Choosing the best basketball shoes for women may be a little more difficult since the number of vendors and styles available for women is much smaller. As a man, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about women’s basketball shoes however my daughter turned 10 years old and she’s about five feet tall and appears that she may be 5′ 9″ or 5′ 10″ when she hits her teenage years. That may give her a chance to play varsity high school basketball someday (of course, it will take hours of practice as well).
As a result, I thought it was time for her to get her first pair of basketball shoes. That sent me on the search that you are likely on right now to find the best pair of women’s basketball shoes. Or, in my case, it’s for a 10-year-old girl but we’ll call it women in general. She may not be ready for the WNBA, but the right pair of shoes may encourage her to try.
The right kind of arch support, padding, and cushioning are quintessential when buying basketball shoes. Also, comfort, style, and flexibility may not be easy to find in a single product. I spent hours and hours researching the most popular basketball shoes for women available online and getting my hands on them in brick-and-mortar stores.
Hopefully, these shoes will be the first step to my daughter being the next Diana Taurasi (she wears the Nike LeBron 18 “La Cabra” by the way) and my research will help you make the best decision when you buy your next pair of shoes.
Best Basketball Shoes For Women:
- Under Armour Shoes
- Under Armor HOVR Havoc 2 Basketball Shoes
- Nike Women’s Basketball Shoes
- Nike Kyrie Basketball Shoes
- PUMA Women’s Sky II Basketball Shoes
- Adidas Pro Bounce Shoes
- Nike Women’s Borough Basketball Shoes
- Nike Women’s Hyperdunk Basketball Shoes
- Adidas Pro Bounce Parker Shoes
- Wiltena Unisex Basketball Shoes
Best Basketball Shoes For Women Reviewed
1. Under Armour Shoes
Features:-
- True to size
- Available in three colors
- Giftable
- Affordable
Finding narrow basketball shoes for women is a hard job. The Underarmour shoes slide perfectly over the arch and keep it in full support. Available in three colors, these shoes provide the needed ankle support.
The shoes are well made and support a woman’s feet during a game exactly as she wants. The height of the insole is twice that of the outsole which makes playing experiences more fun and enjoyable and ends all worries of getting corns or blisters on your feet.
Out of the box, they may need a little time to get broken in and after that, they will give you the maximum comfort. Being high tops, these may rub your ankles, so we advise you to buy ankle-height socks for a more pleasant experience.
The shoes are true to size and also make a great gift for your daughter, wife, or girlfriend. The price is very affordable and a great value.
2. Under Armor HOVR Havoc 2 Basketball Shoes
Features:-
- Lightweight
- Great contouring
- Available in two colors
- Cushioning and padding
The second item on our list is the Under Armor HOVR Havoc 2 basketball shoes.
These look nice and perform better. The rounded shape and stitching make it a durable and well-built model.
The mesh tongue and webbed lacing provide maximum breathability and freshness to your feet so that they stink and sweat less. You get to choose between two colors-the classic black and white.
The half bootie stitching keeps feet secured and feels soft around the ankles. They are lightweight and the cushioning around the ankle makes them super comfy for women.
This shoe is great for practices, and tournaments, or even wear it for other sports like volleyball. The added padding makes it even more reliable and long-lasting. Even if you play for long hours daily, these shoes may last longer than other similarly priced shoes.
The good grip is totally worth the price. We highly recommend these shoes.
3. Nike Women’s Basketball Shoes
Features:-
- True to size
- 5 different colors
- The front foot is padded
- Firm grip
Nike has a wide range of super comfortable shoes made just for the game. It is one of the most popular sportswear brands.
Most athletes and players prefer playing in them due to their fabric, breathability, and great designs.
They are well-made and hold your feet in place. Available in five different colors and funky designs, these shoes are awesome for women players who can ace the game with the perfect shoe grip.
Nike women’s shoes may be a little troublesome to put on. The mouth of the shoes is not so wide so you will have to squeeze your way in.
Nevertheless, once on, these are a great fit and the front foot padding and the ankle support make it a top-notch choice for many hardcore basketball players.
4. Nike Kyrie Basketball Shoes
Features:-
- Padded collar
- Zoom air technology
- Ballistic mesh design
- Shock absorbing midsole
The Nike Kyrie basketball shoes are true to size. The shipping is lightning fast and the packaging is standard and sturdy. The padded neck and the rounded design keep your feet locked in and give you a firm 360-degree grip.
The Zoom Air technology keeps the feet fresh by regulating air ventilation. The high-collared neck and adjustable straps are meant for swift moves and slam dunks during intensive matches, especially for women, which will give sheer comfort and a soft grip around their ankles.
The multi-angle blade pattern is made to give you extra traction and proper responsiveness while in action.
The ballistic mesh design of the arch and the shock-absorbing midsole are some other awesome features of these shoes that make them unique and keep injuries at bay.
You should definitely check these out. We highly recommend these but keep in mind that they are available only in the all-time classic black color. So if you are a woman who loves funky designs and bright colors, these may not be the right ones for you.
