5 Best Kids Basketball Shoes 2024 (Reviews)

Discover the ultimate guide to the best kids' basketball shoes of 2023! Engage your child's physical and mental growth through the exciting sport of basketball. My review highlights top picks like the AND1 Takeoff 3.0, Air Jordan 5 GS, Adidas Unisex basketball shoes, and Under Armor Unisex-Child Grade School Jet '21, ensuring you find the perfect pair for your budding baller.
Best Kids Basketball Shoes

Hey there, basketball-loving parents! I want to dive into the exciting world of kids basketball and discuss something that’s often overlooked: the best kids’ basketball shoes for your little ballers in 2023.

Basketball is a game that captures the hearts of countless children. In this digital age where screens dominate their attention, engaging in a sport like basketball can be incredibly beneficial.

Why should children be involved in basketball?

When kids play basketball, they go through a rollercoaster of emotions, whether they win or lose. These experiences on the court help them prepare for the ups and downs of life ahead. Plus, their muscles get stronger, and their endurance levels shoot through the roof!

But here’s the issue: finding the most suited pair of shoes is key to unlocking their full potential on the court. You want your young athletes to have the right shoes to support their moves and keep them comfortable as they strive for greatness. So, let’s delve into the world of sneakers and discover the top picks for 2023!

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Extremely comfortable

AND1 Takeoff 3.0

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Extremely comfortable

The Air Jordan 5 GS

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Extremely comfortable

Adidas Unisex basketball shoes

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Extremely comfortable

The Under Armour School Jet ’21

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Extremely comfortable

Nike Kid’s Team Hustle D10 (GS)

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Top 5 Best Kids Basketball Shoes 2023

1/5

AND1 Takeoff 3.0

AND1 Takeoff 3.0

These shoes are made with a rubber sole and have a combination of a synthetic and knit textile upper that provides breathability, support, and durability. They also come with a full-length rubber outsole and multi-directional herringbone tread for superior traction.

The AND1 Takeoff 3.0 is a popular basketball shoe that is designed for boys who want to dominate the game on the court.

Compared with The AND1 Takeoff 3.0
The AND1 Takeoff 3.0
 and Nike Kid’s Team Hustle D10 (GS) are both basketball shoes designed for kids, with the former possessing a synthetic and knit textile upper for breathability and support, and the latter boasting an optimized traction pattern on the rubber sole for quick cuts and moves in all directions. While the AND1 Takeoff 3.0 provides superior ankle support and a heel pull loop, some users may find the sizing to be a bit off, whereas the Nike Kid’s Team Hustle D10 (GS) may run narrow and require a break-in period.

Why it’s the Best:

  • The lightweight design makes it easier to move around the court.
  • Synthetic and knit textile upper creates breathability.
  • Molded rear quarter adds support to the ankle.
  • Full-length rubber outsole and multi-directional herringbone tread maximize skid resistance and grip.
  • Blucher vamp to tongue construction and Phylon EVA midsole make these sneakers built to last.
  • The heel pull loop makes on and off easier.
  • Cool fashion colors make them stand out in the crowd.

Drawbacks:

  • May not be suitable for players with wider feet.
  • Lacks sufficient ankle support for players with ankle problems.

2/5

The Air Jordan 5 GS

The Air Jordan 5 GS

Air Jordan 5 GS are presented in a black and white colorway with a smooth nubuck upper, clear plastic mesh windows, and a durable rubber sole for superior traction on the court.

The Air Jordan 5 GS “Oreo 2021” is a stylish and comfortable basketball shoe designed for young players.

Compared with AND1 Takeoff 3.0

The Air Jordan 5 GS and AND1 Takeoff 3.0 are both popular basketball shoes, with the Air Jordan 5 owning a stylish black and white colorway with a nubuck upper and clear plastic mesh windows, while the AND1 Takeoff 3.0 boasts a lightweight design, synthetic and knit textile upper, and full-length rubber outsole with multi-directional herringbone tread for superior traction on the court.

Why it is best:
The combination of black and white colors gives a stylish look to the shoes.

  • The smooth nubuck material provides comfort and durability.
  • Clear plastic mesh windows enhance breathability.
  • The rubber sole provides superior traction on the court.
  • The shark tooth detailing adds to the style of the shoes.

Drawbacks:


3/5

Adidas Unisex basketball shoes

Adidas Unisex basketball shoes

Popular and fancy, and at the same time enabling a lace closure and dual-material mesh upper, Adidas Unisex basketball shoes provide both breathability and support, with a textile lining and molded TPU lockdown heel for added comfort and stability.

Adidas Unisex basketball shoes are designed for all-day play, offering comfort and style on and off the court.

Compared with The Air Jordan 5 GS

Adidas Unisex basketball shoes offer a dual-material mesh upper and molded TPU lockdown heel for maximum support and stability, while The Air Jordan 5 GS boasts a stylish black and white colorway with smooth nubuck material and clear plastic mesh windows for breathability and superior traction on the court.

Why it is best:

  • The dual-material mesh upper provides both breathability and support for maximum comfort and performance.
  • The molded TPU lockdown heel offers added stability and support, ensuring a secure fit for all types of players.
  • The rubber sole delivers excellent traction on indoor and outdoor courts, preventing slips and falls during play.

Drawbacks:

  • Some users may find the sizing to be a bit off, so it’s important to try them on before purchasing.
  • The color options may be limited, making it difficult for some players to find a style that suits their preferences.

