6 Best Basketball Shoes For Guards 2022

After continuously playing basketball as a Point Guard, wearing random, casual shoes affected my performance. I learned that there should be unique basketball shoes that fit each player and their playing styles. As a point guard, I must be the swiftest and most active player on the court.

I had to choose the best basketball shoes for guards for myself to enhance my performance and dominance over the opponent. However, there is a saturation in the market now, making it difficult to choose the perfect shoes. In this article, I will break down all the critical points, based on my research and experience, you should consider while buying the shoes.

List Of Top 6 best basketball shoes for A Point Guard 2022

All these reviews are based on my personal experience and customer reviews.

1) PUMA Clyde Hardwood- Best Basketball Shoes for Guards

The outsole of the PUMA Clyde Hardwood is more durable than the PG3 with an almost similar price, as I had no issues regarding rubber peeling or ripping off of PUMA Clyde while playing on an outdoor court. In indoor conditions, the traction was incredible, just like the Kobe 9. However, I had to wipe the outsole from time to time to remove the dust.

The rubber compound used in the sole makes it more tacky and grippy over the court. You will get the best traction experience from these sneakers while quickly changing directions as a guard.

These shoes kept me close to the ground to make swift moves with their low-profile setup quickly. The ProFoam used in the sole makes these shoes extremely responsive and provides enough cushioning, which is perfect for Point Guards.

The low-top design was perfect and gave me more space to play freely. The upper material combines synthetic and textile fabric, providing comfort and enhanced on-court mobility.

The nylon cables harness the forefoot section and snug your foot. That might feel a bit tight to wide footers. A quick tip here if you are a wide footer, these shoes might feel a bit snuggly. Going half or one size up will be perfect.

I had to break in these shoes since the midsole initially felt hard, and the sole was wrapped around with the TPU, caging the foot. The impact protection is incredible, even better than the PUMA RS Dreamer.

Overall these sneakers are up to the mark regarding comfort and performance to the look. Especially the prices are not much so you can enjoy premium quality without breaking the bank.

 

 What I Think: 

For me, PUMA did a perfect job by fusing the old into new to provide the ideal shoes for basketball players. From the comfort of softer textiles to the strength of genuine leather, they’ve got everything you wish to have in the best guard shoes. The traction is solid with a basic cushioning system. Overall the shoes look great off-court and perform great on the court.

2) Under Armour Curry 7- Best Basketball Shoes For Shooting Guards

Traction is something you should not worry about when it comes to the Curry shoes. Since Under Armour Curry 7 is coming from a player, Steph Curry, one of the best guards in basketball. Even on dusty courts, the amalgamation of traction patterns gives coverage in multiple directions, perfect for guards crossing over their opponents.

The major upgrade is the outsole durability since in Curry 6 it was awful that mine got ripped off pretty soon. The dual cushioning setup makes a stable platform that does not let the shoe sink under the foot.

Moreover, its low profile also gives point guards and shooters more room to play aggressively. If I had to compare these with some other guard’s shoes, I would say they are similar to Kyrie’s shoes.

Less fusion of textile and synthetic material on the upper than Curry 6 makes it more ventilated and comfortable. The Best Thing is that it does not require break-in time to play basketball in them.

Since there is a risk of instability in low-top designs, a TPU moderator plate throughout the base gives the extra support along with the internal heel counter. Overall, lockdown is excellent due to the placement of eyelets. When you lace up, it snugs your feet perfectly. I bought mine in actual size, and they were perfect.

 

 What I Think: 

I think that the Under Armour Curry 7 is the best option if you are looking for traction, stability, and fit. The quality and durability of the material are up to the mark keeping your feet moisture-free while playing. The traction is solid with a firm cushioning system and maximum court feel. The heel counter and TPU moderator plate along the base provide extra stability and support.

3) PUMA Clyde All-Pro – Best Guard Shoes

The PUMA Clyde All-Pro is the upgraded version of the PUMA Clyde Hardwood, so you get another mixture of their retro heritage with new performance tech; however, the tech part looks more dominant to me.

The traction and grip were almost identical on both indoor and outdoor courts. During the lateral movements, the traction was stable due to a pivot point in the forefoot area under the thumb.

The upgraded cushion setup reminds me of the Boost in Reebok JJ IV but with a mixture of ProForm. The ProForm+ felt slightly lighter and bouncier than the previous proform but didn’t affect the responsiveness. However, my favorite thing about these shoes is an ortholite insole so you can simultaneously get stability and comfort as a guard.

The multi-zone woven upper reminds me of the excellent support of the minimal Nike elite series design. The black threading in the upper indicates the carbon zoning that feels a bit crispy, unlike the rest of the upper. This carbon zone is abrasion-resistant and requires very little break-in time.

The retro look is retained by putting the old-school PUMA logo on the tongue, and the eyelets are woven, giving more reinforcement and perfect lockdown to your foot. As far as the fit is concerned, they do fit proper to size, so that’s what I recommend.

 

 What I Think: 

Overall, the PUMA Clyde All-Pro are great basketball shoes for point guards and even women who like lightweight, comfortable, solid shoes with less impact protection. The support and stability come from the structure. As a guard, you will perform well due to its low-top design and make quick moves by staying close to the ground.

4) PEAK Flash Basketball Shoes- Best Basketball Shoes For Point Guards

The PEAK Flash Basketball Shoes from Lou Williams, a fantastic point guard, shooting guard, and a 3-times NBA sixth man of the year, are the best pg shoes due to their incredible traction, cushioning, and stability.

