Finding the perfect pair of basketball shoes can be challenging, especially with the influx of new brands like Crossover culture, Puma, New Balance, and various Chinese brands competing with giants like Nike, Adidas, and Jordan Brand. With so many options available, how do you make the right choice for your game?
Here, we have compiled a list of the top 20 Best Basketball Shoes of 2022 and 2023:
2. Nike KD 15
4. Puma Clyde All-Pro
5. Puma MB.01 Lo
6. Under Armour Curry 9
7. Nike KD 14
8. Under Armour Curry 8
9. Nike Cosmic Unity 2
10. Li-Ning Way of Wade 10
11. Nike Air Zoom GT Jump
12. Nike Air Zoom GT Cut
13. Nike Kyrie 7
14. New Balance TWO WXY V2
15. Nike Kyrie 8
16. Nike Lebron 18 Low
17. Li-Ning Way of Wade, 9 Infinity
Check out detailed reviews for each pair.
1. Air Jordan 36 Low – best basketball shoes
Rating: 9.2 based on 4 peer reviews
Check out Best Basketball Shoes for Ankle Support-2023
2. Nike KD 15 – Coolest basketball shoes
Rating: 9.1 based on 8 peer reviews
The Nike KD 15 is a versatile shoe suitable for all types of players. It excels in grip and cushioning, providing a unique combination of court feel, responsiveness, rebound, and impact protection. The shoe’s fit has improved, accommodating different foot shapes. [Product link on Amazon]
Rating: 9.1 based on 8 peer reviews
The Air Jordan 36 continues the tradition of high-performing Jordan signature shoes. It boasts exceptional surface grip, comfortable cushioning, and a lightweight design without compromising on support or durability. [Product link on Nike.com] [Product link on Amazon]
Rating: 9.1 based on 4 peer reviews
The Puma Clyde All-Pro is a standout performer, loved by players in any position.
It offers first-class grip, excellent materials, and a comfortable fit that hugs the foot well. It provides reliable support and stability, making it a fantastic all-rounder for basketball. [Link to the product]
5. Puma MB.01 Lo – Basketball shoes
Rating: 8.9 based on 4 peer reviews
The Puma MB.01 Lo, a low-top version of the original MB.01, continues to impress with aggressive grip and balanced cushioning. While the fit may be narrow, the materials provide comfort and support, making it a versatile option on the market. [Link to the product]
6. Under Armour Curry 9 – best basketball shoes
Rating: 8.9 based on 7 peer reviews
The Curry 9 builds on the success of its predecessor, offering fantastic grip, cushioning, and support. It excels in court feel and responsiveness, making it a favorite among players who rely on traction and court feel. [Product Amazon]
7. Nike KD 14 Best looking basketball shoes
Rating: 8.9 based on 8 peer reviews
The Nike KD 14 is an excellent all-around model without any glaring weaknesses. It offers soft and comfortable cushioning, along with a secure fit and support. The KD14 is a slight improvement over its predecessor and justifies its price tag. [Product link on Amazon]
8. Under Armour Curry 8- best basketball shoes
Rating: 8.9 based on 5 peer reviews
The Curry “Flow” 8 is a standout shoe from Under Armour. It boasts excellent grip, comfortable cushioning, and a supportive fit. The materials are breathable, and the shoe delivers a great on-court experience for players of all positions. [Link to the product]
9. Nike Cosmic Unity 2 – Coolest basketball shoes
Rating: 8.8 based on 5 peer reviews
The Nike Cosmic Unity 2 uses sustainable materials and delivers a stable and balanced shoe with excellent cushioning. It provides a good combination of impact protection and court feel, making it a solid performer on the court. [Link to the product]
10. Li-Ning Way of Wade 10
Rating: 8.8 based on 4 peer reviews
The Li-Ning Way of Wade 10 offers incredible resilience, resilient cushioning, and impressive grip. While the materials are lightweight and comfortable, they could be improved considering the shoe’s price. Nevertheless, it’s a great basketball shoe, loved by players who seek a bouncy feel. [Link to the product]
11. Nike Air Zoom GT Jump
Rating: 8.8 based on 8 peer reviews
The Nike GT Jump combines various technologies to deliver outstanding performance. It offers excellent grip on different surfaces, and the Zoom Strobel cushioning provides a responsive ride. The shoes’ materials are breathable and provide a secure fit. [Link to the product]
12. Nike Air Zoom GT Cut
Rating: 8.8 based on 8 peer reviews
