Some basketball players prefer a more bulky, heavy type of shoe, while others prefer more lightweight footwear. If you are someone who prefers the latter, this list of best lightweight basketball shoes is for you.
There are several advantages to wearing either type of shoe, but in my opinion, lightweight shoes, provided they are made of durable materials, are the better option because of how agile it makes you well.
With a pair of lightweight basketball shoes on your court, your movements are much faster, and you feel much more nimble. Also, since you aren't wearing heavy shoes, you will exert much less energy while maneuvering around in your lightweight shoes. So, without further delay let's take a look into my list of basketball shoes.
Note: If you want to take a look at the buying guide, click here
LIST OF BEST LIGHTWEIGHT BASKETBALL SHOES
NO | Product Name | For men | For Women |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | ADIDAS ORIGINALS |  |  |
2 | SKECHERS GO TORCH |  |  |
3 | NIKE |  |  |
4 | UNDER ARMOUR |  |  |
5 | PEAK TAICHI |  |  |
8 BEST LIGHTWEIGHT BASKETBALL SHOES REVIEW
1. ADIDAS ORIGINALS - BEST ADIDAS BASKETBALL SHOES
For Men
For Women
Adidas makes some amazing sports-related equipment. From jerseys to footwear, they got everything. It seems Adidas, just like Nike and Reebok, has become more of a fashion statement these days. However, that is only because their styling is now in trend; they thankfully never lost what makes their shoes good.
The Adidas Originals Basketball shoes, the Vs Hops Mid 2.0, and Entrap for men and women, respectively, are some of the best lightweight basketball shoes out there, and I cannot recommend them enough.
Being mid-top, these are generalist's show, so everyone will like them, and of course, mid-tops offer a decent amount of ankle support which is always great.
These shoes have the classic Adidas look. Plain yet punk look with the signature three stripes at the side with the Adidas logo actually looks good. The upper of the shoes are made of synthetic leather and textile mesh stitched on three stripes. Leather isn't very breathable, so there air multiple air holes for ventilation.
The lace-up design is ideal, so you can adjust the tightness of the shoes depending on your preference. The ankle is padded, and there is a soft textile lining for increased comfort and protecting you from any bruising.
These Adidas lightest basketball shoes are not only very lightweight but also fairly durable. And as basketball shoes tend to go with any outfit, these can also be your daily wear. So, I insist you to buy one.
This light basketball shoes might be little tight in the beginning but that’s okay, they will eventually widen and become more comfortable as you fit in.
If you are not sure of which size to get, or you have unusually wide or narrow feet and you are looking for a particular fit, then check out this list of cushioned basketball shoes. You can filter these shoes and find out which model will suit you the best by reading the more detailed review.
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2. SKECHERS - BEST BASKETBALL SHOES FOR WIDE FEET
For Men
For Women
Skechers has developed two fantastic pairs of basketball shoes, the Women's Dynamight, a low-top, and Go Torch Performance for Men, which is a high-top design. Both shoes are incredible and quite capable of upping your basketball game.
Most people think Skechers is a lifestyle brand, they aren't wrong, but they also manufacture performance footwear as well. The upper of these shoes are made of synthetic mesh.
Synthetic mesh is quite a common material that is found on the upper of most shoes because of its structural integrity, as well as the fact that it is a lightweight and breathable combination.
Ventilation is important for any shoes. There is a lace-up design for tightening up your shoes if the basketball game is getting too intense. The rubber sole is court-ready. By that, it means they are extremely grippy and will help you easily change directions as well as provide stability.
The footbed of these lightweight Skechers are much cushioned; they feel incredibly comfortable and won't cause any fatigue to your feet.
Lightweight Shoes with rubber soles and strong breathable uppers are mostly preferred by skateboarders. If your sports activity also includes skateboarding, the you might be interested to check on this recommended shoes for longboarding. They are generally durable and provide excellent traction thereby keeping the borders steady and secure throughout their moves.
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3. NIKE AND AIR JORDAN - BEST LOW TOP BASKETBALL SHOES
For Men
For Women
Do not be fooled by the different names, as these are the same shoes. As you know, Air Jordans are all the hype. Named after the legendary basketballer Michael Jordan, these shoes sadly are used more like a fashion statement than actual basketball shoes.
With that said, that is just how some people use them. In reality, these shoes are easily one of the best lightweight basketball shoes out there.
Made using a combination of synthetic and leather, these nike basketball shoes low top are fairly lightweight while also retaining their durability and rugged nature.
