Adding just a few inches can give you all the advantages you need when playing basketball. So, to help you look taller and boost your performance, here are the tallest basketball shoes.
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Top 12 Tallest Basketball Shoes (Ranked By Height)
Contrary to popular belief, not all basketball shoes are made equal. Some are simply taller than others. Below is the list of the basketball shoes that make you taller, ranked by height.
Air Jordan 36
The Air Jordan 36 adds about 0.55 inches (1.4 cm) of height brand new out of the box.
The Air Jordan 36 is a curious case. At first glance, you would think that the shoe would definitely be one of the tallest basketball shoes around. But, it only adds 0.55 inches of height.
In terms of traction, the Air Jordan 36 is phenomenal. It performs well on both clean and dusty courts. The surprisingly strong upper and the outsole materials of the Air Jordan 36 wrapping upward towards the midsole make the support in this shoe solid for a basketball game.
Worn by NBA superstars including Luka Dončić, Jayson Tatum, Blake Griffin, and Carmelo Anthony, the Air Jordan 36 is a great basketball shoe to add to your collection.
Most basketball fans agree that the cushioning on the Air Jordan 36 is amazing, but they also agree that the Air unit protruding from the outsole is unnecessary. It gives the illusion that the shoe adds a lot of height when in fact, it adds a little over half inches only.
Nike KD 11
The Nike KD 11 adds about 1.03 inches (2.6 cm) of height brand new out of the box.
The eleventh signature shoe of Kevin Durant is one of the nicest looking and sleekest basketball shoes that make you taller. However, not everyone is a big fan of the Nike KD 11.
The combination of React and Zoom Air cushioning adds about 1.03 inches of height and gets plenty of good grades across the board, but that’s where the positive aspects stop.
Many shoe reviewers agree that the Flyknit upper is comfortable and looks good, but it is way too “stretchy” and loose for a performance basketball shoe. Be prepared to slide a lot in the Nike KD 11 if you are a basketball player who does a lot of crossovers and side-to-side movements.
Traction is also another area of complaint. It performs well on clean courts but not so well on dusty courts. In our opinion, the Nike KD 11 is best worn for casual use or friendly pickup games.
Adidas Dame 5
The Adidas Dame 5 adds about 1.06 inches (2.7 cm) of height brand new out of the box.
Dame is the signature basketball shoe line of NBA superstar, Damian Lillard. He is known for his clutch performances, especially in the playoffs. His 5th shoe was released in February 2019.
Fun fact: Adidas Dame 5 is the shoe Damian Lillard wore during his famous buzzer-beater near the logo to eliminate the OKC Thunder during the 2019 NBA playoffs. Following his performance, over 6,000 pairs of Dame 5 shoes were purchased online the next day.
The Adidas Dame 5 works best for quick guards who prefer responsive cushioning. It is not only comfortable, but it is one of the best basketball shoes that add height. In fact, the Dame 5 is the only basketball shoe that made the list of the tallest Adidas shoes.
Nike LeBron Soldier VI
The Nike LeBron Soldier VI adds about 1.18 inches (3 cm) of height brand new out of the box.
The LeBron Soldier shoe line has been quite successful and most of them offer you more bang for your buck on the basketball court when compared to the LeBron signature shoe line.
Combining great traction and cushioning, the LeBron Soldier VI may be the best Soldier model ever. While the sole height is 1 inch and the heel height is 1.18 inches, the entire Zoom Air adds about 1.18 inches of height and provides low-profile responsiveness.
Additionally, the LeBron Soldier VI is one of the best basketball shoes with enough airflow. While it’s not talked about often, the shoes were pretty much on point as far as ventilation is concerned.
If you are a versatile small forward like LeBron James, you may want to pick up a pair to take your game to the next level. The shoe is responsive and well-ventilated, helping you enjoy your game.
Nike LeBron 17
The Nike LeBron 17 adds about 1.19 inches (3 cm) of height brand new out of the box.
The Nike LeBron is all about impact protection. Boasting a thick 1.19 inches of sole height, the cushioning is loved by a lot of people. A huge Max Air unit in the heel is combined with Zoom in the forefoot and they both provide a ton of impact protection and bounce.
While the new Knitposite upper material is thick, soft, and comfortable, it does get pretty hot after an hour or two on the basketball court. Overall, the LeBron 17 is a great basketball shoe.
Air Jordan Future
The Air Jordan Future adds about 1.2 inches (3 cm) of height brand new out of the box.
Looking at the design of the shoe, the word “avant-garde” comes to mind. The mid-top Air Jordan Future feels light on the feet, and it barely feels like wearing anything.
Plenty of reviewers said that the Air Jordan Future is supremely comfortable footwear with plenty of cushioning. It adds a substantial amount of height, 1.2 inches to be exact. In fact, the Nike Air Jordan Future is also included in the tallest Nike shoe list.
Overall, the Jordan Future is a very simple shoe but very stylish and versatile.
The silhouette of the Jordan Future can be dressed up and down along with shorts, jeans, and joggers. You can also wear it with or without socks for a relaxed look during summertime.
Nike LeBron 10
The Nike LeBron 10 adds about 1.22 inches (3.1 cm) of height brand new out of the box.
The signature LeBron shoe makes another appearance in the “best basketball shoes that make you taller” list. This time, it is the Nike LeBron 10. It adds about 1.22 inches of height.
