My youngest son started getting interested in basketball when he was 5 years old, and I was more than happy to support him.
I still remember the time he played his first basketball tournament, the joy he felt was priceless! However, as time passed, he lost hope since he couldn’t keep up with his friends. And as a mother, I wanted to ensure that he never lost his passion for the game.
Therefore, I decided to take matters into my own hands, and I did some research. Soon enough, I came across some of the best basketball shoes for point guards on the market, and I purchased a pair of shoes for my son. Since then, his passion for basketball has never stopped burning.
Hi! I am Stacy, and I am here to share my honest review of the five best pairs for point guards. So, sit tight and enjoy!
Top 5 Basketball Shoes For Point Guards
1. Adidas Harden Stepback Basketball Shoes
Adidas is a German multinational corporation that specializes in making athletic shoes, apparel, and sporting accessories. Over the years, it has become the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe. And one of its top sellers, the Adidas harden stepback basketball shoes, are available in 14 different colors and styles.
Product Highlights
The Adidas Harden stepback basketball shoes immediately caught my son's attention because of their unique design and wide range of functionality. For starters, the synthetic toe cap provides extra protection for your toes so that you don’t have to worry about sudden impacts or accidents.
Moreover, the shoes are extremely lightweight and easy to move around since Adidas uses a cushioned midsole to provide the users with sufficient support and stability. The brand also uses a breathable mesh design, allowing fresh air to enter the shoes and keep your feet dry throughout the day. As such, the chance of getting a bacteria or fungal infection on your feet is significantly reduced.
Also, these shoes are designed to offer high traction to basketball players so that they don’t have to worry about slipping or losing their grip during the match.
What’s There To Like About It?
One of the unique features of these shoes is the herringbone-pattern rubber outsole which prevents dust, clay, or mud from sticking to the shoes. They essentially act as a self-cleaning mechanism, which helps the shoes remain clean during the matches. And you don’t have to worry about bringing dust back to your home after an intense match.
Apart from that, I was impressed by the flexible bounce midsoles, which enable athletes to make sharp moves during a match without limiting themselves.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
Despite being an all-rounder pair when it comes to utility and functionality, I was a bit disappointed since these shoes are a bit expensive compared to some of their other peers. Nevertheless, they still offer superior comfort and support while playing basketball. But if you are on a tight budget, then you might have to look somewhere else.
Pros and Cons of Adidas Harden Stepback Basketball Shoes
Pros
Cons
- adidas unisex Basketball shoe
- The adidas brand has a long history and deep-rooted Connection with sport. Everything we do is rooted in sport
- Driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation as well as decades of accumulating sports science expertise, we cater for all, from elite professional athletes and teams to any individual who wants to make sport part of their lives
2. Under Armour Basketball Shoes
Next on the list is Under Armour, a brand that focuses on improving lifestyle by designing innovative and high-performance shoes, tools, and shirts. In addition, it offers shoes in different types of colors and sizes.
Product Highlights
The Under Armour basketball shoes come with a molded textile upper design, which enhances the overall comfort. Additionally, it allows fresh air to enter the shoes, which helps to wick away sweat and prevent moisture from building up within the shoes.
Similarly, the die-cut EVA sock liner is designed to cushion your upper foot to prevent injuries from accidental impacts. Another important feature of these shoes is the pair of ethylene vinyl acetate soles, which support the midsoles by evenly distributing your body weight. This helps you to preserve more energy while your feet recover from fatigue.
Also, the mesh tongues make it easier to place your feet within the shoes without applying too much effort. Hence, you don’t need to worry about tying your laces during the match.
What’s There To Like About It?
Right out of the bat, I was impressed by the half bootie lining design since it provides the user with a secure fit while providing stability to the feet. Besides, the traditional tongue construction makes it easy for basketball players to wear the shoes easily without wasting much time.
Moreover, the webbed lacing system automatically locks itself onto your feet, which enables the shoes to adjust to your feet for the best fit.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
Unlike the Adidas Harden stepback basketball shoes which are extremely lightweight, the Under Armour basketball shoes are a bit heavy. Therefore, it takes a while to adjust the shoes since they feel bulky and restrict your movement. Hence, I have placed this pair as my second choice since the other pair facilitate easier foot movement.
Pros and Cons of Under Armour Basketball Shoes
Pros
Cons
- Molded textile upper for enhanced comfort & breathability
- Webbed lacing system for a locked-in, customized fit
- Mesh tongue for increased air flow
3. Nike Men’s KD Trey 5 VIII Basketball Shoes
Nike is a well-known brand that designs footwear for casual and athletic purposes. Each and every piece of footwear goes through a series of tests before it reaches the market. Moreover, it’s widely regarded as one of the best sportswear manufacturers in the world.
Product Highlights
One of the unique features of the Nike KD trey 5 VIII shoes is the multi-direction traction design, which allows the users to grip onto the ground sturdy. This prevents them from slipping or losing their grip during their matches. Hence, you can make sharp moves and breaks whenever you feel like changing the game's pace.