5. PUMA Women’s Sky II Basketball Shoes
Features:-
- Affordable
- Velcro fit
- Leather made
- Great traction control
If you are a hardcore Puma fan, you are going to love these shoes. Available in all the classic colors- black and white. These look exactly the same as shown in the pictures.
The quality is great and so is the design. They use 100% leather and the rubber sole provides comfort to the player’s feet at all times even when the temperature is above a hundred degrees outside. These also look super cute when you wear them casually.
You may travel in these too due to the plush comfort. You might as well sleep in them. But you might need to be a little careful with the white color as they may get dirty easily.
The high neck and the velcro fit give great traction control and avoid slippage during the game.
These shoes are very reasonably priced. They are great value for money. You should definitely check these out. But if you are not a fan of whites, you should look for alternatives.
6. Adidas Pro Bounce Shoes
Features:-
- Herringbone pattern
- Economical
- Great looks
The Adidas Pro Bounce shoes are an ideal choice for people with soft or weak ankles. These hug the feet without causing rashes or irritation. These are great for women that don’t want to worry about the shoes being too tight.
The color and style of the shoes are also quite elegant and impressive. These are extremely comfortable and functional besides having great looks. These will be great as Xmas gifts.
The herringbone pattern for the upper outsole helps you groove and move carefully even during hard and sudden cuts and movements.
They protect the feet by giving the ultimate traction control during intensive matches and ensure that you do not slip. Lateral, front, and backward moves are super easy, and jumping too is quite swift in these.
The price point is also nice for the quality support and service they provide. You will not be disappointed. Breaking them in will happen in a day or two and you could also wear them to your non-basketball gym workouts or aerobics sessions.
For the price, you just can’t go wrong. Overall, the sneakers are fantastic and add agility to the footwork.
7. Nike Women’s Borough Basketball Shoes
Features:-
- Very durable
- Sleek design
- True to size
- Padded collar
Available in black and white, these shoes are your go-to basketball shoes. The sleek and minimal look is a great choice for those who wear it down.
Besides wearing it to your game, you can wear it to dance or work out. You will get used to wearing them in no time.
The only downside is that they are available in two basic colors. If you are looking for funky and cool designs may have to look for alternatives.
The superb workmanship and great materials make it a top-notch choice for professional and serious female ballers to prevent blisters or overheating sweating feet.
The lightweight structure allows you to have a great hard court experience.
The cool and casual look is very charming and visually appealing. Also, the collar padding gives extra cushioning to your ankle for a better gameplay experience.
The suede overlays make them more durable and longer-lasting.
8. Nike Women’s Hyperdunk Basketball Shoes
Features:-
- 15 different colors
- Zoom Air technology provides great moisture wicking
- Tight grip
- Dynamic lockdowns.
The Nike Hyperdunk is the hero of all Nike shoe products and models. The heel collar and padding help minimize fatigue on the calves and help with quick stops and starts.
It is a timeless choice and popular among teens. The trendy design and attractive features make it a top-notch choice for most women players. It has been well-received among basketball lovers ever since its debut.
The Zoom air technology lets your feet breathe and gives them proper ventilation and keeps feet less sweaty and slippery.
Talking about the downsides reported by users, the Nike Hyperdunks have less ventilation compared to other similarly priced shoes and your feet may heat up a bit more in this model. Nevertheless, at this price, it’s a great choice and is available in 15 different colors which will let you express yourself.
9. Adidas Pro Bounce Parker Shoes
Features:-
- Shoe WNBA’s Candace Parker Wears
- Lace closure adds extra grip
- Iced outsole
- Durable
Adidas is one of the biggest sportswear corporations. It is known to make trendy and finest kicks for basketball players and athletes. You may have noticed the name “Parker”. No, Tony Parker, of the NBA’s Spurs fame, is not the namesake. This is named for the WNBA’s Candace Parker who plays for the Chicago Sky.
The iced outsole and electro-dipped shank make it an ideal shoe choice for women owing to the ease they give while multidirectional and sudden cuts and movements.
They’re great for playing, working out, dancing, or any rigorous activity too. The premium-grade mesh used in the upper shoe lets your feet breathe fully at all times and keep shoe bites or blisters away.
The lace closure and mesh design give great traction control and superior foot movement. You should also check out beer lacing techniques for an enhanced playing experience and increased foot control and ease of landing without any troubles.
The bounce and the lateral moves are easy and the shoes are very supportive, especially for women around their toes and heels. They will also work with your casual clothes.
The overall construction is great and appealing. These shoes are great for beginners who have just started playing basketball and are still learning the basic tactics.
10. Wiltena Unisex Basketball Shoes
Features:-
- Awesome arch support
- Great cushioning
- Funky designs
- Good for long training sessions
The Wiltena Unisex basketball shoes. The small venting holes provide maximum breathability and keep your feet free of sweating and foot rashes and blisters.
The synthetic used keeps the shoe stiff and may not be so comforting. These are available in four colors and the funky and groovy designs make them so appealing and worth gifting to someone.
The cushioning and padding are super supportive and hold the feet firmly in place. The lightweight midsole gives uplift and the grip provides fabulous foot movement.