In terms of cushioning, the LeBron 10 is incredible. The heel feels just like a regular Nike Air Max 360 unit but once you begin to run and jump you will see where the Zoom Air and Air Max combo starts to fit into place. It’s almost propelling in the forefoot and is just amazing.
Durability is not an issue with the Nike LeBron 10 because the upper is thick yet flexible. The shoe will last a long time and will endure the hard grind of the basketball court.
Nike LeBron 16
The Nike LeBron 16 adds about 1.22 inches (3.1 cm) of height brand new out of the box.
Yet another signature LeBron shoe that made the list, the Nike LeBron 16 is one of the tallest basketball shoes on the market. It adds about 1.22 inches of height to the wearer.
While the traction is pretty reliable on clean courts, it’s not as good on dusty courts. The cushioning, however, is the best part of the Nike LeBron 16. Almost all shoe reviewers declare the same thing: the cushioning feels super nice. It provides a well-balanced ride.
In terms of containment, Battleknit 2.0 is impressive. It is definitely an upgrade over its predecessor and it’s how a Flyknit should be – soft, flexible, strong, and supportive.
For basketball, the Nike LeBron 16 is an outstanding performance hoops shoe that is especially recommended for supremely explosive and powerful wing players, just like LeBron James.
Nike LeBron 15
The Nike LeBron 15 adds about 1.27 inches (3.22 cm) of height brand new out of the box.
The Nike LeBron 15 is a favorite among basketball fans. In fact, famous shoe reviewers almost unanimously call the Nike LeBron 15 the best LeBron signature shoe yet.
The biggest highlight of the Nike LeBron 15 is definitely the cushioning. Not only is it tall, but the bounce and feedback feel from the Zoom units are incredible. It’s close to cushioning perfection.
Combining Air Max and Zoom provides an insanely comfortable cushioning that adds up to 1.27 inches of height. It works extremely well for big guys that need a lot of impact protection.
The new premium Battleknit upper is very comfortable and provides excellent containment. One drawback to the shoe, however, the midsole and outsole lack a wide enough base that can really hurt the lateral stability and overall support of a basketball player.
Nike Air More Uptempo ‘96
The Nike Air More Uptempo adds about 1.7 inches (4.3 cm) of height brand new out of the box.
The Air More Uptempo is one of the most iconic Nike Basketball shoes ever, made famous by Scottie Pippen and George of the Jungle. Originally introduced in 1996, it is back for a 2020 retro.
Many basketball fans love the Nike Air More Uptempo because it is stylish enough for everyday use, yet durable enough for playing basketball on the hardwood or on the streets.
In fact, the shoe provides some of the best ankle support.
Boasting a sole height of 1 inch and heel height of 1.77 inches, the Nike Air More Uptempo can add about 1.7 inches of height. You can wear it every day to help you look taller because the material used in the upper does not crease easily even during aggressive movements.
Thanks to the Herringbone tread pattern, there is a considerable number of reviewers who say that the Nike Air More Uptempo grips the court well, providing support to their swift movements.
So, whether you want to rock a pair for basketball or casual wear, you know that the Nike Air More Uptempo will not only make you taller but will also help you play better.
Nike Foamposite
The Nike Foamposite adds about 1.8 inches (4.57 cm) of height brand new out of the box.
While it may not seem like it, the Nike Foamposite adds a substantial amount of height. It is very noticeable because the moment you put both feet inside the shoes, you will instantly feel taller.
The Nike Foamposite can add up to 1.8 inches of height brand new out of the box. This is due to the full-length Zoom with a double stack in the heel.
The foam’s sturdiness and protective traits are amazing. However, you can’t enjoy them for a while until they are broken in. Once the shoe begins to soften up, you can appreciate how comfortable a pair of Nike Foamposite can be. It just takes a lot longer than you would imagine.
After several years, the Nike Foamposite will not add as much height compared to when it was brand new. However, it is one of the longest-lasting basketball sneakers around. In fact, the shoe materials will probably outlive the glue holding everything together.
Air Jordan 11
The Air Jordan 11 adds about 2.4 inches (6 cm) of height brand new out of the box.
The tallest basketball shoes is the Nike Air Jordan 11. Boasting a sole height of 2 inches and a heel height of 2.4 inches, the Nike Air Jordan 11 can give you more than 2 inches of height.
It’s rare to find a pair of basketball shoes that add more than 2 inches of height, and the Air Jordan 11 is one of them. While the heel height is 2.4 inches high, it does depress slightly once you step on them. At most, the Air Jordan 11 will give you 2 inches of height. That’s a lot!
Not only is the Air Jordan 11 cool to wear off the court, but it is also a straight beast on the court as well. The shoes look good, feel good, and they allow you to play your best basketball.
FAQ on Basketball Shoe Height
Below, we listed some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding basketball shoes and their height. We will always add new answers so feel free to bookmark this page.
Do basketball shoes make you taller?
All basketball shoes make you taller by at least 0.5 inches because they are equipped with supportive cushioning. On average, basketball shoes make you taller by 0.5 to 2 inches.
How much height do basketball shoes add?
Basketball shoes usually add between 0.5 to 2 inches of height. For example, the Air Jordan 36 adds about 0.55 inches of height while the Air Jordan 11 adds about 2 inches of height.
Bottom Line
And there you have it, the complete list of the best basketball shoes that make you taller. The tallest basketball shoes will not only help you appear taller but can also improve your game.
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