Synthetic leather is also fairly easy to clean, as no one likes their shoes being dirty. However, synthetic leather isn't very breathable, so there are air holes all around these shoes to increase ventilation. The sole is made of rubber with a unique pattern that offers better grip and traction on and off the court.
The low-top design is perfect for those that want to zip through their opponents, and the lace-up design helps with a better, sportier fit. Again, as these are Jordans, I do not have to sell them to you. One of the lightest low top basketball shoes!
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4. UNDER ARMOUR - BEST CHEAP BASKETBALL SHOES
For Men
For Women
Under Armour started out with the intent to make a superior t-shirt. From that one simple idea, today, they are one of the biggest and well-known manufacturers of sports-related pieces of equipment. They produce equipment for all kinds of sports, from MMA to basketball, tennis, cycling running, baseball and much more.
Today, we will be focusing on their basketball shoes. The shows that they have created here are one of the best lightweight basketball shoes ever.
Extra praise to the women's shoes because most of them tend to be somewhat similar to men's, and they do not take women's narrower feet into consideration. But these have a proper snug fit.
Under Armour shoes are made using the finest of materials, adding durability and comfort to them. The upper is made using a synthetic textile to add support and breathability. The women's shoes have air holes all around the body to further increase the airflow as it has a more solid upper.
The sole is made from rubber which is non-slip and offers a decent amount of traction. The special die-cut EVA sockliner is paired with ankle support and padding around the ankle collar for a very comfortable experience.
And it also helps in avoiding bruises. Definitely worth the price!
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5. PUMA ATHLETIC BASKETBALL SHOEs
For Men
For Women
Puma SE, branded as Puma, is a German multinational corporation and manufactures athletic and casual footwear, apparel and accessories. It is the third-largest sportswear manufacturer in the world, so naturally, we are going to hold them in high regard.
The basketball shoes we are talking about today are the Sky II HI, the classic Puma basketball shoes that have been around since 1980, and the Legacy Dark Mode athletic that is new but just as good.
These Puma basketball shoes are a high-top design, so they offer much better ankle support but tend to be a little bit heavier.
An understandable trade-off if you require ankle support and they aren't that heavy anyway. The upper is made of a synthetic mesh that is breathable and lightweight, along with a rubber sole for providing a solid amount of grip and traction on and off-court.
These are very reasonably priced pairs of basketball shoes.
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6. PEAK TAICHI - BEST BASKETBALL SHOES FOR ANKLE SUPPORT
For Men
For Women
PEAK Taichi, founded in 1989, focused primarily on developing the most practical and comfortable sports shoes out there.
Not only that, their goal is to provide their customers with fashionable, stylish, and comfortable products to offer them every possible competitive edge, all the while retaining their practicality in the daily wear aspect.
Available in multiple designs, PEAK Taichi offers some that will match the taste of most people. These basketball shoes have a mid-top design, a generalist's choice. They offer decent ankle support while also retaining the agility you are able to achieve while wearing a low-top.
The shoe's upper is made of breathable fabric mesh, making sure that your feet do not get too hot. The EVA midsole composite formed by Taichi which is smart and adaptive, as the name might lead you to believe, adapts itself according to the movement and shape of your feet.
This cushion provides a rebound to match whichever sport you are playing, basketball in this case. There are TPU heel ankle guards that provide support and stability. These shoes are ideal not only for basketball but also for an array of other sports. Best buy!
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7. FILA 96 - BEST GRIP BASKETBALL SHOES
For Men
For Women
Fila is an international giant in the sportswear industry that was established back in Biella, Italy, in 1911. I used to wear a ton of products by Fila as a child and but as an adult, I appreciate them way more. It is rare for a brand to offer quality products these days at a reasonable price.
The shoes we are talking about today, the 96 Low and Torranado EVO for men and women, respectively, are one of the best lightweight basketball shoes that you can get for yourself. These lightweight basketball shoes are made of 100% synthetic leather with some mesh for breathability.
Synthetic leather is a durable material that doesn't add a ton of weight, so it is ideal for sports shoes, thanks to its ruggedness and ease of cleaning.
The outsole is made of rubber, a strong and grippy material, ideal for courts and the street. These are low-top shoes, so they are the lightest basketball shoe type that you can get and are perfect for those that want to be quick and fast.
The lace-up closure gives you the option to adjust the tightness of the shoes according to your own preference. The insole is heavily cushioned and provides a comfortable wearing experience while playing basketball.
