7 Best Mid Top Basketball Shoes in 2023

Nimble guards and big players are going to have lots of fun playing in Adidas Harden Vol. 7 shoes. This basketball shoe's design effectively ensures control, energy return, and confidence. Hence, it does not come as a surprise that many players consider this one of the best shoes from Adidas in recent months.

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.

The Adidas Dame 8 is another shoe from the Damian Lillard series that delivers on aspects that matter. It is supportive, bouncy, light, and offers a decent amount of court feel. However, it has serious issues with traction on dusty courts, which some players may consider as a deal-breaker.

The Nike Cosmic Unity 3 is an investment that will give a lot of returns. We believe that this is the case where a high price tag is absolutely justified. For us, this shoe is an instant top pick in the durability and stability departments. And for sure, it is among the best options for outdoor use that we've seen in a while. If Nike fixes its firm midsole and trims down the weight for the next iteration, we are ready to claim it as THAT SHOE.

Up to a certain extent, the LeBron Witness 7 is practically just the Nike LeBron 20 made less pricey and more suitable for outdoor use. From aspects that are truly important such as traction and cushioning down to matters that are only peripherally valuable such as looks, you can count on the LeBron Witness 7 to deliver.

The Under Armour Lockdown 6 is among the cheapest models from the brand. Even though it doesn't scream performance, the shoe has all the basics to assist a player who is only trying their hand at basketball. Considering that you can get this shoe with a good discount these days, it is practically a free pair of entry-level kicks! And if it doesn't work for basketball, you can still wear this looker out and about.

There is always so much hype around Air Jordan releases, and the Air Jordan 37 surely deserves all that surrounds it now. It offers a fresh new aesthetic and brings so much nimbleness to indoor hardwood courts. Players who are quick on their feet and fond of mixing up their footwork are going to have their heydays in this model.