The 21 Best Basketball Shoes To Take to the Court in 2024

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Traction
• A Promising Review: "The style, light design and color combo makes it a great shoe. Price and shipping was perfect!" - StockX Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 8/10

The Air Jordan 36 is basketball shoe built for comfort and performance as it has targeted padding and a full-length Zoom Air Strobel unit stitched directly to the upper to create an even weight distribution. From the performance side of things, if you need to power it for a fast break or chase after an opponent, the shoe has a Zoom Air unit underneath the forefoot to help with responsiveness. A great choice for the gym or outdoors. Another reviewer adds: "Great shoe and in top quality shape. Shipping was average but well worth the short wait!" You can currently purchase for $120.

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Performance/Jumping
• A Promising Review: "Pretty amazing basketball shoe. The traction is top tier and the full length zoom strobel is a dream to play in. One of the best basketball shoes in the Nike lineup!"- Champs Sports Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 7/10

Kevin Durant knows a thing or two about the need for a basketball shoe that looks good on the court while still being comfortable, and he seems to have struck gold with the KD 15s as many consider this to currently be the best basketball shoe on the market. The 15s offer plenty of bounce for shooting and jumping, while still giving you comfort through a secure fit and an already broken in feeling.

• Shoe Style: Low Top
• Best For: Court feel
• A Promising Review: "I ordered some Harden 7s for below retail and they got to me under a week. I’ve ordered from stockx several times (LeBron 20s, KD 15s, Jordan 1s) and it’s always been a smooth ride for me. Once again very happy with my new hoop shoes " - StockX Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 9/10

Hardens have increased in popularity over the past few years, but the consensus is that the most recent iteration, the Vol. 7, is the most comfortable and best performing sneaker from the legendary guard's line of kicks, and it's frequently praised by buyers its comfortable JET BOOST midsole, cushioning, and performance. Or as another StockX reviewer says: "My son loves them. They fit perfect. The red really pop and make his shoe game stand out while on the court." With multiple colors available in this model, there's plenty of Harden Vol. 7's to go around for everybody.

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Speed
• A Promising Review: "I personally copped a pair of the Li-Ning's after hearing all the reviews raving about them. I'd have to say the hype is definitely real as the sneakers are stylish and great for performance. I only shoot hoops casually nowadays, but I can tell that they provide great support for actual basketball players." - Jael Rucker, ONE37pm Editor
• Overall Rating: 7/10

The Li-Ning Wade sneakers as a whole have quickly become a beloved force in the sneaker basketball community. A part of the Way of Wade brand established by NBA all-time great Dwyane Wade and Li Ning, you can really tell Wade used his personal playing experiences with sneakers to craft a basketball shoe not just great for players as a whole, but specifically for guards as their jobs are a bit different from other positions. The 808 sneakers are equipped with a TPU carrier for lateral support, durable rubber, and a carbon fiber heel counter to help you play at your best.

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Traction
• A Promising Review: "Upclose, the shoe has nice details and textures that may not be visible from a distance. Putting them on, I was surprised at how well they fit me and how comfortable they are. They fit all around my feet very well, without being too tight or constrictive. The heel and lower ankle area have stiff padding that is comfortable and gives support for lateral movements. The bottom sole has 2 Zoom Air units and the cushioning is pretty good. The sole and edges of the sole are very grippy on all surfaces. This makes it a good shoe to wear all day with impact protection for your joints. What I like the most about this shoe is how well it fits me and how comfortable they are compared to other athletic shoes. " - StockX Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 7/10

In addition to looking amazing with eight different colorways to choose from, the Nike LeBron XX is a hooper's dream as it adequately cushioned and built with ankle support, lightweight, durable, and built for performance. The reviews on this shoe all pretty much say the same thing—that it's one of the best basketball shoes that you can play in. You know what they say—when there's smoke, there's fire, which in this case is a good thing.

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Speed/Agility
• A Promising Review: "As a big man with fragile ankles, the ankle support of Kyrie Infinitys has been super helpful in making me feel comfortable on the court. They've also been great for jumping and working on my vertical." - Charlie Kolbrener, Senior Editor at ONE37pm
• Overall Rating: 8/10

Let's take a moment to appreciate a couple of his best from the Nike era. As we mentioned before when covering his shoes, Kyrie is extremely thoughtful and detail oriented when it comes to his releases not just in terms of the design, but the overall features of the sneakers as a whole which the Nike Kyrie 8 Infinity is a testament to. Kyrie is one of the craftiest players in the NBA, so his sneakers deliver in terms of speed and power.

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Speed/Agility/Traction
• A Promising Review: "The Kyrie 6 was the first pair of basketball shoes I really played in, and they helped take my game to the next level from an agility perspective. I was able to change direction much more easily and get into a jumping stance more quickly." - Charlie Kolbrener, Senior Editor at ONE37pm
• Overall Rating: 8/10

Just throwing in another Kyrie shoe in here for consideration. In addition to the unique designs such as the one shown in the photo above, the Kyrie 6s were commended most for their performance traction. In fact, to this day there's still some people out there that feel the Kyrie 6s are a better performance shoe as opposed to the 7s. Whatever the case may be, the 6s are a more than reasonable moderate investment to make.

