With women sports becoming increasingly popular worldwide, up-and-coming women athletes need to maximize their performance with the best equipment possible.
Specifically, women’s basketball shoes are such a saturated market it can be easy to get lost in the vast market of companies promising you the world.
To save you time, effort and money, I have created the top 6 list of the best basketball shoes for women in 2022.
Speaking from the perspective of a seasoned basketball coach, I cannot begin to tell you how many times footwear has prevented an athlete from performing well.
For Example, A young girl who trained under me once split her shoes while warming up for a game; her shoes were running shoes and had split entirely at the seam, and the sole had detached from the shoe completely.
Luckily her teammate had an old pair of Hyperdunks on her, and that girl went on to drop a 60-point game, her best performance of the season. She then took the intuitive, bought a pair of basketball shoes, and never looked back.
Nike Kyrie 6 - The Best Basketball Shoes For Women
- Nike
- Unisex Shoes
- Black/Black/University Red
- Black/Black/University Red
- Leather & Synthetic
The legendary kyrie Irving’s very own shoe. This is the most versatile shoe on our lineup as it is ideal for every basketball position.
Nike, the biggest brand in the world, didn’t cut corners with this shoe. The shoe has been designed to allow you to transfer your weight from heel to toe or toe to heel with ease and no restriction. The midsole is extraordinarily light and supportive, using Nike’s infamous Air Zoom Turbo cushioning to maximize comfort and increase athletic performance on the court.
The outsole and its beautiful design provide excellent grip, making it easy to cut through opponents and change direction. The lace quality is excellent, along with the high-quality adjustable strap that keeps your feet planted in the shoe.
Coming in at under $100, you cannot go wrong with a pair of Kyrie 6’s, a gorgeous functioning basketball shoe.
Pros
- Excellent support/cushioning.
- Exceptional grip – gorgeous outsole design.
- Lightweight.
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Narrow shoe, not recommended for wider feet.
Adidas Pro Bounce 2019 - Best Women Shoe For Ankle Support
- Men's B-ball shoes built to move with you, with a...
- SUPPORTIVE UPPER: Textile upper with lace closure...
- LATERAL MOVEMENT: Banking barrier for lateral...
- BOUNCE: Lightweight Bounce cushioning provides...
- FLEXIBLE AND STABLE: Zonal herringbone-pattern...
The Adidas Pro Bounce, a top pick in this list, these shoes are visually and practically appealing. This shoe is constructed to maximize comfortability with a bounce midsole cushion to give you that spring in your step on the court.
The traction and grip on these shoes are excellent with a Zonal herringbone pattern outsole to minimize slipping or sliding on the court, preventing potential injury.
The main standout point for these basketball shoes is the ankle support they offer with a padded ankle collar, providing the essential aspects to preventing injuries and getting a consistent performance every game; stability, comfortability, and ankle injury prevention.
Depending on the size, you can find these shoes at just under $100, again a very exceptional price for the quality of shoes you get in return.
Pros
- Excellent support/cushioning.
- Clean, Sleek design.
- Lightweight.
- The price point is reasonable.
Cons
- Not true to the size would recommend half a size or one size bigger.
Under Armour Jet - Most Comfortable Basketball Shoes For Women
- Molded & perforated leather & textile upper for...
- Durable tpu Overlay is abrasion resistant & helps...
- Internal heel counter for locked-in support & fit
The Under Armour jet basketball shoes are our lightest pair on the lineup. They provide excellent comfort and support thanks to ankle padding and collar cushioning.
The synthetic upper makes them highly breathable, providing ventilation for your feet while playing or training. The EV sock liner allows you to wear these shoes for hours without pain. Not to mention the shoe’s customizability, with the insoles being removable in case you want to replace or add your own.
The unique outsole design is made of rubber to ensure you have excellent stability, traction, and, most of all, durability. These shoes also offer a true fit; however, if you have wider feet, half a size up is recommended.
The main standout point is the EVA midsoles that make these shoes the lightest and most comfortable shoes, almost as if you were “walking on clouds.”
Pros
- Excellent support/cushioning.
- Lightweight.
- The price point is reasonable.
- Customizability.
Cons
- The brand is not as established as others.
- Some describe them to be “bulky” looking.
Under Armour HOVR Havoc 2 - The Best Grip Basketball Shoe For Women
- Under Armour’s mission is to make all athletes...
