Finding your next pair of performance basketball shoes is tough!
Just in the last few years, Converse, New Balance, and a bunch of Chinese brands have entered an already crowded market dominated by Nike, Adidas, and Jordan Brand.
With so many brands to choose from, in our experience, picking the right shoes is tough!
On thehoopsgeek.com we collect and summarize professional sneaker reviews from Youtube channels and blogs to create an always up-to-date list of the most popular basketball shoes.
So far, we have watched or read 1514 reviews of 303 different shoes to create the most comprehensive performance basketball shoe database on the web.
We are also collecting ratings and reviews from users detailing their own experiences to create a user score, separate from the expert rating.
Below you can see the 33 best-reviewed basketball shoes currently on the market!
Overview of the 33 best basketball shoes:
- 8.9 rating based on 10 expert reviews
- The Nike LeBron 21 maintains its high level of performance while improving its support and stability.
- The Nike LeBron 21 is fit for all play styles because of the mix of traction, cushioning and support.
- 8.9 rating based on 4 expert reviews
- Following the footsteps of the original Puma MB.01, the low-top remains one of the top performance options on the market.
- Players who want an all-around performer with no weaknesses.
- 8.8 rating based on 5 expert reviews
- The Li-Ning Way of Wade All City 12 is a fantastic shoe with close-to-top-tier traction and cushioning.
- The Way of Wade All City 12 is best for guards or players who play fast and rely on court feel and responsiveness.
- 8.8 rating based on 8 expert reviews
- The Curry 10 makes slight improvements and continues to be a top-tier performer.
- Anyone that utilizes traction to maximize footwork
- 8.8 rating based on 11 expert reviews
- The Nike LeBron 20 excels with its bouncy cushion and solid traction, but it has something to offer every player.
- Quick and explosive players will enjoy this shoe the most.
- 8.7 rating based on 8 expert reviews
- The Adidas AE 1 is an incredible debut shoe with impressive cushioning and lockdown.
- The shoe is best for more powerful players who can utilize the bottom-heavy cushioning.
- 8.7 rating based on 5 expert reviews
- The Curry 11 remains a fantastic basketball shoe. The traction is excellent, and the cushioning provides more impact protection.
- The Under Armour Curry 11 is the perfect shoe for quick and shifty guards.
- 8.7 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- Nike's G.T. Jump 2 has one of the best cushioning setups.
- Any players who thrive with maximalist cushioning will love the Nike G.T. Jump 2.
- 8.7 rating based on 9 expert reviews
- The Harden Vol 7 feels quick because of the traction and cushioning setup.
- The perfect shoe for those with versatile playstyles.
- 8.7 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- The LeBron NXXT Gen has grippy traction and responsive cushioning.
- This shoe is a good pick for players who don't need maximum cushioning but still want Zoom.
- 8.7 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The TWO WXY V3 is one of New Balance's best basketball shoes because of its fit and traction.
- Shifty guards who rely on traction will love this shoe.
- 8.7 rating based on 4 expert reviews
- The Curry 4 FloTro continues the trend of outstanding traction and responsiveness in shoes that use a Flow midsole.
- The perfect shoe for players who rely on footwork and quick movements
- 8.6 rating based on 9 expert reviews
- The Adidas Harden Volume 8 is a fantastic performer with excellent traction on clean courts and comfortable cushioning.
- The Harden Vol 8 is best for players who use powerful footwork to create space.
- 8.6 rating based on 4 expert reviews
- The New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2 delivers comfortable cushioning with ample impact protection.
- Explosive players who emphasize a vertical play style will appreciate the New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2.
- 8.6 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The Air Jordan 38 takes a step forward with improved support. The traction and cushioning are also solid.
- This is a perfect shoe for players looking for maximalist containment.
- 8.5 rating based on 4 expert reviews
- The Air Jordan 38 Low provides all the performance of the 38 with a lower cut.
- All players can take advantage of the comfortable cushioning and reliable traction.
- 8.5 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- One of Puma's best basketball shoes. The traction is outstanding, and the cushioning is comfortable.
- Players looking for a versatile shoe that's not expensive will love the Puma All Pro Nitro.
- 8.5 rating based on 10 expert reviews
- The Nike Air Zoom G.T. Cut 2 continues to offer plenty of cushioning and solid overall performance.
- Shifty players who enjoy lots of cushioning
- 8.4 rating based on 3 expert reviews
- The Curry Spawn FloTro mixes excellent traction with responsive cushioning and a comfortable upper.
- This shoe is best for guards with fast play styles who benefit from the Flow traction.
- 8.4 rating based on 5 expert reviews
- The New Balance TWO WXY V4 is a fantastic all-around shoe with improved impact protection from the cushioning.
