10+ Best Basketball Shoes 2023. Expert-tested and Reviewed.

Best Basketball Shoes Overall

In this article, we will go over the best basketball shoes in several different categories, but to start everything off, we will go over the top 10 best basketball shoes overall. Whether you are playing indoors or outdoors, whether you are a shifty guard or an explosive forward, these basketball shoes will serve you well.

We have chosen these shoes because out of the hundreds of shoes we have tested this year, these offer a great blend of performance features that will accommodate most playing styles. Check it out.

The Best Basketball Shoe Overall in 2023

Honorable Mentions

Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes

If you play outdoors often, these shoes have the durability and cushioning to keep you going during long hours on the concrete or asphalt. If you want to know how to pick the best basketball shoes for outdoors, we also have an article that can help you out, and you can also check out our full list of the best outdoor basketball shoes, or watch our video breakdown of the best outdoor basketball shoes.

Best Budget Basketball Shoes

When we are talking about the best budget basketball shoes, we are talking about shoes that the brands have marketed as their cheaper option. There are usually some hidden gems among those models that will give you a ton of bang for your buck. You can check out the full list here, as well as our list of the top basketball shoe deals currently available.

Best Basketball Shoes for Wide Feet

There are not a ton of great options for wide-footers out there. With the explosion in popularity of online shopping wide footers might not get the chance, to try on sneakers in-store. But, have no fear, Weartesters is here to help you find the best shoe for you. Here you will find our top choice for the best basketball shoe for wide footers, and you can also check out our full list of wide-foot-friendly options here.

Best Traction Basketball Shoes

Traction is one of the most important features of a performance basketball shoe. It’s the foundation on which everything else is built. If excellent traction is your number 1 priority above any other feature, this is our top pick in regard to traction. Here you can see our full list of the best traction basketball shoes.

Best Basketball Shoes for Flat Feet

It is a big hassle to find good basketball shoes for people with flat feet. Close to 30% of the population is flat-footed, and finding proper footwear for flat-footed basketball players can be difficult. With this in mind, and after hundreds of hours and models tested, we have chosen the top basketball shoe for flat feet, and we have curated a full list of flat-foot-friendly options as well.

Best Basketball Shoes for Ankle Support

The main source of ankle support while playing basketball is provided by your ankle itself, and not necessarily from your shoes. If you are looking for a shoe to boost your confidence and get a little extra support, here is our top pick, and you can check our full list of the best basketball shoes for ankle support as well.

Best Low Top Basketball Shoes

Low-cut basketball shoes are some of the most popular styles of basketball shoes on the market. They feel sleeker and more agile than other styles and after Kobe Bryant re-popularized them back in 2008, hoopers can’t get enough of low-top basketball shoes. You can check our full list of the best low-top basketball shoes if you would like to as well.

Best High Top Basketball Shoes

Some people like low-top basketball shoes, some people like high-top basketball shoes, it all depends on your personal taste while on the court. If you are in the market for the best high-top basketball shoe currently on the market, this is our top pick and you can check out our full list of the best high-top basketball shoes available as well, for extra info and context.

Most Comfortable Basketball Shoes

Our choices for the most comfortable basketball shoes on the market will always have to excel in two key features: materials, and most importantly, cushion. This is our current top choice, but you can check out our full list here.

Best Basketball Shoes for Jumping

First off, no basketball shoe will help you jump higher. Any publication or company that alleges the opposite is lying. As simple as that. A basketball shoe can, however, help you jump faster and cushion the impact when you come back down. So, with that in mind, here is our top pick of the best basketball shoe for jumping, and you can also check out our full list here.

Best Value Basketball Shoes

Here is our top pick for the best “bang for your buck” option currently available on the market. You can check out the full list here.

Best Cheap Basketball Shoes

Here is our top pick for the best cheap basketball shoes currently available. Budget shoes are specific type of shoe that is designed to be more inexpensive, best-value shoes are great performers with an amazing price and cheap basketball shoes are simply the best kicks with the lowest price. You can check out the full list here.

Best Basketball Shoes by Brand

If you have a favorite brand, here you can check out our top picks from the top brands. We also have a list of the best basketball shoes by every brand that we have reviewed in the last year.

Best Basketball Shoes By Position

A good place to start when searching for the best basketball shoes for you is checking out shoes that were designed to cater to players who play the same position as you, or that cater to your playing style. Shoes designed for smaller quicker players will tend to put more emphasis on traction and court feel, whereas sneakers for bigger more powerful players will include as much cushion and support as possible.