- Where we started? It all started with an idea to...
- The technology behind Under Armour's diverse...
Another Under Armor shoe is on our list; this shoe focuses on many different aspects. HOVRR is made from a unique material that is exceptionally light and soft, providing immaculate cushioning.
The midsole is made of Energy compression mesh, giving the shoe extreme buoyancy. This compression mesh also minimalizes any energy leaks in your feet, making your movements as efficient and effective as possible.
The main standout point of this shoe is its rubber outsole with a traditional herringbone pattern; the combination of both the material and the design equates to the best grip to the flow you can get from a basketball shoe.
The upper mesh is made of molded textile, which secures comfortability and breathability. The shoe lave and structure also provide a sturdy position for your foot to stay planted and attached to the ground.
Pros
- Excellent support/cushioning.
- Lightweight.
- Unique technology and materials provide top-tier cushioning.
Cons
- Durability is not great as they average to last 5-6 months of daily use.
Adidas Women's Postmove Mid Basketball Shoe
- Women's basketball-inspired shoes for all-day...
- ADJUSTABLE FIT: Adjustable hook-and-loop top strap
- SYNTHETIC LEATHER UPPER: Durable synthetic upper
- ANKLE SUPPORT: Padded collar for stability
- CUSHIONED MIDSOLE: Cloudfoam Super midsole...
Another Adidas shoe on our list, this shoe can both be used in a fashion sense and a Basketball sense.
Coming in at 12oz, this is one of the heavier shoes on our list, but this is great for building athleticism, especially in training, as heavier shoes will make you work harder to move, change direction, jump, cut, and so on. The synthetic cushioned sole also helps keep your feet buoyant and maintains a good bounce in your step.
The outer is made of synthetic material, making the shoe durable and sturdy.
The ankle support is the main talking point for this shoe, providing a thick ankle collar along with the laces being made for the sole purpose of completing your feet secure in the shoe. The wide velcro strap also offers additional protection and security.
These shoes come in at just over $90 and have the bang for the buck factor.
Pros
- Good support/cushioning.
- Excellent training shoe due to the weight of the shoe.
- Extremely fashionable and often worn outside of the court because of this.
Cons
- Made for narrower feet.
- Next to no heel elevation, very flat shoe.
Nike Women’s Hyperdunk 2016 - Best Looking Basketball Shoe For Women
- Ref - 844391-662
- Brand - Nike
- Size - 39
Last on our list is the Nike Hyperdunk 2016 a truly iconic shoe in the industry. Notorious for being worn by the unbeaten Women’s USA basketball team.
A truly beautiful and famously branded shoe, the midsole is composed of foam and EVA. This makes the shoe extremely lightweight and has top-tier cushioning and support. Not to mention Nike’s infamous ZOOM Air cushioning provides superior impact protection and bounce.
The outer has the traditional herringbone pattern for exceptional traction and grip on the court while having a screen mesh providing solid support, decent breathability, and unbeatable durability.
This is a mid-top shoe that equates to excellent stability and ankle support. The lace is strong, providing a firm fit. The combination of the lace and ankle collar provides a very stable shoe that you can play in confidently.
Pros
- Excellent support/cushioning.
- Lightweight.
- Flywire grips well to the feet.
- Durability.
- Snug fit.
Cons
- Breathability is okay but can become an issue after hours of play.
The Only Women's Basketball Shoes Buying Guide You’ll Ever Need
For basketball players, the only equipment they have is their shoes. Basketball shoes are incredibly more expensive than the average shoe, so many aspiring basketball players would like to find out the advantages of wearing them so they can make the right decision on whether or not to invest in them.
Basketball players must sprint, jump, and change direction. So they require specially-made shoes, especially for weight transferal. When a basketball player is changing direction or cutting, a lot of force is applied to the sidewalls of the shoes.
Regular shoes will not be able to withstand the immense pressure generated and will split at their seams within a few days. Basketball shoes are specially designed to withstand pressure while doing these movements.
So we’ve given you the top 6 basket shoes available to you, but how do you pick which one is the best for you?
Well, consider these aspects before you make a decision;
- Flexibility
- Ankle support
- Stability
- Lacing
- Conditioning
- Style/Maintenence
Flexibility
As we all know, basketball heavily depends on your ability to jump, be explosive and push your body into positions it’s not neccascarly comfortable with. If your goal is to improve this, a flexible shoe can by elevating the heel; this takes stress off the ankle joint, specifically the Achilles heel, allowing you a deeper, stronger range of motion.