- This is the perfect pick for players seeking versatility in play style and court surface durability.
- 8.4 rating based on 9 expert reviews
- The Nike KD 16 is a versatile performer with comfortable, plush cushioning.
- The shoe has something for all positions. There are no outstanding weaknesses.
- 8.4 rating based on 4 expert reviews
- The Puma TRC Blaze Court offers strong traction and comfort at the expense of the materials.
- Guards with a quick playstyle
- 8.4 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The Nike Cosmic Unity 2s materials make the shoe an improvement from last year's model, but only slightly.
- Players that want cushioning but also want to feel low to the ground
- 8.3 rating based on 10 expert reviews
- The Nike Sabrina 1 is an excellent debut sneaker catering to low-to-the-ground players.
- The Nike Sabrina 1 is best for shifty guard-type players.
- 8.3 rating based on 9 expert reviews
- Luka Doncic's second shoe sees improvements to the lockdown and support.
- Guards and wings who make quick cuts and stepbacks will benefit the most from this shoe.
- 8.3 rating based on 5 expert reviews
- The Puma Stewie 2 is similar to the MB.02. The traction and cushioning are the best features.
- This shoe is best for players looking for a low-cut version of the MB.02.
- 8.3 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The Jordan 37 Low offers the same performance as the 37 for a lower price.
- A perfect selection for players who want bouncy cushioning in a low-top shoe.
- 8.3 rating based on 8 expert reviews
- The Air Jordan 37 is a top performer with bouncy forefoot cushioning and strong materials.
- Recommended for forefoot-heavy players looking for a bouncy setup
- 8.3 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- The Nike Zoom Freak 4 is a worthy upgrade in Giannis Antetokounmpo's line.
- Players looking for solid performance and springy cushioning on a budget will enjoy this shoe.
- 8.3 rating based on 9 expert reviews
- The Jordan Zion 2 is a supportive shoe with traction to boot.
- Recommended for players that rely on lateral cuts and movements.
- 8.3 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The excellent traction and light materials make for an excellent budget-friendly option.
- A great pick for players that rely on quick footwork.
- 8.2 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- Devin Booker's debut signature shoe features impressive traction and materials.
- The Nike Book 1 is better for lighter, shiftier players.
- 8.2 rating based on 5 expert reviews
- The Under Armour Flow FUTR X Elite provides stable cushioning and grippy traction with an innovative upper.
- This shoe is best for players who prefer a wider, more accommodating forefoot area during play.
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Picking your next pair of basketball shoes
Picking your next pair of basketball shoes can be difficult. Finding out about the latest releases, reading reviews, checking prices, and gettingthe right size - it often takes me days or even weeks to settle on a new pair.
Now, maybe I am just really picky when it comes to basketball sneakers, but there is a reason why!
Good basketball shoes are important because:
- They grip the floor and allow quick cuts and crossovers
- They provide impact protection and reduce the stress on your knees and feet
- They fit comfortably and lock down your feet tightly
- They provide support and protect your ankles from rolling
In short: Good basketball shoes will help you to get the most out of your game!
How to find basketball shoes that fit your playing style
The list above is a great way to find basketball shoes that perform well overall, but not every basketball shoe will work the same for different types of players. Quick guards will need different shoes than big and heavy centers.
But how do you know what kind of shoe you need? In the following paragraphs, I want to go into more detail and tell you what to look for to find your perfect fit!
Let's talk about the most important characteristics of basketball kicks and what you want to look for when you are in the market for a new pair:
Style of the silhouette
There are three different styles of basketball shoes out there: Low tops, mid tops, and high tops. Traditionally, basketball players used to play in high tops that completely covered the ankle of players, but nowadays, more and more players are wearing low-tops that look more like regular training shoes. Let's take a closer look at each style and their pros and cons:
Low Tops:
Low-cut shoes provide maximum flexibility and are often very lightweight. They are perfect for guards who want to feel light and quick on their feet and don't want to add unnecessary bulk. Bigger and slower guys don't profit as much from low tops and might look for the protection of higher cut shoes. Low-cuts were made most popular by the Kobe signature line:
Mid Tops:
Mid Tops are a hybrid between low- and high tops and provide a little bit of both worlds: Good flexibility and mobility, but also a decent amount of ankle protection and more stability. Perfect for forwards or wings who don't need all the flexibility of a low top, but also don't like the bulkiness of true high tops. An example of a mid top basketball shoes is the Kyrie 3:
High Tops:
This is the way basketball shoes used to look like for decades. High Tops provide a lot of ankle protection, support and are often nicely cushioned. Perfect for big guys who are looking for maximum protection when they are fighting below the rim and don't mind losing a little bit of flexibility in exchange for more safety. A popular example is the Lebron signature line:
Traction
If you plan to do explosive crossovers and quick cuts you need a shoe that provides excellent traction. Nothing is more annoying than slipping every time you try to change directions.
