Top 10 best shoes for dunking: Find out what to wear if you want to improve your dunking

Top 10 best shoes for dunking: Find out what to wear if you want to improve your dunking

Sospeter Itolondo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:28 PM

Dunking is one of the most coveted skills in basketball. Executing it requires athleticism, height, and skill; hence, not all can do it. One aspect that improves a person's jump is the type of shoes they have on. So, what shoes make you jump higher? Read on to find out more about the best shoes for dunking.

best shoes for dunking
A detail look of the Nike basketball shoes of LeBron James. Photo: Patrick Smith
Source: Getty Images

An excellent dunking shoe is light, well cushioned to protect your ankles, has excellent traction for grip on the surface, and a great caging. A good dunker should also choose a shoe according to their position on the court to be comfortable. Here are some of the best basketball shoes for dunking in 2023.

Best shoes for dunking in 2023

Dunking shoes should be light and comfortable to help the basketballer with the leap. They should also offer a spring to help the athlete go higher. Here are the best basketball shoes for jumping and dunking:

10. Nike Giannis Immortality

The shoe's Herringbone Traction is fantastic for grip and is durable. The shoe also offers python cushioning, which makes it comfortable on the ankles that can last a while. The immortality also provides good support for the player while landing and jumping.

Best shoes for dunking in 2023
The Giannis Immortality on a white background. Photo: ballershoesdb.com
Source: Getty Images

9. Adidas Harden Vol. 6

It comes with great state-of-the-art technology on the Boost Foam Cushioning and Achilles Heel cushioning, which offer comfort and stability apart from a great responsive feel. The internal ankle pods offer incredible support with enhanced strength by the rubber sidewall. The shoe also boasts excellent traction due to the herringbone traction system.

best basketball shoes for dunking in 2023
The Adidas Harden Vol. 6 basketball shoes. Photo: ballershoesdb.com
Source: UGC

8. Nike KD 15

The KD 15s are one of the shoes with the best grip on the list. Its multidirectional patterns make it favourable for indoor and outdoor hooping. Its cushioning is soft and gives a good bounce on landing. It also offers excellent support to the ankle and is a great fit for the feet.

Best Kobe shoes for dunking
The Nike KD 15 basketball shoes. Photo: ballershoesdb.com
Source: UGC

7. Air Jordan 34

The Jordan 34 is well known for its excellent traction, offering grip and support to the player. It is also bouncy, which helps with the jump when the player is about to dunk. The 14mm Hex Zoom at the back heel offers cushioning after a leap which helps to avoid injuries and discomfort.

How to wear dunks
An Air Jordan 34 basketball shoe. Photo: Forstars Footwear
Source: UGC

The shoe also comes with a great design pleasing to the eye and a very light weight of 13.1 ounces, translating to 371g.

6. Air Jordan 36

It is one of the most aesthetically pleasing shoes on the list. The shoe's springy cushioning is a deal breaker for most basketballers as it offers support when landing and an extra leap when jumping. The shoe is just below 12 ounces, 340g, making it light and suitable for jumping.

best shoes for jumping and running
Air Jordan 36 basketball shoes. Photo: Sport Vision
Source: Getty Images

The shoe also offers fantastic breathing room and is durable despite its thin material.

5. Jordan Why Not Zer0.5

The Why Not has an excellent colour pattern and aesthetic appeal that attracts most players. Its body has a running shoe feel but with a large volume upfront. The volume helps give it a bouncy feel, especially due to the Zoom Air Unit.

Who has the coolest shoes in the NBA?
The Nike Why Not Zer0.5 basketball shoes. Photo: Baket4Ballers
Source: UGC

It also comes with bands around the midfoot, ensuring it fits nicely around the foot. The internal collar is also responsible for ankle support hence avoiding unnecessary injuries.

4. Nike Kyrie Infinity

The Infinity is an excellent shoe for any surface due to its traction; hence not slippery. The Zoom Strobel on the front foot protects the player from impact while adding bounce to the jump. There is also a Zoom Air unit which ensures smooth movement of the legs.

shoes that will help you dunk
The Nike Kyrie Infinity basketball shoes. Photo: ballershoesdb.com
Source: UGC

The shoe also has incredible ankle and heel support. It also boasts of a solid lateral containment.

3. Nike KD Trey 5 VIII

The shoe's main strength is its durability, as it can be used outdoors and indoors. Its Renew foam system cushions the ankles well while offering a good fit for the foot. Its impeccable traction provides support and grip, so the player does not fall over when landing or running.

best basketball shoes for jumping and dunking
A photo of Nike KD Trey 5 VIII basketball shoes. Photo: Amazon.com
Source: UGC

One thing that makes it exquisite is its affordability despite its offering one of the best experiences.

2. Under Armour Curry 8

The Curry 8s are known for their lightweight, which helps with the flight and bouncy cushion. The cushion allows the player to make explosive motions without fear of injury. They also offer great traction and breathing space.

what shoes make you jump higher?
A detailed view of the Under Armour "Curry" 8's basketball shoes worn by Stephen Curry at Chase Center on November 18, 2022, in San Francisco, California. Photo: Thearon W. Henderson
Source: Getty Images

Despite the thinness of the material, the shoe is durable and can last a while. They are some of the best shoes for jumping and running.

1. Nike Lebron 19

So, what basketball shoes make you jump the highest? The Lebron 19s. The shoes boast amazing cushioning with great lateral stability and support. It is also suitable for bigger players and players with flat feet.

what basketball shoes make you jump the highest?
The sneakers of LeBron James #6 during the NBA All-Star Game as part of the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant
Source: Getty Images

The shoe is also made from durable material, a plus despite its relatively lightweight. These are the best shoes that will help you dunk on any surface due to their excellent traction.

Best Kobe shoes for dunking

The Nike Kobe AD Mids are the best for dunking. They have great traction, which helps the player with grip and balance. It is also lightweight, which helps with the flight as it is not pulling the dunker down.

The shoe is also made of durable materials despite being lightweight. It also offers support and protection on impact to avoid injuries.

How to wear dunks

First, you should get dunks that are made correctly to your size. Ensure they fit perfectly to your foot to avoid being too tight or loose. Then you should not tie them too tight as they may be uncomfortable. You should also know how to style them to avoid wearing them wrongly.

Who has the coolest shoes in the NBA?

Lebron James has the coolest shoes in the NBA. He currently wears the Nike LeBron 20s. The shoes have a great colour pattern and boast of tumbled leather and olive green suede, making them even more appealing apart from the fact that the King wears them himself.

What are the fastest shoes to run in?

The fastest running shoes are the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2. The shoe is super light weighing only 186g or 6.6 ounces. They are also comfortable for the foot, offering support and traction.

The Nike LeBron 19s are the best shoes for dunking. They have great traction, are comfortable and offer support to the foot. The Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 are the fastest and best shoes to run in.

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Sospeter Itolondo
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