Buying Guides

Guide To Choosing Best Basketball Shoes For Kids

By Salim Prajapati / 17 January 2024 10:58 AM

Source : basketballside

Is your little LeBron James making waves on the basketball court? Perhaps your mini Michael Jordan is just beginning to score those baskets?

Regardless of their proficiency, finding the proper basketball sneakers is crucial for unleashing their complete potential and ensuring contented little feet.

However, with an abundance of choices available, navigating the realm of children's basketball footwear may seem overwhelming.

Parents and budding point guards, worry not! This guide serves as your confidential strategy for selecting the ideal footwear to enhance your child's game without straining your budget.

1. Jordan Retro 1 High OG

Source : basketballside

  • Price
    • $140.00 at Foot Locker [Boys' Grade School]
    • $85.00 at Nike [Little Kids]
  • Available Colors: Yellow Ochre, Black/Royal, Blue, White/Red, White/Grey, Brown/Black

The Jordan Retro 1 High OG is a legendary sneaker for a reason. It is Michael Jordan's first signature shoe, and the OG version stays true to the original 1985 design.

This means your kid gets to lace up a piece of basketball history, with the same full-grain leather upper and iconic shape that MJ rocked on the court.

Plus, there are tons of colorways to choose from, so your kid can find a pair that matches their style.

2. Adidas AE 1 With Love

Source : basketballside

  • Price: $100.00 at Adidas [Kids Unisex]
  • Product Color: Acid Orange/Core Black/Acid Red

The Adidas AE 1 "With Love" shines for young ballers due to its explosive mix of comfort and performance.

Lightstrike and BOOST cushioning fuel every jump and cut, while the grippy rubber outsole provides confident traction. Bouncy energy return keeps them going strong, and the comfy textile upper lets feet breathe.

Plus, Anthony Edwards' signature flair adds a dose of cool, motivating them to play with a heart on every drive to the hoop.

3. Jordan Luka 2 “Coconut Milk”

Source : basketballside

  • Price: $100.00 at Nike [Big Kids]
  • Product Color: Coconut Milk/Fossil/Lemon Drop/Black

The Jordan Luka 2 "Coconut Milk" is a top contender for best kids' basketball shoes for several reasons.

First, it is built for performance with a supportive, full-foot cage and a stacked midsole that cushions hard landings and provides responsiveness for quick cuts and changes of direction.

The lightweight build will not weigh your little baller down, and the traction is excellent for both indoor and outdoor courts. Plus, its colorway is sleek and stylish, featuring a creamy white upper with black and orange accents.

4. Adidas D.O.N. Issue #5

Source : basketballside

  • Price
    • $100.00 at Adidas [Youth]
    • $90.00 at Adidas [Children]
  • Product Color: Bright Cyan/Core Black/Blue Rush

The Adidas D.O.N. Issue 5 shoes are a top choice for young ballers as it's designed with youthful athletes in mind, featuring a lightweight and flexible build that will not weigh them down on the court.

Secondly, the Lightstrike midsole provides responsive cushioning for jumps and quick cuts, while the unique rubber outsole with an elevated traction pattern ensures maximum grip on hardwood floors. 

5. Nike Ja 1 "Backyard BBQ"

Source : basketballside

  • Price: $102.00 at Nike [Big Kids]
  • Product Color: Blue Joy/Geode Teal/Safety Orange/White

Whether your child is a playground phenom or a park court prodigy, the Nike Ja 1 "Backyard BBQ" is a top contender for their next kicks.

Designed with Ja Morant's gravity-defying moves in mind, these shoes boast supportive features like a mid-cut collar for ankle stability and a grippy herringbone outsole for quick cuts and explosive changes of direction.

Meanwhilem the vibrant "Backyard BBQ" colorway adds a touch of fun and personality.

6. Pre-School UA Jet '23

Source : basketballside

  • Price
    • $55.00 at Under Armour
    • $38.49 - $55.00 at Amazon
  • Available Colors: Team Royal, Black/Metallic Gold, Bubble Peach, Jet Grey, White/Black

The Pre-School UA Jet '23 soars beyond the competition thanks to its perfect blend of performance and playfulness.

Its mixed-material upper offers breathability for growing feet, durability for courtside scrapes, and support for those first layups.

Inside, a plush sockliner and cushioned EVA midsole keep tiny feet comfy through every dribble and jump, while the flexible rubber outsole has grippy tread.

