10 Best Shoes That Make You Jump Higher: Basketball Shoes

Any upcoming or inexistence jumping athlete or basketballer’s dream is to jump as high as possible. Although jumping high looks easy, it’s not as easy as it requires a lot of sacrifice and practice to achieve it.

Good news is: several brands of shoes have invested in a very advanced concept of designing shoes that will give you the extra bounce needed to jump higher. Can shoes increase your vertical jump! This sounds fictional but yes they do! There are several models of shoes from different manufactures to help improve your vertical jump. To mark a clear understanding, we have taken to research and bring to you different types of shoes for jumping, their features benefits, and how they work.

How Do Shoes For Jumping Work?

There is a great connection between dunker’s performance and the type of shoes they wear. This is because every additional inch from their shoes counts a lot. Different companies have installed different features in these shoes to attain optimal jump.

The very renowned athletic propulsion labs or APL was the first to design unique types of shoes that were believed to add an extra three and a half-inch when dunking.  How did they work? These shoes were made with an advanced technology known as Load ‘N launch system and inbuilt springs which when compressed they en-powered your feet and toes thus propelling them higher in the air. The combination also helps to exert much pressure on your forefoot. This releases high energy through momentum which in turn increases your vertical height. This is basically the working technique that APL uses on their shoes.

Other companies have also employed features like stiff soles and excellent traction that provide a firm grip between your feet and the ground. This provides the exact bounce and flex needed to dunk higher.

Benefits Of Shoes That Makes You To Jump Higher

1. Helps to sway from possible injuries

Basketball shoe companies incorporate comfortable cushioning systems while manufacturing shoes for jumping higher. These materials have shock absorption ability and help to reduce hard surfaces’ impact and pressure on your toes and feet when landing. This prevents your feet from injuries.

2. Optimizes your vertical height jump

Jumping higher shoes are designed with shock absorption materials and a spring force production technology that optimizes your vertical jump. These shoes also provide a strong grip between your feet and the ground. This increases your jumping force thus enabling you to jump higher.

3. They are comfortable

Can you really perform well in the field with strenuous, uncomfortable shoes? Of course not! As a result, shoes for jumping higher are made of comfortable materials to optimize your performance. They also have a good balance and grip that will maximize your ankle mobility thus increasing your vertical jump.

4. Provides courage and security

Most regular sneakers have a slipping experience that makes you doubt your safety while playing. This lowers your courage, which in turn affects your performance. Shoes for jumping higher are different as they are specially made with flawless traction that helps to curb any slipping. It also increases your stability, doubling vertical jumping energy.

Ten Best Shoes That Make You Jump Higher

1. Nike PG3

If you have played basketball before, then you definitely know how important getting the right type of shoe is. The above shoe is built with perfect features that abet all basketballers to keep their game straight. First off, it has an integrated design that helps it excel on all types of surfaces. Comfort is also at your fingertips thanks to its inbuilt zoom air cushioning. This cushioning gives the shoe a soft interior feel that leaves your toes dancing. Regardless of whether you are heavy or have an irregular foot size, this shoe gives you excellent comfort throughout your game.

Nike PG3
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Moreover, it exhibits a mesh upper material with overlays. The mesh design ensures your feet are well aerated.  This adds breathability to the shoe ensuring you are comfortable across all four quarters.  High-quality material also gives the latter a tough exterior. This ensures the shoes get to serve you for the longest time possible before having to replace them. Also, its design is inspired by George’s love for fishing and has a watercolor-way with a leaping fish on the heel. Finally, it boasts of a multi-directional reaction on the outsole. This is to ensure that you have a firm grip even when playing on a smooth court.

PROS
  • Built with a very alluring outlook.
  • Has multi directional treading which gives you excellent traction across every type of surface.
  • Good interior cushioning and padding makes the shoes to be very comfortable.
CONS
  • Numerous complaints have been made that this shoe happens to be a bit narrow on the forefoot.

2. Nike Mens Lebron 17 Basketball Shoes

If you are looking for breathable yet durable basketball shoes, these shoes will absolutely fit you right. A synthetic cotton blend covers its exterior upper part. It features a lightweight blend of knit and heat-molded yarns. This gives the shoes adequate ventilation reducing sweating for your feet.

