Cons:
- It might need a break-in time
2. Adidas Trae Young 1 – Best Value
Features:
- Balanced cushion setup
- A half-bootie construction lacing system
- Tongue cover
- Made of recycled materials
232 3-pointers in a season? That’s Trae Young for you.
Ice Trae can shoot from the 3-point line with ease because he trains hard and works harder. Yet, do you know what else he got aside from the buckets?
The best basketball shoes in terms of cushioning.
Young’s first signature shoe, the Adidas Trae Young 1, is equipped with a balanced cushion setup.
The Lightstrike cushioning and boost midsole combination are perfect for your on-court movements and comfort.
Its rubber outsole also provides good traction for your offensive and defensive tactics in court.
More than that, the Trae Young 1 has a unique lacing system. It has a half-bootie construction and a tongue cover. You can surely do your on-court thing without the distraction.
Aside from the lightweight upper and a comfortable fit, you can also help the environment as Trae Young 1 contains 50% recycled materials from production wastes.
What a 3-point shot this Trae Young 1 is — a point for the environment and two points for your basketball experience.
Pros:
- Balanced cushion for comfortable explosive movements
- Unique lacing system for secured feet
- Made from 50% recycled materials
Cons:
- Its narrow width may not fit players with wide feet
3. Adidas Marquee Boost – Best Budget Pick
Features:
- Responsive midsole
- Mesh upper
- Lightweight
- Forefoot stabilizer
With great traction comes great basketball shoes.
This basketball shoe’s zonal herringbone rubber outsole makes your side-to-side movements quick and easy because of its extra grip.
More than that, it has a responsive midsole with bounce cushioning for your explosive moments. Adidas also included impact protection in designing the Marquee Boost.
For these premium materials, you might think they have to be heavy. But no, the Marquee Boost boasts of being durable yet lightweight Adidas basketball shoes.
Basketball shoes like this are the primary go-to for security and performance. This pair of solid basketball shoes has a forefoot stabilizer and a padded heel collar.
It is also breathable (thanks to its mesh upper) and has good ankle support. This is an excellent one-on-one competitor to the Under Armour Curry series.
The Adidas Marquee Boost is a super steal in terms of design, key features, and comfort. If you are looking for excellent performance, basketball shoes like these are the ones for you.
Pros
- Zonal herringbone rubber outsole for the best grip
- Bounce cushioning for a safe landing
- Mesh upper for ventilation
Cons
- It may feel differently when used outdoors
4. Adidas N3xt L3v3l – Best Cushion Shoe
Features:
- Futurenatural technology
- Upper has primeknit
- Screaming orange, solar red, and acid orange colorways
This high-top cut from Adidas is a high-quality cut, too.
The N3xt L3v3l is equipped with Futurenatural technology. This synchronizes every on-court foot movement with your body so you can move freely.
Futurenatural technology also emphasizes court feel as it has lightweight materials and great support.
Additionally, it has a laceless construction so that you can easily slip it into your feet. Having no lace also means a streamlined foot lockdown.
You can also add in this shoe’s responsive midsole and Primeknit upper for that extra snug fit.
The Lighstrike cushion setup and the boost cushion embedded in the N3xt L3v3l also add to your comfort.
Its cushioning technology can be a significant challenge to the cushioning system of the Nike Zoom Air Unit.
The N3xt L3v3l also comes in different eye-catching colorways: Screaming Orange, Solar Red, and Acid Orange.
Pros:
- Futurenatural technology for court feel and support
- Laceless construction for mobility
- Sock-like design for comfortable fit and foot security
Cons:
- It may need a more extended break-in time (Tip: use during practices)
5. Adidas D Rose 11 – Best for Wide Footers
Features:
- Best for wide footers
- High-top cut basketball shoe
If you are a wide footer and have been looking for the best basketball shoes, this Derrick Rose signature shoe is for you.
The Adidas D Rose 11 is a high-top cut basketball shoe. The shoe design makes the overall fit appealing.
It also has Lightstrike cushioning to help you move freely and securely like the Windy City Assassin, D Rose, himself.
Like the MVP that he was, the D Rose 11 is also an all-around performance basketball shoe.
It has a comfortable heel and a rubber sole, which is good for your traction on the court. It’s good traction also helps your stability in moving swiftly from defense to offense.
Remember to observe enough break-in time for this one to go on full MVP mode.
