By Matthew Lee All right. So you need a new pair, basketball sneakers, but you're not quite sure which one to buy because there are so many options out there. And there's also a lot to consider, right? There's a price, there's performance, there are visuals. Which sneaker does what the best and which sneaker specifically suits your playstyle the most? Well, that's what we're going to try to figure out in this best basketball shoes for 2020 blog post because this is my list for the top five best basketball shoes that you could buy right now.
So before we get into our top five best basketball shoes, I have to talk about the D.O.N. Issue #1 from Adidas.
Adidas D.O.M Issue #1
Because to me, this is the best bang for your buck option out there right now because they only retail for $130. And you could even find some colorways for less than that. But with that price and the performance that these have to offer, I mean, you really can't go wrong. However, they are held back by one major issue. If you are thinking about picking these up, I highly recommend that you go down at least half size, because as I've mentioned on the channel before, these have a really big fit.
And when I compared a size 10 and a half in the Zoom freak 1 to a size 9.5 of the D.O.N Issues, they were essentially the same size. So obviously you got to make sure you get the right size. But other than that, this is just a great issue across the board. The full length bound foam cushioning is phenomenal. They're super stable. And there are also some amazing colorways. So even though the fit is a problem, an attraction can be a little inconsistent on some courts. You really can't beat that price. So for D.O.N Issue #1 is our wallet-friendly winner of 2020 so far.
New Balance OMN1S
The next shoe that I want to talk about OMN1S from New Balance. Now, this shoe is pretty difficult to get, at least in some colorways. But if you can get your hands on a pair of these, I have no doubt in my mind that you're absolutely going to have a positive experience.
However, it is worth mentioning that if you want balance and energy return from your cushioning, these might not be for you because that fuel cell foam is really plush and it just doesn't give off a whole lot of bounce. It's more of a soft, pillowy feel, which is fine, but it's just not my cup of tea. It really comes down to personal preference because you may not want energy return. You may want something more like this that gives you a soft, pillowy feel that feels like you're sinking more into the mid sole.
And that's fine. It gives you a ton of ample protection, which is a plus. But for me, it just wasn't my cup of tea. But by no means is that a negative on the shoe, because like I said, it depends on what you want. And also because the rest of this shoe is just a straight up killer. The traction is probably the best out of all the other sneakers that you're going to see on this list.
And that's even with a translucent rubber compound. And the materials are really nice as well with a soft look, conforming, woven upper that is complemented with this synthetic overlay on the collar. That really wraps around your ankle nicely for an overall a snug one to one fit that for some, like myself, can be a little tight around this midfoot area. However, if you buy these on newbalance.com, they do have a wide option available, which is something that you don't see very often.
So it just puts another feather in the cap of the OMN1S as one of the most versatile on-court experiences that you could get right now because you can get them in two different ways to accommodate your preference. Right now, these are listed at $150, which isn't expensive. But as I said, these can be a little difficult to get. And there they're definitely some cheaper options out there. But if you do decide to pick these up, I think you're going to be very happy with your purchase, because I know I was I kept these in the gym bag even after I was done reviewing them, which isn't something I do very often.
So that just goes to show you that I really enjoy playing these. So that's why I had them on the list as one of the best hoop shoes that you could buy right now.
Nike Kyrie 6
Let's move on to our next sneaker, which is one that I haven't actually played in. But from what I've heard other people say, the Kyrie 6 is the shoe that you should definitely have on your radar right off the bat.
The visuals of the Kyrie 6 are probably its most appealing feature since they've been unofficially dubbed the Kyrie Yeezy because they have an undeniable resemblance to the Air Yeezy 2s. But aside from looks, the Kyrie 6 doesn't just look the part, it plays the part as well. If you're a guy that plays like kyrie, these are obviously going to be your best bet, thanks to the solid traction. Quick feel underfoot with that zoom turbo cushioning as well as a snug one to one fit that can accommodate a wide range of foot shapes and sizes.
Thanks to the addition of that midfoot strap, these clock in at $130 which besides the DOT issues, is the most affordable sneaker on this list. And like I said, thanks to its visual appeal, you really can't go wrong here since you could rock these on the court, off the court whenever you want. It's just a rock solid option and probably the best Kyrie sneaker to date. So if you haven't tried out a Kyrie model yet and now would be the time to do so with the Kyrie 6.