Besides, the mid-high collar has foam layering, giving extra comfort and support to the ankle. Additionally, the design prevents the shoes from becoming loose, so you don’t have to worry about them coming off during the game.
Similarly, the rubber soles are designed to provide reliable traction while making sharp moves and passes so that you can make the best play during the match. Furthermore, the mid-top design has perforated foam pads that lock the shoes around the ankle to provide better stability while moving.
What’s There To Like About It?
The Nike KD Trey 5 VIII shoes are equipped with dual-density midsoles that make users feel comfortable through the soft and responsive foam. This foam is designed to absorb shock and prevent the feet from getting injured while playing intense matches.
I also liked the fly-knit padded tongue since it adds an extra layer of protection to the top layer of the feet. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about your toes and ankle getting injured from sudden impact or compression.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
The Nike KD Trey 5 VIII basketball shoes fall short compared to the Under Armour basketball shoes since they don’t have adequate air ventilation within the design. Hence, I have placed them as my third choice since the former pair does a better job of wicking away sweat by bringing fresh air into the shoes.
Pros and Cons of Nike Men’s KD Trey 5 VIII Basketball Shoes
Pros
Cons
- The mid-top design with perforated foam pods helps you feel locked in around the ankle.
- Padded, breathable tongue is topped with raw-edge detail
- Two-layer textile material in the forefoot includes clear yarns that give it a dynamic look
4. PUMA Basketball Uproar PA
Puma was founded in the year 1948 by Rudolf Dassier, and since then, the brand has focused on making the best sportswear in the world. One of its best sellers is the PUMA Basketball Uproar PA, which are available in seven different size options.
Product Highlights
The PUMA Basketball Uproar PA shoes are made from a synthetic upper texture design that allows fresh air to enter and ventilate them from within. They feel comfortable even if you wear them for long hours since the synthetic upper texture wicks away all the moisture present within them. Moreover, the mesh tongue and line detaining prevent dust and water from entering the shoes.
Apart from this, the cushioned midsoles are extremely comfortable since they distribute the weight evenly among the toes and heels. As such, you will be able to retain more energy since the shoes prevent you from losing excess energy during an intense workout or match.
Similarly, the comfort insole cushions the toes and heel from external shock or impact, which prevents your feet from any major injury during the game. Also, the rubber outsoles provide excellent grip and support to the shoes while playing on a slippery surface.
What’s There To Like About It?
One of the most impressive features of the PUMA Basketball Uproar PA is the lace-up closure design which enables the shoes to fit precisely on your feet. Moreover, there is no need for tying the laces since they automatically adjust the shoes according to your foot structure.
I was also impressed by the heel puller on these shoes since it makes it easy for users to wear them without discomfort or pain. Besides this, the design ensures that they don't leave any marks or scars near your heel and ankle.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
Although the PUMA Basketball Uproar PA offers a wide range of functionality, the pair still falls short of Under Armour Basketball Shoes since the latter comes at a more affordable price. Hence, I have placed this as my fourth option. You will find other brands offering similar (or even better) basketball shoes at this price, especially if you have a tight budget.
Pros and Cons of PUMA Basketball Uproar PA
Pros
Cons
5. Nike Kyrie 6
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The Nike Kyrie 6 has one of the most stylish and unique designs on the market. In fact, the shoes come in seven different color options and patterns. Hence, you can select the ones that fit your style the most.
Product Highlights
For starters, the Nike Kyrie 6 comes with the Air Zoom Turbo design, which provides the shoes with extra curves at the edge. This enables the athletes to make sharp turns without the risk of injuries. Plus, the lightweight foam midsole provides excellent support while ensuring that your toes and heels receive the right body weight ratio.
The adjustable strap across the laces secures the shoes to your feet, which prevents them from slipping off easily. Moreover, the padded collar and heel counter are designed to ensure that the shoes align perfectly with your ankle so that you can generate more energy while making hard cuts and passes.
Furthermore, the multi-angle blade pattern offers a superior grip so that the shoes can crip the court from all angles.
What’s There To Like About It?
As soon as I came across this pair, I was impressed by the padded collar design, which provides nice comfort and precise fit. In addition, the padded collar prevents the shoes from falling off as it secures them around the ankle.
Another impressive feature of this pair is the grippy material, which extends to the sides of the shoes as well. Therefore, you receive superior traction while rolling to your edges or making a sharp turn during the match. Also, the outsole can clean itself since it has a unique pattern that prevents dust from collecting at the bottom of the base.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
The Nike Kyrie 6 comes last on the list since the design takes a long time for the athletes to adjust to. Compared to this, the PUMA Basketball Uproar PA shoes are extremely lightweight and easy to move around since they aren’t bulky. Moreover, you will feel uncomfortable wearing these shoes for the first two weeks; hence, I have placed them as my fifth option.