4/5

The Under Armour Child School Jet ’21

The Under Armour Unisex-Child Grade School Jet '21

Under Armour Unisex-Child Grade School Jet ’21 is designed for kids between the ages of 8 and 12 and is available in a range of sizes. The shoes have a rubber sole and a dual-material mesh upper, as well as a molded TPU lockdown heel for added support.

This is a high-performance athletic shoe, designed for young athletes who demand comfort and durability.

Compared with Adidas Unisex basketball shoes

The Under Armour Unisex-Child Jet ’21 and Adidas Unisex basketball shoes both have dual-material mesh uppers and molded TPU lockdown heels for added support, as well as rubber soles for excellent traction. The Under Armour shoes are specifically designed for kids between the ages of 8 and 12, while the Adidas shoes offer a wider range of color options for players of all ages.

Why it’s best:

  • Under Armour is committed to innovation and design, and these shoes are no exception.
  • The dual-material mesh upper and molded TPU lockdown heel provide both breathability and support.
  • The rubber sole is durable and provides excellent traction, making these shoes ideal for a range of activities.
  • The HeatGear, ColdGear, and AllSeasonGear technologies ensure that kids can stay comfortable and perform at their best in any weather.

Drawbacks:

  • Some customers have reported that the sizing can be inconsistent, so it may be best to try these shoes on in person before purchasing.
  • The shoes may not be suitable for kids with wider feet, as they can be a bit narrow.

5/5

Nike Kid’s Team Hustle D10 (GS)

Nike Kid's Team Hustle D10 (GS)

The Nike Kid’s Team Hustle D10 (GS) is a black and game royal-photon dust basketball shoe for kids with rubber soles. 

The shoe comes in black, game royal, and photon dust colorway and has a rubber sole. The shoe has an optimized traction pattern on the rubber sole, strategically placed webbing and lacing, soft foam cushioning underfoot, and a reinforced toe tip.

Compared with The Under Armour Unisex-Child Grade School Jet ’21

Nike Kid’s Team Hustle D10 (GS) and Under Armour Unisex-Child Grade School Jet ’21 are both basketball shoes designed for kids, coming up with rubber soles and optimized traction patterns. The Nike shoes offer a snug fit with one pull thanks to strategically-placed webbing and lacing, while the Under Armour shoes use HeatGear, ColdGear, and AllSeasonGear technologies to ensure comfort and performance in any weather.

Why it is best:

  • The optimized traction pattern on the rubber sole allows for quick cuts and moves in all directions.
  • The lacing and strategically-placed webbing provide a snug fit with just one pull.
  • Soft foam cushioning and padding on the heel offer lightweight comfort.
  • The reinforced toe tip adds durability for kids who tend to drag their toes.
  • The asymmetrical collar design provides a better range of motion around the ankle.

Drawbacks:

  • Some users have reported that the shoe runs narrow, which may cause discomfort for some kids.
  • The shoe may require a break-in period before it feels comfortable for some users.

Table Presentation of Top 5 Kids Basketball Shoes

I want you to stay comfortable and find quick information in the following table:

Basketball Shoe ModelCushioningTractionFitBreathabilitySupportDurability
AND1 Takeoff 3.0Phylon EVA midsoleFull-length rubber outsole with multi-directional herringbone treadSizing may be a bit off for some usersSynthetic and knit textile upper for breathabilityMolded rear quarter for ankle supportBuilt to last with Blucher vamp to tongue construction
Air Jordan 5 GSNubuck upperDurable rubber sole for superior tractionSizing may not fit all customers perfectlyClear plastic mesh windows for breathabilityStylish design with black and white colorway and shark tooth detailingComfortable and durable
Adidas Unisex basketball shoesDual-material mesh upperRubber sole for excellent tractionSizing may be a bit off for some usersTextile lining for added comfortMolded TPU lockdown heel for added stability and supportDurable for all-day play
Under Armour Unisex-Child Grade School Jet ’21Dual-material mesh upperRubber sole for excellent tractionSizing can be inconsistentMolded TPU lockdown heel for added supportHeatGear, ColdGear, and AllSeasonGear technologies for comfort in any weatherHigh-performance athletic shoe
Nike Kid’s Team Hustle D10 (GS)Soft foam cushioningOptimized traction pattern on rubber soleShoe runs narrow for some usersAsymmetrical collar design for better range of motion around the ankleReinforced toe tip for added durabilityStylish design with the black and white colorway and shark tooth detailing

So, what Have we been informed about?

Basketball is not only a fun game but also a great way for kids to develop their physical and psychological well-being. To help your kids dominate the game, you need to select the best basketball shoes that provide comfort, support, and durability.

The kids kicks discussed above are the AND1 Takeoff 3.0, Jordan Youth Air 5, Adidas Unisex-Child, Under Armour Unisex-Child Grade School Jet ’21, and Nike Kid’s Team Hustle D10 (GS).

Each of these shoes has its unique benefits and drawbacks, so it’s essential to consider your kid’s specific needs before making a purchase. With the right pair of one of the best kids basketball shoes, your child will be ready to take on the court and improve their skills while having fun.

Katerina Gligoroska
Katerina Gligoroska

Katerina Gligoroska used to play basketball from an early age. Gligoroska is 5 feet 11 inches tall and primarily plays as a shooting guard. Gligoroska is known for her agility, speed, and shooting accuracy, which have made her a valuable asset to her teams. Katerina Gligoroska has proven herself to be a talented and dedicated athlete and her skills.

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