What are the Top Lightweight Basketball Shoes?
Your performance in a basketball match can be affected by a variety of factors. One of them is the kind of shoes you’re wearing. Nobody will ask you to have a particular brand or model that you must wear for every match, but it is important to know the available brands.
But before you check out what’s available, what kind of basketball shoes are you looking for? From a general comparison, you can have either wide, heavy shoes or light, minimal ones. Your preference will matter here; what do you feel that you need more or will work better for you?
In this article, we’re going to focus on light basketball shoes. Why would you want to get this type? Well, if you’re looking for, besides minimalism, speed, responsiveness, and, of course, lightweight, shoes then you will need the best lightest available model.
As aforementioned, however, there are plenty in the market. So, how do you choose the best? We’re going to begin by looking at five shoe models that the market has to offer. We will also shed light on their important features, then finally, considerations you should make before purchasing them.
Why don’t we have a look at our list? The products are:
1. Kobe AD NXT 360
You may love this shoe for among other reasons, its material, which is great for its optimum breathability. Thanks to its Flyknit technology on the upper, running at 360 degrees, you’ll find this shoe to be pretty light and flexible; bending and rolling it up should be easy.
That’s not all; this shoe is also quite durable. Its lightweight feel comes from the upper, which wraps the foot nicely. It’s possible to compare the feeling with wearing nothing at all. This product is a great value for your money.
Kobe AD NXT 360 was released on April 13, “Mamba Day,” and weighs 10.3 oz.
Pros
- Durable
- Optimum breathability
- Extremely light and flexible
Cons
- There isn’t much information about the product
2. Under Armour Curry 3Zero2
This Under Armour model has received positive feedback from users, for among other things, its excellent traction, and lightness. What’s even greater is the shoe’s price! For its features, it comes costing only about $130, making it one of the best sneakers at that price.
One of the things that you may come to notice and love with most Curry models is that they maintain consistency with features that deliver the best in basketball shoes, like great ventilation and perforations, which are evidenced in the UA Curry 3Zero2.
This model features great, rugged traction, covering all directions that a player would move their foot. This makes the shoe perfect for both indoors and outdoors. The Under Armour Curry 3Zero 2 weighs 10.83 oz.
Pros
- Excellent traction
- Great value for the price
- Great ventilation
Cons
- No support
- Dead space in the toe box
3.Under Armour Heat Seeker
While this Under Armour model is at 10.9 ounces only decimals heavier than the previous one, it still wins for its general lightness. You may also find it to be quite comfortable, thanks to its EVA foam carrier. Is that all? Let’s find out.
This model has been built with performance in mind, and thus, it delivers a snug fit. This ensures that you’re not only comfortable in the court, but at your best. You may find the shoe to be flexible, versatile, and very responsive.
Like most other Under Armour models, the Heat Seeker has great traction, with its herringbone pattern offering a firm grip. On a hard court, you should find it easier to stand your ground with lesser chances of slipping.
There have been notable disappointments on the shoe’s information on size.
Pros
- Flexible & responsive
- Great traction
- Great fit
Cons
- Quality issues reported
- Issues with sizing reported
4. Nike Hyperdunk X
Since 2008 when Nike first launched the Hyperdunk, this model has been on top of its game and held its place over the years. The series is historical for Nike, and the tenth in its line, the Hyperdunk X, has interesting features to offer; why don’t we find out?
First, is the shoe’s lightweight, which qualifies it into this list. While it weighs a few ounce decimals heavier than the first three, it still comes pretty light. It is also easily breathable, and durable, thanks to its mesh upper. The Zoom Air cushioning in the shoe’s heel and forefoot add to its comfort.
You will find that more features are familiar with previous releases by Hyperdunk. The Hyperdunk X weighs 11.04 oz.
Pros
- Easily breathable
- Durable
- Zoom Air cushioning
Cons
- There is not much information about the product
5. Under Armour Curry 5
This is the heaviest shoe in our list, and yet, it still makes it among the lightest basketball shoes; that’s because its overall weight is still pretty little. Under Armour states that this model has been built for maximum unpredictability. What are some of the things that it has to offer?
It is lightweight, allowing for desired agility and quickness, thus delivering excellently on performance. The shoe also provides a precise 360-degree fitting, with its lockdown lacing and a full-knit construction. It also offers a comfortable feel.
The Under Armour Curry 5 weighs 11.64 oz.
Pros
- Great fit
- Comfortable
- Versatile & responsive
Cons
- The traction may disappoint you
Light basketball shoes are good for plenty of reasons. Besides getting you off the court fast and efficiently, they can also be so flexible, and comfortable. There are factors that you should consider before buying one of these shoes. Why don’t we have a look at them?
One is comfort. This is a general factor, which can be presented in many different ways. One is through breathability. Good basketball shoes should be easily breathable. Why is this so, and what determines a pair’s breathability?
A basketball match could be filled with activities. A player’s feet with at every minute generate plenty of heat, due to the continuous movements involved, which are often running. Shoes that are not easily breathable could get uncomfortable to play in.
Those that offer breathability deliver comfort, by allowing air circulation. Under comfort also, is material. Different materials can be used in manufacturing a pair of basketball shoes. The materials used will affect comfort eventually.
Flexibility is another factor that goes along with comfort, and lightness. As aforementioned, one of the advantages of light shoes is that they can be very flexible. Why is this flexibility a good thing, and how does it affect comfort?
When playing, your ability to move around in all directions and quickly means a lot. A basketball match demands your vigilance and endless activity. From the moment you get on the court, every move you make means something to your team.
Your comfort can at the same time be affected by how free you feel. If you don’t feel flexible enough in your pair of shoes, then you may not be able to perform as expected. The two are inextricably intertwined, or otherwise, depend on each other.
Comfort can also have fit as another factor under it. While flexibility was concerned with how freely you can move, fit is concerned with how well your feet can stay in your shoes. Those that provide a good fit will feel more comfortable to play in, since moving in them will be easy.
Poorly fitting shoes can affect comfort in two ways; if they are oversized or loose, then they may come off while at play, and if they’re too tight, then they may hurt your feet as you play and even leave you with blisters.
Durability is something else. There would be no point in getting the lightest basketball shoes if they couldn’t last. An advantage of this type of shoes is that not much pressure is exerted on them, and neither do they face too much friction.
They, therefore, are built to last young through seasons of sprinting and dribbling on both indoor and outdoor courts. You should generally go for a product that delivers what you’re looking for, and of course, whatever makes you happy.
These are not all the factors that you should consider before shopping for the lightest basketball shoes, but they’re important to keep a note of. Happy shopping!
Bottom Line
Your search for the lightest basketball shoes should never end with one brand. There is always something better out there every day. It is, therefore, a good idea to have a look at and consider your options; you don’t know what may work better for you the next time.
Your match should feel great with your feet bouncing off the lightest basketball shoes. You may find your performance to be great, and comfort to come easy. Choose a pair that will deliver most of what you’re looking for.
We have discussed some of the lightest available basketball shoes in the market; I hope you found this information helpful. I would, however, recommend the Kobe AD NXT 360. Let’s find out why.
Its material is great for the shoe’s optimum breathability. Thanks to its Flyknit technology on the upper, running at 360 degrees, you’ll find it to be pretty light and flexible. The shoe is also quite durable. Its lightweight feel comes from the upper, which wraps the foot nicely.
There is no reason why you shouldn’t get this product. But the Kobe AD NXT 360 today!