What are the best shoes for jumping exercises?
Jumping exercises are a great way to work on your overall fitness. But if you’re going to be doing a lot of jumping, it’s important to make sure your shoes are up to the task. The wrong pair of shoes can be uncomfortable, unsafe, and even lead to injury.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best shoes for jumping exercises so that you can get in shape without hurting yourself or wasting your time with a bad pair of shoes.
Best Shoes For Jumping Exercises
10+ Best Shoes for Jumping
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.
Best Shoes for Jumping
Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3
The Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3 is highly versatile. Few training shoes can do as much as this one does. For how the Nike SuperRep 3 performs, the retail price of $120 is a bargain. You might be skeptical at first as it’s an odd-looking shoe, but once you put the shoe through its paces, it won’t disappoint, and you’ll be able to focus on setting personal records. The Zoom Air pods up front provide excellent impact protection and stability while jumping. Price: $120
8.5/10
Total Score
Buy Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3
Under Armour HOVR Rise 4
The Under Armour HOVR Rise 4 packs HOVR foam in the midsole. It does an excellent job of combining comfort and stability. Your legs won’t feel horrible after plyometrics or other jumping exercises. The stability’s great for when you’re working on squats and deadlifts. The outsole is durable and grippy on all surfaces, indoors and outdoors, so you won’t get slippage when working on quick feet drills or trying to hit a new box jump PR. The Rise 4 is a versatile shoe that shines when you’ve got to get off the ground. Price: $110
8.5/10
Total Score
Buy Under Armour HOVR Rise 4
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. . Price: $125
9.5/10
Total Score
Buy GORUCK Ballistic Trainer
Under Armour HOVR Apex 2
If you need a shoe that can go from the weights to box jumps to lateral drills to turf training, the UA HOVR Apex 2 is a solid do-everything shoe. The Apex 2 can even handle an outdoor basketball game or two. That’s just how versatile this shoe is. It can handle your jumping workouts and training with no issues Price: $120
9/10
Total Score
Buy Under Armour HOVR Apex 2
Nike Metcon 7
The Nike Metcon 7 is excellent for weightlifting and various exercises in the gym. The Metcon 7 has become a staple for gym-goers over the years, and with good reason. It’s an almost perfect shoe for weightlifting. The Nike Metcon 7 provides a stable base and a flexible forefoot. Lifting PR levels of weight is very doable in the Nike Metcon 7. With that slab of Nike React, you get a bit more impact protection in the forefoot which helps when adding plyometrics to your weightlifting routine. Price: $130
7/10
Total Score
Buy Nike Metcon 7
Reebok Nano X1
The Reebok Nano X1 is technically a CrossFit shoe, which means that it’s designed to handle a wide variety of different moves. Reebok used their split-finger outsole on the Nano X1. Consider it Reebok’s attempt at giving a traditional training shoe the mobility of a five-toe shoe.