The Nike Air Zoom GT Cut is a low-profile shoe packed with the latest Nike technology. It provides excellent traction and responsive cushioning, making it suitable for fast-paced players who prefer a minimalist design. [Link to the product]
13. Nike Kyrie 7 Best Basketball Shoe
Rating: 8.6 based on 5 peer reviews
The Nike Kyrie 7 is an upgrade over its predecessor, delivering reliable traction and good cushioning. It offers a comfortable fit, and the Zoom Turbo sockliner enhances court feel and responsiveness. It’s an excellent choice for players who rely on their quick footwork. [Link to the product]
14. New Balance TWO WXY V2
Rating: 8.5 based on 5 peer reviews
The New Balance TWO WXY V2 stands out for its outstanding surface grip and cushioning. It’s a great option for players looking to sacrifice some cushioning for other essential features. [Link to the product]
15. Nike Kyrie 8: best basketball shoes
Rating: 8.5 based on 7 peer reviews
The Nike Kyrie 8 is a welcome improvement to the Kyrie lineup, offering excellent surface grip and impressive forefoot Zoom Strobel cushioning. The materials are comfortable and supportive, making them suitable for various playing styles. [Link to the product]
16. Nike Lebron 18 Low: Best Basketball Shoes
Rating: 8.5 based on 3 peer reviews
The Lebron 18 Low boasts superior cushioning and good traction. While the shoe’s materials and fit are generally comfortable, some reviewers noted issues with lateral stability. It’s a solid option for bigger players seeking robust impact protection. [Link to the product]
17. Li-Ning Way of Wade, 9 Infinity
Rating: 8.5 based on 3 peer reviews
The Li-Ning Way of Wade 9 Infinity offers good traction and great bounce. It provides good support and is suitable for players who rely on their speed. The shoe’s Boa system helps ensure a secure fit. [Link to the product] Here is a review of Li-Ning Way of Wade 9
Why Good basketball shoes are very important:
- They grip the floor and provide quick tackles
and transitions. - They provide impact protection and reduce
stress on the knees and feet. - They fit comfortably and hold the foot
tightly. - They provide support and protect the ankles
from rolling.
In short: good basketball shoes will help you
get the most out of your game!
How to choose the right basketball shoes for
your style of play
The list above is a great way to find
basketball shoes that will perform well in general, but not every basketball
shoe will be
But how do you know which shoes you need?
The same for every type of player. Fast guards fit one set of
characteristics, while big, heavy centers fit another. Let’s talk about the most important features
of basketball shoes and what to look out for when you’re shopping for a new
pair.
Features of Basketball Shoes
Silhouette style
There are three different styles of
basketball shoes: Low Tops, Mid Tops, and High Tops. Traditionally, basketball players
played in high-top sneakers that completely covered the players’ ankles, but
nowadays, more and more players are wearing low-top sneakers that look more
like regular training shoes. Let’s take a closer look at each style, their pros
and cons.
Low sneakers:
Low top shoes provide maximum flexibility and
are often very light. They are perfect for defenders who want to feel light and
fast on their feet and don’t want extra bulk. Bigger, slower players don’t
benefit as much from a low top and may seek protection in higher-cut shoes. The
most popular low sneakers received thanks to Kobe’s signature line:
Middle top:
Mid Tops is a hybrid between low and high
tops, giving you the benefits of both: good flexibility and mobility, as well
as decent ankle protection and more stability. It’s ideal for strikers or
wingers who don’t want the flexibility of a low top but don’t like the bulk of
a high top. An example of a mid-top basketball shoe is the Kyrie 3:
High top sneakers:
This is what basketball shoes have looked
like for decades. High top basketball shoes provide solid ankle protection,
support, and often have good cushioning. Ideal for big players who are looking
for maximum protection when fighting under the rim and don’t mind losing a bit
of flex in exchange for more safety. A popular example is Lebron’s signature
line: High top sneakers
Surface grip
If you’re planning on doing sharp transitions
and fast lunges, you need a shoe that provides great traction. There is nothing
more frustrating than slipping every time you try to change direction.
