If you play basketball you are either a High top basketball shoes person or a low top person. It is that cut and dry. A lot of people think that high tops help prevent ankle injuries, which isn’t really true, but besides that, it is also a clear on-court aesthetic choice. High-tops are way less common nowadays in comparison to the 80’s and 90’s but there are still a good amount of high-collared options out there.
If you are into high tops, then you’ve come to the right spot. Here are the best high-top basketball shoes you can buy right now, and you can always check out our list of the best overall basketball shoes as well.
Last updated 12.19.2024
Best High Top Basketball Shoes Show
Best High Top Basketball Shoes Overall
Best High Top Basketball Shoe
Nike GT Jump 2
This is one of the best hoop shoes of the year, and its also a high top. It’s nice to see the changes Nike made in this shoe. They have taken everything that was great in the first model and tweaked it to make the GT Jump 2 that much better as a performance basketball shoe. It also makes the Nike GT Jump 2 a more accessible model for the majority of basketball players out there who need the added reactiveness and stability. Read the full review.
361 Joker 1
361 has been making some really great basketball shoes. The 361 BIG3 5.0 Quick Pro has a weird name but is a great basketball shoe, and Aaron Gordon’s AG 5 is one of the most tech-heavy and well-performing basketball shoes on the market. The Joker 1, simply put, is a great first signature shoe, and there are not many (or any) better-equipped basketball shoes for $129. This is a very versatile basketball shoe. Whether you are a big, power-based player or a light, speedy guard, the Joker 1 has you covered. Read the full review. Price: $130
Way of Wade 10
Again, Way of Wade shoes in general are great for wide-footers because of their wider last. The Way of Wade 10 is lightweight and offers great cushion, provided by a dual-density foam setup: Cloud Foam and Pebax. It feels like Zoom Air took steroids and was put under your feet. Simply put, this is one heck of a shoe to play in. If you’re a fan of DWade or want to try non-mainstream shoes, this sneaker is for you. The upper is light and breathable, and they fit true to size. A bit pricey but worth it. Read full review.
Price: $199- $240
Jordan 38
This year’s Jordan Flagship model is a beast and a big improvement on the Jordan 37. The 38 is lightweight and nimble, with tons of ventilation, a great no-nonsense traction setup (which in this colorway is etched into a translucent rubber sole), and a very well-balanced layered cushioning system. On top of that it is half high top and half low top. The sides of the shoe are clearly that of a high-top basketball shoe, but the back is sculpted like a low-top. This should offer the best of both worlds: the lockdown of a high and the mobility of a low. AWESOME. Price: $200. Read the full review.
Puma MB 03
The Puma MB 03 might just be the best LaMelo signature shoe to date, which is saying something. It is also, halfway between between a mid and a high, but it deserves to be on this list. In terms of on-court performance, the Puma MB 01 is hard to beat, but the MB 03 features better materials, and, in our opinion, a more refined and unique design, which might just clinch the W. Read the full review. Price: $130
adidas Dame 8 EXTPLY
The adidas Dame 8 is a sneaker we’ve all been looking forward to because of the known consistency of Damian Lillard’s line. For the first time in the brand’s basketball lineup, we get Bounce Pro in the midsole, which feels soft and fluffy right off the bat. There’s also another foam compound on top of that for stability purposes. The upper materials are breathable and malleable, which makes for a short break in time. The tongue is also nicely padded and the traction is mostly wave-bone which has been proven to work. Read the full review. Price: $120
New Balance TWO WXY V4
The New Balance TWO WXY V4 follows up, the best New Balance basketball shoe to date. There have been several important changes in tech compared to last year’s model, but the V4 didn’t disappoint with a few minor caveats regarding the Fit. Other than that, the V4 knocked it out of the park in terms of every aspect of performance. For its price point, this shoe is an absolute gem, especially considering that this shoe will be a great outdoor option. Read full review. Price $120.
Anta KT 8
The Anta KT 8 builds upon all the technology featured in the Anta KT 6 and KT7. The Anta KT 8 features Anta’s nitro-infused Pebax foam cushioning, which in this case is slightly denser and firmer (and durable for that matter) than previous iterations. It is also equipped with a 3D printed springplate for torsional support, and a layered, carbon fiber thread textile upper. Just a beast of a shoe that can act both as a high top and a low top. Read the full review. Price: $179
Best Budget High Top Basketball Shoe 2024
Nike LeBron Witness 8
he Nike LeBron Witness 8 is a big improvement on the Witness 7. It’s a much more low-to-the-ground, responsive, and secure feeling shoe on court thanks to the improved containment and the switch in the cushioning system. As far as budget shoes go it’s one of the more solid options, but also one of the more expensive ones. Read full review. Price $110.
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Nike KD Trey 5 10
The Nike KD Trey 5 X is Kevin Durant’s latest budget signature model that takes cues from his flagship, the Nike KD 14. The biggest and most welcome surprise is the cushion. The foam midsole is Renew, and a rectangular forefoot Zoom Air unit is in the forefoot, similar to the Nike Kyrie Low 5. It provides impact protection without making you sink into the midsole. For a high top, it also isn’t too restrictive. Read the full review. Price: $100
Best Outdoor High Top Basketball Shoe
New Balance TWO WXY V4
The New Balance TWO WXY V4 is a great outdoor option and is one of the few options out there that is not a low-top basketball shoe. Admittedly it is more of a mid-top, but it a world with almost no true high-top options this is the best way to go. Read full review. Price $120.
