Best Basketball Shoes Under $100: Made For The Budget Hooper

ADIDAS DAME 7 EXTPLY

The Best Overall Pick For The Money

Ever wanted a true flagship signature shoe for a fraction of what Nikey & Jordan is usually charging? Well, there’s always the Dame line from adidas. The EXTPLY version of the Dame 7 is currently running for very little money, and in return, you’re getting a lot.

You’ll get a pair of grippy & durable outsoles (as usual from adidas) that you can take outdoors without worries, fantastic support that’s not overly restrictive (once again, typical from the Three Stripes) and a basic but functional mesh upper that barely requires any break-in time.

But for 60-100 bucks, you’re also getting a full-length Lightstrike midsole that feels awesome. A very plush & soft heel for impact absorption, and a responsive forefoot sensation to keep the ride quick.

Definitely one of the best deals to hunt down at the moment – the Dame 7 is among my favorite Dame iterations and for good reason. The EXTPLY version is going on sale at various retailers, so be sure to grab ’em while you still can.

What’s the EXTPLY version, you ask? There’s nothing different performance-wise or material-wise but the upper now has some cosmetic touches like nods to Damian Lillard’s music career and his Dame D.O.L.L.A. persona.

And if you prefer the regular version, you can also find some sizes under $100 on Amazon, and StockX & GOAT.

ADIDAS D.O.N. ISSUE #3

Solid Choice For Most Guards

Much like the Dame line, adidas has always been putting out affordable signature sneakers that are actually worth your time.

Donovan Michell’s shoe line might not be as impressive as Dame’s or D Rose’s selection but you can always snatch a D.O.N. Issue shoe for dirt cheap shortly after release.

The D.O.N. Issue #3 sports a Lightstrike midsole running from heel to toe and while not as bouncy or plush as the Dame 7’s version, you’ll get a fast, low-profile ride with a bit of feedback to keep things comfortable.

Reliable multi-surface traction is what I’ve got from these as always from adidas, and you can take these outdoors without the worry of serious damage, even for a full season.

The minimal textile build isn’t anything to boast about but it broke in very quickly for my wide feet and served me well on the court performance-wise. The initial few runs felt a bit stiff and plasticy but this thin build didn’t take long to start feeling optimal.

Support & security were fine except for slight heel slippage occasionally. It never fully went away but it definitely got better in a few weeks’ time. Not a dealbreaker, just an annoyance.

You’ll want to make sure you get the size right with these. About a thumb’s width of space is what I got with my usual size 10, so regular/narrow footers might be able to get away with a half size down to compensate.

ANTA SHOCK THE GAME 5.0

An Overseas Beast Ready For Outdoor Hoops

One of the best Chinese-made basketball sneakers in recent years, not that they weren’t already great a few years ago. The ANTA Shock The Game 5.0 looks like an old-school tank but plays like a modern performer built for the outdoor environment.

These feature some seriously thick rubber outsoles (get the gum sole variant for best reliability) and aggressive multi-directional traction is what you get as a result.

ANTA’S A-Flashedge foam is probably the closest thing to flagship proprietary cushioning from a big brand like Nike. It’s bouncy, flows smoothly, and absorbs a ton of impact.

You will be riding quite high off the ground though, so fans of low-profile setups might find these suboptimal.

The upper might look daunting and bulky at first but give these a couple of weeks and each wear will get progressively better ’till you won’t even think about it. Not the most minimal or fastest-feeling sneaker but definitely feels lighter than it looks.

I had no serious issues with support, everything checked out and gave no additional restrictions.

This is also a better choice for wide-footers than more narrow-foot shapes due to some extra room in the forefoot portion.

PUMA COURT RIDER 2.0

PUMA’s Take On A Versatile Budget Model

You gotta hand it to PUMA for their stuff in the past couple of years. While they’re still slightly behind the big dogs in terms of the technology offered, for anyone who doesn’t care about that and is just here for an affordable shoe that’ll work on the court – the Court Rider 2.0 would like to say hello.

Immediately after setting my foot in these, I realized that this is a very well-built silhouette for the money.

A nice, soft fabric-based build wrapped around my foot while giving plenty of comfort and the leather overlays protect the shoe from nasty toe drags or other damage. You wouldn’t normally get something like this for $100 from Nike or Jordan.

For cushion, PUMA offers their Dual Pod midsole that’s on the firmer side but I could still feel some plush feedback (just not much).

The awesome thing about this tooling is how my foot sits within the footbed and how close to the ground this ride feels. It’s a low-profile setup but one that still feels decent.