You may also wear these to casual parties, traveling, gym and others. The high-grade synthetic fabric used gives maximum breathability to your feet and keeps perspiration in control.
The mild cushioning around the ball of the foot protects it from sudden jerks and injuries. Wearing them feels light and fresh.
These will amp up your daily gaming experiences and also the elastic concave-convex feature tightens the grip and gives arch support. These are very relaxing even if you wear them daily for long periods. We highly recommend these!
Buyer’s Guide
The above-listed articles are some of the finest and most durable shoes available online. There are a lot of factors you must look for before making the final decision.
Basketball is a tough sport that requires quick and agile movements, jumping, and cutting techniques. The right type of footwear impacts your game directly in a large way and determines your score.
Here are the factors, you need to keep in mind before investing your dollar bills in your next pair of women’s basketball shoes.
Design
The first thing we notice about a shoe is its aesthetics, design, fabric texture, and graphics(if any). There is a huge contrast between different shoe brands and companies. Some have high necks, more collared and cushioned necks, and some have groovy soles for a firmer grip. Each feature has specific functions.
We personally recommend Puma SkyII and the Nike Kyrie for their superb grip and great fabric. If you are someone who loves cool and funky designs, the Wiltena basketball shoes are just the right choice for you.
The Fabrics
The fabric varies from one brand to another. A good shoe has a fabric with shock absorption qualities that prevent any knee-to-jerk reactions and injuries.
Some brands use a special type of fiber-like Nike uses the Vectran fiber which offers better arch and ankle support and makes the shoe more breathable and light. So do check the shoe fabric used.
The Zoom Air Technology
The Zoom air cushioning and technology help enhance the gameplay by increasing the swiftness of the women’s player. Nike products use this technology and this really is a game-changer.
It ensures you don’t sweat too much and irritate your skin and sole. If you play for long hours, ensuring a shoe with Zoom Air functionality may be a good choice. The Nike Kyrie and Hyperdunk have Zoom technology to avoid excess sweat and foot sores. to your feet.
The Fit
How a shoe fits you is really a big thing. Some brands may be very expensive and have all the top-grade features yet still they won’t fit as many others depending on your feet’ shape and size.
Different shoe models have different fits. Some require a longer time for these to really break in. Wearing them with the right type of socks is also very vital. It all boils down to the feel you get after you put them on.
The Traction
The traction of a shoe model is a quintessential feature you should look for before buying a pair because it totally affects your game on the court. How a shoe behaves and interacts with different surfaces, concrete or hardwood will determine its performance. Some shoes have rubber soles while others have synthetic soles.
The Adidas Pro Bouncer and Puma Sky II have better traction control and a more secure grip.
Cut
Shoes have high, mid, and low cuts which vary as per the amount of support they give to your ankle and toes. High-cut or high-top shoes extend up the leg and provide stability to the ankle especially made for women’s basketball players.
Mid-cut shoes provide freedom of movement and ease of jumping without the ankle joint being raised by the collar.
Low-cut shoes provide speed and no restriction to movement. These are preferred by NBA players. So decide the cut you want as per your footwork. If you prefer lightweight shoes, buy low cuts.
Nike Women’s Borough or the Puma Sky II can be bought if you prefer high cuts and the Nike Hyperdunk if you prefer wearing mid cuts. If you prefer low cuts, Nike Kyrie is the one for you.
Components
Shoes may be slip-on or velcro-fitted or with laces. The material used and the type of fastening impact the shoe grip in a big way. Personally, I feel shoes with laces are the most convenient to wear and the old-school way is better for a reason.
Sole type
A shoe’s life and versatility totally depend on the sole type. The midsole of a shoe provides cushioning for the sole. The outsole provides longer life to the shoe when playing on harder surfaces or courts.
How well a shoe grips the floor and your feet are the real crunch point. The tread pattern also impacts the gameplay. Choose rubber soles for extra agility and quick movements.
The herringbone of a shoe holds firmer to the wooden courts and floor. Adidas Pro Bounce does have a nice herringbone pattern that glides smoothly on your feet and gives added comfort and great moisture-wicking. Check out our post on insoles for basketball if you need additional support.
Conclusion Best Basketball Shoes For Women
To conclude we say that the Nike Kyrie is our personal favorite for the fabulous looks and latest features. The fabric and the sole type are very soft and extra cushioning around the foot gives added pleasure and enhanced gaming experience to women players.
The only con about these is that they are available in one color only. Nevertheless, you can compromise that for the intensive shoe comfort they give while explosive game sessions. The mesh arch support also eases the pressure on the foot while sudden cuts.
Hope you find this information beneficial. Ultimately you will need to find the best basketball shoes for women in your life. Check out our listing of WNBA teams. We also have an article on Elena Delle Donne and her face mask. If you need to take care of the inevitable stink we have an article on deodorizer sneaker balls.
Troy Wright
I am a lifetime basketball enthusiast and loved playing basketball competitively through high school. I still try and play at least 3 times a week and explore all kinds of equipment and training to keep myself on the court and continually getting better. I am a college basketball fanatic and move onto the NBA when March Madness ends.
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