We sense that you’re facing trouble reaching the basket. You know how they say that you can’t solve some problems, well, this isn’t one of them. The best basketball shoes for jumping higher might just be the medicine to your problem. If you have flat feet, you should check our detailed guide on the best basketball shoes for flat feet.
Basketball is that one game where it’s all about who can jump higher; you think I’m exaggerating? Let me explain to you how.
You see tall players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis having heights of 6.7 and 6.8 ft. respectively running down to the basket, but it isn’t just the height factor that helps them score; it’s their jump, too; get it?
I think you’re familiar with the impact your shoes can have on your gameplay. There’s a skill factor in basketball, and then there’s an equipment factor; both go hand in hand.
You might have experienced missing some clear-cut open shots because of the inadequate bounce that your shoes provide you.
What you want is a shoe that can contain the energy your legs generate when they push down on the ground and then deliver an explosive amount of energy back into your body that helps you blast off towards the basket.
Let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to avoid the traffic on the court and just get straight to the basket. For that, you need the best basketball shoes that help you jump higher.
Also, be aware of the fact that jumping is only part of the game. For getting to the jump point, you need speed, traction, flexibility, support, and after jumping and scoring, you need impact protection. These shoes have all these features.
Saving your time, we’ve done half of the job, i.e., researched and reviewed the leading brands and filtered the best shoes for this very purpose.
All you have to do now is to go through our top picks and let the shoes amaze you on the way.
If you still can’t make up your mind, our buying guide will help you with that right away.
Related Basketball Shoes:
For Flat Feet
For Outdoor
For Bunions
Best Shoes for Jumping Higher Reviews
1. Nike Zoom KD 12 – Best Overall
If you’re looking for a pair of shoes that are not hampered by dust, the KD-12 serves the purpose pretty well. The KD-12 is one of those shoes that have been given attention to detail.
Admittedly, the traction is pretty smart. On the base, there is a circular rubber outsole for multi-directional traction, but there’s more; the rubber outsole wraps up a little bit on the sides as well for maintaining the grip during lateral movements; astonishing, isn’t it?
As far as the performance goes, you will not feel a difference whether you’re indoors or outdoors, thanks to the firm, squeaky rubber outsole ensuring you’re wearing a pair of all-rounder best basketball shoes for dunking.
The upper has a premium meshed material, pretty breathable with a TPU layer at the sides to prevent the fabric from tearing away.
As for the support, you’d be surprised with the lockdown and the foot containment from the heel all the way to your toes so that your feet stay in position. There’s also a firm internal heel counter, and then you’ll find the tongue and collar to be pretty puffy for the much-needed ankle support.
Now, for the highlight of the shoe, it’s cushioning. What’s so special? For starters, nothing tops the Zoom-Air cushioning, like nothing, and this shoe has a full-length zoom air cushioning.
This cushion is super bouncy, and because it’s a full-length Zoom-Air that we’re talking about, the bounce effect is twice as compared to its rivals. One jump in these, and you know that you’re wearing the best basketball shoes for jumping higher.
What’s the moral? This 12th edition of Kevin Durant’s signature line has all the features you’ll find in any leading basketball shoe out there, just only better.
It’s a bit high on price, but it’s safe to say that this shoe has you covered, whether it is traction, cushioning, impact protection, support, material quality, or style that we’re talking about.
2. Nike Men’s Kyrie 3 – Best Traction
Nike’s Kyrie line of Basketball shoes, named after Kyrie Irving, one of the most recognized players in the NBA, is one of Nike’s highest-selling shoe lines; that’s right! Kyrie 3 maintains the legacy of the Kyrie line. Find out why.
Let’s start up with the traction. Admittedly, the traction of this shoe is a 10/10. There’s not an inch of the sole that doesn’t have a herringbone traction pattern.
Not just that, the two pods beneath the forefoot grip the ground extra hard. Give it a look; you’ll see what we’re talking about. Moreover, the rubber on the sole is super hard, due to which the shoe endures outdoor activities smoothly.