I had no issues with the shoe’s security and while I did have some dead space at the toebox, I got used to it, and it didn’t bring any additional issues like slippage or sloppy containment.

The outsoles sport PUMA’s proprietary traction patterns and these absolutely BITE the floor with ease. You can take ’em outdoors too.

ADIDAS D ROSE SON OF CHI

Stability & Lockdown Pick

Let’s face it – Derrick Rose’s signature shoe line with adidas isn’t shining as it used to a few years back. However, there’s no denying there are still a few models that are pretty good for the money. The D Rose Son Of Chi is one of those.

Starting with the outsoles, they’re borrowed straight from the classic D Rose 4 (which is a good thing). This is a model that’ll work very well outdoors and will need some break-in time for less abrasive indoor action as the rubber used is thick and harder to move around.

The sneaker gave me decent Bounce cushion that’s more on the responsive & firmer side of things as a very thin layer of foam was used.

The heel still gave a bit of feedback upon a jump or take-off but the forefoot side of things almost felt non-existent in terms of energy return. The premise felt similar to the Dame 7 but that shoe offers a bit more cushion in both areas overall.

All-around security is where this one excels. An extremely snug fit will welcome your foot (if you manage to get it in there) along with a supportive upper and beastly lockdown. The ankle collar cups and wraps around the ankle in a very secure manner as well.

Wide footers should probably skip the shoe or at least go up half a size. I did that myself and still found the shoe suboptimal.

There’s quite a bit of pinching at the ankle area and lots of pressure at the toebox. Even regular footers could consider stepping a half a size up if you don’t prefer a complete one-to-one experience.

NIKE LEBRON WITNESS 4

A Versatile Package For LeBron Fans

LeBron’s takedown signature line offers cheaper shoes but a lot of them are surprisingly good. I found the 4th Witness shoe to bring the most bang for your buck, stacked against the older Witness 3.

LeBron’s preferred ride is never firm, so if you’d like to try out a bouncier ride that’s still very well-balanced and preserves the components for a lot of different players – just take the Witness 4’s two forefoot Zoom units + a plushy Phylon midsole! It’s a great setup and doesn’t feel like a “budget” solution so to speak.

The shoe also has plenty of support features packed resulting in a stable, secure ride, yet one that’s not overly restrictive.

You can thank the almost ridiculously thin mesh upper for that. It’s some of the most minimal stuff I’ve seen lately and while it might not be a premium material, it shines in providing mobility, comfort & keeping minimal weight.

The shoe has got the properties of a quick guard’s shoe but the cushion & overall build will make sure other players will find these just as suitable.

Similar to the flagship LeBron 17, the Witness 4 has slightly questionable traction. It’s not all-out bad as it grips all the floors I’m playing in well, just not in a very consistent manner. You can check out the full review for more insight on it.

And touching back on the traction, the rubber compound used on the outsoles reminds us of the usual shenanigans by Nikey. It’s fairly soft and pliable, so don’t expect these to last as long as an outdoor model.

NIKE LEBRON WITNESS 5

A Slight Step-Up From The Witness 4

Despite my initial mixed feelings about this one, I found myself coming back to the 5th model more than the 4th now.

The LeBron Witness 5 is packing very similar tech & performance as its predecessor. Near-identical outsoles for solid traction and I’d say the position of the Zoom pods felt better and more natural flowing this time. Perhaps it’s just me getting used to it?

For cushion, the same setup: two Zoom Air units in the forefoot & a Phylon midsole to accompany the rest of the way.

A very effective ride for the money, providing a little bit of everything without losing, well, anything. You’ve got slight bounce, you’ve got quickness, you’ve got stability.

Sporting a build close to the Witness 4, you can expect the fifth shoe to be just as supportive. Some seriously lightweight mesh makes a return as well, but this mesh feels a bit more refined, softer to the touch but very similar performance-wise.

Most things I’ve mentioned about the Witness 4 stay true to the 5. Though I found the traction less problematic this time.

As for outdoor play, same as the previous shoe. Not the weakest rubber but definitely not among the top outdoor tanks. Should last several months though.

ADIDAS D.O.N. ISSUE #2

Another Effective Guard’s Package

Just as the previous D.O.N. Issue, the second shoe doesn’t really do anything spectacular, and its tech specs won’t blow you away but for those who need a reliable shoe to play in safely and without any hassle, this one will absolutely get the job done.

