If you quickly want to find the best black basketball shoes, then I’d recommend Nike Kyrie Infinity as my top pick.
Whether you are playing basketball to have fun or are serious about making the big leap in competitive basketball, having the right basketball footwear will be a critical part of your game to ensure you are performing to the highest level while preventing injuries from happening.
Black basketball shoes are, without a doubt, one of the most popular colorways for basketball shoes since the 90s.
As they say, you can never go wrong with black. It simply complements everything, regardless of your jersey color.
The only problem is there’s an overabundance of black basketball shoes in the market today, and choosing from all those options can become overwhelming and challenging, to begin with.
In this article, I’ll review the following best black basketball shoes:
- Nike Kyrie Infinity
- Nike Giannis Immortality II
- Nike KD Trey 5 VIII
- Nike KD 15
- Nike LeBron XX
- Adidas Dame 8
- Nike Zoom Freak 3
The 7 Best Black Basketball Shoes
Whether you are looking for black basketball shoes with exceptional ankle support, responsive cushioning, great lateral containment, or amazing traction, I have everything covered for you. Here are the 7 best black baseball shoes to get!
1. Nike Kyrie Infinity – Best Overall
Features:
- Forefoot Zoom Strobel Unit On the Heel
- U-shaped Zoom Unit
- Phylon Midsole
The Nike Kyrie Infinity is the last signature basketball shoe Kyrie has had with the company, and to my amazement, it went out with a bang based on my experience.
From the start, I felt everything; the high-top design offered me tremendous ankle support, and the lacing system allowed steady lateral containment.
However, this shoe truly shines in the traction and cushioning department. When I play with these basketball shoes indoors, it simply bites. I can quickly stop and slide whenever I want without fear of slipping.
Also, the cushioning was amazing; everything I went up for blocks and rebounds felt like the cushioning absorbed the impact.
Overall, I’m impressed by these Kyrie signature lines. They don’t cost much, considering the KDs and LeBrons are expensive. Still, these shoes rock and perform more than they can. Nevertheless, I highly recommend these last signature shoes of Kyrie from Nike.
Pros
- Superb traction
- Impeccable cushioning
- True to size
- Very comfortable to wear
- Lightweight feel
- Very responsive and low to the ground
Cons
- Not for narrow footers
2. Nike Giannis Immortality II – Best Value
Features:
- Engineered Mesh Upper
- Internal Strap Wraps
- Overlayed Open Mesh
The Nike Giannis Immortality II is designed for budget-oriented sneakerheads who want to perform at a high level without spending hundreds of dollars. While these sneakers fall on the signature sneaker budget models, it doesn’t feel like it.
From the moment I stepped foot on the court wearing these, all I can say is the money is all worth it.
Despite being cheaply priced, the materials used for this shoe don’t feel cheap. In addition, the performance on and off the court impresses me the most.
You rarely find shoes at this price point that perform as they should. It feels very comfortable, and I had no issues with sizing.
It fits perfectly, and the traction is its main selling point. If you play a fast-paced game like me, you will want to get a hold of these as they are remarkable.
Pros
- Amazing performance for the price
- It doesn’t feel cheap
- Comfortable to wear
- Great lateral containment
- Good traction
Cons
- Support can be improved
- Not the best for outdoors
3. Nike KD Trey 5 VIII – Best Budget
Features:
- Nike Renew Foam Cushion
- Multi-Directional Traction Pattern
- Dual-Density Foam Setup
Who says you can’t play your best on a tight budget? The Nike KD Trey 5 VIII is designed for this particular reason!
Like the Nike Giannis Immortality II, this shoe also falls within the same category of signature sneaker budget models. However, despite being an affordable option, it passed with flying colors based on my tests.
While the materials left something to be desired, these are great performing shoes for the price. You have a shoe with solid traction and plenty of cushioning. Traction is its main selling point, as it simply bites on any type of court.
In addition, it’s great for outdoor courts, and I have had no problems with the fit itself. It’s comfortable around the ankle area, and the laces offer plenty of lateral lockdowns.
Mostly, I didn’t encounter any issues despite the materials not in the best criteria. Still, for the price, I would pay for these as they can easily serve as my daily sneakers.
Pros
- True to size fit
- Great for outdoor courts
- Cushioning is solid
- Solid traction
- Very affordable
Cons
- Materials need improvement
4. Nike KD 15
Features:
- Modified Midfoot Containment System
- Multi-Layered Upper Mesh
- Full-Length Air Zoom Strobel Unit
The Nike KD 15 is still one of the best signature shoes to come out of Nike. Despite being a bit pricier, it performs on par with some of the best signature shoes today.