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Movement
• A Promising Review: "Giannis' shoes are one of the most affordable on the marketplace, but still boast great support and traction for some more agile moves." - Charlie Kolbrener, Senior Editor at ONE37pm
• Overall Rating: 9/10

Giannis is at the top of our list as well when it comes to basketball shoes suggestions. The stability is there with a TPU to keep your foot stable if you happen to be doing a move such as the Euro step, and the midsole is lightweight as well which also helps with movement. A fun fact here—Giannis actually scored his career high of 55 points against the Washington Wizards earlier this year in the Zoom Freak 3s, so you might get you a legendary performance if you put these on.

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Speed
• A Promising Review: "Excellent shoe’s excellent grip loved it right out of the box as soon as I put them on my feet was really surprise how comfortable they are" - Foot Locker Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 8/10

It seems like we might be close to getting the Luka 2 relatively soon, but in the meantime the Luka 1 was a good start in terms of the concepts Luka and the Nike team plan on introducing and improving. There's six different colors to choose from, and an ultra-supportive fit crafted with Luka's signature step back in mind to help with you speed and efficiency while playing. We're definitely excited to see how the future models continue to evolve.

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Speed/Jumping
• A Promising Review: "These shoes hold a sentimental value for me because when the came out in the early 90's my mom couldn't afford to by me none, so when I saw them...I said I'm buying me a pair for Christmas. If I win that gift card I vow to buy a kid who's mother can't afford a pair some shoes for Christmas with it." - StockX Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 8/10

Re-released in 2020 as a revival of the original 1992 Tinker Hatfield version, Nike Air Raid OG ‘Black Grey’ is a shoe that shines—especially on an outdoor basketball court. The features are pretty cool as it has the classic “Air Raid” on the strap, and an extra-durable rubber on the outsole to further promote performance and quick movements.

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Speed/Jumping
• A Promising Review: "They fit very snug but I personally like it. These Lebron 17's definitely gives that lock down feel to my ankle and foot. To me they are very comfortable and the air bubble definitely obsorbs the shock...Remember these are basketball sneakers that are made to play in. You can wear them as a everyday shoe but I would suggest you go up 1/2 a size just to give a little more space. Overall these sneakers are wicked! I definitely love the black and red and I would recommend you buy a pair. " - StockX Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 8/10

If there's anybody who would know the components of what makes a good low top basketball shoe, it would be LeBron James. The Lebron 17 'Low Breds' are a low top to consider as they are built with transparent textile and synthetic nubuck, react foam at the forefoot that goes along nicely with the comfy midsole, and a Max Air unit in the heel. The university-themed design is another selling point as well.

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Traction
• A Promising Review: "The style was great and the fit was on point. Thanks guy you keep up the good work." - adidas Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 8.5/10

adidas has an excellent mid top sneaker that seem to do the trick as it features Cloudfoam cushioning in the midsole, a footbed that helps with energy, and an Adiwear outsole that has dual-zone traction. All of these components are necessary for a successful outing on the court, so this is a shoe that should be on your list—especially with the inexpensive price.

• Shoe Style: High Top
• Best For: Traction
• A Promising Review: "What i mean by breaking it in for me as in myself i mean by walking around with it outside and inside your home. But before you use it outside the house you must put a sole protector, its a product that is specifically for the bottom of your shoe especially for clear, translucent sole. I bought the white and black color way which the synthetic leather is white and the upper is black with a clear sole. so about the sole protector it prevents the sole from turning yellow or wear. Thats how i break them in easily by walking with it inside or outside of your home, you can even walk on it in the rain it can last up to a month or more if you care careful. " - Under Armour Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Many hoopers don't like high tops for the same reasons as low tops—discomfort around the ankle area. Thankfully Under Armour has you covered. The brand tends to be overlooked sometimes when discussing basketball shoes, and we're here to say that absolutely shouldn't be the case. Another high top suggestion, the Under Armour HOVR has a nice design, comfortable fitting, and extra ankle support to help you achieve more power and precision. Another reviewer backs this up saying: "Very comfortable light weight and very nice looking." You can snag these for $190.

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Speed
• A Promising Review: "Awesome one of a kind, a must have, Jordan 6 rings basketball shoes. I definitely recommend ordering a half size bigger because they run small because there is a snug sleeve inside the shoe." - Nike Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Quick, how many rings does Jordan have? The '6 Rings' Colorway is among the most appreciated when it comes to different Jordan models, and is another cool shoe to hoop in. The general consensus amongst the '6 Rings' sneakers are that it's a nice shoe to play in as long as you order an half size up to give you extra spacing (unless you are somebody who prefers a snug shoe fit).

