WearTesters is reader-supported. When you make purchases using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Why trust us?

Top 10+ Most Comfortable Basketball Shoes 2024

MOST COMFORTABLE BASKETBALL SHOES

The most comfortable basketball shoes on the market will always excel in two key features: materials and, most importantly, cushion. Our choices for the current best basketball shoes out there consist of the most well-rounded shoes, but here, the cushion is the main feature we are looking at. So, no matter if we are talking about a great on-court performer, or just a cool casual shoe, to make it on this list, it will have to have great cushion.

When we are choosing performance shoes that excel in comfort and cushion, what we are looking for are shoes that allow you to play for the most amount of hours with the least amount of impact on your joints. At WearTesters, we spend long hours every day testing our shoes, so we know and appreciate when we have a well-cushioned shoe on our hands. Anything that can keep us on the court for longer, whether it be indoors or outdoors, is always something we look forward to.

As far as retros and casual shoes go, we are looking for great step-in comfort and for shoes that will allow you to rock them for the longest time without soreness.

If you already picked up your hoop shoes for the year and want to boost their cushioning, a great option for that is Move insoles. They can take almost any hoop shoe from flat to bouncy and supportive. You can also check out our list of the best overall basketball shoes for a little more context. You can also check out Wertesters in Español’s list as well.

So, with all that being said, let’s get into our picks:

Last updated 03.11.2024

Most Comfortable Basketball Shoes 2024 Overall

Most Comfortable Basketball Shoe 2024

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. It was also one of the most comfortable hooop shoes of last year. The LeBron 21 features the same exact cushioning system, as well as improved materials. 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. Read the full review. Price: $200

9/10
Total Score
#nike_FV2345-500

Jordan 38

The Jordan 38 is a great all-around shoe, that just happens to be super comfortable. The combination of the super thin materials of the upper, which require no break-in time, and the sublime cushioning system earn the Jordan 38 a spot on this list. 

The 38 is nimble, and very well-ventilated, it is equipped with 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. This cushioning system combines a Phylon midsole, a full-length Zoom Air Strobel, and a slab of Cushlon 3.0 nestled between the outsole and the midsole. A great, comfortable hoop shoe. Price: $200. Read the full review.

9/10
Total Score
#nike_DZ3356-100

Nike GT Jump 2

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. But this shoe is still one of the best-cushioned shoes we have ever seen, which, in combination with the upgraded materials and fit make it the most comfortable basketball shoe currently on the market. Read the full review.

9/10
Total Score
#nike_DJ9431-003

adidas AE 1

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 which is a top-tier basketball shoe and one of the best first signature shoes we have ever seen. Anthony Edwards’ first signature shoe 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, and very comfortable basketball shoe. Read full review. Price $120.

8.5/10
Total Score
Buy adidas AE 1

Nike KD 16

The Nike KD 16 is another top-tier hoop shoe in Kevin Durant’s signature line and one of the most comfortable models of the year. The Nike KD 16 is also very different from the Nike KD 15 (which was also on this list) but there really haven’t been any downgrades. We have an excellent cushioning system that combines a cushlon midsole a large zoom unit in the forefoot, and an Air Stroble that covers the midfoot and heel, and materials are nothing to write home about but the mix of textiles and synthetic leather works well on court, they conform well to your foot and require almost no break-in time. Price: $160

9.5/10
Total Score
#nike_DV2917-003

Nike Air Max Impact 4

The Nike Air Max Impact 4 proves that price does not always equal performance. Though this one is a budget model, it provides “signature line” comfort. The foam is presumably Phylon, but it is a very plush and slightly bouncy iteration of it with an Air Max unit in the heel. In addition, the upper is very soft and breathable which is always a plus. Don’t be fooled by the price tags of some sneakers. Great performance and comfort can come at any price point. Read the full review. Price: $90

9.2/10
Total Score
#nike_DM1124-300

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. Read the full review. Price: $190

8/10
Total Score
#nike_DV2913-101

Puma All Pro Nitro

The Puma All Pro Nitro is quite different from the original model, but it is a more than worthy successor to an iconic performance basketball shoe. Prepare to experience remarkable traction, a plush and well-balanced cushioning system, and reliable materials that deliver their intended functionality. For anyone in search of a top-notch performance basketball shoe, the Puma All Pro Nitro is a compelling choice that ticks all the right boxes. Read the full review. Price: $130

8.5/10
Total Score
Buy Puma All Pro Nitro

Nike LeBron Witness 7

The Nike LeBron Witness 7 may be considered a budget model, but the near full-length Air Max unit begs to differ. It’s just crazy that you can get all this cushion at such a low price. The Phylon midsole isn’t too bad and it does give comfort underfoot. The Air unit’s shape can be more accurately described as dog-bone. But, even though it isn’t full-length, it’s still one of the most comfortable basketball shoes you will find on a budget. Read the full review. Price: $115

8/10
Total Score
#nike_DZ3299-401

AND1 Attack 3.0

The Attack 3.0 is a very nice, and very comfortable hoop shoe. Traction and cushioning are clearly the highlights of this model. If you’re a younger hooper looking for a great shoe from a different brand this is a great pick. Or if you are a long-time fan as we are, wondering if these pack a performance punch, rest assured that they do. A great performance model that is all around very comfortable. Read the full review. Price: $129

8.5/10
Total Score
Buy AND1 Attack 3.0

adidas Harden Vol 8

adidas has created a more than worthy successor to one of their best basketball shoes in years, the Harden Vol 7. In terms of performance, the Harden Vol 8 should be equally as effective on court as the Vol 7. But, that’s just half of the story. In terms of overall design and overall build, the Harden Vol 8 maintained a common design language with the Harden Vol 7 while at the same time improving and refining several aspects. This is, admittedly, an odd-looking basketball shoe, but at the same time, it stands out. Truly memorable basketball shoes perform great and look different, and the Harden Vol 8 does just that. Read full review. Price $160.