7. Adidas Unisex-Child Hoops 3.0 Mid

Source : basketballside

  • Price: $25.75 - $142.45 at Amazon [Infant, Toddler, Little kid, Big kid]
  • Available Colors: White, White/Black, Dark Blue, Black/White, Black, White/Acid Red, Cloud White, Shadow Olive

The Adidas Unisex-Child Hoops 3.0 Mid boasts a classic mid-top silhouette that provides ankle support and stability for young athletes on the court.

The synthetic leather upper is durable and easy to clean, perfect for withstanding playground adventures.

Additionally, the cushioned midsole and grippy rubber outsole offer comfort and traction, ensuring smooth strides and confident footwork.

8. Nike Team Hustle D11

Source : basketballside

  • Price: $60.00 at Nike [Bid Kids]
  • Available Colors: Black/White, Summit White/Track Red, University Red, White/Black, Hyper Royal

Nike Team Hustle D11 prioritizes ease of use with elastic laces and a wide opening, making it a breeze for young athletes to get ready to play.

But do not mistake convenience for performance, the D11 boasts a supportive strap for a locked-in fit, plush cushioning for comfort, and a durable leather and textile upper that can handle the rigors of the court.

Moreover, the flexible design makes it a versatile choice for playtime, or just running around, making it a great value for parents. 

9. Under Armour Curry Flow 10 "Splash Party"

Source : basketballside

  • Price: $130.00 at Under Armour [Grade School Kids]
  • Product Color: White/Electric Blue/Metallic Silver

The UA Curry Flow 10 is not only named in honor of a skilled basketball player but is also constructed to resemble one.

Its key feature is UA Flow, an ultra-light foam without rubber that provides exceptional grip and court sensitivity for swift maneuvers and dynamic plays.

Additionally, the vibrant colors and stylish design make it a top choice for young basketball enthusiasts.

10. Puma All-Pro Nitro

Source : basketballside

  • Price: $130.00 at Puma
  • Available Colors: Lime Squeeze/White, Bold Blue/Dark Clove

Puma All-Pro Nitro has a lightweight and breathable engineered mesh upper that keeps young feet cool and comfortable during intense games.

Its NITROFOAM midsole provides exceptional cushioning and responsiveness, allowing for quick cuts, explosive jumps, and effortless changes of direction.

Finally, the stylish design with pops of color and the iconic Puma Formstrip is sure to make any young baller feel confident and ready to dominate the court.

11. Nike Air Jordan 38

Source : basketballside

  • Price: $150.00 at Nike [Big Kids]
  • Available Colors: White/Black/Siren Red

Air Jordan 38 is not just a legendary name on a shoe, it is a tech powerhouse built for young ballers. The X-Plate tech mimics MJ's footwork, locking feet in for explosive cuts and smooth fades.

Responsive Zoom Air cushioning absorbs every jump and landing, while the breathable upper keeps feet cool and comfy during intense games. Plus, sustainable materials mean they're kind to the planet, too.

12. Nike LeBron Witness 7

Source : basketballside

  • Price
    • $97.00 at Nike [Big Kids]
    • $87.00 at Nike [Little Kids]
  • Available Colors: Vivid Purple, White/Black, Light Orewood Brown, Core Black, Black/University Red, Deep Royal Blue

Nike LeBron Witness 7 shines for young ballers with its MVP-worthy blend of comfort and support.

A full-length Max Air unit cushions jumps and cuts, while lightweight mesh and lockdown cables keep feet secure during fast breaks.

This breathable design provides flexibility for growing feet, while the grippy traction tackles both courts and playgrounds.

13. AND1 Gamma 4.0 SS

Source : basketballside

  • Price: $59.00 at AND1 [Little Kids]
  • Available Colors: Black, Navy Blue, Red, Silver Grey

Unleash your child's inner baller with the AND1 Gamma 4.0 SS, a kid's b-ball beast combining speed, swagger, and support.

Breathable knit keeps feet cool, while the molded heel and grippy outsole ensure rock-solid stability for every crossover and layup.

Tough enough to handle playground battles, these shoes boast durable construction and plush cushioning, letting your little MVP dominate the court in comfort and style.

14. UA Grade School Curry 3Z7

Source : basketballside

  • Price: $75.00 at Under Armour
  • Available Colors: Versa Blue/Taxi, Black/Metallic Gold, White/Black

Young ballers crave both comfort and performance, and the UA Grade School Curry 3Z7 delivers.

The leather-mesh blend stands up to aggressive play while keeping feet cool, while the plush sockliner and Micro G midsole cushion landings and launch kids into explosive drives.

Similarly, the internal shank stabilizes ankles during quick cuts, and the full rubber outsole grips the court like Steph Curry's signature crossover.