Why are these the basketball shoes with the best traction of 2024?
Traction is the foundation of all basketball shoes. You can have great cushioning. You can have quality materials. You can even have all the support features ever known to footwear. But without a proper outsole grip, all of those are meaningless. You’ll be slipping and sliding all over the place, unable to do anything properly. That’s why we felt it essential to make our list of the Best Traction Basketball Shoes.
To some people, this aspect of a basketball performance shoe is the most important. Understandably so. We hope you’ll find the shoe with the proper traction for you and your needs on court. You can always also check out our list of the best overall basketball shoes as well. Now, here are the Best Traction Basketball Shoes.
Last updated 11.07.2024
Best Traction Basketball Shoes Show
Best Traction Basketball Shoes 2024 Overall
Nike LeBron 21
The Nike LeBron 21 promises to be a beast on court. It can be described as a remix of the Nike LeBron 20, and, that shoe was amazing, and in fact the best basketball shoe from last year. Barring any unfortunate surprises, this will be one of the top models this year, one of the most versatile, and one of the most comfortable on court, as well as an attainable Kobe substitute. It also features practically the same traction set up as the LeBron 20, which was one of the best-tractioned basketball shoes of last year.
If Nike had been able to innovate a bit more, to push the envelope in terms of design, then we might have had an all-time great on our hands, but that’s a lot to ask for. And in all fairness, there’s little to complain about in the Nike LeBron 21. Read the full review. Price: $200.
Serious Player Only Player 1 Plus
The Player 1 was already a great hoop shoe and the Player 1 Plus takes things to another level. Everything has been refined and improved slightly in this version of the shoe: more versatile traction, better materials, better fit, … it’s just a better performance basketball shoe. The biggest drawback of the Player 1 Plus is the price. $180 is, admittedly, steep. But you are getting a ton of bang for your buck and really excellent traction.
With the Player 1 Plus you are not only getting a great all-around Kobe-esque hoop shoe, you are getting 2 cushioning setups as well, and therefore two completely different on-court experiences to choose from (which is something no other hoop shoe currently on the market offers). Read full review. Price: $180
Puma All Pro Nitro Elite
Overall, the Puma All-Pro Nitro Elite excels as a high-performance shoe, delivering remarkable traction, cushioning, and support. Its design prioritizes function, ensuring stability, comfort, and durability on the court. However, the synthetic materials may be a drawback for players expecting a premium touch, and its $250 price tag may be prohibitive for some. But if we are only talking about on-court performance, the Puma All-Pro Nitro Elite absolutely delivers. Read the full review. Price: $250
Nike GT Cut 3
The Nike GT Cut 3 is a fun low-top basketball shoe. It’s bouncy, agile, and just one of those models that makes you want to sprint up and down the court as soon as you lace it up. The Zoom X does not disappoint, and Nike has done an outstanding job of implementing it into a basketball shoe. It’s soft and squishy, but by no means feels unstable or slow on court, and it might just be the best GT Cut model to date.
Materials could have been of higher quality, especially considering the price tag, and it’s somewhat of a niche performance model but all in all the GT Cut 3 is a very solid basketball shoe, and it might just be the best GT Cut model to date. Read the full review. Price: $190.
adidas AE 1
The shoe features a unique and polarizing design and is packed with some of adidas’ top performance features, including full-length Jetboost cushioning. On top of all that, the shoe retails for a very reasonable $120, which is great to see. adidas has been having a bit of a resurgence in the performance basketball market.
The Harden Vol 7 was fantastic, the Trae Young 3 was very solid, and now we have the AE 1, Anthony Edwards’ first signature shoe with adidas, and it is a top-tier performance basketball shoe and one of the best first signature shoes we have ever seen. The AE 1 might end up being the best overall basketball shoe of 2024, but even if it doesn’t end up at that level, it’s an excellent basketball shoe and easily one of the best adidas basketball shoes you can buy, if you can get your hands on a pair. Read full review. Price $120.
adidas AE 1 Low
To keep things short and sweet, the adidas AE 1 Mid is an excellent shoe (one of the best of the year in fact) and the AE 1 Low is slightly better in almost every way. Although the AE 1 Low looks similar to the originals, this is a very different basketball shoe and a better one at that. Not only is it better, it’s cheaper. The first AE 1 retailed for $120, which was already a very reasonable price for such a high-performing signature model, and the low version will run you a mere $110.
One can only hope that Nike and Jordan Brand are taking notes. If they aren’t, hopefully, consumers will recognize the good work adidas is doing and make the switch. Read full review. Price $110.
Under Armour Curry 12
The Curry 12 is currently the best Curry basketball shoe hands down. With this shoe, you are getting everything you have come to know and love from Curry’s signature shoes with better cushioning and better traction. Under Armour was able to achieve this impressive result by paying attention to the actual science that goes into designing performance footwear and making a small adjustment.
