Andrew has gravitated towards basketball ever since he was a child. Whether it was spending hours in his parents’ backyard practicing shots from various angles, participating in spirited CYO games, or playing pickup at the park, he has always had an affinity for the sport. That passion for the game persisted as he got older, playing at the high school level, and coaching via instructional programs that promoted fundamental skill development.
Even though three pointers have become the in-vogue shot during the modern era of basketball, there’s nothing quite like an emphatic slam dunk to shift the momentum of a game. Putting it down with authority can be such an uplifting play for the offense, and absolutely demoralizing for a defense.
It would probably be fair to say that the majority of people reading this piece have not thrown it down on a regulation height hoop, and that’s perfectly fine. Bringing the rim down a couple feet is as close as a lot of us will get to the thrill of dunking with a towering vertical leap.
Admittedly, there are levels to this. Regardless of whether you’re going up high and down hard, or just want to get a bit of a boost on your jump, players are always looking to find a way to hang in the air a second longer.
To that end, we’re going to take a look at the best basketball sneakers to help players maintain their dominance above the rim, or enhance their presence at or below the basket.
Top 2 Basketball Shoes to Help You Jump Higher
1. Jump99 Ultra Strength Plyometric Training Shoes
Before you can run, you have to walk, and before you can dunk, you have to jump high. The Jump99 Ultra Strength Plyometric Training shoes will help you take those baby steps, as you look to become a force in the air.
This product has been known to add a couple of inches to players’ verticals, as well as build up calf strength to help aid in individuals’ quests for elevation. Some people like to use them specifically as training shoes, either walking long distances with them or through jogging.
2. JumpSoles Deluxe
Another footwear product to keep an eye on for those looking to get more air under them is the JumpSoles Deluxe. They have a loyal following, and a track record of doing what their name suggests they will do.
They’re a little bit on the pricier side, but should be able to demonstrate results as long as the athlete sticks by them.
Top 10 Basketball Shoes for Dunking (i.e. for Folks Who Can Already Dunk)
1. Nike KD 14
The KD 14’s are one of the best basketball shoes period, and sit at the top of our list of footwear that will give players that extra bounce. This product is exceptionally comfortable, thanks to the Zoom Air cushioning unit that complements your entire foot when you take off and land.
Impressively, the technology actually changes shape to accommodate the individual shape of your foot. It also feels like the KD 14’s have a spring in the heel area, thanks to another special Zoom Air unit that is situated there.
We know that the price tag on this pair of kicks can be a little bit high for some, but the positives it brings to the table are extensive. The KD 14’s are also a lightweight shoe that won’t anchor you to the ground as you make your way to the rim.
2. Nike Hyperdunk X
The vast majority of listicles diving into footwear for hoopers will cover either high top basketball shoes or low-top basketball shoes. The Nike Hyperdunk X sneakers fall in neither category, as they effectively straddle the line as mid-top basketball shoes.
This might be a cause for pause in the minds of some basketball players, but these kicks can help ballers get up, as their name suggests. The midsole is one of the best parts of the product, as it’s comprised of Phylon that rates highly in the impact protection department.
That’s a huge plus, as those who are inclined to spend much of the game in the air can feel comfortable with the fact that they won’t feel discomfort once they return to Earth. The shoe also features high mesh, which aids with ankle support.
3. Nike LeBron 17 Low
Even though he’s never competed in an NBA Slam Dunk contest, basketball fans are used to seeing Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James bring down the house with his dunks throughout the course of his illustrious career. It’s no surprise that his LeBron 17 Low sneakers are a popular pick for dunkers on the hardwood.
As its name intimates, these sneakers are considered low tops, but it takes a lot of strides to protect players from strange landings. It has an overlay that is very sturdy, which helps provide stability and a nice foundation for a high vertical jump.
The LeBron 17 Low’s also give players the ability to personalize the feel of the shoe to maximize comfort. It’s set up with a flywire cable mechanism, which allows players to lock in their feet at varying degrees based on their on court feel that particular day.
4. Nike Kyrie 7
Unlike some of the other players with signature shoes featured on this list, Kyrie Irving is not a player many would consider a high riser. With that being said, he does have a pretty unique ability to hang in the air in order to pull off that tough finish in traffic.
The Nike Kyrie 7’s are an excellent option for players who have sweaty feet. It’s not the most appealing of topics for many, but these shoes do a phenomenal job of promoting air flow into the shoe, which makes for a pleasant experience in both the first quarter and the fourth quarter.