If we’re talking about the best basketball shoes for jumping higher, multiple factors come into play, and Kyrie 3 meets those factors.
Also Check: best outdoor basketball shoes
For the actual jump, Kyrie 3 features Nike’s zoom air unit in the heel, which absorbs the energy and then releases it spontaneously into your foot and legs, helping you lift-off towards the basket unstopped, leaving the opponents in complete shock.
The next thing that comes into play is the impact protection while you’re coming down. The shoe’s impact protection is a little less; however, the firm grip prevents you from twisting your ankle, and the added foam around the collar keeps your feet well surrounded. So, it does the job anyway.
Let’s head up to the upper. The upper features a synthetic, meshed material on the front, sides, and heel area, which is incredible for ventilation.
So, what is the takeaway? Whether it’s responsive lift-off, smooth landing, ankle support, or ventilation, Kyrie 3 gets the task done outstandingly, making it one of the best shoes for jumping high.
Also, with its colorful traction pattern and spiky upper, it features a pretty dope design. So, that counts as a plus factor for someone who makes no compromise on aesthetics.
3. Adidas Men’s Pro Bounce 2019 – Best Bounce
When it comes to the overall aesthetics, it’s needless to say that Adidas has stepped up its game with the Pro Bounce 2019.
Now, for the price this shoe is available in, the specs are super crazy! Let’s dig deep into them right away.
Coming to the very core factor, i.e., bounce. The Pro Bounce features a super bouncy cushion in the midsole that gives you an extra edge over your competitors when it comes to dunking, making it one of the best basketball shoes for jump shooters.
There’s no doubt about the fact the Pro Bounce 2019 is an anti-injury shoe. It has an extended tongue with extra padding for that. What does that do? It locks and clings to your ankle way better as it’s a high-top.
Coming to the material, it might not be of the highest quality, but the shoes feature a 100% textile upper that is extensively meshed for incredible ventilation. Sounds good, right?
The Pro Bounce 2019 has its overall design to be very lightweight, making the lift-offs pretty easy for dunking.
It’s not just the bounce factor that counts; you know that, right? For the support, the shoe has a banking barrier on the sides for lateral stability when making quick cuts or dribbling around the player.
They also have an extensive base plus extended heel for overall stability during all possible manoeuvers.
To sum it up, Pro Bounce has a pretty good court feel to them; they’re very low to the ground, not to mention the materials’ flexibility, which is essential for some quick action and overall comfort.
4. Adidas Men’s Pro Bounce 2018 – Best Lockdown
As the name clarifies, Adidas made the Pro Bounce series to provide an enhanced bounce level because of its new ‘bounce cushioning.’ The 2018 version has some killing features at a very reasonable price as compared to its competitors.
Now, it’s Adidas that we’re talking about. So, you can expect some smart shoe engineering in the Pro Bounce 2018 as well. Let’s jump right onto the specs.
The meshed upper has Forgifiber, which is heat pressed and TPU coated. These fibers have outstanding durability.
This Adidas model features spiral traction with four suction holes. What’s so good about it? You’re in for some optimum and squeaky traction; that’s right! The design is perfect for multi-directional movements.
Moving onto the midsole, the bounce cushioning is an upgrade to the boost cushioning that Adidas used. The bounce cushion is a much lighter and softer foam. This is what helps you get your head higher than the basket and makes it one of the best basketball shoes for dunking.
There’s one problem, i.e., the shoe is a little thinner at the forefoot, but hey, that’s what gives you a superior court feel with a lot of impact protection to minimize injuries.
The Pro Bounce 2018 has an outstanding feature, i.e., their lockdown system. For that, there’s a smart lacing system and an extended tongue that is well padded for ankle support.
There’s also a stable frame at the sides that runs all the to the forefoot area for lateral stability. So that you don’t roll your ankles while you’re cutting through the players or doing sudden turns.