Right from the start, the aesthetics of this shoe is very pleasing and sleek to look at; it simply shows why it’s a signature shoe in the first place.
Also, the materials used for this signature shoe feel very premium and durable. It offers plenty of ventilation, and the traction was all I could ask for regardless of the type of court I play, although I always play on indoor courts.
The materials used for this signature shoe comfortably sit on my feet; there’s a little bit of bounce whenever I go up and down the court. It does have a very low-to-the-ground feel, suggesting it is a great shoe for guards.
If there are any downsides, the only one I experienced was the occasional slippage. However, it’s not a deal breaker though.
While there are days when I feel my heels aren’t as secure as I would’ve wanted them to be, there are also days when I feel my shoes and feet are in one piece.
Pros
- Superb traction
- Well-balanced shoe
- Materials feel premium
- Good ventilation
- Solid support and fit
Cons
- Occasional heel slippage
- Not the best for outdoor courts
5. Nike LeBron XX
Features:
- Large Forefoot Zoom Unit
- Upper Breathable Fabrics
- Carbon-fiber Midfoot Plate
The Nike LeBron XX is the latest signature shoe from the legendary LeBron Signature Lines.
Well, this was quite a sight to behold as I was greeted with a low-top shoe design; if you know LeBron’s signature lines, you will know almost all of them are high-tops. To my amazement, these were very low-tops, in my opinion.
Still, it didn’t disappoint me by any means. They were simply amazing! I was left speechless by the traction, comfort, size, and support.
The price was a bit too high for me, but from what it showed, it ranks in the upper echelon of best-performing shoes this year.
The only downside I experienced was it wasn’t well-suited for outdoor courts.
Well, who would play with this expensive shoe on outdoor courts, right? However, silly me, I tried it outside, and it attracted dust.
Still, it’s one of the best shoes this year if not for its price. Also, you can hardly get one of these as stocks run out fast, especially considering it is a “LeBron Shoe.” Overall, it performed well above my standards, so some consider this shoe the best this year.
Pros
- Amazing performance
- Superb lockdown
- Fantastic support
- Great for indoor courts
- Materials feel premium
Cons
- Not the cheapest
- Not good for outdoor courts
6. Adidas Dame 8
Features:
- Bounce Pro Technology
- Upper Mesh Material
- Thunderbolt Traction Pattern
The Adidas Dame 8 is the latest signature shoe of Damian Lillard, and to the surprise of many, these were some of the best to come out of the brand.
This signature shoe came with a new technology called “Bounce Pro.” It’s a type of cushioning where I did enjoy playing.
The materials used for this signature shoe are pretty light and comfortable. I did find these shoes to be pretty inconsistent at times. Sometimes my feet and shoes are all in one piece, and sometimes they are not.
Still, there is much more to the shoe than meets the eye. It’s very pleasing; you rarely find an Adidas shoe that fits the bill. Lockdown and support were not issues, but the fit can be tricky.
I went up half a size for a snug fit for this signature shoe. Nevertheless, these shoes were still impressive.
Coming from Adidas, you will be delighted they have a new offering that has the potential to make a run at the top of the best basketball shoes to get as of the moment.
Pros
- Solid lockdown and support
- Very comfortable
- Materials offer decent ventilation
- Traction is good but not the best
- Lots of colorways available
- Superb impact protection
Cons
- Tricky sizing
- Inconsistent
7. Nike Zoom Freak 3
Features:
- Phylon Midsole and Zoom Pods
- Reinforced Toe
- Standard Lacing
Despite the newer releases of the Freak lines, the Nike Giannis Freak 3 remains one of the best signature shoes this year. Just looking at this signature shoe, it’s safe to say it’s one of the coolest-looking.
Right from the start, I was deeply enamored by its design. I am a fan of strap designs like the Kyre 6s, and this one was one of the few that captured my heart with its looks.
However, it also didn’t fail me in the performance department.
For the traction, it was decent enough to be played on indoor courts and not so much on outdoor courts as it’s a dust magnet. The support is pretty solid, and its comfort is more than enough for long stretches of the game.
Materials used for this signature shoe are breathable and offer decent ventilation, which is necessary if you play basketball for long periods.
As for the fit, I didn’t encounter any issues, and I have been rocking these from the moment I bought it.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Breathable materials
- Average traction
- Good lockdown
- Decent support
Cons
- Not for outdoor courts
- Break-in time needed
Why Should You Buy Black Basketball Shoes?