Pros:
- Comfortable heel
- Good traction for court stability
- Wider width for players with wider feet
Cons:
- It may be uncomfortable for those with narrower feet
6. Adidas Pro Model 2G – Best Shoe for Traction
Features:
- Shell toe design
- Bounce cushioning
Old school is not cool? Well, the Adidas Pro Model 2G begs to disagree.
This low-cut basketball shoe has a shell toe design to incorporate the old-school vibe. It also has its patent leather for that extra shine.
The Adidas Pro Model 2G also has the best cushioning set up in the top 10 with its bounce cushioning feature. You will surely have no problems during extended basketball games.
It also has great traction. You don’t need to worry about slips and slides. You can surely do your euro steps effectively with the Adidas Pro Model 2G.
Wearing a classic is appealing, but what makes these shoes a good one? Your performance when wearing it.
Pros:
- Bounce cushioning for acceleration
- Better traction and lockdown for mobility
- Classic and comfortable for off-court moments
Cons:
- It may need a longer breaking time
7. Adidas Coll3ctiv3 – Best for Outdoors
Features:
- Cord lacing system
- Floating tongue
- Soft materials
Like a collective, the Adidas Coll3ctiv3 has a strong foundation (sole) too.
These Adidas sneakers were designed with Lightstrike cushioning to protect your feet with its soft feel, both outdoors AND indoors.
Coll3ctiv3 also has a Boost midsole for that comfortable offensive run and side-by-side defensive step.
It’s also built with high-end materials, like the rubber outsole that can take on rough and smooth floors for long games.
The Primeknit upper design adds up to its value. Not just that, it also has a cord lacing system with a floating tongue for foot security (and visuals).
However, you need to watch out on landings because the area for improvement for this pair is its impact protection.
Pros:
- Soft feel for comfort in and out of the court
- Cord lacing system for in-game foot security
Cons:
- It does not have the best cushion for impact protection
8. Adidas D.O.N Issue #3
Features:
- Cushioned feel
- Lace upper
A point guard’s shoes are another point guard’s dream.
This Adidas basketball shoe is another Donovan Mitchell signature shoe. As the third in line, the D.O.N Issue #3 celebrates the rise to fame of Donovan Mitchell from his collegiate career up to the NBA.
Moreover, the D.O.N Issue #3 has Lightstrike cushioning, ensuring that your offense (and defense) runs well with its lightweight midsole.
It is made up of solid materials which will feel comfortable on your feet. It also adds to your court feel.
The D.O.N Issue #3 is also visually appealing. Its design and colorways will surely make you stand out in court.
Pros:
- Lightstrike cushioning for easy leaping
- Textile construction for comfort
- Elastic straps for secured feet
Cons:
- The cushioning may feel a little subpar with other shoes
9. Adidas Exhibit A
Features:
- Lightstrike midsole
- Efficient indoors
You can’t have a top ten without a representative from the non-signature shoe lineup.
The Adidas Exhibit A is made for professional athletes because it is labeled as an all-around performer. It has effective materials like the Lightstrike midsole and a ventilated upper.
Aside from that, it is also equipped with supportive overlays for the upper for extra security. Yes, it helps you reduce injuries in-game.
Even though this is a non-signature shoe, this was still paraded by NBA players like Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls and Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets.
This shoe is impressive indoors. If you are into playing basketball outdoors, this might not be the one.
Pros:
- Supportive overlays for reducing in-game injuries
- Ventilated upper for feet to breathe
Cons:
- It may not have the features for impact protection
- Not ideal for outdoor play
10. Adidas Harden Vol. 5
Features:
- Boost tooling for court feel
- Lace closure
Do you want moves like James Harden? You can get the moves like James Harden.
The Adidas Harden Vol.5 is equipped with Futurenatural technology that secures your feet’s perfect fit.
It also has the Lightstrike cushioning and Boost tooling that helps in court feel, breathability, and lightweight movement on the court.
Harden’s 5th signature shoe goes well with high-scoring basketball players. You can dunk and shoot efficiently with its lace closure and textile upper features.
The disappointing part is its traction. Most reviews say they had problems with slipping.
Pros:
- Lace closure for stability
- Textile upper for comfort and mobility
Cons:
- It may not have a good grip and traction
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I know that you may have a particular pair of Adidas basketball shoes in mind. I also know that you have a lot of questions before making that purchase.
To give you a deeper understanding of things, I got your questions covered.
What Adidas Shoe Should I Get For The Position That I Play?
In the world of sports, particularly basketball, athletes wear the best basketball shoes to match their playing styles.
