7 Best Nike Low Top Basketball Shoes in 2023
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Why trust us
The Nike brand is the undisputed king of basketball shoes. In fact, more than 80% of the professional players playing in the NBA today are wearing Nike shoes, with legendary names like Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Kyrie Irving, Paul George, and Kevin Durant, just to name a few, are endorsing the brand.
If you need a little help in choosing the right Nike low top basketball shoes, you’re definitely in for a treat. We’ve rounded up 70+ of them on this list and shortlisted our top picks for your convenience.
From NBA Superstars' signature releases like Nike Kyrie, Giannis Immortality, PG 5, and Lebrons, to Nike Cosmic Unity, Renew Elevate, and Air Zoom BB NXT, you have plenty of great choices depending on your personal preference and playing style.
How we test basketball shoes
To make our shortlist of the ultimate best selections, we put each pair of shoes through the stringiest testing process. That means meticulous scrutiny and examination of the shoes inside our RunRepeat shoe testing lab, as well as working with a team of wear-testers to determine their on-court performance.
We strictly follow these protocols:
- We purchase all the low top basketball shoes from Nike from our own pocket.
- We perform various mechanical tests at the lab, which involve cutting the shoes into pieces and analyzing their parts from the outsole grip on wood or concrete to the softness of the midsole, cushioning, and bounce, among others.
- Our team of players plays a lot of basketball games both indoor and outdoor in the park. They report back to us with their feedback.
- We further test each model by doing other sports activities.
- We collate more data from expert reviews and regular users.
To end the process, we use our CoreScore system to calculate the final score of each pair. Based on the data above, all the low top shoes in the database are given their respective overall rating from 0 to 100.
Best Nike low top basketball shoes overall
Nike Lebron 20
95
Superb!
What makes it the best?
The LeBron 20 definitely looks much more toned down, so it is visually different from the previous Nike LeBrons; yet, players note that its performance is as big as ever. It serves the need of not only players who want a lot of impact protection but also athletes who want to be agile on the court. It's already a bonus that this shoe has the looks for off-the-court action.
Pros
- Amazing overall performance
- Great traction
- Tremendous impact protection
- Pronounced court feel
- Dependable bounciness
- Comfortable upper
- Incredible foot containment
- Stylishly streamlined looks
Cons
- Not for outdoors
- Has to be broken in
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
More colors
Nike
$155
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$160
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$200
Champs Sports
Free shipping & returns
$200
Best Nike low top outdoor basketball shoes
Nike Giannis Immortality 2
85
Good!
What makes it the best?
The Nike Giannis Immortality 2 is a pleasant surprise for players who are fast and quite shifty on the basketball court. Many say that the whole design of the shoe is all about speed and control. It's good that many are going to experience the goodness that this signature shoe offers because of its fairly affordable price.
Pros
- Really good traction
- Quick-feeling cushioning setup
- Smooth heel-to-toe transitions
- Very lightweight structure
- True-to-size fit
- Upper offers next-to-skin comfort
- Good for outdoor use
- Affordable
Cons
- Not enough impact protection
- Dust-prone outsole
- A bit unstable
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
More colors
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$72
Nike
$73
Champs Sports
Free shipping & returns
$85
Zappos
Best Nike low top lace-up basketball shoes
Nike KD 15
93
Superb!
What makes it the best?
The releases from the KD line are hits, and the Nike KD 15 is not an exemption. This basketball shoe energizes every step without forgetting to protect the feet from impact upon aggressive strikes and hard landings. Dust is also not going to be a problem, and the grip is indeed consistent even on unkempt floors. Its collar is not as high, but the curved structure of the heel locks in the foot extra securely. It's apparent that a lot of careful thought was poured into the design process of this Nike offer.
Pros
- Consistent grip on different surfaces
- Dust-resistant outsole
- Plush and protective foam
- Bouncy midsole
- Secure heel counter
- Well-ventilated upper
- Feels light
- OK for outdoors
Cons
- Not for wide-footers
- Lacks flexiblity
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
More colors
Amazon
Free shipping
$130
Nike
$137
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$150
Champs Sports
Free shipping & returns
$150
Most popular Nike low top basketball shoes
Nike Cosmic Unity 2
83
Good!
What makes it the most popular?
The Nike Cosmic Unity 2 does not disappoint even those who have been so impressed with the original Cosmic Unity from the previous year. Experts state that it is of the same level as top performers like the Nike KD 15. Given all this, it is not a surprise that this basketball shoe has become a solid contender for the best shoe of the year title.
Pros
- Reliable grip
- Smooth heel-to-toe transition
- Excellent impact protection
- Good court feel
- Pretty bouncy
- Comfortable upper
- Good quality for the price
- Pretty light
- OK for outdoors
Cons
- Not for wide-footers
- So-so support
- Still has to be broken in
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
Nike
$73
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$75
Champs Sports
Free shipping & returns
$112
Amazon
Free shipping
$118
Stadium Goods
$209
Best Nike low top basketball shoes with strap
Nike Zoom Freak 3
85
Good!
What makes it the best?
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.
Pros
- True to size
- Very comfy
- Bouncy forefoot cushioning
- Nice, snug fit
- Great support
- Strong multi-directional traction
- Fantastic lockdown
Cons
- Poor outsole durability
- Minimal heel cushioning
- Midfoot stability issues
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
More colors
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$60
Stadium Goods
$79
Champs Sports
Free shipping & returns
$90
Zappos
Best Nike low top expensive basketball shoes
Nike Adapt BB
84
Good!
What makes it the best?
The Nike Adapt BB is not just designed for aesthetic purposes. It is definitely made for performance. It is amazing in so many ways, from the performance to the design. If you are a sneakerhead with a love for tech advancements, this shoe is a must for a solid performer on the court.
Pros
- True to size
- Nice fit
- Supportive
- Great traction
- Amazing lace engine
- Looks great
- Comfortable
Cons
- Little wobble
- Narrow
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Free shipping
$418
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Best value Nike low top basketball shoes
Nike Precision 4
85
Good!
What makes it the best?
The Nike Precision 4 is an affordable, low-cut basketball shoe that features a lot of significant highlights similar to higher-profile basketball shoes. The Precision 4 is suitable for casual basketball players who do not need too much cushioning and ankle support.
Pros
- True to size
- Affordable
- Feels light
- Responsive
- Aggressive tread pattern
- Nice lockdown
- Flexible toebox
- Wide, stable base
Cons
- Rubber sole is hard and slips
- Tongue slides around
- Sole collects dirt
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$62
Stadium Goods
$155
Zappos
Running Warehouse
Comparison of the 7 best Nike low top basketball shoes
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