The point guard is possibly one of the busiest members of a basketball team. Mainly responsible for directing a team’s offense, these players need to make sure they bring their best performance to the court for each game if they want to lead their team to a victory. So aside from bringing their A-game, it’s equally necessary to wear the right gear.
If you’re a point guard looking for your next footwear investment, I might have the right pair for you. After extensive research, the Nike Hypershift Basketball Shoes prove to be the top performer for those who want to improve mobility around the court. The shoes provide explosive traction, outstanding support, and all-around comfort to bump up any point guard’s performance.
Of course, during my search, I was able to come across quite a few other suitable footwear choices which I’ll talk about later on. But for now, I want to tell you all the reasons why the Hypershift just won the top spot on my list.
Adaptive Lacing System Optimizes Fit and Support
Probably the most impressive thing I found on the Hypershift is its adaptive lacing system. The laces thread through Flywire loops that attach to extended outsole panels on either side of the shoe. So by simply tightening the laces, you can achieve a secure lockdown that keeps your feet in place from all angles.
The top loops of the Flywire stretch out to the back of the heel. These two cables tighten as well when the laces are adjusted, pushing the heel cup closer to the feet to prevent the heel from slipping inside the shoe. The tensile forces from the cables apply just the right amount of compression all around the foot, making way for one of the most intuitive fit and support systems I’ve seen in any basketball shoe.
Soft and Flexible for Long Lasting Comfort
Combining the mesh and neoprene, the uppers are exceptionally soft and pliable. In a lot of ways, the shoe feels like a really sturdy sock once you slip it on, which I personally love. Of course, lots of players would complain that something this soft probably doesn’t have any backbone to it, thus risking injury. But because of the Hypershift’s smart lacing system, the flexibility of the upper material becomes totally safe and stable.
Another thing I enjoyed about the Hypershift is the fact that it’s one of the most breathable basketball shoes I’ve seen to date. The materials are lightweight, allowing a substantial amount of airflow to prevent the overproduction of sweat. The linings are also specially designed to wick away excess moisture so as to maintain a comfortable dryness for extended periods of use.
Because of this, it’s not hard to see why the Hypershift requires a zero break-in period. The shoes are exceptionally soft, flexible, and permissive straight out of the box. So you can enjoy premium comfort without the need to acclimate to the design.
Explosive Traction Thanks to an Adaptive Outsole
On most Nike basketball shoes, you’ll find crazy outsole designs that look just as complicated as they work. But with the Hypershift, that all changes. Across the entire surface of the outsole, you’ll find evenly spaced, equally sized nubs that flex, move, and bend according to the movements of your feet. This allows minute changes in their sizes and the spaces between them as you step and move.
Once your foot falls flat against the ground, the nubs return to their original configuration. By allowing the nubs to move apart during motion, they create small pockets of suction between them as they close the gaps when they make contact with the ground.
Ultimately, what you get out of the design is intuitive traction that performs impressively on a variety of surfaces. The only issue I’ve found with the system is that the size of the nubs make them prone to wear and tear. This is especially true if you prefer playing on outdoor courts.
An Overall Top Performer with a Single Downside
When you consider all the angles, the Nike Hypershift really is an exceptional performer. The shoe comes well equipped with all the features you might look for to help you make the most of every minute you spend in the court. But as I’ve said time and time again – there is no such thing as a perfect shoe.
The one and only downside I discovered with the Hypershift is cushioning. The responsiveness of the entire design relies on a single rectangular Zoom Air unit located through the mid and forefoot. Other than that, the design doesn’t really offer anything else to help boost rebound.
Sure, the Zoom Air unit does its job. All in all, I can’t really say that the Hypershift completely lacks responsiveness. There’s definitely a little bounce there that makes it just okay. But when you compare it to choices like the Air Max Audacity, it’s really difficult to ignore the lack of response.
Despite that, I still believe the Hypershift makes a great pick for point guards, but mainly for low to the ground players who enjoy substantial court feel. For high flying guards though, the Hypershift might feel a little substandard compared to other shoes you might have tried in the past.