The highlight for me is its unique tai-chi cushioning setup from Peak, which is more cushion than the Peak TP 7 and makes the shoes very comfortable. Even though the cushion system is soft, there is enough torsional support due to the shank plate in the midsole. It seems like Lou Williams put his experience into making these shoes exclusively for point guards and casually for everybody.

The best thing about the cushion setup is the court feel and responsiveness. As a point guard, it is essential to stay as low as possible to the ground, which is what these shoes offer.

Impact protection and ample support were also impressive even after a high jump dunk due to the EVA midsole. There is a different type of foam named P-Soon in the forefoot for extra impact protection.

The combination of herringbone and brainy-like traction pattern grips the floor and provides stability while making lateral movements. It holds on the dusty floor very well after just a wipe.

As far as support and stability are concerned, Peak covers it all. The heel plate protects and supports the heel, which is much needed in low-top sneakers.

I’m a wide footer, and these shoes fit perfectly with my size. However, some customers went down a size, so I recommend going down half a size or one for a better fit.

 

 What I Think: 

I think the PEAK Flash Basketball Shoes are the best for point guards or shooters as you get everything in one place, from stability and support to traction and an aesthetic look. You can wear them for casual meetings and get-togethers, and they won’t look extra like some other sports shoes.

5) Nike PG 5- Best PG Shoes

The Nike PG 5 is an upgraded version of the Nike PG 4 and an all-rounder in performance. The changes in cushion setup make these shoes best for all kinds of basketball players who love court feel and responsiveness.

The traction pattern is identical to the Kobe 9, which had GOAT traction. For me, the traction is impressive on outdoor and indoor courts, except that it wears out faster on the outdoor surface. I would recommend playing indoors only to make them last longer.

The transition from heel to toe goes pretty smooth due to the slight curve in the heel area. You also get enough heel compression with a good forefoot flex since the midsole has a slight curve.

The cushion setup looks like the Nike PG 4, but it is not plush like last year and is lower to the ground, providing more court feel and responsiveness; great for point guards or shooters who like to stay closer to the ground with some compression.

The outsole rubber is pretty soft; however, in the heel area, much rigid material is used for less compression and more heel and ankle stability while making quick moves. The impact protection is also excellent.

The upper material is quite similar to the PG 2 in quality. At first, when I wear these on, the material felt flimsy to me. But after breaking in, it gets pretty softer and a lot better.

As the PG line goes with the narrow sizes, I suggest going with your actual size. It will snug your foot and give a perfect fitting. Some people might feel squeezy on the lateral foot area since the foam extends up. So it is best to try them on first while buying.

 

 What I Think: 

For me, the Nike PG 5 is a perfect shoe for a quality model within the budget price. If you are a wide footer, I would suggest going up half a size due to its narrow design. Besides, the shoes are effortless and lightweight with a minimal design yet very responsive. Perfect for beginners learning how to become a Point Guard.

6) Adidas Own The Game- Best Cheapest Guard Shoes

Without an argument, the Adidas Own The Game is the most affordable option on the list, with excellent traction, support, and comfort. Besides, it is the best shoe for point guards with wide feet.

The traction on these is surprisingly excellent on the clean court. Even with the Adiwear rubber outsole that quickly catches dust, they grip the dusty floor well.  However, I suggest playing on the clean court if you don’t like wiping off frequently. Otherwise, the traction is good to go on any court.

The lateral movements are stable due to the outsole rubber extending up on the side. The heel pull also supports the heel area and prevents instability. The upper material is quite decent, especially in this price range.

The mid-top design with tongue and ankle padding is perfect for a point guard since it simultaneously provides stability, support, and comfort. The shoes are lightweight with a minimal design that enables you to make swift direction changes.

The Cloudfoam cushion setup was very comfy and got some impact protection. Also, the ortholite property of the cushion setup makes the shoe environment fresh and cool.

The fit is a bit sloppy since I’m not a wide footer or heavy guy, so I recommend going half a size down if you like a cradled fit.

 

 What I Think: 

For me, the Adidas Own The Game is just a steal with such unique features. Besides the size issues, I don’t see any flaw in these shoes in terms of the price range. These are perfect if you like to play with court feel and responsiveness.

What to Consider While Choosing The Best Basketball Shoes for Guards or Shooters:

There are some important features you must look for before buying basketball shoes for yourself or your loved ones:

Traction:

The traction is the first and foremost thing you should be mindful of. As we know, the guards or shooters are the swiftest players on the court, so the shoe must grip the surface of the court firmly.

The traction of a shoe depends upon the material of the outsole and traction pattern. Herringbone and radial patterns provide more traction rather than other pattern styles.

Cushion:

Plushy cushion setup might help the bulky guys, but the cushioning must be responsive as a guard, allowing a great court feel. There is not much need for impact protection for shooters or point guards, so look for a low cushioning setup.

Support:

Since the guards prefer low and mid-top design shoes, there is less ankle support and protection. However, shooters and point guards require dribbling, crossover the opponents, and stopping on the dime.

So the best basketball shoes for explosive players should have the perfect lockdown with solid support near the base. Look for the boots with snug-fit that keep your foot from slipping around and stable. The extended outriggers and heel counters also provide more stability.

Style of Silhouette:

Guards need to be quick on the court. That’s why most guards prefer low or mid-top basketball shoes. They have a relatively lower cut around the ankles than traditional basketball shoes. This allows more freedom of movement and greater flexibility.

 Conclusion: 

In my opinion, there are three best basketball shoes for guards in the market right now:

PUMA Clyde Hardwood– Best Basketball Shoes For  Guards

Under Armour Curry 7– Best Basketball Shoes For Shooting Guards

Nike PG 5 Basketball Shoes – Best PG Shoes

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