Unfortunately, due to extra padding, the shoes don’t have superb breathability, but when it comes to bounce, impact protection, support, and flexibility, these shoes are killing it!
5. Adidas Men’s Dame 5 – Best Comfort
The shoes that don’t slow you down, a.k.a Adidas Men’s Dame 5, is right here for you. These shoes are all about getting the job done, nothing more and nothing less.
These shoes come in two upper variants; the mesh and suede material and the synthetic leather material. Surprisingly enough, both are super light and weigh the same.
When it comes to traction, it’s a full-length herringbone pattern on a firm rubber outsole, so the traction’s pretty gripped, pretty responsive.
There’s a slight catch though, the dust can be a bit problematic on dusty courts, but if you’re an in-court guy, honestly, you have no problem at all.
For support and comfort, the Dame 5 has a broader base, a three-quarter collar for ankle support, and there’s a soft TPU midfoot overlay at the sides that gives you good lateral support. This is some profound level of support that we’re talking about.
Not only that, the inside has a lot of cushion pillows that give you a softer feel and comes in handy in terms of impact protection, which makes the Dame 5 one of the best shoes for dunking as it makes the stunt pretty safe because of enhanced protection from all angles.
Coming to the central part, cushioning. Now, this shoe doesn’t have the previous boost cushioning, but instead, it also features bounce cushioning. It is more springy and responsive when it comes to efficient high-speed lift-offs.
So, if you’re out there looking for basketball shoes to increase vertical jump, you’re most certainly looking for Adidas Dame 5!
6. Under Armour HOVR Havoc 2 – Best Ventilation
Under Armour does a pretty good job in making all-rounder, premium quality shoes for Basketball. Always stay a step ahead of the next guy on the court with the HOVR Havoc 2.
It features a synthetic textile upper with a 3-D embossing on the toe area and perforation holes throughout the side area that helps smart ventilation. It’s as important as any other feature of the shoe because it prevents you from getting exhausted.
UA’s Havoc 2 lifts you as it features the HOVR technology. Do you see where this is headed? The HOVR cushioning technology is an incredible innovation for making shoes that help you jump higher.
The shoe’s cushion is lighter and durable, but it’s the energy return that is unparalleled compared to other cushions in the market.
You can feel the energy return from your toes to your legs and higher because that’s what these are made to deliver.
For support and stability, the base is pretty broad and extended to the sides for lateral stability. It has thicker paddings for ankle support, and then the multi-pattern traction on the firm rubber outsole does the rest of the work for stabilizing the movements.
Also, it has an EVA sockliner for underfoot cushioning. Still not convinced?
Havoc 2 not only makes you feel like you’re on top but also gets you to the top. Feel the Active
Strength and challenge yourself to greater heights with the HOVR Havoc 2.
7. Nike’s Lebron Witness IV – Best Support
Next on the line, Lebron Witness 4, is a pretty lightweight shoe for heavy performance. So let’s take a closer look at the heavy performers.
Frankly, the color combinations and the design makes it one of the best on the list when it comes to overall looks. These factors make the shoe pretty cool for casual outdoor usage as well.
The shoe features a mid-top silhouette. It also includes a molded lion on the heel and LeBron’s logo on the tongue just for the style.
Let’s be honest; the woven textile and mesh upper gets the job done, but it isn’t the best on the list. But then again, that’s how a budget performer works. It’s pretty dope as far as the weight and breathability go.
Believe it or not, Nike’s done an impressive job for the bounce factor with the two Zoom-Air pods on the forefoot that have immense energy absorbance and energy return ability.
The Zoom-Air pods lift you pretty high, but that’s only a part of the job. The next is the protection from the impact while coming down. For that, there’s a super responsive heel compression to absorb the energy making it one of those shoes that make you jump higher.
The shoe has a Phylon midsole followed by a tough rubber outsole with a shockwave-inspired tread pattern for advanced traction on any playing surface.