But the story doesn’t end there. This small but critical change also makes this shoe accessible to a much wider audience than any other Curry of the past, as this shoe will suit the on-court requirements of a wider range of hoopers. Read the full review. Price: $140
Anta Kai 1 Speed
The Anta Kai 1 Speed is an excellent basketball shoe for players who prioritize speed, traction, and agility. The shoe’s traction is one of its strongest attributes, offering superior grip for fast, shifty movements on the court. As a bonus, it is durable enough to handle outdoor surfaces without skipping a beat. The Nitro Edge foam provides a responsive ride with just enough cushioning and compression to handle impact without sacrificing court feel.
The materials are functional and durable if not particularly luxurious, and support and lockdown are elite. It would be nice to see Anta use more premium materials, especially on their signature models, but that is just a minor nitpick.
Now, if you are a bigger player looking for a basketball shoe that offers a nice, plush, cushy ride on court to protect your joints as much as possible, you may want to look elsewhere. But that is hardly a knock on the Anta Kai 1 Speed. Read the full review. Price $125.
Nike KD 17
To keep things short and sweet, the Nike KD 17 is basically the same shoe as the Nike KD 16. If you like that shoe, you’re going to enjoy this one. The Nike KD 17 is a top-tier and super versatile performance basketball shoe that will work well for almost every playing style and position on the floor. The KD 17 also gets extra points for being a “better than average” outdoor option, especially if you can find an XDR version.
Now, is it worth upgrading from the KD 16 to the Nike KD 17? Not really. If you already have a pair of 16 that are still in good condition or you can find the KD 16 on clearance, that will give you more bang for your buck. But, if you want to rock the “latest and greatest” on court, the KD 17 will be a great performance model. Read the full review. Price $160.
adidas DON Issue 6
The DON Issue 6 is the brand’s light, speedy guard shoe, an excellent example of this shoe style. With the DON Issue 6 you’ll be getting top tier traction, a springy and agile cushioning system, and top-notch support features all packed into a light and breezy package. On top of that, the shoe retails for a very reasonable $120.
Now, it’s not a good option for outdoor play and heavier hoopers, or those with a more powerful playing style might prefer a more substantial shoe with a more plush cushioning system. Still, the DON Issue 6 is a great, guard-orientated performance basketball shoe. Read the full review. Price $120.
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.
The Way of Wade 10 is a great sneaker and one that many will enjoy. The traction is excellent in all court conditions. The cushion is one of the bounciest available today with full-length BOOM. The materials are not premium, but they do the job and make the shoe light for what it offers. Support isn’t terrible at all with the full-length carbon fiber plate and additional support features. It’s one of the best basketball shoes of the year. A bit pricey but worth it. Read full review.
Serious Player Only Game 1
The Game 1 is another solid hoop shoe from Serious Player Only and it does exactly what the brand wanted it to do: be more versatile than the Player 1. The Player 1 and the Player 1 Plus are great guard-orientated basketball shoes. The Game 1 on the other hand is a basketball shoe that more playing styles and body types will enjoy on court.
The more robust support features, the added cushioning, the updated fit, and improved lacing system make the Game 1 a shoe more types of players will enjoy. On top of that, they’re less expensive than the Player 1 and can be equipped with any of the drop-in midsoles SPO has to offer. Read full review. Price: $138
EQLZ 247
The EQLZ 247 is an excellent, well-rounded, high-performing basketball shoe, which is made all the more impressive since this shoe is coming to us from a practically unknown brand. The EQLZ 247’s innovative anatomical traction system, which, visually, is reminiscent of the Kobe 9’s traction setup, grips the court like no one’s business. It isn’t the most durable setup and is not well prepared for outdoor use, but indoors the 247s traction is elite.
While there might be minor adjustments needed in terms of fit, the overall package delivered by the EQLZ 247 is exceptional. For $150, you’re getting great value for its performance and quality, making it a solid choice for serious basketball players looking for a unique and beastly on-court performance model. Read the full review. Price: $150
Nike Sabrina 1
The Nike Sabrina 1 is a great first signature shoe for Sabrina Ionescu and is one of the best basketball shoes Nike has to offer in 2023/24. The Sabrina 1 is a top-notch guard-style shoe that will give you great traction (indoors), a speedy and reactive cushioning setup, along with elite lockdown and support. If you’re looking for a basketball shoe with beefy and plush cushioning, this might not be the shoe for you, but that is hardly a drawback.
The Sabrina 1 is a top-notch guard-style shoe that will give you great traction (indoors), a speedy and reactive cushioning setup, along with elite lockdown and support. If you’re looking for a basketball shoe with beefy and plush cushioning, this might not be the shoe for you, but that is hardly a drawback. Read the full review. Price: $130
Puma Stewie 3
The Puma Stewie 3 is an elevated and improved Kobe 11. It’s more flexible, wider, lower to the ground, with better torsional support and more durable cushioning…so if you like the Kobe 11 or you’re looking for an affordable Kobe substitute, the Puma Stewie 3 should be at the top of your list.
With this shoe, you’ll get top-notch traction, a smooth and reactive ride on court, and elite lockdown and containment. And you get all of that for the very reasonable price of $120. It’s more of a guard shoe, and if you need above-average cushioning, this might not the shoe for you. But all around, the Stewie 3 is a great performance model and a worthy 3rd model in Brianna Stewart’s signature line. Read the full review. Price: $130
Nike GT Hustle 2
The Nike GT Hustle 2 is the successor to, and an enormous improvement on the Nike GT Run and might just be one of the better performance models we see this year. It is also somewhat of a niche performance model. The very low-profile cushioning system (which features a full-length Zoom Air strobel), the minimal support features, and the traction could make the Nike GT Hustle 2 one of the best guard shoes of the year.