With this in mind, here are our top picks by position. You can also check out our full lists for each to dive deeper:

• Best basketball shoes for point guards
• Best basketball shoes for shooting guards
• Best basketball shoes for small forwards
• Best basketball shoes for power forwards
• Best basketball shoes for centers

Best Basketball Shoes for Point Guards

Best Basketball Shoes for Shooting Guards

Best Basketball Shoes for Small Forwards

Best Basketball Shoes for Power Forwards

Best Basketball Shoes for Centers

Best Retro Basketball Shoe

Most Hyped Basketball Shoe

Best Basketball Shoe Insoles

How do we choose the best basketball shoes?

We utilize an in-depth methodology to test all of the shoes and equipment we test on this site. When it comes to basketball shoes, in particular, we test them on court for at least two weeks each. This gives us enough time to break in the shoe and thoroughly put them through their paces. We also always test the shoes both outdoors and indoors to test how they perform on different surfaces.

We concentrate on 5 main characteristics of the different models we test: traction (how the shoe grips the court), cushion (what level of impact protection the shoe provides), materials (quality of materials used), support (level of support you will experience in the shoe) and fit (how the shoe fits). These 5 features are analyzed on how they perform independently and how they perform together, which will give you a very good feel for how good the shoe really is.

Our goal is to offer the best and most unbiased information at all times to help our audience find the best basketball shoes for their particular needs and playing style.

Keep in mind that all of these best basketball shoes will accommodate any position or player as long as the shoe in question meets your specifications or requirements. Detailed information on each shoe is featured in its respective performance review. Performance reviews feature an in-depth look at each shoe’s pros and cons, price, technology, and other performance specifics.

What are the best basketball shoes?

The best basketball shoes will always be the ones that allow you to perform at your highest, but finding that pair of hoop shoes isn’t as easy as it may seem. Even if you’re a seasoned basketball player, you may not be sure what features are best suited for your playing style, and which of the many basketball shoes you could pick up actually have the features you need. 

You might prefer just to pick up the best basketball shoes from your favorite brand, but a shoe that caters to your playing style, physique, and foot shape really can enhance your performance on court and help prevent injuries. 

A great basketball shoe should be able to: 

• Grip the playing surface in a way that allows you to cut, change directions, and stop on a dime. 
• Provide a level of cushioning that protects your joints from the multiple impacts you will suffer while playing. Every time you land after a jump, you’re putting stress on your joints. On average a player jumps 50 times during a basketball game. Without the proper impact protection, your joints will feel it later. 
• The shoe’s upper should be comfortable but at the same time lock down your foot. If the materials are too soft, your foot will likely slide over the top of the midsole. Too tight and the shoe might be too painful to play in. 
• The shoe should also provide support and give you confidence in more explosive movements. A shoe’s support will come from a mix of several features, but the main source of support is your own ankle. 
• Lastly, you will want a shoe with durable materials worth the hefty price tag of many shoes nowadays, and that are ready to handle the court you play on, whether it be indoors or outdoors. 

What is the best basketball shoe of all time?

That’s a very difficult question to answer. The truth is that there isn’t just one “best basketball shoe” of all time, especially when we’re talking about performance basketball shoes. If we’re talking most iconic, you could probably argue it’s the Jordan 1 or maybe the Converse All-Star, but when we go into on-court performance, the conversation gets more nuanced.

To give as concise an answer as possible, we’ll go over some of the top performers of all time, keeping in mind that personal preference and playing style are huge variables to keep in mind:

Which sole materials are the best for basketball?

Outside of the different rubber compounds shoe brands use, which might too technical a differentiation, there are two main types of rubber used on basketball shoes: translucent and solid rubber.

As a general rule of thumb, solid rubber is a safer bet when it comes to traction, but that is not to say that there aren’t some really great translucent rubber options out there (ie: Jordan Luka 1). Solid rubber tends to bite the court better and offers the best performance.

Then there is the question of the hardness and durability of the rubber. This is especially important when you are trying to find a good basketball shoe for outdoor play. In this case, what you are looking for is a harder rubber compound with a deep and aggressive traction pattern. To this end, Nike’s XDR rubber is always a safe bet.

What’s a good weight for a basketball shoe?

To give a short easy answer: any weight is good for a basketball shoe.

It just depends on your preferences on the court. Heavier shoes are just slightly heavier, and don’t really affect performance in any way. Lighter shoes do not make you any faster or explosive on court. Weight differences between basketball shoes are miniscule and really give you any edge either way, its just a preference.

How many types of basketball shoes are there?

There are many different ways to categorize basketball shoes: by brand, by surface, by position, etc. But one differentiation that is common to any type of hoop shoe is the cut. Basketball shoes can be high cut, mid cut or low cut.

The differences between the three don’t really have any effect on the performance of the shoe, it is more of an aesthetic difference. Check out the full breakdown on Highs, Mids and Lows here.

What are the best basketball shoe brands?

It is very difficult, or maybe even impossible to pick one brand and designate it as the best for basketball. First off, that depends 100% on you and your needs on court. If you are a small shifty point guard, you would of course need a shoe that fits your needs regardless of the brand.