Because why not? Black basketball shoes go extremely well with a variety of colors. As they say, you can never go wrong with black as it goes well with everything. Also, some basketball players prefer playing black basketball shoes because it simply masks the dirt away.
If you’re wearing white, dirt and smudges can easily show, whereas you can hardly spot one when wearing black basketball shoes.
In addition, black basketball shoes have a timeless appeal. More often than not, black basketball shoes provide a stylish and sleek look, especially for budget models.
Nonetheless, there is nothing wrong with wearing black basketball shoes. Often, this boils down to personal preference, as one color is different from the other.
How people see it is simply complementing a wide variety of colors without looking awkward. Black has that appeal no other color can rival.
Why Black Over Other Colors?
As mentioned, choosing black over other colors is a matter of personal preference and priorities. Black basketball shoes feel like they are resistant to stain, which they are not.
However, black basketball shoes are less likely to show stains, dirt, and scuffs, whereas having bright-colored basketball shoes can simply tell it all.
To other people, black is a timeless color. When your shoe ages, it doesn’t show signs of wear and tear, whereas other brightly-colored shoes can show.
Lastly, it’s just a matter of personal preference, and more often than not, some sneakerheads have an affinity to a certain color, like other people who prefer black-colored basketball shoes.
What Are The Things To Consider When Buying Black Basketball Shoes?
Having the right pair of shoes can help elevate your game to the next level. With so many options available, finding the right one can be difficult. Before heading out to your local sneaker store, here are some things you need to consider.
Fit
One of the most crucial factors when choosing black basketball shoes is fit. When properly fitted, it will be comfortable and safe, and your feet will be happy. Who doesn’t want a shoe that is perfectly fitted, right?
If your shoe does not fit your foot size properly, it can get discomforting quickly. Properly-fitted shoes can help you with movements and sudden bursts of speed and stoppages.
On the other hand, if your shoes are too loose, your foot might wobble inside, and you will likely experience slippage inside the shoe, which is a disaster waiting to happen.
You must choose the right shoe size to safely run, walk, do laterals, and do everything involving your feet on the court. Also, you have to consider the fit when wearing socks too.
Price
You can’t put a price on quality. However, you still have to consider the price considering many options available at every price point. We’re trying to say that not all expensive shoes will last you a long time or that the cheapest ones are the best; we’re saying this is to do your research.
Setting a budget might not be ideal for someone, but if you can find a basketball shoe within your means, that will be more than enough.
Some brands have great quality shoes regardless of the price; it’s just a matter of getting your research done before buying them.
Traction
Having a pair of basketball shoes with decent traction will provide the confidence you need when stopping on a dime or when playing defense.
If a basketball shoe has excellent traction, you then reduce the risk of slipping on the court, which may result in freak injuries.
For good traction, I always look for herringbone traction patterns in a shoe, as they have long been tested and proven to bite on the court simply. Also, outsoles made of rubber materials provide good traction.
Cushioning
Like fit, you want plenty of cushioning as it will greatly absorb the impact when going for rebounds and blocks. Fortunately, almost all shoes today offer above-average cushioning.
Good cushioning reduces the stress on your foot when jumping on and off the court; different brands usually have unique cushioning technologies.
For example, the Bounce Pro from Adidas and Air Zoom Unit from Nike are tremendous cushioning technologies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you have additional questions about the best black basketball shoes, you might find some answers I have listed below.
What Makes Black Basketball Shoes Popular?
What makes them popular is because of how sleek and timeless they look. In addition, they don’t easily show stains and marks, which is why some basketball players prefer them to other colors.
What Shoes Do Most NBA Players Wear?
If we’re talking about colors, they will most likely use anything they prefer. There has been an influx of multiple colorways among basketball shoes, which have grown increasingly popular.
However, most NBA players wear black and white shoes, as they usually do this depending on whether they play on their home court.
Most NBA players will wear any colored shoe on their home court. But white is the popular choice as they will also wear white jerseys.
Conclusion
Black basketball shoes are, without a doubt, some of the best-looking sports shoes introduced by major sports brands. I really think that they have this timeless look that has become a staple in every sneakerhead’s shoe collection.
This article of mine should give you plenty of ideas on some of the best black basketball shoes to get this year, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that some are great shoes in terms of performance, looks, price, and functionality.
Having the right pair of sneakers can go a long way in helping you perform at a high level. Fortunately, this list is just several options available you can rely on to help elevate your game.