Athletes are constantly looking to add a couple of extra inches to their vertical jump. Sometimes it’s so they can dunk like their favorite basketball player. Other times it’s for another sport like football where you have to catch difficult passes or soccer where you have to soar for a header. In almost all sports, having a solid vertical jump is crucial.
To boost your vertical jump, you’re going to put in hours on hours in the gym, there’s no getting around it. You’ll need the proper footwear for your training. While doing a combination of plyometrics, weight lifting, running, etc. you will need the right shoe(s). Having the right shoe in the gym reduces the chance of injury and increases training effectiveness. With that in mind, these are the Best Shoes for Jumping.
This list will not include gimmicky technologies like jump soles. They flat-out don’t work. Their marketing may say otherwise, but we (and others) have tested them extensively to arrive at that conclusion. There’s no shortcut to improving your jumping abilities. You have to put in consistent work to get the desired results.
At WearTesters, we test hundreds of sneakers each year. To put together this list, we found outstanding jumping performers that can offer what you need. We chose highly stable shoes with adequate impact protection that remain supportive throughout jumping exercises. Jumping is no easy task for one shoe, but we think you’ll enjoy our picks for the best shoes for jumping.
Categories are used below so you can easily find what’s important to you. If you know what you need, you can simply click the category link. If not, feel free to browse the whole list.
Updated: 07.09.2024
Best Shoes for Jumping Show
Best Shoes for Jumping 2024
GORUCK Ballistic Trainer
The GORUCK Ballistic Trainer’s upper uses a ballistic Cordura mesh which is soft and flexible. The Ballistic Trainer features Gradient Density EVA foam for the cushion, which means the shoe is more cushioned under the forefoot. That helps a ton when you’re repeatedly doing jumping exercises. The traction is also a highlight. The outsole uses three different rubbers. Remember, the GORUCK Ballistic Trainer fits longer than other training shoes, so make sure to go down half a size from your typical shoe size. Read the full review. Price: $125
Saucony Freedom Crossport
Saucony recently updated its Freedom line to lean into its strengths as a HIIT workout shoe. The Freedom Crossport will appeal to all Saucony fans because it brings the feel of a Saucony runner to the gym. Because the PWRRUN PB midsole is so bouncy and squishy, we don’t recommend it for heavy olympic lifts or balance exercises. Still, it excels at plyometrics, jumping work, and lateral drills. Basically perfect for a high-intensity class environment or someone who runs to and from the gym. Wide footers should go up half a size; otherwise, you’ll find a comfy upper. You will need to tighten the laces for lateral work but if you do, you’ll stay on the footbed. The Freedom Crossport is also great for wearing all day…which is not something you can say about most gym shoes. Read the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 4mm, Price $150
Puma PWR Nitro Squared
The Puma PWR Nitro Squared isn’t built for heavy lifting or CrossFit, but it’s built to handle anything your HIIT workout will throw at you including normal lifting. It’s comfortable and bouncy which makes it great for basketball training or any jumping exercises like plyometrics. Single leg exercises aren’t ideal but this shoe can actually handle large amounts of cardio, something you don’t see often in this category. See the full review. Price: $120
Nike Metcon Turbo 2
The Nike Metcon Turbo 2 has all the right pieces for jumping exercises. First, we’ll mention the cushion setup. The drop-in, full-length React midsole with a forefoot Zoom Air unit keeps your knees and joints protected against impact. Next is the stability aspect of the shoe. The base is wide, ensuring you land and lift off smoothly. Last but not least is the solid traction. You won’t slip while working on your vertical. Read the full review. Price: $120
Best Basketball Shoes for Jumping
Jordan 38
This year’s Jordan Flagship model is a beast and a big improvement on the Jordan 37. The 38 is lightweight and nimble, with tons of ventilation, a great no-nonsense traction setup (which in this colorway is etched into a translucent rubber sole), a springy X-shaped torsional plate, and a very well-balanced layered cushioning system. This cushioning system combines a Phylon midsole, a full-length Zoom Air Strobel, and a slab of Cushlon 3.0 nestled between the outsole and the midsole. The shoe retails for $200 which is steep but the Jordan 38 will be one of the best shoes of the year. Price: $200. Read the full review.
Nike GT Jump 2
It’s nice to see the changes Nike made in this shoe. They have taken everything that was great in the first model and tweaked it to make the GT Jump 2 that much better as a performance basketball shoe. It also makes the Nike GT Jump 2 a more accessible model for the majority of basketball players out there that need the added reactiveness and stability. Read the full review.
Anta KT 7
The Anta KT 7, Klay Thompson’s signature shoe, feels like the Nike LeBron 19 because the brand just threw every piece of tech in there. As far as Anta basketball shoes go, it’s the elite of the elite. The cushion is for sure the highlight of the sneaker. They describe it as nitrogen-infused foam. It does look like an ETPU, and it feels comfortable yet stable at the same time. You can also opt for the Anta KT 7 Low as it offers the same tech specs with more ankle mobility. If you’re doing a lot of jumping, the KT 7 line delivers the impact protection you’ll need. See the full review. Price: $150
Best Shoes for Jumping Rope
Best Responsive Shoes for Jumping Rope
GORUCK Ballistic Trainer
The GORUCK Ballistic Trainer has more cushion than most cross-training shoes, but it isn’t as cushioned as other shoes on this list. It offers decent impact protection but not like what Zoom Air or Cushlon offers. This performance sneaker offers a more stable ride when jumping rope. See the full review. Price: $125
Nike Metcon Turbo 2
The Nike Metcon Turbo 2 has all the right pieces for jumping rope exercises. First to mention is the cushion setup. The drop-in, full-length React midsole with a forefoot Zoom Air unit keeps your knees protected against impact. Next is the stability aspect of the shoe. The base is wide which makes sure you land and lift off at peace. Last but not the least is the traction. You won’t slip while working on your vertical in these. Read the full review. Price: $120
Best Cushioned Shoes for Jumping Rope
Puma PWR Nitro Squared
The Puma PWR Nitro Squared isn’t built for heavy lifting or CrossFit, but it’s built to handle impact. It’s comfortable and bouncy which makes it great for jumping rope. Your legs and joints will thank you for adding a huge amount of Nitro foam to the equation. See the full review. Price: $120
Reasons to buy: Bounce, comfort, accommodating fit
Reasons why not to buy: Stability on heavy lifts
Nike GT Hustle 2
The Nike GT Hustle 2 is the successor to, and an enormous improvement on the Nike GT Run and might just be one of the better performance models we see this year, but it’s definitely a niche basketball shoe. The very low-profile cushioning system, the minimal support features, and the traction could make the Nike GT Hustle 2 one of the best guard shoes of the year, but it might not be enough for bigger players with a more power-based playing style. The GT Hustle is a top-notch performance model, maybe just not for everyone. Read the full review. Price: $170
Thinking of a shoe we should add to the Best Shoes for Jumping list? We’d also like to hear your thoughts on this list and see your best weightlifting shoes list in the comments. Comment below or message us on Instagram or Twitter.