Bounce cushion is offered and while it’s nothing amazing, Bounce is a great budget foam compound that gives you court feel & speed while still retaining moderate impact protection along with a very subtle spring back upon impact.

It’s great for low-profile guards but bigger guys should also find these capable on a budget.

The shoe provides solid traction and you won’t have to deal with wiping the outsoles down, while support is on-point just as most adidas shoes nowadays.

The lightweight synthetic upper represents the qualities brands are aiming for when putting together materials: lighter weight, minimal break-in time, and freedom of movement. 

Durability will be questionable if you’re considering putting these in your hardcore outdoor rotation. The outsoles don’t have the most durable rubber but at least it’s not among the worst I’ve seen.

Also, make sure to give the midsole some patience to break in as the first few runs might feel a little stiff.

NIKE KD TREY 5 IX

A Well-Rounded Pick For Durant Fans

Here’s a good one from Nikey. The KD Trey 5 line has been consistent pretty much the whole way but the recent few models managed to modernize the formula while keeping the price low.

I didn’t have any serious complaints about the KD Trey 5 IX. It’s a no-nonsense type of shoe with nothing to really show off but everything about it worked well.

The Renew cushion felt balanced with speedy step transitions and moderate impact protection (it does bottom out fairly quickly but I still enjoyed it afterward), solid traction that worked outdoors (not the best outdoor pick though), and a focus on mobility was present rather than beefy support.

The basic mesh upper was fine: broke in quickly, and it fit my wide feet. I would not recommend this one to a very shifty Kyrie-type player or a heavy frontcourt beast due to the minimal containment this build offers.

Much like Durant’s usual fit formula, these fit slightly long and quite narrow. If you’ve got a narrow foot – you’re in luck. For regular/wide footers, expect a snug fit with a tad bit of extra length at the front.

ANTA SHOCK THE GAME 4.0

The Ultimate Durability Pick

If you think the newer Shock The Game 5.0 is a tank-like shoe, wait ’till you try the 4th model. Those going all-out on reliability and pure value for the dollar – look no further.

The ANTA Shock The Game 4.0 is a very in-your-face shoe. It’s got a lot going on like the outrageous design, a series of different material panels, a high-cut collar, a beefy midsole, and aggressive-looking rubber barriers in the midfoot for foot containment.

ANTA’s A-Shock 3.0 cushion seems well-received by hoopers as it’s a balanced setup with plenty of impact protection, energy return, and solid step comfort. Not as bouncy as a Zoom Strobel or a dense Boost midsole but still very competent.

The outsoles are industry-leading though, no question about that. They have some of the thickest & hardest rubber implemented on the market, so multiple years of outdoor hoops shouldn’t be an issue.

Support & lockdown will be excellent even for the heaviest & most explosive of hoopers. However, lighter, low-profile styles might want to look for something a bit more mobile.

The heavy weight of the shoe will throw some people off, so don’t even consider these if you’re used to minimal Kobes or Currys.

Also, much like most of the Chinese shoe market, you won’t find sizes above 11 US (45 EU). You won’t find size 10 US (44 EU) either for some reason.

NIKE KD TREY 5 VIII

A Balanced Outdoor-Ready Package

If you like what you saw about the KD Trey 5 IX but would prefer to take it outdoors – the previous model will give you just that.

The Nike KD Trey 5 VIII is packing some seriously looking outsoles that I’ve had ZERO issues with – deadly grip no matter the angle and during my 8-month run outdoors, they still perform without questions. How is a 90-dollar shoe more reliable than a $150 “flagship”?

The cushion setup is Nikey’s dual-density Renew which is basically Lunarlon with a foam midsole and it’s a great choice for just about everybody.

Lunarlon does have a tendency to quickly bottom out, yes, but I actually found myself liking the “degraded” version of this setup.

It’s quick, low to the ground, gives you that distraction-free experience and there’s still a bit of impact protection to keep the action comfortable. Nothing crazy, but enough to leave a session without my feet/knees on fire.

Support is solid for a lighter/low-profile player and while the basic textile upper is nothing premium, they get the job done.

I found the material choices and the lack of any real additional structure compromise foot containment a bit. I’m not a very big dude but I do play with a lot of explosiveness.

The upper is a little wobbly at times, as there were instances where I’d feel my foot wanting to slide out of the shoe’s footbed.

While it never did, that feeling can bother some people. I’d recommend the shoe for someone who’s not particularly shifty, heavy, or plays with a lot of athleticism.

