The Best Basketball Shoes of 2023: 10 Top Pairs for Every Player

More than any other piece of sports gear, basketball shoes sit at the crossroads between fashion and function. No matter if you wear Jordans, KDs, or LeBrons, your kicks allow you to make a statement both on and off the court. But with so many options on the market, deciding which basketball shoes are best for you is tricky, and it’s easy to get crossed up.

Basketball Shoes: Key Features to Consider

While you can always stick to the signature shoe of your favorite NBA superstar, their style isn’t always the right fit for your game. To help you find the right pair of basketball shoes, it’s helpful to focus on a few key features.

Cushioning and Support

With running, jumping, and quick cuts all crucial parts of every play, basketball is brutal on your lower joints. That underscores the importance of finding a shoe with premium cushioning in both the heel and forefoot areas. The cushioning of a basketball shoe absorbs impact forces, protecting your feet and keeping them from getting overly fatigued during your game. Additionally, many basketball shoes feature carbon fiber plates in the midsole. These plates stiffen the shoes so they support your feet and create a firm base for launching into jumps or taking shots.

Grip

Nothing good comes from slipping on a basketball court. In the best case scenario, a slip results in a blown play, while the worst case can result in a debilitating injury. To avoid slips, look for shoes that have durable rubber outsoles with multidirectional traction patterns. These outsoles will ensure you get reliable traction on the court—essential for quick movements and direction changes.

Low-Top vs. High-Top Basketball Shoes

Today’s game moves faster than ever, which is why low- and mid-top basketball shoes have come to dominate the market. Because they have less material on the upper and leave your ankles exposed, they weigh less than high-tops and promote enhanced speed and ankle movement. If you want maximum agility on the court, these are the shoes to go with.

The trade-off? Low- and mid-tops don’t support your ankles like high-tops do. High tops completely cover your ankles, reducing their mobility but supporting the joint from either side. For those who need or prefer the enhanced ankle stability, opt for high-tops.

To help you choose the best shoe for your game, we’ve rounded up 10 premiere shoes from top brands Nike, Adidas, Way of Wade, and more. See you on the court.

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The Best Basketball Shoes for Men 2023

Athletic Propulsion Labs’ Load N’ Launch spring-based technology lifted players to new heights when it was first introduced in the Concept 1 shoe, but it was subsequently banned by the NBA in 2010 for providing players with an “unfair competitive advantage.” Although pros can’t wear these shoes, for those of us not playing in the Association, the APL Concept X is a top choice.

Lebron’s 20th year in the NBA has been a memorable one, and while keeping up with the King has never been easy, his signature shoe is up for the task. Its low-cut design comes with a variety of features to add some pep to your step. The breathable knit mesh upper minimizes weight and maximizes airflow for a comfortable fit. In the midsole, a carbon fiber midfoot plate adds stability for a secure feel underfoot, while the Zoom Air units (essentially, air-filled cells embedded within the midsole) at the forefoot and heel act like shock absorbers and amp up the cushioning. The forefoot unit is engineered to bend and flex for a more responsive, natural cornering feel, and the heel unit is tuned for maximum impact absorption. The Lebron XX is a shoe fit for a king, and it offers the complete package for today’s fast-paced game.

Kevin Durant makes the game look deceptively easy, and his signature KD15 basketball shoes follow suit. These shoes aren’t overly flashy or packed with unnecessary features. Instead, they’re stripped down to deliver the essential qualities players need to hoop with confidence.

An ode to Michael Jordan’s historic career, the Jordan 6 Rings incorporates unique elements of each shoe he wore during his six title seasons. The result is a dynamic Air Jordan shoe that lets you show out both on and off the court.

A bold design that maximizes style and performance, the Adidas Harden Volume 7 demands attention on and off the court. The unique upper is inspired by a puffer jacket—not exactly what you’d expect to see on a basketball shoe, but “The Beard” isn’t one to shy away from a fashion-forward design. Underneath that striking upper, however, this shoe is all about performance. The midsole features a combo of Adidas’ durable and responsive Boost foam and its lightweight and bouncy Lightstrike foam for superior shock absorption and a propulsive feel. The outsole features multiple grooved patterns that are designed to give you lockdown traction in all directions—essential for quick movements on the court.

While the basketball shoe market is dominated by the signature shoes of star athletes, you don’t need a player’s name to make a good shoe. Case in point: The New Balance TWO WXY v3. A dual-density midsole creates a dynamic feel underfoot—FuelCell foam (the same stuff used in New Balance’s racing shoes) offers plenty of energy return for extra bounce in your step, and ABZORB cushioning at the heel and forefoot soaks up impact forces to keep your legs fresh. A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) shank in the midfoot adds lateral stability for sure footing on the court, while the lightweight molded textile upper creates a secure fit.

Paying homage to Dwayne Wade’s championship years with the Miami Heat, the Way of Wade 10 “White Hot” offers players an innovative design and excellent stability. Compared to a true high-top, the mid-top silhouette enables quick movements thanks to increased ankle mobility and reduced weight. But it still has plenty of stability: TPU panels along on the side of the upper and at the heel support your foot for a planted feel. In the midsole, an arched carbon fiber plate and a layer of midsole cushioning combine to offer excellent energy rebound, and a TPU overlay wraps around the outer edge of the midsole at the rear of the shoe for added support. The shoe is topped with a knit upper that’s lightweight and built for good breathability.

Just like the man who inspired the shoe, the Air Jordan 37 Low is all about taking flight. Two midsole Zoom Air units are stacked in the forefoot to create excellent responsiveness for quick starts, stops, and jumps, while the heel features Jordan’s signature lightweight foam for comfortable cushioning. The upper is a major highlight: It’s made with woven fabric reinforced with ribbons of TPU material (a design inspired by ankle taping) to keep your foot secure in the shoe and prevent injuries.

Although it looks like a high-top, Nike classifies this tall basketball shoe as a mid-top, and it’s designed to help increase your vertical. Like the Air Jordan XXXVII Low, this shoe features a “double stacked” Zoom Air setup, but with even more Zoom Air units in the midsole: A Zoom Air strobel board spans the length of the shoe right beneath the footbed, and it’s paired with smaller Zoom Air units at the forefoot and heel. The result? Maximum cushioning and responsiveness. The midsole also features a lightweight frame made from polyether block amide (also known as Pebax or PEBA) that compresses and springs back to its original shape to create even more energy return. The laces loop around Flywire cables on the sides of the upper; when tied, the cables wrap snugly around your foot to help anchor it within the shoe, even when you take flight. When you’re on the ground, the full rubber outsole delivers reliable traction, and a cutout under the arch keeps the shoe from feeling too stiff.

If you’re looking to make an instant statement when you step on the court, Klay Thompson’s signature shoe—the Anta KT8 - 2D—is the right shoe for you. Inspired by Thompson’s favorite comic books, the KT8 “Nijigen” features striking visuals, including an upper with bold colors, contrast stitching details, and graffiti-like design elements that reference the imaginative 2D world of anime. Beyond the aesthetics, the KT8s feature a synthetic leather and mesh upper for enhanced durability and breathability, and the foam midsole delivers excellent energy return.