Then there is the issue of the time period we are talking about. In recent years, Puma has emerged as one of the most consistent producers of high quality performance basketball shoes. But they just re-entered the market in 2018. Historically, Nike might have the longest list of all-time performers, but maybe also the longest list of on-court duds.

So with this in mind, here is a list of the current top brands for basketball shoes (in no particular order:

• Puma
• Nike
• Jordan Brand
• Adidas
• New Balance
• Under Armour
• Anta
• Li-Ning / Way of Wade

How do I find a basketball shoe that fits my playing style?

No two basketball players are the same. Everything from a player’s height to their weight, to their build, their skill level, etc. are factors that will determine their playing style. And even players that seem very similar, can have different tastes in what they like from their footwear. Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving for example have vastly different signature shoes, but somewhat comparable styles on court.  

Smaller, more agile players will usually favor shoes that can accommodate their shiftier style of play. This means that they will need great traction, great support features, and reactive cushioning. The Curry line and the Kyrie line are good examples of this type of setup. 

For bigger, more powerful players, on the other hand, the main focus will probably be a plush cushioning system that will absorb a lot of impacts and a very supportive build. In this case, LeBron’s signature line is the best example available.

This of course is a general rule of thumb, and each player will have their individual tastes, but this is a good starting point to find the best basketball shoes for you. 

Indoor Basketball vs Outdoor Basketball 

This is the question of where you’ll use your shoes. If you play primarily indoors, durability won’t be a huge issue. But if you’re an outdoor hooper, that’s a different story. 

The best basketball shoes for outdoor basketball will need more durable materials along the upper, harder rubber on the outsole, more cushion to protect against the hard blacktop, and an appropriate traction pattern. We have a full guide on how to choose outdoor basketball shoes that you can check out. 

High-tops, Mid-tops, and Low-tops

Lastly, there is the question of the cut of the shoe. The issue of the cut of a basketball shoe is a bit of a myth. High tops and mids are perceived as offering more support for your ankles and will supposedly help you avoid ankle injuries. 

This is not true, however. Low-tops are as supportive as high-tops because the main source of support when playing basketball is actually your ankle itself. NBA players have been playing in low-top basketball shoes for decades, but Kobe Bryant was actually the player who most notoriously debunked this myth. 

But there is something to say about the placebo effect that mid-tops and high-tops can provide. Especially people who have already injured their ankles feel safer in mids and highs, and confidence is essential when stepping on the court. So, in this case, stick with what works for you. 

Finding the best fit for your basketball shoes

With the boom of online shopping, going into your local sneaker shop and trying on a pair of shoes is practically a thing of the past. If you aren’t going in and trying on your shoes, fit can be more of an issue than you might think. 

For starters, different brands fit differently. In particular, adidas is notoriously inconsistent with its sizing and is the most different fitting of any of the major brands. But even within more traditionally fitting brands, different lines within each brand might fit wider or more narrowly. 

Fortunately, at WearTesters we break down the fit of every shoe we review. And we actually wear and test every shoe we review. That’s not something a lot of other shoe review websites do.  

How much should a basketball shoe cost?

As much as you are willing to pay. You can find basketball shoes from under $50 all the way up to around $300 for retail. And there are good basketball shoes at any price point, and if you start sifting through basketball shoe deals, even more so. It is more a matter of what you are looking to spend.

But $100 is a good average price point where you will find a lot of really good basketball shoes. In that rage of $90 to $110, there are a lot of really good basketball shoes that are worth the money.

Also, at that price, you aren’t shelling out too much cash just for the marketing or hype around the shoe either. Making basketball shoes, believe it or not, is quite expensive, and $100 is a fair amount to spend on a pair.

How much room should be at the end of a basketball shoe?

This is another aspect of a basketball shoe that depends greatly on your personal taste in shoes. Performance-wise, a 1-to-1 fit is the best way to go. You want your hoop shoes to fit like a glove, this will give you the best support and lockdown on the court.

As far as how much room should be at the end of a basketball shoe, at most you want to leave a thumbs width of space at the end of your shoe. Any more, and you are giving your foot too much space to slide within your shoe.

How to break in a basketball shoe

Nowadays, performance basketball shoes are usually made using synthetic textile materials along the upper, which cuts down on break-in time dramatically. However, there are a few quick tips to break in your basketball shoes even quicker. 

Wear your hoop shoes casually 

Before taking your basketball shoes out on the court, you can wear them casually or around the house for a couple of days to get them formed to your foot. You can also wear them to the weight room for light exercise. After 2 or 3 days, you should be ready to take them to court. 

Wear your basketball shoes to practice 

Before you break out your new kicks during an official game, take them for a test drive in a more controlled environment. Use them for a shootaround. Or get a few practices in before game day.  

If you follow the above recommendations, your shoes should be nicely broken in and ready for action.