In recent years, Adidas sneakers have become more and more popular. Collaborations like Kanye West’s Yeezy line or Beyonce’s take on the classic Superstar are selling out in minutes and the Boost cushioning technique has redefined comfort in performance shoes. So it’s no wonder that Adidas is gaining market share every month and growing much quicker than Nike or any other big footwear company!
But Adidas is not only producing hot lifestyle sneakers, they also make some of the best performance basketball shoes on the market and signed NBA stars like James Harden, Damian Lillard, and Donovan Mitchell to represent the brand.
Starting in 2017, I have analyzed all competent performance reviews that I could find on sneaker blogs or Youtube channels (1117 in total!) to create a best-of list sorted by average critic rating.
The following list shows the five Adidas basketball shoes that received the best average rating:
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8.4
rating based on
7 expert reviews
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One of the best Harden models to date
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Great shoe for fans of the full-length Boost setup
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8.3
rating based on
4 expert reviews
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The Adidas Exhibit A is a solid new entry into Adidas's non-signature basketball shoe lineup.
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Great for players that have a quick and shifty play style.
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8.2
rating based on
7 expert reviews
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Trae Young's first signature shoe provides some of Adidas's best cushioning.
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Fans of Trae Young that are looking for a comfortable cushion setup.
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8.0
rating based on
5 expert reviews
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The D.O.N Issue #3 is a dependable shoe with solid materials and great traction.
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Best for players looking for a responsive and lightweight shoe.
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7.9
rating based on
7 expert reviews
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Damian Lillard's latest shoe is fun but inconsistent.
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Recommended if you play on clean courts and looking for comfortable, supportive shoes.
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6.9
rating based on
4 expert reviews
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James Harden's 5th signature shoe is a disappointing basketball shoe
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Only recommended for players who hoop outdoors and need a responsive shoe.
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The 10 Best Adidas Basketball Performance Shoes
Performance Rating:
One of the best Harden models to date
Pros:
The traction is better than last year
Full-length Boost midsole is plush
Cons:
Materials don't feel premium
What do the experts think?
The Adidas Harden Vol. 6 is a much-needed improvement compared to Vol. 5.
Reviewers agree that the traction performs very well, and is minimally affected by dusty conditions.
Adidas's Boost foam makes a return on this year's iteration, and the shoe feels responsive. The court feel on the shoe is also fantastic.
The materials start out stiff, but they quickly become foot-conforming and comfortable.
The fit is also much more forgiving than previous Harden models. Most reviewers had no issues with the sizing.
When it comes to the support and lockdown, the materials and fit combine to keep your feet secure no matter what movements you're making.
Adidas returns to their roots with the full-length Boost, similar to the Harden Vol. 1, and they've revitalized the Harden lineup with the release of the Harden Vol. 6.
Performance Rating:
The Adidas Exhibit A is a solid new entry into Adidas's non-signature basketball shoe lineup.
Pros:
Has everything you need for support
Cons:
Stable cushion sacrifices impact protection
What do the experts think?
Reviewers agree that the traction on the Adidas Exhibit A is very reliable. It performed consistently on both clean and dusty courts while needing only minimal wiping.
The Lightstrike cushion leans more towards the firm side of things, but it is lightweight and responsive. There's a small amount of impact protection in the heel, but the setup is clearly catering towards players the favor court feel.
The materials perform well on the court, they are comfortable and feel good to play in.
Support in the ankle area of the shoe is a strong point. Coupled with a wide base for lateral stability, the Exhibit A is a very supportive shoe.
Overall, Adidas has delivered a solid performer with the new Exhibit A. It features everything you could want for traction and support. On top of that, it's built well and positioned at a great price of just $110.
Performance Rating:
Trae Young's first signature shoe provides some of Adidas's best cushioning.
Pros:
One of Adidas's better cushion setups
The materials are sturdy and comfortable
Cons:
Inconsistent traction on dusty courts
What do the experts think?
Trae Young turned a lot of heads with his play during the 2020-2021 NBA playoffs. He also happened to debut his first signature shoe during this playoff run.