Nike Mens Lebron 17 Basketball Shoes
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Further, the molded yarns make these bad boys last longer even when exceptional force is applied to them. Comfort levels achieved by these shoes are also unquestionable. This is so thanks to its subtle combined cushioning that gives you excellent support and responsive energy. If you have a somewhat peculiar foot shape worry out. The shoe’s materials allow it to accommodate all foot shapes without strain. Movement on the court is also very effortless thanks to its lightweight nature. The thoughtful light design of the shoes is achieved mostly through its high-quality material. On its lower side, it exhibits a well-treaded outsole for ultimate traction all along.

PROS
  • They are very comfortable shoes.
  • They can accommodate all foot shapes.
  • Look quite nice.
  • They are light in nature.
CONS
  • They lack 360 degree traction

3. Addidas Harden Vol 4 Shoes Men

This shoe was specially designed for James Harden. Facts have it that it was built to help him in staying solid during the last quarter of his game. It boasts of a synthetic fabric that is backed up with a rubber outsole. Deep treads on this rubber outsole give it very stable traction. With these shoes, you can trudge along with the court with confidence without worrying about overslipping. In addition to that, the shoes are built with an excellent mid-foot band. It helps in adding stability and improving your lockdown when making hard cuts on the court. Moreover, the outsole comes tailored to Harden’s signature on it.

Addidas Harden Vol 4 Shoes Men
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Playing basketball in these shoes will leave your legs feeling fresh and energized all through. Its missile is powered with a great responsive cushion. Basically, this means that you will be comfortable all through and even more powerful across all quarters. They are also very lightweight and thus letting you power throughout the game with ease. Unlike most basketball shoes, these ones are very comfortable and wear.

PROS
  • Made out of high quality material for a long lasting service.
  • They have a very comfortable interior.
  • Exhibit an ultra light weight nature.
CONS
  • Complaints have it that it’s not a very good shoe for other outdoor activities.

4. Addidas Men Dame 5

When shopping for a basketball shoe, nothing is as important as settling for the most comfortable shoes. The latter is a limpid testimony of how comfort and durability can be blended together into one piece.  Originally, these shoes were designed for Damian Lillard’s signature game. They boast of a soft cushioned interior that is tender towards your feet. Bounce cushioning is employed to improve its comfort level as well as flexibility. Additionally, the textile upper is padded with an internal pod system. This serves to render more comfort to the latter.

Addidas Men Dame 5
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Moreover, it is equipped with a zonal herringbone rubber outsole for good grip. The rubber outsole has deep treads that allow you to hit the court with confidence. In other words, this sole maintains firm traction regardless of how soft the court might be. On the upper exterior side, there’s a soft suede material that is very breathable.

Internal pods are also inscribed along the mid-foot close to the tongue area. These are very essential in adding extra comfort to your shoes. On the inside, there is a bounce midsole that gives them a lightweight cushioning. Plus, it has a mid-foot banking barrier which provides stability when changing direction randomly.

PROS
  • It has a very great reaction.
  • They exhibit a very subtle paddling hence being super comfortable.
CONS
  • Its size runs a bit long meaning you will order a size slightly smaller than your usual size when buying these shoes.

5. Nike Kyrie 6 Men’s Basketball Trainers Bq4630 Sneakers Shoes

Almost all basketball fans love how Kyrie is able to make sharp form corners without a strain throughout his game. The shoe design has been inspired by Kyrie. Get these shoes on your feet and hit the court in the Kyrie way. It comes with a lightweight foam midsole that is very supportive.  Your heel to toe transition will also be improved thanks to its outstanding midsole. Once you put this shoe on, it is very stable and doesn’t come off easily unlike most lace-up shoes. An adjustable strap steadily runs over the top ensuring that your feet are left stable over the foot-bed. Also, it exhibits a Nike air zoom turbo unit under the ball of the foot. The turbo unit is curved to engage both your underfoot and when you push off your edges.

Nike Kyrie 6 Men's Basketball Trainers Bq4630 Sneakers Shoes
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 Nonetheless, it’s treading design features a multi-angle pattern. As a matter of fact, the gripping material extends up to the sidewall of the shoe. Meaning, the shoe has 360-degree traction that allows you to roll on your edges and move swiftly.  Plush padding on the shoe collar allows for a more secure ankle- confirming fit. The padded collar and heel help in countering lock in your ankle as well as keeping it aligned with your feet so you can power across the court more easily. Actually, these shoes were built to have a lower to court feel for ultimate traction and lockdown support.