The amount of traction provided by a shoe relies on two factors: the traction pattern and the rubber compound used for the outsole.
Traction pattern:
A very popular traction pattern that is often used in basketball shoes is the "herringbone" pattern. Zig-zag lines of rubber provide grip in every direction and the empty space in between the rubber makes sure that dust doesn't stick to the surface of the sole.
Herringbone traction almost always works; unfortunately, other traction patterns are often hit or miss. Sometimes designers try to get too innovative or focus on storytelling, and you end up with a shoe that needs endless wiping or feels like playing on skates.
Herringbone Traction Pattern
Rubber Compound
The quality of the rubber compound is much harder to judge than the traction pattern. Softer rubber will often work better indoors but attract a lot of dust, hard rubber is a lot more durable but doesn't provide the same grip on pristine hardwood courts. As a rule of thumb, if you have the option between colorways with translucent and solid outer soles, always go with the solid option. A solid rubber outer sole might not look as nice, but it often performs much better especially on dusty courts.
Cushion
The cushioning of a basketball shoe becomes more important the heavier you are. If you are a 5'6" guard who weighs 140 lbs, you won't need a lot of cushioning, and you will probably prefer the responsiveness and court feel of a firmer setup. But bigger and heavier guys put a lot of pressure on their joints and profit immensely from a softer and more forgiving cushioning.
There are countless cushioning technologies on the market, and every company has different styles for different use cases or budgets. The most popular tech is probably Nike Zoom Air cushioning which is made of tightly stretched tensile fibers in a pressurized “Air” unit embedded in the midsole. Other cushioning setups like Adidas Bounce, Nike Lunarlon, or UnderArmour MicroG are foam-based and provide impact protection by distributing impact forces more evenly.
Nike Zoom Air
Other than traction, cushioning really comes down to personal preference. If you are a quick and light guard, you want to look for a firm cushioning setup like Nike Lunarlon or Adidas Bounce. Cushioning that is too soft will only make you lose court feel and responsiveness.
However, if you are a bigger player or you have a history of knee problems, you will fare much better with a more comfortable cushioning like full-length Zoom Air or Adidas Boost.
Support
If you think of supportive basketball shoes, you probably imagine a bulky high top with a lot of straps and laces. Fortunately, modern basketball shoes have found other ways to provides athletes with the necessary safety and stability. Just look at the shoes which are worn in the NBA today - a lot of players wear low tops that were unimaginable only 20 years ago.
A common support feature used in almost every modern basketball shoe is the outrigger. Usually placed on the lateral side of the shoe, this extension of the outer sole makes the base of the shoe wider and provides a stable platform that protects your feet from rolling.
Other often-used support features are midfoot shanks that provide torsional support and heel counters that lock you into the shoe. But one of the most significant support factors is the fit and lockdown of a shoe. All the support features in the world will not help you if you are sliding side-to-side on every cut because your sneakers are just too wide.
Lateral Outrigger
If you are recovering from an ankle injury and need even more support around the ankle, you should look into getting an additional ankle brace.
Fit
The fit is one of the most important things to consider when buying new shoes. You want to be firmly locked in and not sliding left-to-right or front-to-back at all. If you can, it's always a good idea to try on shoes in a store. If that's not an option, I like to get shoes in two different sizes, keep the better fitting pair and use the return policy for the other one.
If shoes are a little tight in the beginning that's okay, they usually widen and become more comfortable as you break them in. If you are unsure which size to get, or you have unusually wide or narrow feet and you are looking for a particular fit, then check out this list of shoes. You can filter shoes to only include narrow-, or wide-fitting shoes, and find out which model runs large or small by reading the more detailed review.
Material
There is a wide variety of upper materials used in basketball shoes these days ranging from traditional nubuck leather to synthetic mesh or high-tech textile materials like Adidas PrimeKnit or Nike Flyknit.
Cheaper materials like Mesh or other synthetic uppers often start out rather stiff and need a little time to break-in. High-tech materials are often reserved for more expensive signature lines like Air Jordan's or Kobes and are really soft and comfortable from the beginning.
Aside from aesthetics and comfort, modern materials used in basketball shoes all do a very nice job and don't differ too much when it comes to performance. Just pick whatever material you personally prefer and can afford.
Take a quiz to find your perfect pair of basketball shoes
If you are a little overwhelmed by all the things you need to consider, then you might be interested in a simple quiz I developed. You answer a set of simple questions about which type of player you are, whether you plan to play outdoors etc. and the quiz will automatically recommend the best-rated shoe that fits all your criteria. This way you can find a good basketball shoe within minutes instead of browsing the web for hours!
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