Now that the shoe is available to the public, reviewers agree that the traction is inconsistent. One mentions that the shoe picks up a lot of dust on dirtier courts.
All reviewers agree that cushioning is the best part of the shoe. The combination of Lightstrike throughout with Boost in the heel keeps the shoe low to the ground and comfortable.
The materials used provide structure and help the shoe feel sturdy around your foot.
If you can get a pair in the right size, there shouldn't be a problem with the fit. One thing to note is that there aren't many lace loops on the shoe; this makes it hard to customize the fit.
Support and lockdown get the job done when it comes to Trae's first shoe with Adidas.
Overall, the Adidas Trae Young 1 is a fun shoe to play in as long as you stick to playing on cleaner courts.
What do the experts think?
Performance Rating:
The D.O.N Issue #3 is a dependable shoe with solid materials and great traction.
Pros:
Traction grips well indoors and outdoors.
Cons:
Not much impact protection.
What do the experts think?
The traction on the D.O.N Issue #3 is the best and most consistent part of the shoe. The rubber is thick, and the pattern is wide, which helps the shoe grip well on most surfaces.
The cushion is full-length Lightstrike, and it feels very responsive. It also feels light when on feet.
Reviewers agree that the D.O.N Issue #3 features comfortable materials that don't need any break-in time.
The support and lockdown of the shoe seem consistent laterally. However, the consistency can vary depending on your size when it comes to heel lockdown.
Overall, the Adidas D.O.N Issue #3 is a steady shoe with consistent traction, but make sure to get the right size.
Performance Rating:
Damian Lillard's latest shoe is fun but inconsistent.
Pros:
Bounce Pro cushion is great
Cons:
Traction is inconsistent on dust
What do the experts think?
The latest entry in Damian Lillard's signature shoe line with Adidas, the Dame 8, features a new cushion setup. It utilizes Bounce Pro, a cushion that is a pleasure to play in and feels great underfoot.
When it comes to the traction, the Dame 8 is too inconsistent. Dust is a big problem for these.
The materials are light and feel comfortable on foot.
Make sure to get the right size as the fit can be tricky for those that prefer a snug fit.
The support and lockdown are also not an issue at all for these.
Overall, the Adidas Dame 8 has a few pros going for it, but it doesn't quite live up to the performance of some of the earlier models in the lineup.
Performance Rating:
James Harden's 5th signature shoe is a disappointing basketball shoe
What do the experts think?
The bite of the Harden Vol. 5 is poor and doesn't grip well on dusty or even clean courts. Outdoors, the traction performs a little better and doesn't wear down too quickly.
The combination of Boost and Lightstrike provides a responsive cushion setup with good court feel. However, reviewers complained about the rigid midsole that didn't flex well.
The materials feel very plasticky and hard which is disappointing in a $130 signature sneaker.
The support is good laterally, but reviewers had a lot of issues with heel slippage despite the thick Achilles pillows.
Overall the Harden Vol. 5 is disappointing and wasn't recommended by any of the reviewers.
The Top 3 Reasons to buy Adidas Basketball Shoes
1. Boost Cushion Technology
“Boost is life!” If you have watched as many sneaker review videos as I have, then you are probably familiar with this phrase. The Boost cushioning technology was released in 2014 and provides unmatched comfort while still remaining responsive enough for high impact sports like basketball. Check out this video to learn more:
2. You’re a fan of James Harden, Damian Lillard or Derrick Rose
Adidas doesn’t have the number of stars under contract that Nike has, but they feature two of the most exciting players in the NBA right now:
James Harden is one of the most efficient scores in today’s games and has led the league in scoring for three consecutive seasons from 2017/2018 to 2019/2020
Damian Lillard is one of the best playoff performers of this era highlighted by his insane, series-winning, buzzer beater against the OKC Thunder in the 2019 playoffs.
Derrick Rose, the 2011 NBA MVP, is not the same player anymore after many injuries, but his shoes are still some of the best performance sneakers available and very popular in China.
3. You want to try something new!
Maybe you are just tired of wearing the same Nike models every year? Try something new and exciting and switch to Adidas sneakers for a change! The laceless Adidas N3XT L3V3L 2020 stands out on any court!