Ideally, shoes with a thicker sole at the end of a 1-2 inch heel would be most practical for improving flexibility. Under Armour Jet Basketball Shoes and Nike Kyrie, 6’s have excellent elevation.
Ankle Support
Basketball is not inherently violent but can be played aggressively, putting tremendous stress on your ankles, which can cause knee and back problems. It is vital to consider good ankle support when looking for a basketball shoe. Some shoes cover the ankle for more support; however, some find this restricting.
If you own a high-top shoe, can you comfortably walk or run with them on without hindering your movement? If so, consider looking into a high-top basketball shoe like the Nike Hyperdunk or Adidas pro bounce 19.
Stability
A good shoe is robust in its design, ensuring maximum stability for the consumer. This can often be judged by your ability to transfer weight in the shoes. Can you change direction without sliding or feeling instability? This is essential for injury prevention as a slip on a glossy court could be disterious. Under Armour HOVR Havoc 2 is known for its stability.
Shoe Size
A Basketball shoe should be snug but not tight. This maximizes your ability to change direction, spring off your foot, and run effectively and efficiently. Comfortability is one of if not the most significant factors when deciding what shoe to buy, as a comfortable shoe will allow you to perform and showcase your abilities comfortably.
Lacing
A reliable lace is ideal, as the inconvenience of falling over an untied lace or taking minutes out of the game to re-tie them can be detrimental to your performance. Especially with the rapid movements in a basketball game, shoelaces need to be tied tight while ensuring comfortability is maintained.
Conditioning
Heavier shoes will force the muscles to work harder, improving muscular endurance. Warming up in heavier shoes and switching to lighter ones during the game will significantly improve your performance and give you the feeling of walking on clouds, adding inches to your vertical jump.
This is why it’s vital to consider a training shoe and a game shoe; most of the shoes on our list are lightweight, so that they would be classed as a game shoe; they still can be used for training; however, I would suggest looking into a heavier training shoe.
For example, Adidas Women’s Postmove Mid Basketball Shoe for training, as this is one of the heavier shoes on our list and Nike Kyrie 6’s for the game itself.
Style and maintenance
Last but not least, if you want a shoe you can rock off the court, there’s a plethera of options like the Adidas Women’s Postmove Mid Basketball Shoe. Avoid the bulkier-looking shoes as they are harder to style with regular clothes; low-cut shoes tend to look better.
Many people overlook the difficulty of cleaning some materials; leather tends to be easier to clean than synthetic materials. Exposing your shoes to too much sunlight can lead to cracking and deformities in the shoes, especially the shoes that are primarily synthetic.
Frequently Asked Questions
As a Woman, Can I buy men's basketball shoes?
Yes! Men’s shoes are a viable option, considering they tend to have more variety and are more regularly available.
There is a 1.5 size difference between men’s and women’s sizing.
Please use the table below for reference:
What is the difference between women's and men's basketball shoes?
Anatomically speaking, the foot shape differs between men and women. Women’s feet tend to have a deeper arch in their feet, shallower toe, and a shorter outer length of the foot itself.
Although this doesn’t directly impact footwear, there is no inherent difference between men’s and women’s shoes, mainly basketball shoes; the only issue is ensuring the male shoe fits perfectly.
Where can I find the best deal on my basketball shoe?
Sport-specific shoes tend to go on sale more often than ordinary shoes. Especially if you are a student, big companies like Nike, Adidas, and Under armor always have fantastic discounts for students. Once you’ve decided on your shoe, scouting the company’s website directly is always a good choice before buying from a prominent distributor like amazon.
Can I trust Reviews?
Yes! There are thousands of shoe reviews on YouTube that actually provide valuable information – For example, how they look on the feet if they are for a wider foot, and so on. However, written reviews can sometimes be generalized and not beneficial to you; this is why I recommend you watch reviews first.
The 4th Quarter
You may be the most talented woman basketball player there is, but without the proper footwear, you won’t be able to implement vital characteristics that make a champion.
As you’ll always be fighting injuries niggles pain that will inhibit your ability to shine on the court. These are the TOP 6 basketball shoes, so any pair would be a wise choice but make sure they are specific to you and your body so that you can be a better basketball player today and a more functional human tomorrow.
Keep handlining business on the court.
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