Pros and Cons of Nike Kyrie 6
Pros
Cons
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Buyers Guide
In this section, I have listed key factors to consider while purchasing the best basketball shoes for point guards. So, without further ado, let’s dive in:
1. Arch Support
Arch support is crucial for improving your performance while playing basketball. Generally, people prefer to wear high arch support, but I will not recommend this if you are playing as a point guard.
Point guards require sturdy and decent arch support that allow them to distribute their body weight evenly without feeling uncomfortable. Nowadays, most basketball shoes come with midsoles and sidewalls to provide excellent arch support to the point guards by disturbing the weight evenly between the toes and heel.
2. Toe Box
One of the most important factors to consider while purchasing a pair of basketball shoes is the toe box area of the shoes. This area is where your toes house themselves, and having a wider toe box is ideal for point guards. A tight toe box prevents the toes from moving about, and this causes intense discomfort and pain while playing basketball.
That’s why you should always wear shoes with a wide toe box area. Not only will this help your feet to feel comfortable, but it will also prevent your feet from fatigue or pain. Besides this, you will be able to make sharper and quicker moves by freely moving your toes within the shoes.
3. Playing Surface
Basketball can be played on various surfaces; therefore, you need to have the right footwear while playing the game. In general, basketball shoes have different forms of cleats that provide traction while playing. For example, they may have rubber, metal, or molded spikes.
Metal spikes are usually recommended for fields with long grasses and lush. On the other hand, you can use rubber or molded spikes for artificial turfs since they offer better traction than metal spikes.
4. Support
If you are playing as a point guard, always ensure that your shoes are offering great support and comfort. Most brands these days design shoes to support the ankle and feet by adding various features and elements such as soft midsoles, flexible material, adjustable ankle straps, etc.
For instance, shoes with a firm and tight design can cause severe pain during a match. In this case, you should wear a pair that offers a firm fit while having soft footbeds. Some athletic shoes come with cushioning, which helps in protecting the toes and heels from shock and impact.
5. Air Ventilation
Playing basketball for long hours can leave your feet sweaty at the end of the day. But you can avoid this by purchasing a nice pair of basketball shoes with proper ventilation mesh lining.
This prevents your feet from smelling since fresh air enters the shoes and keeps your feet dry throughout the day. Besides this, air circulation prevents bacterial or fungal infections from developing on your feet.
6. Lightweight
Another factor to keep in mind while selecting the right pair of basketball shoes is the weight of the shoes. Wearing heavy basketball shoes will prevent you from making sharp and quick movements during the game.
Additionally, heavy basketball shoes can cause severe damage to your feet if you are not careful enough. Hence, I highly recommend purchasing lightweight and flexible shoes.
7. Other Features
Lastly, you should ensure that the brand offers additional features and benefits with its shoes. For instance, you should look for padded collars, cushioned midsoles, stability, slip resistance, waterproof coating, and other similar features.
Besides this, you should go for brands that offer other facilities such as after-sale customer support, discounts, free shipping, a money-back guarantee, etc. Some brands even offer various basketball accessories along with their shoes, and you wouldn’t want to miss out on them.
Moreover, some shoes are designed to offer great comfort while being stylish. Now that’s a deal you shouldn’t miss!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Wider basketball shoes are recommended over normal-width ones since they are ideal for point guards. People playing as point guards require more space for their feet to adjust. And wider basketball shoes would serve the purpose well.
Also, your feet wouldn’t feel uncomfortable since they will have plenty of space to adjust themselves whenever you need to make a sudden sharp move.
When it comes to basketball, several factors can influence the shoes you require. For instance, lightweight basketball shoes would be ideal if you play as a forward player since you can make speedy movements with the shoes.
However, if you are more focused on securing points for your team members, I recommend purchasing comfortable basketball shoes with a flexible and ergonomic design. This will allow you to make sharper turns while catching the ball.
If you have watched a basketball match, you will notice all basketball players wipe the bottoms of their shoes with their palms before playing any match. At first, it might not make sense; however, it does have some practical use.
Indoor basketball courts are dusty despite being thoroughly cleaned before every match. This dust can collect at the bottom of the shoes and cause them to slip more often. To prevent this problem, professional players wipe the bottoms of their shoes to remove the dust, which helps them to gain better traction. It also helps the players to make quicker and sharper moves during the match.
Final Verdict
Without a doubt, the Adidas Harden Stepback basketball shoes are the best pair for point guards since it is extremely lightweight and comfortable. Besides this, the ergonomic lacing design makes it easy for athletes to make sharp moves while the shoes adjust accordingly.Â
But if you are on a tight budget, I highly recommend purchasing the Under Armour men’s basketball shoes. The molded textile upper enhances the overall comfortability and ensures fresh air enters the shoes throughout the day.Â
With that, it is time for me to sign off. See you next time!Â