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Top 3 Basketball Shoes

  • Edan Anonuevo
  • Mar 5, 2017
  • 7 min read

Want to buy the best performance basketball shoe for the money you have? Here are the top 3 shoes for basketball.

Performance basketball shoes are very expensive, and not all of us can buy a new pair whenever we want. One shoe per year, one shoe per season. Specific shoes are designed for specific players, and we listed the best shoes you should buy according to how you play. Please keep in mind that these shoes are placed in no particular order. We hope this will help narrow down your choice for what performance shoe to buy.

Adidas Crazy Explosive Primeknit | For The Powerful

One of the best performing shoes to date. Comes in two versions, primeknit and mesh, but the PK version is more comfortable. The Crazy Explosive Primeknit goes for AU$280 (US$150) on the Adidas store.


Pros & Cons - The shoe has many great features which include its traction, cushion and materials. You will not slip what so ever and its impact protection helps cushion your foot from a fall. Ventilation is not that great as they lack in areas to help prevent sweating. If your foot sweats a lot, make sure to wear any dri-fit or climacool socks. The material durability isn’t that good, as the primeknit may tear over time.


Multi-directional patterned traction

Traction - The traction on the Crazy Explosive is one of the best traction patterns of all time. It features a multi-directional patterned traction, which means it operates in several directions at the same time. If you are going to change directions a lot, It grips perfectly so you won’t fall over and make a fool out of yourself.


Boost Cushioning

Cushion - The cushion setup is one of the best of all time. It features full-length boost, which will help protect your foot from impact, when grabbing a rebound or from jumping a lot. It is one of the comfiest setups in a basketball shoe right now. The boost gives energy back, which is great for a powerful and explosive player.

KickGenius - “This is how boost is supposed to feel in a performance sneaker.”

Primeknit Upper

Materials - Featured on the upper of the Crazy Explosive Primeknit is primeknit. Basically, it is a woven upper that forms to your foot, which makes it extra comfortable. It has no glue, just straight knit. If I were to compare this material to anything, it would be a better version of flyknit. It is very soft and again, comfortable.



Durability - When looking for a shoe, you want it to last a long time, making it worth more for your money. Because the Crazy Explosive headed towards comfort, it backed off on the durability side. The Primeknit is very comfortable, but it may tear in certain areas over time, because of excessive use.


Fit & Support - The shoe fits true to size. If you have a wide or narrow foot, please try them in store if you can. The primeknit will stretch to your foot and form around it, so just wait a bit to break them in for the best fit. The support on this shoe is great as it forms to your foot, making your ride smooth and secure. There is also a TPU cage that wraps around the midsole to help as well.

Crazy Explosive Low Mesh

Crazy Explosive Low - Adidas has recently released a low version of the Crazy Explosive. There is both a mesh and primeknit version like the high, and performances just like the Crazy Explosive. It will not be as supportive as the high, but will be a great shoe as well. The low version is a great overall looking shoe and if you like low shoes, then we recommend you to buy the Crazy Explosive Low.


The Adidas Crazy Explosive Primeknit is a great shoe that is comfortable and very BOOSTful. Most comfortable shoe ever. If you want a Boost shoe that has primeknit on it, get the Crazy Explosive. We recommend this shoe for those who are powerful and explosive, so a center or a forward. If you are someone who grabs rebounds, jumps a lot and makes hard moves, get yourself a pair of Crazy Explosives PK.


*note* Both the mesh and prime knit version of the Crazy Explosive are incredible shoes, so if you do not have the money to buy the PK version, buy the mesh version.


If you want to learn more about the Adidas Crazy Explosive Primeknit, click here.

Adidas Harden vol. 1 | For The Quick

A great shoe for a guard who is quick on their feet. Boost in the midsole and great traction. The Adidas Harden Vol. 1 starts at a cost AU$260 (US$140) on the Adidas store, depending on the materials.

Pros & Cons - The cushion, traction and court feel are all great aspects of the Harden Vol. 1. You get great impact protection, as well as great court feel that is essential for a quick guard. The traction is great, getting the job done, great for guards quick on their feet.


Traction designed for James Harden's moved

Traction - One of the key elements for a guard, and the Harden Vol. 1 has great traction. Featured is a new pattern designed for James Harden’s moves, but not everyone plays and moves like him. It is a great setup, gripping to the floor well and gets the job done, although it is not the best.

Uncagged boost in lateral side

Cushion - Boost is life. Full length caged boost is featured on the shoe, which absorbs the impact of a fall. It is not just cushioned but has great court feel as well, which is great for a guard who is very quick. This gives you a sense of balance along with impact protection.