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Jumping
• A Promising Review: "I've had these shoes for a couple of weeks now and I love them. Didn't take long at all to break them in and they're amazing. The cushion is as great as always from the Flow line and the Curry brand have the extra support for the back of your ankle. At first it felt different because the regular Flow running shoes don't have this but after wearing them for a while it feels very snug and secure. The shoes look great whether you wear them with shorts or pants and work excellent on the court. Highly recommend these. Also, they run a little small so I recommend going up a whole size. Other than that, no complaints at all. " - StockX Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 8.5/10

The Curry 8 is full of technical features bound to have a positive impact on your game. Some of our favorites are the Bootie construction that gives the shoe a sock-like feel, the UA Flow cushioning technology to assist in comfort, and the Flexible Pebax plate that gives you extra stability. Nice look as well with another reviewer adding: "Provides excellent support and comfort. I purchased as a gift for a veteran who has peripheral neuropathy and he has a compromised gait. He loves the shoes!! He said they help him walk better!" These Curry's are a steal (bad pun intended).

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Agility
• A Promising Review: "I have been a Nike/Jordan Brand loyalist for the last 20+ years of my life, but the Kawhi 2 is one of the best basketball shoes I've ever worn. The fit is great even with a narrow foot like mine and the shape/last of the shoe is well done. I am on my second pair now and I will continue to hoop in these until New Balance makes something better which I have little doubt they will." - StockX Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 9/10

Much of Kawhi's shoe line is similar to who he is as a player and a person—quiet but a force. You won't see Kawhi ever actively promoting his shoes, but one day you'll randomly stumble upon a certain colorway being sold out. And that, our friends, is the power of Kawhi Leonard. Another reviewer backs up the premium comfort, cushioning, and ankle support in their feedback saying: "The Kawhi II's are amazing. They're super comfortable, provide a lot of support, and are as close to a high top that I've been able to find. I had great traction and my ankle felt great. They're even flexible enough to fit my ankle brace without being bent out of shape." Sounds like New Balance and Kawhi really took their time with these 2's.

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Agility
• A Promising Review: "I received my Adidas Harden Vol. 6 Basketball Shoes yesterday, and I must say, they exceeded my expectations! I played basketball for 3 hours, and they've already become my favorite shoes. The fit is perfect, providing excellent comfort and support. These shoes feel great on the court, offering the flexibility and grip I need. Not only are they functional, but they also look fantastic. I was impressed by the overall quality and design." - Amazon Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 8.5/10

The Harden Vol. 6 has all the standard adidas features the brand is known for, plus a little bit of that step back Harden touch. With a Boost midsole built in and bands on the forefoot and heel to give you extra security, you'll be able to power your way through defenders easily. According to buyers, the grip and comfort are also call outs on the Harden Vol. 6 with another reviewer adding: "I’ve been searching for a shoe that’s comfortable and supportive. My feet are a little wide with high arches. This shoe is comfortable while playing volleyball, pickle ball and basketball." All of this for under $75 doesn't sound like a bad deal at all.

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Agility/Speed
• A Promising Review: "They’re super super tight on the ankle so it’s really hard to put them on at the first place I mean really! but once you do that they’re super comfortable and lightweight, i got the blue one and god they look amazing, I’ve never done a review before, like ever! That’s how great these are that I had to write a review! Just wanted everyone to know that if you’re thinking about getting these babies, don’t think twice unless you want something to put on quickly!" - Champs Sports Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 7/10

As per the review above, you may want to go up a size as the fit seem to be snug. Other than that, the Trae Young 2.0 is good for agility and speed, and has other attractive features like the knitted upper, adaptive SCK360, and a semi-laceless upper. A nice cool shoe for a lil afternoon hoop session that you can purchase at some places for under $50. Plus, they are very well-cushioned and super comfortable.

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Agility
• A Promising Review: "This basketball shoe performs well. The traction is top tier." - adidas Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 8.5/10

You can really go with any Dame shoe and have it be a winner (the Dame 7s are a fan favorite), but we like the Dame Certified specifically because of the color selections. All Dame sneakers are going to be comfortable because they are built with Boost technology, and they are all pretty much crafted the same way, so it's just about what you like color wise. "Another reviewer added their two cents to the Dame Certified saying: "The quality. There are super comfortable and durable"

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Agility/Jumping
• A Promising Review: "Comfortable and supportive shoe for basketball." -Nike Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 9/10

When it comes to basketball shoes, we often go straight to signature sneakers from players because we know that they know best, but we shouldn't over look "regular" basketball shoes either because they can be equally as impactful. The Nike Air Max 4 is an example of that as it is built with cushioning to help you jump with energy and land safely. Ultimately that's one of the most important factors in basketball shoes, so the Air Max 4 does exactly what it's supposed to do.

• Shoe Style: Mid Top
• Best For: Speed
• A Promising Review: "The shoes are very good, they have good grip on the court and feel good when playing, you just have to choose one size larger so they don't fit too tight." - adidas Reviewer
• Overall Rating: 9/10

Donovan Mitchell has had some explosive performances this year, and we think the D.O.N.'s have a teensy bit of a role in that. The D.O.N.'s truly get better each and every year, and they improve upon the small technicalities which attributes to that growth. Good quality basketball shoes for a good price. Who could ask for anything more? In addition to the cool design, what we love most about these D.O.N.'s in particular are their Lightstrike Cushioning courtesy of adidas, which the brand says makes for dynamic and lightweight movement all while being comfortable at the same time.