Grip with the surface depends on two factors:
the pattern of the sole and the rubber compound from which the sole is made.
Clutch pattern:
A very popular clutch pattern that is often
used in basketball shoes is the herringbone pattern. The rubber’s zigzag lines
provide traction in all directions, while the empty space between them ensures
dust doesn’t stick to the sole’s surface.
The herringbone clutch almost always works;
unfortunately, other clutch patterns often fail. Sometimes designers try to
innovate too much or focus on the story, and you end up with shoes that need to
be wiped endlessly or look like ice skating.
Rubber compound
The quality of the rubber compound is much
more difficult to evaluate than the clutch pattern. Soft rubber often performs
better indoors but attracts a lot of dust, hard rubber is much more durable but
doesn’t provide the same grip on pristine hardwood courts. As a rule of thumb,
if you have a choice between translucent and solid soles, always choose solid.
A solid rubber outsole may not look as pretty, but it often works much better,
especially on dusty courts.
Depreciation
Basketball shoe cushioning becomes more
important the heavier you are.
If you’re a 5’6” guard at 140 pounds, you don’t
need much cushioning and you’ll probably prefer the responsiveness and court
feel of a stiffer construction. But bigger, heavier players put more strain on
their joints and benefit immensely from softer, more responsive cushioning.
There are countless cushioning technologies
on the market, and each company has its own styles for different use cases or
budgets. The most popular technology is probably the Nike Zoom Air cushioning,
which consists of taut stretch fibers that are pressurized in an “Air” unit
built into the mid sole.
Other types of cushioning, such as the Adidas Bounce,
Nike Lunarlon or Under Armour Micro G, are foam-based and provide impact
protection by distributing the force of impact more evenly.
Aside from traction, cushioning comes down to
personal preference. If you are a fast and light defender, you should look into
firm cushioning like Nike Lunarlon or Adidas Bounce. Cushioning too soft will
only result in a loss of court feel and responsiveness
However, if you’re a big player or have knee
issues, then more comfortable cushioning like the full-length Zoom Air or
Adidas Boost may be more suitable.
Support
If you’re thinking of a supportive basketball
shoe, you’re most likely thinking of a bulky high top with lots of straps and
laces. Fortunately, modern basketball shoes have found other ways to provide
athletes with the safety and stability they need. Just look at the shoes NBAplayers are wearing today – many of them are wearing low top sneakers that were
unimaginable just 20 years ago.
A common support element used in almost every
modern basketball shoe is the heel counter. Usually located on the side of the
shoe, this out sole extension makes the base of the shoe wider and provides a
stable platform that protects the foot from rolling.
Other commonly used support elements are
mid foot shank to provide support while torsional and heel cups to lock the foot
in the shoe. But one of the most important support factors is the fit and
lock down of the shoe. All the support features in the world won’t help you if
you slide from side to side with every step because your shoes are too wide.
If you are recovering from an ankle injury
and need even more support around your ankle, you should purchase an additional
ankle brace.
Landing
Fit is one of the most important things to
consider when shopping for new shoes. You want your shoes to be secure and not
slip left or right or back and forth. If possible, it’s always a good idea to
try on shoes in a store.
If this is not possible, it is better to buy shoes in
two different sizes, keep the pair that fits better, and use the return policy
for the other.
If the shoes are a little tight at first,
it’s okay, they usually expand and become more comfortable as you get used to
them.
Material
Basketball shoes use a wide range of upper
materials these days, from traditional nubuck leather to synthetic mesh or
high-tech textile materials such as Adidas PrimeKnit or Nike Flyknit.
Cheaper materials such as mesh or other
synthetic uppers are often quite stiff and take some getting used to. High-tech
materials are often used in more expensive branded lines like the Air Jordan or
Kobes and are soft and comfortable right from the start.
Aside from aesthetics and comfort, all the
modern materials used in basketball shoes are good, and not too different when
it comes to performance. Just choose the material that you like best and that
you can afford.
We also recommend that you check out our
selection of best outdoor basketball shoes .
