7 Best Basketball Shoes, 100+ Shoes Tested in 2023

This is THE shoe!

If you are looking for a solid all-arounder that has it all - grip, cushion, support, comfort - the KD 14 is a phenomenal shoe!

Having tested over 100 basketball shoes, we find it the most versatile option that caters to a variety of playing styles.

You get a ton of grip, even on some dusty courts. There was no breaking in, the outsole had a fantastic bite from the start and we never had to stop and wipe it.

It’s got some of the softest cushioning units! The foam feels like a marshmallow and yet bounces back to help you sprint and jump. We were also astonished by the balance of impact protection and the court feel that it offers. Whether you are a heavier player or a nimble guard, you are going to feel at home in the KD 14.

There is an excellent lockdown courtesy of the wide, firm strap. Once all laced up and strapped, we completely forgot about having to tighten, loosen, or adjust the fit.

Overall, for $150, we cannot recommend any other shoe more than the KD 14! This is the best value-for-money option on the market right now!

How did they do that?!

Just how could UA make such an insanely grippy shoe with zero rubber?! We can’t think of any other shoe that could compete with the Curry 8 in the grip department. If you want a basketball shoe that will help you feel surefooted when stepping on a banana peel, this is it!

And this model doesn’t fall short in the other departments either.

It’s got a wonderfully responsive cushioning that reminded us of Nike React and Adidas Boost. It is indeed so smooth that we felt like wearing a running shoe.

And, boy, that knit upper! Wrapping around the foot it feels so soft, so flexible. It’s almost like wearing a pair of socks.

And it almost weighs like a sock (well, a cushioned sock). At 12.1 oz, it is about 1.5 oz lighter than basketball shoes on average!

On top of it all, it is a very supportive shoe. There was zero foot movement or ankle rolling even when we tried our most aggressive side-to-side movements.

Catching our attention with its phenomenal grip, the UA Curry 8 was able to excel in the other departments as well. The shoe receives all praies from us!

So plush! So bouncy!

This is a truly well-cushioned shoe from Nike. We were awestruck by the perfect blend of responsiveness, impact protection, and court feel underfoot. This is one of the best setups that keeps you low to the ground and, at the same time, delivers a nice rebound.

But “plush” doesn’t end with the midsole.

Once you step into the Cosmic Unity, you experience a real unity with its form-fitting and soft knit upper. There is zero break-in time and the shoe just feels right straight from the box. We had no heel slippage or side-to-side instability in its supportive hug.

And what earned this shoe a big bonus from us is its sustainable approach. 25% of the materials are made of trash! It is incredible that recycled materials nowadays can score as high as the premium ones. Go Nike!

All throughout our wear-test game, the shoe felt solid and heavy-duty. As long as you limit its use to indoor courts, the shoe is going to last.

It’s got good traction too but only on clean courts. If you mostly play on dusty ones, we recommend having a look at our Best grip options.

All in all, if you’re after a high-class cushioning experience in a shoe that cares about the planet, the Nike Cosmic Unity is going to wow you!

A highly-cushioned basketball shoe, the NIke PG 5 offers players a solid platform for jumping. This would be a good shoe for a big or power forward who likes to stay in the lanes and remain on the block. Aside from the pleasing looks, the Nike PG 5 offers great value for money.

The Kyrie 7 has got some of the most secure lockdowns among basketball shoes!

Once you lace it up, the foothold is remarkable. We tried our heaviest jump stops in this shoe only to make sure that it can handle them all! The containment remains solid all throughout the game. We can highly recommend it for the nimble players who perform plenty of side-to-side movements and appreciate that extra ankle support.

It is also one of the lightest options, about 1.6 oz lighter than average. We were astonished by how much support and cushioning it packs for its 12 oz !

There is nothing about the shoe that could weigh you down. The upper materials also feel light and airy.

The cushion did not disappoint either. We were actually impressed by the highly responsive and bouncy ride. And yet it doesn’t kill the ground feel and we were able to maneuver quite surefootedly during the wear-test.

Traction-wise we would recommend staying away from the overly dusty courts but the outsole responds well once wiped.

So, if you can’t imagine a game without some solid ankle support or if you are a shifty guard who wants to maximize side-to-side movements, the Kyre 7 from Nike is the shoe to choose!

Pssst. Want a premium basketball shoe for only $100?

That’s the Spawn 3!

Honestly, this shoe would easily make it to our Best overall, Best grip, and Best cushioning if its primary superpower wasn’t the price! It is a real steal!

You get INSANE grip even on dusty courts that lets you stop on a dime and change directions faster than you know it.

The cushioning on this Under Armour shoe can compete with some of the best setups from Nike (including the React foam). Amazingly bouncy, protective, and yet sensitive to the court, we are confident that this option will suit a variety of playing positions and styles.

The fit of the Spawn 3 just clicks. We didn’t expect much, judging from the shoe’s simple (if not cheap-looking) materials. But once the pair was on our feet, it couldn’t get any nicer and snugger.

And its 18%(!) lighter than the average basketball shoe!

Heck, you can even it don it for some outdoor games. The shoe’s outsole is even more durable than that of the $30+ pairs.

We can just keep listing all the benefits of this phenomenal shoe but you might as well see it for yourself.

The Under Armour did something exceptionally right with the Spawn 3.

The Zoom Freak 3 is a solid performer for me due to its supportive fit, tacky indoor traction, and propulsive forefoot cushioning. Wearing these felt light and bouncy on foot, and none of its weak points majorly stuck out to me during gameplay. The Zoom Freak 3 felt like the ideal prototype for a team model shoe - adaptable, generic fit, light and supportive cushioning, and no major weaknesses all around.