Pros of the Nike Hypershift Basketball Shoes
- Intuitive lacing system allows perfect fit and superb lockdown.
- Ultra-breathable and lightweight uppers make the shoes feel really easy on the feet.
- Traction that’s simple and smart. Does away with all the complicated patterns in favor of a practical design that actually works.
- Durable construction despite being relatively soft and pliable.
- An overall impressive performer, allowing guards to stay light on their feet for impressive outcomes on the court.
Cons of the Nike Hypershift
- Lacks cushioning to optimize responsiveness, especially in the heel area.
- Comes at a pretty steep cost.
Honorable Mentions
It was hard to find other basketball shoes that did as well as the Hypershift. But there were a few other designs that easily stood out when compared to most other shoes that I came across. If for some reason the Hypershift fell short of your preferences, then maybe these honorable mentions could be a better choice for you.
Adidas Performance Crazy Explosive Primeknit Basketball Shoe
Most point guards prefer low cut shoes because they allow more freedom to move. Unfortunately, shoes that lack the right ankle support can also risk injury, especially because point guards tend to be the most active players on the court.
The reason why I couldn’t pass up the chance to mention the Adidas Performance Crazy Explosive Primeknit Basketball Shoe is because it perfectly marries these two features. The high cut shoe uses tight-fitting Primeknit uppers that fit around the foot like a sturdy sock. This means the shoe won’t restrict movement, but will still have enough structure to prevent injury.
Some other features of the Crazy Explosive Primeknit shoe that I really appreciate include its Boost cushioning system, anatomical lacing that reduces pressure, and ultra-lightweight construction that makes them really easy to move around in. Probably the only thing that kept me from ranking this shoe any higher was durability. Because it doesn’t use a lot of rigid materials, it might give in to wear and tear a little more noticeably compared to the Hypershift.
Pros of the Adidas Performance Crazy Explosive Primeknit Basketball Shoe
- Lightweight construction
- Breathable material
- Sock-like silhouette helps achieve the perfect marriage of support and flexibility
- Smart lacing system reduces pressure on vulnerable areas of the feet.
- Boost cushion is very responsive, making the shoe ideal for high flying players.
What’s Not So Hot
- The entire construction lacks durability.
- Comes with at a relatively steep cost.
Nike Versitile Basketball Shoe
If you’re looking for a solid, sturdy, well-structured shoe to help you achieve a more confident step on the court, then the Nike Versitile Basketball Shoe is one that I can definitely recommend. The design uses a porous mesh material for its uppers, providing significant breathability despite its rigid construction.
Built into the heel compartment, a responsive Air-Sole unit helps improve bounce to support your landings and conserve energy with each step. Towards the front of the uppers, two Flywire cables connect to the lacing system, making it possible for users to achieve the optimal fit to keep the feet locked down, especially inside the toe box.
Sturdy, efficient, and intuitive, the Versitile is a mid-range basketball shoe that really just gets the job done. My only issue with the design is its insoles which seem to lack the right pliability for ideal comfort.
Pros of the Nike Versatile Basketball Shoe
- Sturdy construction makes you feel more confident in your step.
- Responsive Air-Sole unit gives you greater bounce.
- Flywire cables built into the lacing system improve lockdown.
- Simple, straightforward tread pattern gives stubborn grip on both indoor and outdoor surfaces.
Some Downsides
- Not the most comfortable shoe there is.
The Bottom Line
There’s a lot to love about the Nike Hypershift Basketball shoe. Taking all of its features into consideration, it’s not hard to see that it was designed for ground hugging point guards who like to move around the court with precision and speed. That’s why I can highly recommend the design as the ultimate choice for point guards.
If my top pick didn’t tickle your fancy though, there are two others I can confidently suggest. The Adidas Performance Crazy Explosve Primeknit and the Nike Versitile Baskebtall Shoes are both impressive on the court, helping you bump up your performance with their smart and stylish design.