Mesh or Primeknit uppers

Material - The materials vary depending on the colourway. You will get either mesh and knit mix together, or a primeknit upper. Both are great once you break them in, but the mesh and knit feel quite stiff at first. There is an independent leather toe cap at the front of the shoe, that contains the materials if you move or jab a lot. It is basically an extra layer of leather above the mesh. The leather will not hinder your performance.

Asymmetrical lacing system

Durability - The Harden Vol. 1 is quite durable because of the leather toe cap that helps contain the shoe, keeping the upper from stretching too much. Keep in mind that the primeknit version may tear over time.

Fit & Support - The shoe fits quite long, so it is best to try it on in store if you can. If not, we recommend you go a ½ size down or if you are a wide footer go true to size. Support is great because your foot is locked down well, as the asymmetrical lacing system wraps around your foot well. This is only if you get the perfect fitting size for you, if not you should look for another option. The caged boost keeps your movements stable and the TPU plate keeps your heel in place.

Overall the Harden Vol. 1 is a great shoe and looks great both on and off the court. The traction and cushion are both incredible. The materials on the shoe vary, so we suggest you go for a colourway that has primeknit. Adidas has gone back to their old days of producing different materials on a shoe depending on the colourway, which isn't the best for the customers and for the brand. We recommend a guard to get this shoe, someone who drives a lot, makes hard crossovers and shoots jumpers, buy yourself a pair. As said by WearTesters, “Traction, cushion, materials, fit, support...the best of what Adidas has to offer all on one sneaker.”

If you want to learn more about the Harden Vol. 1, click here.

Nike Kyrie 3 | For Your Money

Kyrie Irving’s third signature shoe focuses on the traction over anything else. It is a cheap shoe, a bang for your buck. The Kyrie 3 retails for AU$160 (US$120) on the Nike store.


Pros & Cons - Nike’s Kyrie 3 is one of the best shoes for a guard who doesn’t need any cushion. The court feel and the traction are amazing, but the shoe lacked in any cushion. No cushion in the forefoot and a small zoom unit in the heel.

Two multi-directional pods

Traction - The Kyrie 3 has one of the greatest traction setups on a basketball shoe. An aggressive herringbone pattern is featured with two multi-directional pods on the forefoot. The traction is the star of this shoe, and the two pods grip to the floor helping you create incredible moves to cross someone over. It is nearly flawless.

KickGenius - “The traction was easily my favourite part of the shoe. Because the herringbone was so aggressive, I was able to move in any direction with no problems.”

Zome air unit in heel

Cushion - Where? Who knows. There is barely any cushion in this shoe, none in the forefoot and a small heel Zoom unit you can barely notice. Court feel and traction was the primary focus of the shoe, which was accomplished by removing the cushion. If you need cushion stay away from the Kyrie 3.


Flywire Flex Zone

Materials - Featured on the upper is mesh. At the flex zone near the forefoot, is a strip of foam reinforced with Flywire. This gives your foot the flexibility to move and flex where it needs to in order for the player to make their moves. Depending on your preference, the materials may be great for you. It isn’t one of the softest uppers but it gets the job done.

Kurim overlay over mesh

Durability - The Kyrie 3 is very durable. Great durability equals worth for your money. We cannot go and buy a shoe every time one breaks. Because it is a very durable and cheap shoe, it is definetly a bang for your buck. Fuse is added in high-stress areas for extra strength, and a rubber overlay (Kurim) on the upper helps prevent wearing and tearing.

Fit & Support - Nike’s Kyrie 3 fits true to size, but wide footed players may find it uncomfortable. So wider footers go up ½ a size. As always, it is best to try them on in store. Support is great as there is no heel slippage. Your ankles are well secured, helping prevent any injuries or sprains.

The Kyrie 3 has great traction along with lockdown and containment. It lacks in the cushion department, so that draws from the shoe. If you need impact protection, go for something else, but if not, the Kyrie 3 is a great shoe for you. It is very cheap and that is great for those who cannot afford the high-cost performance shoes. In my opinion, if the Kyrie signature lineup went up in price, by a little bit, they could include a reliable cushion setup to make a better overall shoe.

If you want to learn more about the Nike Kyrie 3, click here.

Subscribe to Kick Genius on YouTube here.

Check out weartesters.com.

Shout out to NightWing2303 for the reviews.

Crazy Explosive PrimeKnit - WearTesters, KickGenius, The Sole Brothers

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