PROS
  • Great tread design patterns give it a firm grip.
  • They have a very good padding hence being super comfortable.
  • The adjustable strap on the outside ensures that the shoe is stable enough on your foot and that it doesn’t come off easily.
  • Have 360 degrees traction.
CONS
  • They have smaller fitting so it is advised to order a smaller size when buying them

6. Jump 99 Strength Polymetric Training Shoes

If you want to ameliorate several abilities of your legs then this shoe is definitely the right one to settle for. With this, your physical abilities such as balance, jumping, speed in changing of direction, and even your calf muscle strength will all be improved. In addition to that, these shoes will improve your power and also helps to train your muscles to produce more power and speed. When it comes to jumping, they’ve got you covered.

Jump 99 Strength Polymetric Training Shoes
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Your vertical jumping ability will increase from five to ten inches as well as enabling you to even run faster. Unlike most types of shoes, this one comes with a very outstanding design that serves to engineer your legs for more productivity. They also allow your calf mass to increase by letting the calf muscles exert little effort in supporting the body. This shoe lacks a heel and therefore making the calves bear up to 100% of your body weight which in turn helps you to jump higher.

PROS
  • Improves several abilities like jumping, speed and even the calve muscles.
  • Has a super subtle design.
CONS
  • It is not an ideal shoe for other outdoor activities.
  • It takes a long time before one fully adapts to the shoe.

7. Athletic Propulsion Labs Mens Concept Black/gray Basketball Shoes

Designed with an extremely flexible material, these shoes will accommodate most foot shapes without strain. This is achieved through its 3\4 internal bootie comprised of an open-air mesh. They boast of a patented N launch technology that works in tandem with its modern insoles. It functions to give you premium comfort and additional strength for a vertical leap. Synthetic suede overlays with molded collar padding give you extra ankle support. Also, they are super comfortable offering lockdown with a plush. The unique Flozone upper brings breathability to the shoes. It also helps in improving both lockdown and support where you need it the most.  There is a durable non-slip rubber outsole for robust firmness on the lower side. This outsole has a segmented herringbone pattern and is surrounded by orbital grooves to give it.

Athletic Propulsion Labs Mens Concept Black/gray Basketball Shoes
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Quality traction. Finally, this shoe is very lightweight allowing you to make fast decisive cuts with speed.

PROS
  • They are very comfortable.
  • They have a modern tread pattern for ultimate firmness and traction.
  • Super light-weight.
  • Can accommodate majority of foot shapes without a strain.
  • Have a very breathable material exterior material.
CONS
  • They lack 360 degrees traction.

8. Jordans Mens AIR XX8 SE, VOLTICE/METALLIC GOLD BLACK INFRARED 2 SHOEs

Fashion lovers!!! Here is the shoe to hit your game with. Unlike most shoes mentioned above, this shoe comes with one of the most outstanding outlooks. As a matter of fact, the latter will leave you washed up with compliments thanks to its conspicuous picturesque appearance. To spice up things further, these shoes combine functionality and durability together.

Jordans Mens AIR XX8 SE, VOLTICE/METALLIC GOLD BLACK INFRARED 2 SHOEs
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They have a well-engineered exterior material, tough enough to withstand exceptional force without getting worked out. Even though this shoe is a bit pricey, they will definitely serve you for quite a long time before having to replace them. Thoughtful padding and cushioning give the shoe the utmost comfort you need. Sink your shots with confidence with these shoes thanks to their absolute firmness. Its deep treads make it completely non-slip for that ultimate traction you need on a smooth court surface.

PROS
  • It has a very attractive design.
  • Has a very comfortable interior.
  • It is made out of high quality material hence lasting longer.
CONS
  • It is very expensive to acquire.
  • It is not very light in comparison to other shoes.

9. Nike Men’s Lebron XVIP EP Black/metallic Silver White Shoes

Are you a Lebron James fan? If so, am pretty sure that you have seen him sink crazy shots all the way from downtown with these shoes on. They even have a Lebron signature on them. Crafted with a very attractive outlook, these are the shoes that will have you looking cool in your game.

Nike Men's Lebron XVIP EP Black/metallic Silver White Shoes
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Further, they comprise of a buckle knit 2.0 upper. This adds exceptional comfort to the shoes. It also ensures that the shoe is very breathable and accommodative to all foot shapes. Moreover, thick foam interior cushioning gives your feet the most comfortable experience as you play. Its combination of max air and zoom air cushioning will ultimately leave your feet dancing. On the upside, these shoes feature a very versatile design. Therefore, it is very ideal for other outdoor activities not just for use along with the court. When compared to its predecessors, they come in place with a lower cut.