This product also gets high marks from a durability perspective, as its sole is not going to be compromised by minor wear and tear. The Kyrie 7’s also come in a wide variety of colors, which will help them blend in stylistically with your uniform or preferred on-court attire.
5. Nike Giannis Immortality
There may be no player who attacks the rim with more reckless abandon than Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’ll take the ball from coast to coast with authority, and his Giannis Immortality sneakers will help you punctuate finishing plays as well.
There’s a lot to like about this product, starting with its attractive price point. Additionally, this footwear performs well on indoor courts as well as outdoor courts, which is an added bonus for players taking their game outside as the weather gets nicer.
Much like its namesake, this sneaker prides itself on being an option for players who do many things well on the court. It’s not marketed to guards, forwards, or centers per se, but to athletes who want to cover as much of the floor as possible at all times.
6. Nike AlphaDunk
Nike deserves some props for coming up with some really clever names that get customers excited about jumping out of the gym. Like the HyperDunk X reviewed a little bit earlier, the AlphaDunk’s purpose is to help players sky for rebounds or jam the ball on helpless defenders.
It has an admirable traction pattern thanks to its rubber outsole. This means that players can feel confident stopping on a dime in order to get the step for an eventual throw-down.
The AlphaDunk also has an external heel counter and a padded inner collar that help spring you to the hoop while also protecting your ankles from nasty turns or twists. The shoe also has a back pull, which players love when they have to squeeze their foot into the shoe with orthotics already present.
7. Air Jordan 34
It’s hard to talk about dunking culture without bringing up His Airness himself, Michael Jordan. Before the days of YouTube and social media, Jordan was tearing down the rim with oozing athleticism and ferocity.
Thus it makes perfect sense for one of his sneakers to make the cut. The Air Jordan 34 is actually the lightest shoe in the lineage, which shows an striking level of awareness with regards to the type of shoe the public is looking for these days.
The Air Jordan 34’s have an Eclipse Plate that strengthen both the cushioning of the sneaker as well as its explosiveness. The only potential downside to this shoe is that it will have a tough time holding up outdoors, which is something to consider if you play the majority of your games inside.
8. Nike KD Trey 5 VIII
The KD 14’s get a lot of deserved attention as a premier basketball shoe on the market, but it would be unwise to overlook the benefits that the KD Trey 5 VIII’s bring to the table. At a fraction of the cost, players can rely on a sneaker that will be with them through thick and then for many years.
One advantage this product has is that’s pretty much ready to use from the get-go, so it can be thrown into the most competitive of games right away. It also has Renew foam, which is viewed as a top tier technology for cushioning.
The KD Trey 5 VIII’s also have fantastic grip, which isn’t surprising consider Kevin Durant utilizes a lot of hesitation moves in his offensive arsenal. One observation made by players is that feet can slide around in the shoe during side to side movement—certainly something of note if you fashion yourself as a defensive player.
9. Under Armour Embiid 1
After an impressive streak only the likes of Mikal Bridges might understand, we finally arrive at a non-Nike product that dunkers can rely on. Inspired by Philadelphia 76ers 76ers center Joel Embiid, the Under Armour Embiid 1’s are designed for centers who want to spend a considerable amount of time rocking the rim.
It has a combination of cushioning technology that make the sneakers a joy to play in, expertly weaving Micro G and HOVR. Despite the bundle of components, the shoe maintains a lightweight feel that allows centers to get off the ground in a hurry.
The Embiid 1’s also hold up well outdoors, so anyone who does their damage at a park can feel good bringing these to the asphalt. It’s also important to note that even though the product is named after a center, guards can also thrive in this pair of kicks.
10. Under Armour Curry 8
It’s certainly fair to say that Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Stephen Curry has changed the game forever with his proficiency from three-point range. The Under Armour Curry 8’s might change your game forever with its multi-faceted benefits.
Curry used to deal with ankle injuries in the early part of his career, and his sneakers pay a lot of attention to protecting your ankles. It also provides great traction, and is described as slip resistant, which is helpful if there’s an unseen wet spot on the floor.
One downside of the shoe is that it doesn’t have the best arch support, which can leave players with high arches in a bit of a bind. The ventilation of the shoe could also be better.
Andrew has gravitated towards basketball ever since he was a child. Whether it was spending hours in his parents’ backyard practicing shots from various angles, participating in spirited CYO games, or playing pickup at the park, he has always had an affinity for the sport. That passion for the game persisted as he got older, playing at the high school level, and coaching via instructional programs that promoted fundamental skill development.
