Best Basketball Shoes for Concrete: Top Picks for 2025

Compared to the AJ13 Terracotta Warriors, I prefer the silhouette of these AJ14s. They have a stronger streamlined look, and the design of the shoe is more sleek and clean. I liked them the moment I put them on. The shoe offers a snug fit, and for casual wear, I skip lacing up the last two eyelets to make them easier to take on and off. The CLOT Terracotta Warriors design is very thoughtful and highly recognizable. The side panel design resembles both city walls and the armor of the Terracotta Warriors. The Chinese knot design on the heel is a bit cumbersome, but thankfully it's detachable, so I removed it to make the shoe look cleaner and to avoid losing it. The coin with the character "Qiao" is a nice touch, but it doesn't feel like real metal—it's the same material as the aglets, just with a metallic finish. There's a unique vent near the heel on the inside of the shoe, probably inspired by a sports car's exhaust pipe. It does improve the shoe's breathability, but in winter, it lets cold air in, making your feet feel colder. I'd say these are wearable down to around zero degrees. For this shoe, even though it's a collaboration like the AJ13 and doesn't have the same hype, I still prefer the AJ14 for its looks. However, the comfort is slightly worse than the AJ13, as it feels a bit stiffer. Overall, it's a well-designed collaboration shoe with cultural elements. With Edison Chen's return to Adidas, this might just be the last of its kind.lg...More

I've been wearing these shoes for a while now, and overall, they look great and offer excellent support. The sole is a bit stiffer compared to regular basketball shoes, so my feet tend to get sore after playing basketball for a long time. The "Chinese knot" design on the heel adds a festive touch, making them perfect for wearing during the New Year to showcase the holiday spirit. The sizing is the same as regular Nike shoes, and I find them quite durable and easy to pair with outfits. Personally, I think these look better than the AJ13 Terracotta Warriors, and they're not too heavy either. The shoes are packed with Terracotta Warrior-inspired details. The tongue is quite unique—the left one has "CLOT" printed on it, while the right one says "JORDAN." There are also dotted stitches near the top of the tongue, giving it a feel of the armor worn by the Terracotta Warriors. The tongue closure uses a dark brown rubber rod for support. The Chinese knot on the back makes a bit of noise when walking, which can be a bit awkward, but you can remove it if it bothers you. After a few days of wear, the knot got a bit misshapen due to my intense activities, but it can be reshaped by stretching it out. The suede material on the upper requires some care. If it gets wet, it might fade or harden, so it's best to avoid wearing them in the rain. For regular cleaning, just wipe off surface dirt with a dry cloth.lg...More