PROS
  • It is a very comfortable shoe.
  • Has an exemplary cute design.
  • It is a very versatile shoe.
  • Very lightweight in nature.
  • It’s made out of high quality materials.
CONS
  • They lack 360 degrees traction.

10. Addidas Performance Men’s Crazy Explosive Basketball Shoe

Here is another competent basketball shoe to consider. Even though it looks big from a glance, this shoe is actually super lightweight. This allows users to conveniently move around the court without weight baggage over their legs. This weightless material comprises both a synthetic and textile upper backed up by a rubber outsole. Naturally, this material is very robust and lasts for a long before wearing out. Energy-returning properties In these shoes help to keep each of your steps fully charged with endless supply of fast energy.  In addition to that, they exhibit a full-length energy boost construction for added lift to your legs hence rendering you that perfect jump shot.

Addidas Performance Men’s Crazy Explosive Basketball Shoe
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As if not enough, they are equipped with a mesh tongue and heel insert. Both of these features allow for ultimate breathability and ventilation to the shoe. Good ventilation reduces excessive sweating on your feet and reduces the chances of unwanted odors arising from within them.

PROS
  • They have a very nice support and are extremely comfortable.
  • They have an excellent traction.
  • Very good when it comes to jumping and landing thanks to its subtle base design.
  • They are lightweight.
  • They boast of a very attractive outlook.
  • Versatile as they are very ideal for other outdoor activities.
CONS
  • The shoes might not last for long if not well maintained.

Key Factors To Consider When Buying Shoes That Make You Jump Higher

As seen above, the market is flooded with different models of shoes to jump higher. The greatest gift a basketball player can reward himself is choosing the right, effective, and most convenient model of shoes. To make the best decision, consider the following factors.

 1. Cushioning

Jumping or playing basketball entails vigorous movements. It also entails hitting the ground with immense pleasure that might injure your leg muscles and joints. For that reason, ensure your shoes are well cushioned to protect your legs from injuries. However, you should note that the shoe should not have much cushion or too soft. This is because; much cushioning absorbs a huge amount of kinetic energy while jumping. This hinders you from jumping higher.

2. Fitting

Shoes with smaller fitting will obviously hinder your performance. The same applies to larger fitting as it keeps slipping off reducing your stability. Therefore, an ideal shoe should have the right size. This will prevent insole movements and toe injuries. Better fitting also increases stability that helps you to jump higher.

3. Comfort

An ideal shoe for a jumping hit should be made of comfortable materials to optimize your performance. You should therefore ensure your shoes are comfortable enough in all aspects. It should have soft insoles, comfortable cushions, proper fitting, and well invented. This helps to keep your feet comfortable, fresh, and cold during the game.

4. Traction

The right shoe for jumping higher should have perfect traction or grip with the ground. This protects you from slipping, guarantees safety, and increases your courage and morale for the game. Good traction also helps your entire body force to the ground before leaping higher.

5. Shoe weight

Jumping shoe manufacturers are gradually decreasing their shoe weight making them as light as possible. You should therefore make sure your shoes are light in weight as it helps you to feel lighter while jumping. This enables you to jump higher. Lightweight on your feet also increases momentum you to achieve the highest vertical leap.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Is it true that shoes make you jump higher?

Yes. It is true. Some shoes are made with accessories like compression springs that artificially improve your jumping ability. Unfortunately, several basketball organizations banned shoes with such accessories as they have unfair advantage. However, there are a number of shoes that help you to jump higher naturally. These shoes are made of special materials that strengthen your leg muscles and jumping force, helping you to jump higher.

What model of shoes for jumping that were banned by NBA?

NBA banned APL concept 1 model of shoes. These shoes were made of the Load ‘N launch technology that increased your vertical leap by three and a half inch.

What is the applicable secret when jumping higher? 

If you want to leap higher, the force applied on your knees and ankles is the secret. I mean, you should forcefully contract your knee and ankle muscles which in return helps you to jump higher.

Apart from shoes for jumping higher, what else helps you to jump higher?

Exercises. There are a number of exercises that when practiced, improve your jumping ability. For instance, squat jumps and jumping jacks are proved to strengthen your lower body and increase stability that helps to propel your body to an optimal vertical leap.

Verdict

After thorough research, interviews, and going through several reviews from different users, we have compiled a least of ten best shoes for jumping higher. These shoes will help you to attain a record in jumping. However, you should also look keenly at the factors to consider before purchasing your ideal shoe. This is because different models of shoes have different features. However, our guide has made things possible for you. Follow it and get yourself the best and effective shoe. All the best!