8.5/10
Total Score
Buy adidas Harden Vol 8

Nike LeBron 20

The Nike LeBron 20 is one of the most hyped LeBron James basketball shoes. It strays away from previous releases like the Nike LeBron 19. The traction is multidirectional, covering you on all movements. The midsole is full-length Cushlon with a forefoot Zoom Turbo unit and an additional standard heel Zoom Air unit in the heel. Compared to previous LeBrons and max-cushioned shoes, it has a more balanced feel. The upper is lightweight and comfortable as well. Read the full review. Price: $200 $154

9/10
Total Score
Buy Nike LeBron 20

Nike GT Jump

The Nike GT Jump, Nikola Jokić’s shoes, features the bounciest cushion, perhaps of all time. They have been described as “what the Shox should have been”. The shoe features 2 large volume Zoom Air units in the heel and forefoot, a cushlon midsole, and a full-length zoom air stroble on top of that. That’s just an INSANE amount of cushion. To top it off it features a synthetic upper that requires no break-in time and is very breathable and lightweight. The shoe is probably better suited for bigger players that need a lot of cushion, but without a doubt, they are the most comfortable basketball shoes available. Price: $279

9/10
Total Score
Buy Nike GT Jump

Jordan Luka 1

The Jordan Luka 1 was highly rated by our team, and that’s saying a lot. Luka Doncic and the Jordan design team did well on this one. Jordan Brand used the Luka 1 to introduce its newest foam: Formula 23. Right off the bat, you’ll feel how comfortable it is underfoot. And the upper, while not premium, is well-padded an soft all around. Support is an obvious priority with the IsoPlate system acting as torsional support while really beefing up lateral support for extra support on stepbacks and defensive slides. And at $110 ($120 for the special editions), you get a lot of performance for the money. Read the full review. Price: $110

8.5/10
Total Score
Buy Jordan Luka 1

Puma TRC Blaze Court

The Puma TRC Blaze Court continues Puma’s resurgence into the basketball performance sneaker scene. The outsole looks awesome and performed excellently. It’s mainly made of multi-directional lines with herringbone in critical places. Trinomic is now foam-based, as Puma shows when you turn the shoe over. The rest of the midsole is ProFoam+ which is comfortable. If you haven’t tried Puma basketball, this is a perfect shoe to start for comfort and performance. See the full review. Price: $120

9/10
Total Score
Buy Puma TRC Blaze Court

Curry 10

The Curry 10 looks familiar but looks different enough to be its own unique shoe. Although it and the Curry 9 both feature Under Amour’s Flow cushioning, the latest model updates the upper with Warp 2.0. The transition is smooth and having all that exposed foam without an outsole makes this one of the most comfortable basketball shoes on the market. Read the full review. Price: $160

9/10
Total Score
Buy Curry 10

Most Comfortable Budget Basketball Shoes 2024

Nike Air Max Impact 4

Easy choice here. The Nike Air Max Impact 4 is a budget model with a ton of Air Max cushioning housed within a plush phylon foam carrier.not much more to say. Read the full review. Price: $90

9.2/10
Total Score
#nike_DM1124-300

Most Comfortable Outdoor Basketball Shoes 2024

Wade Shadow 4

The Wade Shadow 4 makes an appearance in our Wade All City 11 review. The midsole is composed of two technologies. The main foam you’re going to feel is Cloud, an EVA-based foam. The forefoot features a BOOM puck which is Pebax-based. Don’t worry if they feel stiff to start. We promise the break-in will be worth it. That’s when the comfort will really reach its full potential. Price: $119 $99

8/10
Total Score
Buy Wade Shadow 4

Most Comfortable Basketball Shoes: Retro/Casual 2024

Air Jordan 11 Low I.E. OG Bred 2021

The Air Jordan 11 Low I.E. OG Bred 2021 is proof that retros can still be comfortable and that Jordan Brand was ahead of its time. The tech specs of any AJ 11 are well-known: Phylon midsole with full-length Air-Sole. That still beats most modern basketball shoes. The upper is a nice black leather with mesh sections so your feet don’t feel like they’re in an oven all the time. Playing in these wouldn’t be a terrible idea either. Read the full review. Price: $170

9.2/10
Total Score
Buy Air Jordan 11 Low I.E. OG Bred 2021

Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT

The Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT really stays true to its name. The CMFT is to be read as “comfort.” It features a canvas upper that is more forgiving than leather. For the midsole, it was basically injected with foam, presumably Phylon, and they decided not to cover it on the outsole. That makes the foam more able to compress and expand under the weight of the wearer. There’s also a heel Zoom Air unit for that extra pep in your step. Read the full review. Price: $150

9/10
Total Score
Buy Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT

Air Jordan 1 Zoom

The Air Jordan 1 Zoom doesn’t make it hard for us to find out what the update is with arguably the greatest sneaker of all time. But this isn’t just any regular Zoom unit. They actually used the same Zoom Strobel unit that was first seen in the Nike KD 12. With that, you’ll be able to feel how springy and comfortable these are right away. The materials are all reflective but there are other colorways if that’s not your thing. Also, you’ll probably want to go up half a size when you purchase a pair. Read the full review. Price: $175

8.8/10
Total Score
Buy Air Jordan 1 Zoom

Add a Comment

Related Posts