6 Best Nike High Top Basketball Shoes in 2023
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High top basketball shoes are designed to provide maximum stability and ankle support. However, this design also adds more weight to the shoe. If you want a lighter model, the mid-cut or low-top variations are a better choice. But if you’re prone to ankle injuries or wanted more support, the high top sneakers from Nike are your best bet.
A popular choice among centers and power forwards, the Nike high-top models come with a high-cut collar and padding for optimal comfort. If you’re a fan of LeBron James, you’re in for a treat with his latest signature releases. If you’re more inclined to the classic style, check out the Nike Air Force.
To narrow down your options, we’ve rounded up and tested the best Nike high top b-ball models. Whatever your preferences, we provide you with our top picks in different categories.
How we test basketball shoes
Our goal at RunRepeat is to provide 100% honest and in-depth reviews for our readers. To achieve that, we adhere to a meticulous selection process. That means gathering necessary data from mechanical tests done at the lab, as well as real-world wear tests. To make the cut, we do the following:
- We buy all the high top basketball shoes from Nike from our own pocket to avoid any bias.
- We cut each model into its essential parts, and measure 30+ parameters inside our independent lab from the energy return, impact protection, stability, ankle support system, and many more.
- Our wear-testers put in hours of playing time to determine the overall performance, comfort, and other attributes of each model.
- We get more data from other experts and regular hoop players.
For the final score, we use the proprietary CoreScore system that assigns each model an overall rating ranging from 0 to 100. Our best picks are then featured on this list.
Best Nike high top basketball shoes overall
Nike Lebron 13
88
Great!
What makes it the best?
The Lebron 13 is a versatile shoe. It’s comfortable, holding your foot in place. The cushioning is on point, and the design is great in my opinion. If you’re a quick, shifty guard, I do not recommend you this shoe. But if you’re someone doing a little bit of everything on a court and plays outside, I believe that’s a great overall shoe.
Pros
- True to size
- Breathable
- Secure
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Great cushioning
- Good traction
Cons
- Break-in needed
- Long laces (untie easily)
- A bit heavy
- Expensive
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
More colors
Stadium Goods
$340
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Best Nike high top ankle support basketball shoes
Nike LeBron Soldier 12
89
Great!
What makes it the best?
This shoe will be very popular amongst all age groups of basketball players and for good reason. The plethora of colorways will offer good value propositions when they go on sale. No shoe is perfect and for the LeBron Soldier XII that I tested, the wear and tear on these shoes may become evident if you play hard in them.
Pros
- Good traction
- Nice fit
- Adjustable straps
- Wiggle room for the toes
- Breathable
- Looks great
- Comfy cushion
- Supportive
Cons
- Squeaking sound
- Not durable
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
More colors
eBay
$60
StockX US
$150
Zappos
Running Warehouse
Best Nike high top outdoor basketball shoes
Nike Zoom Rize
91
Superb!
What makes it the best?
With great traction, cushioning, and high-quality materials, these high-tops Nike basketball shoes have all the boxes checked. Basketball players are pleased with its support, lockdown, stability, and containment which works close to perfection, making this pair an excellent shoe that comes at an affordable price.
Pros
- Top-notch traction
- Durable for outdoor play
- Incredible midsole
- Responsive and stable
- Strong and supportive
- No break-in time
- Exceptional lockdown
- Excellent ankle support
- Breathable
- No dust pickup
- Worth the investment
Cons
- No low-cut version
- Not enough court feel for some
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Free shipping
$140
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Best Nike high top basketball shoes with strap
Nike Air Force Max
82
Good!
What makes it the best?
The Nike Air Force Max is a stylish high-top that offers comfortable support on the court. Basketball players are pleased with the plushness of the full-length Max Air cushion and its supportive fit. This shoe is perfect for big men who are looking for a stylish, secure, and comfortable basketball shoe that rocks both the streets and the courts.
Pros
- Good ankle protection and containment
- Durable
- Superb comfort
- Reliable traction
- Light
- Sharp look
- Solid build
Cons
- Hard to put on
- Lacks court feel
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Stadium Goods
$185
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Best value Nike high top basketball shoes
Nike Air Force 180
81
Good!
What makes it the best?
Cushioned, durable, and superior in support: the Air Force 180 is a classic that's for intense plays. When it comes to on-court time, it's best for powerful players. When it comes to off-court time, everyone wanted a pair the moment it was released. Even today it is a shoe hoopers want - mostly for their collection, not rotation.
Pros
- Perfect for heavier athletes
- Consistent high-quality materials
- Great for casual use
- Good amount of support
- Multiple colorways
- Fits true to size
- Stable landings
- Neat craftsmanship
- Durable traction
Cons
- Average for light players
- Narrow
- Too hot on summer days
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Stadium Goods
$425
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Most popular Nike high top basketball shoes
Nike AlphaDunk
83
Good!
What makes it the most popular?
The shoe’s high-top design offers excellent lockdown and ankle support. At the forefoot, the large-volume Zoom unit provides a lot of bounce and impact protection at $180. However, it seems that the tread pattern and chunky midsole don’t provide the needed court feel.
Pros
- Bouncy
- Pretty responsive
- Excellent impact protection
- Great on foot
- Soft
- Flexible
- Sturdy
- Excellent support
- Great lockdown fit
- Easy to put on
- Good traction
Cons
- Outsole attracts a lot of dust
- Heavy and bulky
- Chunky midsole
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$95
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Comparison of the 6 best Nike high top basketball shoes
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