The shoe’s pretty supportive from all sides. It has a uniquely tougher heel counter. Continuing that way, there are two lateral outriggers with a pretty comprehensive platform. Plus, mesh panels on the sides are more rigid for firm lateral containment. Are you convinced yet?
The bottom line is that LeBron’s Witness 4 is pretty reasonable for a budget performer. They’re pretty athletic by their looks and court performance.
8. Under Armour Ignite V – Best Protection
When it comes to Basketball, it’s either Nike, Adidas, or Under Armour dominating the market. Here’s another bouncy shoe by one of the leading brands, i.e., the Ignite 5 engineered for the baller.
Starting with the traction, you’ll see a three-quarters herringbone pattern on the sole. It’s not full-length but does the shoe skid, or slip, slide away? Not really, No.
The upper is textile and synthetic. It’s a two-tone mesh upper. It’s UA we’re talking about, so guess what? The upper is pretty thin, pretty durable, and breathable with a meshed tongue, so the ventilation is adequate; not the greatest, but it keeps you cool throughout the game.
The cushioning of the shoe is pretty responsive because it’s HOVR. The lightweight design aids the player in jumping high and reaching the basket with minimal effort.
Hence it’s a pretty good option as far as the bounce factor goes, so the shoe makes it to the league of the best basketball shoes for jumping.
Now, the most remarkable thing about the shoe, its overall protection. The shoes have a TPU hot melt film over the toe for extra protection and an external TPU heel counter. So you’re in for some luck with these.
It also has a high-top collar with extra padding at the ankles’ sides and an EVA sockliner underfoot for comfort and support. So, it’s a pretty good setup that way.
The shoes also have unique, integrated lacing zones in forefoot, midfoot, and heel and a customized, strategic fit, so it caters to narrow and wide feet equally; Isn’t that a relief!
The overall features of the shoe are pretty sleek. They have a pretty dynamic feel to them, and they’ll most certainly make you feel more agile on the court!
9. Adidas Men’s Ownthegame – Best Material
If you’re out there looking for basketball shoes that help you jump high, you’re looking at one of them right now. Get yourself a pair of these and jump to a higher level of court performance.
The shoes feature Superior Cloudfoam cushioning technology; see the difference? This comfortable cushion is efficient for energy absorbance and its speedy deliverance. Your jump shots are only going to be as good as the cushioning in your shoes.
The bounciness of these shoes is really one of a kind. So, it has you covered as far as the jump shots go.
The materials incorporated include premium quality mesh and synthetic leather for long-lasting support. There’s also a textile inner lining for a softer feel.
What’s so special about the material? It has an Ortholite sockliner and soft massage nubs on the inside that help the feet to recover from a stressful game; sounds impressive, right?
These mid-foot basketball shoes perform well under stress because of the firm lacing system and extra padded collar to ensure the baller isn’t prone to any injuries.
The traction on this shoe features a durable Adiwear outsole that is abrasion-resistant. The traction, extended to the sides, helps improve maneuverability as you pivot and cut your way to the hoop.
Just like the shoe says, make sure your next game, you own it with your Own The Game from Adidas. Now, that sounds like a plan!
Best Basketball Shoes for Jumping Higher – The Ultimate Buying Guide
The Bounce factor of the shoe is just one factor. It alone can’t make the shoe stand-out. For that, multiple factors come into play.
Here, we’ve listed some of the salient factors you should consider while selecting your sneakers.
A lot of factors put together result in the formation of the best basketball shoes to increase vertical support and protection. These affect your performance, so it’s better to check them out.
Some of the integral features include:
Traction
Traction is like brakes; you only drive faster when you know your car can stop within seconds. The same is the case with shoes. High-degree traction can help athletes maximally accelerate, decelerate, and change directions.
For the traction patterns, look out for the Herringbone tread patterns or spiral patterns as they are better for multi-directional maneuvers.