But it might not be enough for bigger players with a more power-based playing style. This also makes it a strange choice as Victor Wembanyama’s first shoe with Nike in the NBA. He might eventually switch models if these can’t keep up with him, but all around the GT Hustle is a top-notch performance model, maybe just not for everyone. Read the full review. Price: $170
Jordan Luka 3
Overall, the Jordan Luka 3 is a rather disappointing model. Performance should be fine, but feels lackluster if you take into account the $130 price tag. The lack of innovation is also a bummer, both in terms of tech and all-around aesthetics. Admittedly, traction and support are standout features, and cater well to shifter players on the court, and the cushioning setup will provide a comfortable, zippy, and smooth ride, which will work well for most playing styles.
However, the materials used feel very cheap for the price, and the fit can be uncomfortably tight. Honestly, we expected more from the 3rd signature shoe of a player of the caliber of Luka Doncic. The Jordan Luka 3 sneaker is a solid choice all around, especially for players who prioritize traction and support, but we suggest holding off until you can get the Luka 3 on discount. Read the full review. Price $130.
New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2
The New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2 just might be New Balance’s best basketball shoe to date. With this shoe, you’re getting elite traction that can handle outdoor play with ease, a thick plush cushioning system (that’s also ideal for outdoors), excellent materials and build, and this is completely subjective, one of the best-looking hoop shoes of the year.
Now, those premium materials need time to break in and the upper is not super breathable, the thick slab of Fresh Foam means that you’re sitting rather high off the court and court feel subsequently suffers, and the shoe does not offer a perfect 1 to 1 fit. But these are minor tradeoffs to be able to enjoy a great and super versatile performance basketball shoe. Read the full review.
Curry 11
Under Armour’s approach to designing Curry shoes in recent years has apparently been “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. This has worked out well, as the Curry 8, the Curry 9, and the Curry 10 have all been excellent performance models, and each has improved slightly on the last. With the Curry 11 we might have reached the pinnacle of this approach. The one weakness of all the Flow Curry models has been the cushioning.
Not that it was bad in any way, but Flow for basketball has been dense and neutral feeling underfoot, making the shoes that feature it fairly niche items. With this new dual-density iteration of Flow, that one weakness has been addressed. This shoe has everything you know and love from the Curry signature line, with softer, bouncier cushioning. Read the full review. Price: $160
Way of Wade All City 11 V2
The Way of Wade All City 11 V2 is virtually identical to the original model, which is a very good thing. Both shoes feature amazing traction, which gets extra points for being outdoor-friendly. In the $150 price range, there really aren’t many shoes out there that will give you the same on-court performance, versatility, and all-around value as the Way of Wade All City 11 V2. Read the full review. Price: $150
Best Traction Basketball Shoes: Budget Options 2024
Check out our full list of the best budget basketball shoes here.
adidas Dame Certified
The adidas Dame Certified is Damian Lillard’s budget model for the year, a very solid performance basketball shoe overall. The Dame Certified features full-length Bounce cushioning which is on the reactive side, great durable traction, and a highly functional upper built with nice cheap layered materials. All of this for just $100, making this a great budget basketball shoe from adidas. Read the full review. Price: $95
Best Traction Basketball Shoes: Outdoor Options 2024
Check out our full list of the best outdoor shoes here.
Serious Player Only Player 1 Plus
The Player 1 was already a great hoop shoe and the Player 1 Plus takes things to another level. Everything has been refined and improved slightly in this version of the shoe: more versatile traction, better materials, better fit, … it’s just a better performance basketball shoe. The biggest drawback of the Player 1 Plus is the price. $180 is, admittedly, steep. But you are getting a ton of bang for your buck and excellent traction both indoors and outdoors. Read full review. Price: $180
Best Traction Basketball Shoes: Retro Options 2024
Air Jordan 1
The Air Jordan 1 is arguably the most recognizable shoe of all time. Once you see that big Swoosh on the side with the Wings logo, you know what you’re getting. And part of what you’re getting is terrific traction. Although most of the retros aren’t for performance, the traction is undeniably excellent. Right there in GOAT status. Quite fitting, don’t you think? Chris can vouch for how good it is. It might just pop your hip out. See AJ 1 reviews. Price: $180
Nike Air Penny 2
The Nike Air Penny 2 screams 90s, and so does its traction. Even though we can talk all day about the beautiful Uptempo-inspired outsole, we can also say that it’s functional. What’s remarkable is that it also gives insight into the tech in the midsole. Other tech specs include the large-volume Air Max unit and a forefoot Zoom Air unit. There’s also a carbon fiber plate that’s interestingly implemented to reduce weight. Read the full review. Price: $200
Thinking of a shoe we should add to the best traction basketball shoes list? Comment below or message us on Instagram or Twitter.