NIKE AIR MAX IMPACT 3

The Air Max Impact Line Revived

What a surprise this one was. After an extremely mediocre start to the Air Max Impact line, the 3rd iteration seemed to be aware of its weaknesses and the designers went all-out on fixing each and every one, all while keeping the low price intact.

The Air Max Impact 3 didn’t really impress me with the large volume Air Max unit in the heel (it served its purpose but wasn’t anything special) but the midsole they’re using is what caught me off guard.

It’s super plush, springy, and provides excellent step comfort. It felt more like a Cushlon midsole or a Phylon iteration we’d usually find on a more expensive model. Heel-to-toe transitions were also much smoother.

Support & containment also underwent upgrades. The lateral outriggers are now aggressive and stability greatly improved, while the forefoot & heel foam barriers helped enhance foot containment.

The mesh upper is reinforced with synthetic felt and I’ve got no complaints. It broke in quickly, conformed to my foot nicely, and didn’t get in the way of hoops.

This is also a wide-foot-friendly shoe, so narrow footers will even need to step a half size down for a snug fit. You can take these outdoors as well.

One of the best budget releases from Nikey this year and in the last few years. I think this is what the LeBron Witness 6 should have been.

NIKE KYRIE FLYTRAP 5

A Budget Mobility Pick For Wide Footers

For those wanting something very specific – check out Kyrie Irving’s 5th model in his takedown signature line. The Kyrie Flytrap 5.

You’ll get grippy multi-directional traction along with the outsole pattern coming all the way up to the forefoot in case you find yourself planting the foot at an awkward angle. Beastly traction as always from Uncle Drew.

The cushioning offered here shouldn’t be a surprise to those following Kyrie’s sneaker lines. Barely any real feedback or impact protection. It’s all about quickness and staying low to the ground with the Flytrap 5. If you don’t like that kind of setup – look away.

The support department is also all about freedom of movement. No real outriggers in place, a fairly pliable midfoot plate, and a lightweight mesh upper.

The tooling of the shoe is rounded which allows for very quick shifts and changes of direction but stability can be compromised at times.

Also, keep in mind these have a noticeably wider than average toebox area. Narrow footers should probably skip the shoe entirely while wide footers will be okay with their usual size. Anyone in between should sinch the laces up as much as possible to avoid any compromises in security.

Quite a bit of people seemed to dislike the shoe but you have to understand this one’s not a versatile solution. It’s a shoe made for those with all-out mobility in mind. Anything else is under the radar.

If you’re one of those shifty, agile, Kyrie-like guards who need speed and precision more than anything else – this is a very viable option for you. For Kyrie fans who want a more balanced option – check out the Kyrie Infinity.

UNDER ARMOUR SC 3ZER0 IV

The Best Cheap All-Around Option From Under Armour

After three fairly niche-specific models from Stephen Curry’s takedown signature line, the SC 3ZER0 IV didn’t bring anything revolutionary but it did tweak some things to make it a better appeal for more players.

Classic herringbone traction is there to catch multi-directional movements and the rubber used is very tacky, so expect decent outdoor durability. You’ll need to wipe the outsoles down occasionally if you’re playing on a dirtier surface.

Full-length Micro G cushion is featured on the SC 3ZER0 IV and while it sounds nice, the setup in practice is catered more towards mobility and quickness.

I did feel some feedback in the heel on harder impact situations, so it’s not as firm as, say, a Kyrie Flytrap 5. Don’t expect to be jumping on pillows though.

I started my first few sessions experiencing slight heel slippage. However, re-lacing the shoe to better fit my foot and playing for a few hours fixed the issue. Since then, I have had no complaints security-wise.

The build utilizes structured mesh along with perforated synthetic leather. Definitely not a premium-feeling combo but one that provided adequate containment and durability.

For those wanting something a bit stronger than today’s typical textiles – this is an option that doesn’t break the bank.

Overall, I don’t currently see a better option from Under Armour if you’re looking for an immensely cheap option that caters to various players.

UNDER ARMOUR SC 3ZER0 III

An Agile Low-Top On A Budget

One of the older Curry models, this one being a takedown version to the original Curry 3, comes with certain changes.

The shoe features Micro G cushioning in the forefoot and Charged in the heel. Even though Micro G is known to be extremely bouncy and fun on older models, this wasn’t the case on the Curry shoes.

Despite that though, the shoe’s cushioning is very responsive, it’s low profile, it’s speedy, but not to a point where you’re running on bricks, like a Kyrie 2 for example.

The shoe’s support and containment are excellent for a low top. The SC 3Zer0 III has a midfoot shank, a nice heel counter, and a half bootie construction for improved containment.