A good basketball shoe makes way for better performance for athletes because of its comfort and key features.
Studies show that basketball players from different positions have different priorities when choosing the right basketball shoes for them:
- A guard would likely prefer a low shoe weight with the best cushioning technology for cutting and acceleration.
- A forward would probably choose a stable shoe that protects areas such as the ankles and has a low shoe weight for vertical jumping and sprinting.
- A center would definitely choose a shoe with stability and injury protection features that would match his strength and vertical jumps.
Keep these things in mind when choosing the ideal shoe for your position and playing style.
What Basketball Players Use Adidas?
Any basketball player can wear Adidas basketball shoes — point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards, and centers.
Playing basketball professionally or for fun will not matter. As long as you play the game, you can use Adidas basketball shoes.
Moreover, Adidas basketball shoes are worn in games by NBA players. Here are the notable NBA stars and exciting players that don the three stripes:
- James Harden
- Damian Lillard
- Trae Young
- Donovan Mitchell
- Derrick Rose
- Zach LaVine
- Jalen Green
What Is The Most Popular Adidas Signature Shoe?
The most popular Adidas shoe is the Adidas Harden Vol. 5. You’ll likely find it sold out on the Adidas official website. After all, it is James Harden’s signature line.
If these aren’t really your style, you can still check out other signature Adidas shoes or brands like New Balance and the Jordan brand.
What Sets Adidas Basketball Shoes Apart From Other Signature Shoes?
You can find the best shoe in other brands, but some things set the signature sneaker and non-signature sneaker lines of Adidas apart from others.
There is a wide range of choices for the best Adidas basketball shoes, yet, they can all promise one thing: Being a solid performer.
The shoe brand’s commitment to impact protection, stability, well-researched cushioning, and excellent traction make it stand out among others.
The Awesome Choices
Are you tired of lining up in an Adidas store, or are your eyes strained from scrolling at a sale online?
If you don’t have the luxury of time to read all of the information above, here’s a recap of my best picks:
Best Overall – Adidas Dame 7
The Adidas Dame 7 is my choice for the overall best Adidas basketball shoes.
It has a lightweight upper, midsole cushion, and solid traction in one. All of these are for a very affordable price.
What more can a basketball player ask for a shoe? It is all with the Dame 7.
Best Value – Adidas Trae Young 1
Shoot your shot with the Adidas Trae Young 1 if value for money is what you’re looking for.
It has a balance cushioning system that’s efficient for long hours of playing and a unique lacing system to secure your feet while doing all the basketball work.
You will get more than the price that you will pay for this pair.
Best Budget Pick – Adidas Marquee Boost
When all else fails, we go back to the vintage.
The Adidas Marquee Boost is for sure in the mythical five. The shoe can even win a championship for its performance, accessibility, comfort, and style.
If you include the budget, it is almost overkill for its price.
Best Cushion Shoe – Adidas N3xt L3v3l
They say comfort goes before style, but for this shoe pair, it has both and more.
The lightweight cushioning feature of Adidas N3xt L3v3l will give you precisely what you are paying. It will keep your feet comfortable and secure while in play.
It also has the Futurenatural Technology for ease in mobility and acceleration.
Best Shoes for Wide Footers – Adidas D Rose 11
Players with wider feet always have the most difficulty finding the perfect shoe fit.
Yet, with the Adidas D Rose 11, you don’t need to extensively search in a physical store or the Adidas website — this shoe is definitely made for you.
Best Shoes for Traction – Adidas Pro Model 2G
A shoe that literally keeps your feet steady on the ground is a total steal.
The Adidas Pro Model 2G, with its bounce cushioning and excellent grip, will help your mobility and stability.
It can also aid you in defending well during intense games. No need to worry about accidental slipping (and getting fouled) with this shoe.
Best for Outdoors – Adidas Coll3ctiv3
When outdoors is your thing, get the Adidas Coll3ctiv3. No need to worry about the rough roads of the great outdoors.
The Adidas Coll3ctiv3 has Lightstrike Cushioning to let your feet be comfortable while doing all the rebounding, assists, and scoring.
Conclusion
Play confidently outdoors and indoors with that three stripes pride — wide feet or narrow, first signature shoe or not, signed or unsigned, no problem.
You can get the best basketball shoes with the best traction, security, and cut in Adidas. You can even get your first signature sneaker in the line.
From these 10 Adidas basketball shoes that I’ve recommended, you can surely choose the right one for you and your playing style.