The Nano X1 outsole is split in the forefoot enough to allow each toe area to grip the floor independently. The Nano X1 is an excellent shoe for the gym. Both cushion and traction are solid and can handle light jump exercises Price: $130
9.1/10
Total Score
Buy Reebok Nano X1
Best Basketball Shoes for Jumping
Air Jordan 36
The Air Jordan 36 is Jordan Brand‘s flagship performance shoe and thus receives the best tech. That makes it the most jump-friendly option from the brand. Although the midsole is basic Phylon, there is a full-length Zoom Air Strobel unit that you can feel right away, plus an additional Zoom Air unit in the forefoot. It’s the same setup as the Nike KD 13. We’re not complaining as far as comfort goes. Plus, the upper is breathable and soft. Read the full review. Price: $185
9.3/10
Total Score
Buy Air Jordan 36
Nike Air Zoom GT Jump
The Nike Air Zoom GT Jump features the bounciest cushion, perhaps of all time. The shoe features two large volume Zoom Air units in the heel and forefoot, a Cushlon midsole, and a full-length Zoom Air Strobel on top. That’s just an INSANE amount of cushion. To top it off, it features a synthetic upper that requires no break-in time and is breathable and lightweight. The shoe is probably better suited for larger players that need a lot of cushion or anyone who lands heavily when returning to the ground during various jumping drills. Read the full review. Price: $180
9/10
Total Score
Buy Nike Air Zoom GT Jump
Nike KD 15
The Nike KD 15 is, without a doubt, an excellent shoe for jumping. Although we already know that mesh and other textile materials move well with the foot, there’s more to it. The Cushlon foam midsole, in conjunction with the full-length Zoom Air Strobel unit, is where this shoe delivers a considerable value. It provides impact protection and bounce that work well for even the longest jumping sessions Price: $150
9.5/10
Total Score
Buy Nike KD 15
Jordan Why Not .5
The Jordan Why Not .5 brings what we’ve come to expect from the Russell Westbrook signature series. We get a forefoot Zoom unit with a lightweight Phylon midsole for cushioning purposes. The materials are a mixture of textile ripstop and synthetic overlays. It’s not entirely different from the fourth edition, but that also means it’s a very capable performance shoe and a good shoe for jumping workouts Price: $130
7.5/10
Total Score
Buy Jordan Why Not .5
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
9.5/10
Total Score
Best Shoes for Jumping Rope
Best Responsive Shoes for Jumping Rope
Nike Metcon 7
The Nike Metcon 7 may not have the thickest slab of Nike React, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad option for jumping rope. Some people prefer ground feel to being high off the ground. This is what the Nike Metcon 7 offers, plus a lot more. If you’re looking for a shoe to lift in and do some jumping rope sets, the Metcon 7 gets the job done. Price: $130
7/10
Total Score
Buy Nike Metcon 7
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. Price: $125
9.5/10
Total Score
Buy GORUCK Ballistic Trainer
Nike Kyrie Low 5
The Nike Kyrie Low 5 is aesthetically very similar to the flagship Kyrie 8 / Infinity, but the shoe is quite different in performance features. The main difference is in the cushioning. The Kyrie 8 is way plusher, and the Kyrie Low 5 is more low profile and responsive. The Kyrie Low 5 is a great shoe for jumpers who love ground contact. It’s got Zoom in the forefoot but you’ll still be able to feel the ground beneath your feet Price: $110
8.5/10
Total Score
Buy Nike Kyrie Low 5
Best Cushioned Shoes for Jumping Rope
Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3
The NikeAir Zoom SuperRep 3 is one of, if not the, most cushioned cross-training available today. The foam midsole is softer than typical Cushlon and the Zoom Air pods at the front of the sneaker give impact protection like no other. You will sit high off the ground, so be wary if that’s not your preference. Your feet and legs won’t ever feel beaten up after doing numerous sets of jump rope in them. Price: $120
8.5/10
Total Score
Buy Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3
Nike PG 6
The Nike PG 6 has traction and cushioning as its most vital points, and support and fit are on point. The full-length, thick Nike React midsole is bouncy and comfortable. It’s a well-cushioned yet responsive platform for jumping rope. The one weakness is the shoe’s materials which are cheap but functional, they won’t affect your ability to jump rope. Price: $110
8.5/10
Total Score
Buy Nike PG 6
Nike Kyrie Infinity
The Nike Kyrie 8 (Infinity) is an excellent all-around performance model and the best shoe in Kyrie’s signature line alongside the Kyrie 6. The shoe offers a great blend of features, including a large volume forefoot Zoom Strobel unit and another standard unit in the heel. This means that even if you accidentally land on your heel, you have Zoom Air absorbing impact. On top of that, you get excellent lockdown and some premium materials along the upper. It’s a cushy ride but sits low enough to the ground to make jumping rope in it work well. See the full review. Price: $140
9.3/10