Air Jordan 34
Now it's time for me to talk about my personal favorite sneaker on this list, which is Hands Down the Air Jordan 34. These to me are the Ferrari of.
This is the shoe that I recommend that eclipse play, which is essentially a hole right through the bottom of the shoe. It does a lot to add spring in balance to the already explosive Zoom unit into FOREFOOT, which basically covers the entire front of the shoe. So no matter where you land, you're pretty much going to get instant feedback and satisfaction. It's the complete opposite experience from the OMN1S. But the Air Jordan 34 also have excellent traction. A snappy fit, ultra-lightweight materials, which only adds more to the overall fast feel that these have to offer.
And in fact, these are the lightest shoe on this list, clocking in at just over 14 and a half ounces. Now, for as much as I love these, they are not perfect. They come in at a price of $185, which is very expensive. But like I said, this is a serious shoe for serious Hoopers. However, that price is even more steep when you consider the fact that the upper on these is the most durable thing in the world.
They do look absolutely beat. So I totally get why that price isn't going to be for everyone. Well, listen, guys, if you want a serious shoe that walks the walk and talks the talk. This is the shoe to get. It's a Ferrari. It's fast. It's supremely designed. And it's also very expensive. But I just love playing in them.
Adidas Harden Vol. 4
The next sneaker on this list is another shoe that I don't personally own but definitely deserves a spot because this shoe caters to a certain playstyle so well that it's loved by many, but not by all. And that sneaker is the heart involving force. These provide a low to the ground ride, which gives you that close to the ground feel, which is perfect for those who don't want to touch the cushion and just want to feel in control.
Now, the tradeoff is you're not going to get a ton of impact protection, which is fine because those who prefer a low to the ground ride usually stay pretty low to the ground. Right. So you don't need to have that protection anyways, but also because Adidas did a very good job and making a very stable shoe, the traction is responsive and tacky. And the low profile tooling paired with the very wide forefoot and the customizable lacing system is an absolute dream for forefoot heavy players who want a low to the ground ride. But that's not all. The Adidas Harden Vol. 4 comes in at a price of $130. Which ties the Kyrie 6 as the cheapest shoe on this list.
Nike KD 12
So last but not least, this next shoe is probably the most well-rounded sneaker on the list when you consider price-performance visuals. It scores well across the board. And if I could only pick one shoe to recommend to all of you guys, it'll probably be this shoe.
And that's a shoe that I'm talking about is, of course, the Nike KD 12. This shoe is so versatile. The cushioning is really nice. It has a full-length zoom air foam bed, which means your foot sits directly on Zoom cushioning, which gives you that responsive but cloud-like feel at the same time. And Nike also added an extra Zoom bag in the heel because I mean why not. It is a little overkill but it doesn't hurt to have.
All you really need to know is the Nike KD 12 is the definition of smooth. I mean you're going to feel like you're gliding down the court in this, but the traction is fantastic as well. The materials are light, but unlike Air Jordan 34 also fairly durable. Overall, it's just a really nice package that, like I said, is so well rounded that you have to talk about them as one of the most versatile on court performers that you could get on the market right now.
However, there are a few things that you need to know about these before you dive in. Nike KD throughout the years have been notorious for being a little narrow in the midfoot and whether KD 12 isn't as extreme as other KDs in the past. They do have a slightly narrow foot bed, but I don't really think it's that big of a deal because the OMN1S were also very tight around my foot as well. And I actually prefer the feet in the Nike KD 12 more than OMN1S.
But remember, New Balance does offer a wide option for the OMN1S, whereas Nike doesn't with the KD. Another thing to note is that with that double Zoom setup, you do set a little high in these. So if you were thinking about picking up the hard ends, these are going to be the complete opposite. But the good news is Nike did an excellent job with the support system.
Oh, and by the way, these retail for $150, which is okay, but since KD 13 have already dropped, you could probably find KD 12 for a real nice price. All right. So there you guys have it. Those were my personal top five best basketball sneakers that you could buy right now, which you could actually buy right now with the links in the description box below. It helps out the channel tremendously.
But if you already had these sneakers, let me know which one is your favorite in the comment section below. Remember to check out our best Under Armour basketball shoes as well.