Curry’s shoes almost never fail in terms of support & security and this one’s absolutely no exception.

The traction on these is great, though I wouldn’t take these outdoors as the rubber seems to chip away very quickly. They’re also pretty sensitive to dust, so if you’re not used to wiping the outsoles down every few plays, you might face some slight issues during play.

I also didn’t like the tricky fit too much, as the shoe’s length felt a bit weird despite going true to size. I recommend trying these in-store if you can still find ’em somewhere. If you’re not able to do so, I recommend going down half a size.

This one feels very similar to the newer SC 3ZER0 IV, so if you prefer a low-top design, the third shoe is the way to go.

NIKE GIANNIS IMMORTALITY

Best Overall Performer Under $80

The Greek Freak’s three flagship signature shoes didn’t really catch my eye but his first budget model did. For 80 bucks (and less), I got myself a shoe that I wanted to keep playing in despite testing other models.

Good ol’ herringbone traction is all over the outsoles, plus the grooves are deep, so you won’t be wiping the outsoles every few minutes. Decent outdoor durability is what you’ll also get.

A standard EVA midsole might not sound like much but just like the Air Max Impact 3, this compound that they used blows a lot of pricier shoes out of the water.

It’s pretty bouncy and provides smooth step transitions & solid impact protection. I never felt I was lacking cushion despite being an explosive player. Just be sure to give the foam some playing time to soften up.

Standard support features and a structured upper resulted in solid overall support minus one little hiccup. The heel portion of the shoe’s tooling is sculpted in a very similar manner to a Kyrie shoe.

Its rounded shape allows for great heel mobility but land in an awkward manner and you might find yourself tipping over the shoe. I never rolled my ankle or collapsed due to this but there were a few times when I didn’t feel confident in landing after a leap.

Apart from that, everything simply checked out. They’re comfortable, super lightweight, and the build molded to my foot’s shape not long after getting them out of the box. No doubt the best choice under 80 bucks.

NIKE RENEW ELEVATE 2

Narrow Footer’s & Outdoor Pick Under $80

The 2nd outing in Nikey’s Renew Elevate line is still the most affordable & most available shoe at the moment.

If the Giannis Immortality sounds good but you’d prefer something that fits in a more snug manner and is tailored better to a slimmer foot – check this one out.

The Renew Elevate 2 features solid rubber outsoles for great multi-surface traction. These can handle outdoor environments and I had no issues hooping outside for over 3 months. Indoors is where the performance took a small dip as I had more slips in comparison to an asphalt or a rubberized surface.

For cushion, we’ve got a Renew compound paired with a higher density foam, so the end result is very similar to the KD Trey 5 VIII/IX.

It’s a nice low-profile ride that keeps things efficient and speedy while offering a bit of feedback to keep the action comfortable. Expect moderate durability from this foam.

Nothing fancy in the build side of things but it got the job done for me. Despite a thin mesh upper, I didn’t find any compromises in containment or support. Of course, it’s a cheap-looking upper but I was playing comfortably nonetheless.

Wide footers should probably stay away from these due to the plastic pieces on the lacing system pressuring the foot. I went up half a size (I’m a wide footer) and still went through hell testing these.

NIKE PRECISION 6

The Best Cheapest Pick For The Ultimate Saver

It’s time for the most affordable sneaker in the entire rotation. The Nike Precision 6. Not much has changed ever since the Precision 4 but by all means – it’s a good thing.

It’s awesome that Nikey doesn’t forget where they came from as plenty of care went into making this one. You simply can’t tell me these look like a $75 shoe.

Herringbone and radial patterns run all over the outsoles of the Precision 6, and many of you know these are the two most trusted traction patterns you can get. The grip was great, much like the strong rubber compound that will hold outdoors.

Do you see a recurring pattern here? Yes, Nike’s budget shoes are almost always excellent outdoor options.

For cushioning, there’s a basic EVA midsole but, once again, implementation is key. This one’s not as plush as the one that the Giannis Immortality offers but it’s still effective. A bit of rebound in the heel and a tad bit of feedback throughout the rest of the ride.

Definitely best for a guard but bigger guys shouldn’t find themselves with blown-out knees either.

This ultra-thin textile upper won’t give you elite-level support and guys who jump out of the gym or are particularly shifty should probably aim for something more structured.

Agile spot-up shooters might also find their foot wanting to slide out of the footbed due to quick changes of direction.

However, for anyone else, the Precision 6 will do the trick while keeping things super lightweight, flexible, and breathable.