Also, it is further enhanced by the padded tongue and collar. I can call it the lightest weight basketball shoes in this list.
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8. NIKE PRECISION III - BEST NIKE BASKETBALL SHOES
The Nike mid-top precision Iii basketball shoes are an all-purpose, all-rounder, and definitely one of the best lightweight basketball shoes. Not only do these act as great daily wear but also when it's game time.
Despite the mid-top design, the shaft measures approximately high-top from the arch, which is quite suitable for those wanting decent arch support without committing to get a high-top shoe.
This mid-top shoe has a padded collar that enhances comfort and containment. The fit of these shoes is one of the best I have tried, with the lace-up closure and quarter panel, and additional eyelets.
The special, multi-directional traction with dual pivot points helps in turning on a dime. These get a thumbs up from me!
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ADVANTAGES OF BUYING LIGHTWEIGHT BASKETBALL SHOES
Just like every other sport, getting yourself shoes that were designed specifically for basketball is going to provide a competitive edge. Now, other sports tend to have more equipment to help you perform better, but in basketball, you just have your shoes.
So, naturally, you want to get yourself the best ones in order to provide you with every possible advantage. Lightweight basketball shoes are easy and help you feel very nimble on the feet. Since basketball is a sport wherein you have to more agile and be able to take turns on a dime, unlike in other sports wherein you have to run further and faster, lightweight shoes are the ideal choice.
Another important advantage is jumping in a basketball game, and as logic has it, your jumping ability would be diminished if your shoes are too heavy. In a pair of lightweight shoes, you will be able to jump higher and faster.
BUYING GUIDE FOR THE BEST LIGHTWEIGHT BASKETBALL SHOES
Before investing your money into a pair of basketball shoes, keep in mind the following key factors:
Size: You want to pick out the right size. It is common practice to get a pair of shoes a bit loose in order to feel more comfortable fit when it comes to daily wear. However, when picking out shoes for a sport like basketball, you want to pick the right size. The size that has a snug fit without being too tight is the ideal one.
Sole: The sole is one of the best important factors to consider. Depending upon where you play, you are going to have to choose the sole.
Certain materials are better on the court, while others are more fit for playing on the street. The material of the sole is going to define how durable it is and how much traction is offered. It should be durable, rugged, and still maintain its lightweight.
Playing style: There are multiple playing styles in basketball, just like in every other sport, honestly. Some people tend to move around the court, constantly moving and jumping, while some try to hit the ace from a certain spot. There are low-tops, mid-tops, and high-tops. Low-tops are lightweight and perfect for those that want to be agile.
However, if you require ankle supports, you should go for mid-tops and high-tops. High-tops provide the most ankle support, but they can feel a bit bulky and heavy, while mid-tops, as the name suggests, fall in the middle of the row.
FAQ
ARE LIGHTER BASKETBALL SHOES BETTER?
Yes, lighter basketball shoes are highly recommended as they increase the player's overall performance. Also, wearing light shoes in Basketball has a 1.6% positive effect on sprinting and a 2.1% positive effect on jumping. Choosing the best lightweight basketball shoes will also give you physical and psychological advantages.
IS IT BETTER TO HAVE TIGHT OR LOOSE BASKETBALL SHOES?
Well, we would recommend basketball shoes to give you both a feel. These shoes must be tight enough to support you but loose enough to give your feet a small room for breathing. So a perfect fitting basketball would have a thumbnail's length worth of space between your longest toe or first one and the end of the shoe.
WILL BASKETBALL SHOES STRETCH?
Yes, the basketball shoes will stretch over time. However, it depends on the type of material used and how they are worn. Also, new basketball shoes feel stiff and tight when worn, so some people stretch them to make them more comfortable.
DO BASKETBALL SHOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Yes, basketball shoes make a difference, and you can't use some random shoes for this sport. This is because this sport requires constant jumping, starting, and stopping. So these shoes are designed to handle the shock and provide ankle stability and the flexibility to move freely. This is why basketball shoes look bulkier than running shoes.
CONCLUSION
That ends this article; the above were the eight best lightweight basketball shoes out there. Before purchasing them, do read the buying guide and the advantages that you will get if you decide to invest in a pair of these basketball shoes. Anyways, I hope this article helped, and thanks for reading!
Justin is a Master Fitness Trainer, coach, and consultant. Justin holds Science degrees in biological science, natural life science, and human anatomy focus. He has been assisting as a Fitness trainer for over 15 years in the health and fitness industry. He enjoys teaching others to achieve their goals and wellness using his expertise.