7 Best Mid Top Basketball Shoes in 2023

Mid-top shoes are a great option for all-around players. Lighter than a high top, yet slightly heavier than a low top, the mid-top or mid-cut basketball shoes offer more versatility, allowing you to stay agile and locked in securely.
If you want the best of both worlds, look no further than the mid-top basketball sneakers. In fact, we’ve rounded up the best mid-cut style models out there across different brands. We’ve tested them and put them through all sorts of scrutiny.
Each brand offers its own highly-rated signature shoes from past and present NBA Legends, as well as non-signature options. We have chosen our top picks, check them all out!
Best mid-top basketball shoes overall

What makes it the best?
Pros
- Super amazing traction on dustless courts
- Heel-to-toe transition is smooth
- Well-pronounced court feel
- Fairly dependable impact protection
- Comfortable and supportive heel area
- Very good overall containment
- Laces offers exceptional lockdown
- True-to-size fit
- Easy to put on and take off
Cons
- Ventilation has to be improved
- Not the best for outdoor use
- Shoe is on the heavier side
Today's best price

Mid-top basketball shoes with the best support


























What makes it the best?
Among all the mid-tops in our records, the Zion 2 is the indisputable standout when it comes to ankle support. The collar and the heel counter excellently worked together to keep the rear part of our feet securely in its place. Aside from this, we also enjoyed a really consistent bite on different court types, and this was further complemented by the tremendous amount of ground feedback that we got while wearing this shoe.
The thick collar did wonders in keeping our ankle comfortable and well-supported. No matter the angle of our positions, we never had to worry that the rear part of the shoe would just give in. Of course, the sturdy heel counter also had a significant role to play. After all, the heel counter got a 5 out of 5 in terms of stiffness when we squeezed and twisted it as part of our assessments in the lab.
The traction that this shoe had during our test games didn’t leave much to be desired. Its bite on the court surface was just as consistent as it could get. We did sidesteps, stepbacks, quick direction changes, and sudden twists to trick our opponents, and it never failed to give us the bite that we needed.
Using a caliper, we learned that the cushioning right under the heel and forefoot are 1.9 mm and 2.7 mm thinner than average. Even the insole is 1 mm thinner than the typical ones used in many basketball shoes. Because of this setup, we were able to enjoy a lot of court feel, which in turn afforded us more control over our fine movements.
What we didn’t like about the whole Zion 2 experience was its weight. At 15.2 ounces or 431 grams, this shoe just adds so much to the average 13.7 ounces or 387 grams. If you want to feel light on your feet, we believe this shoe is definitely not for you.
Pros
- Strong side-to-side grip
- Tremendous support
- Very pronounced court feel
- Reliable energy return
- True-to-size fit
- Breathable
- Good for bigger men
- OK for outdoors
- Casual style
Cons
- Dust-prone outsole
- Lacks impact protection
- Seriously needs breaking in
Today's best price








Mid-top basketball shoes with the best comfort































What makes it the best?
Pros
- Good traction on clean courts
- Impact protection in the heel
- Forefoot responsiveness
- Secure lockdown
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Side-to-side stability
- Wide-foot friendly
- Okay for outdoor courts
Cons
- Dust magnet
- Fiddly heel lining
Today's best price








Best mid-top basketball shoes for outdoor courts










































What makes it the best?
Pros
- Perfect for outdoor courts
- Outstandingly durable
- One of the most stable shoes
- Wide platform
- Very secure lockdown
- Reliable traction on all courts
- Breathable enough
- Sustainable materials
Cons
- Firm sole with poor impact protection
- Heavier than average
- Break-in needed
Today's best price





Mid-top basketball shoes with the best breathability







































What makes it the best?
Pros
- Highly effective traction
- Impressive impact protection
- Optimum comfort
- Breathable upper
- Reliable heel lockdown
- Good lateral stability
- Great outdoor option
- Fashionable design
Cons
- Lacks court feel
- Poor upper durability
- No outriggers on the sole
Today's best price








Best budget mid-top basketball shoes



































What makes it the best?
Pros
- Affordable
- Good impact protection
- Wear-resistant materials
- Lighter than average
- OK for the outdoor court
- True to size, good fit
- Suitable for all-day wear
- Stylish appearance
Cons
- So-so grip
- Dull cushioning
- Not very supportive
- Lacks breathability
Today's best price









Mid-top basketball shoes with the best cushioning

What makes it the best?
Pros
- A nimble performer
- Dust-resistant grip on indoor courts
- Incredibly bouncy forefoot
- Nice court feel
- Extreme breathability
- True-to-size fit
- Comfortably supportive
- High-quality laces
- Outdoor-ready
Cons
- Not enough plushness
- Cheap-feeling upper materials
- Has to be broken in
Today's best price








Comparison of the 7 best mid top basketball shoes
+ + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best | ||||||||
CoreScore | ||||||||
Users rating | ||||||||
Experts | ||||||||
Best price | ||||||||
Ranking | ||||||||
Popularity | ||||||||
# of colorways |
How we test basketball shoes
To make the recommendations, each model on the list is put through a rigorous testing process. Aside from our standard wear tests and on-court assessments, we bring all the shoes to the RunRepeat shoe testing lab for a battery of mechanical tests. Here’s exactly our approach:
- We buy all the mid-top basketball shoes using our own funds. This ensures that all our in-depth reviews are devoid of any taint of bias or brand loyalty.
- Inside the RunRepeat lab, we cut the shoes into pieces. This allows us to examine each essential part and measure 30+ parameters such as ankle support, bounce, flexibility, grip, and many others.
- We put in many hours of playing time to determine the level of performance, comfort, and durability of each model.