Outsole
Most of the shoes are made for indoor play. However, the outdoor courts are less forgiving.
To overcome that, make sure your shoes have a firm, thicker, and durable rubber compound on the outsole that can endure more challenging situations.
Ventilation
This factor can actually increase your stamina. If your feet stay cool, that prevents you from fatigue. Besides, a well-ventilated shoe has fewer chances of infections that are very frequent because of the damp, moist environment that develops inside the shoe after some time.
For that, look out for the mesh material on the upper having enough ventilation holes for dynamic air-flow.
Midsole
This is a make or break point of the shoe. When it comes to jumping, make sure your shoe’s midsole features a bouncier cushion. A small default in the cushioning, and you’re not achieving enhanced dunk ability.
Some of the best cushions include Nike’s Zoom-Air cushioning, Bounce cushion, Under Armour’s EVA, and HOVR cushioning.
Material
When it comes to choosing athletic shoes, the material on the upper is vital for multiple reasons. Firstly, it should be tough to endure athletic challenges and increase the shoe’s durability.
Secondly, for breathability, mesh uppers are excellent, whereas synthetic leathers are more rigid. It’s better to go for a combination of both.
Last but not least is the material’s weight. Ensure the upper part of your shoe is lighter so that it compensates for the heaviness usually found in the midsole and heel area. The more lightweight the shoe, the faster you perform.
Support
Basketball can be highly unforgiving when it comes to injuries. It’s probably because of the nature of this game. Now, you can’t change the game, but you can improvise.
The best way to improvise is to choose mid-top or high-top Basketball shoes because of their extended collar so that your ankles are completely covered.
For jumping, make sure that your shoe has good heel compression for maximum impact protection when landing back on your feet after dunking.
Lastly, check out for lateral support and a broader base for enhanced stability on the court.
Perfect Fitting
About the fit, ensure that whatever shoe you end up choosing fits you correctly. Needless to say, that your performance changes in the blink of an eye when you’re wearing the shoes that fit you well.
Besides, a well-fitted shoe prevents unnecessary foot movements inside the shoe and offers a compact feel.
Price
This feature is optional, but still, look out for the price range. Our list’s shoes are reasonable budget performers, so you don’t need to worry a lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the shoe design determine the height of a jump?
The design of the basketball shoe actually determines how you are going to perform on the court. The shoes having 3.5-degrees negative foot inclination enhance the vertical jump by almost 10 percent.
Sounds impressive! Right?
Is it fine if you jump rope without shoes?
Well, if you are talking about jumping the rope barefoot, then it’s absolutely fine. But you have to keep one thing in mind that even it’s an advanced movement, but you certainly don’t need any fancy footwork.
Despite the shoes, which muscles make you jump higher?
The primary thrusters are quads and hamstrings. But apart from these, to make higher jumps, you have to equally awake and work on some assisting muscles, including calves, glutes, and hips.
Can basketball shoes really make you jump higher?
A standard basketball shoe is the one that comes with an enhanced level of cushioning –ultimate impact protection. As, basketball is the game of jumping. So the best basketball shoes come with features that will make you jump incredibly higher.
Conclusion
With just the optimal features in your footwear, you can become a hell of a shooter and gain all the attention on the court with your dunking abilities. That pretty much wraps up our discussion on choosing the best basketball shoes for jumping higher.
The shoes listed above include all those approved by the expert reviewers, but it’s safe to conclude that on the list detailed above, the Nike Zoom KD-12 takes the lead when it comes to choosing the bouncy Basketball shoes.
It’s a pretty sleek all-rounder shoe, and the reason it takes the lead is because of its full-length Zoom-Air cushioning, which is super responsive. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s Nike that we’re talking about.
So, instead of wasting your time thinking about whether or not you should buy them, Nike and we suggest you just do it.
Further Reading:
Best Basketball Shoes for Cement Courts
Best Basketball Shoes for Explosive Players
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