7 Best New Basketball Shoes in 2023

Newly released basketball shoes are all great, but the Nike LeBron NXXT GEN still managed to rise above them all because of its speed-oriented design that highlighted an effectively reduced weight and surprisingly firm midsole. We were also extra thankful for this shoe’s torsional rigidity that kept us safe from painful twists and instability.

Being a LeBron, we expected the NXXT GEN to be quite heavy. Our jaws dropped when the weighing scale reported its weight to be only 13.12 ounces or 372 grams, making it even lighter than the 13.65 ounces or 387 grams average. The reduced weight allowed us to speed up our runs.

We believed that LeBron shoes are always cushiony. But this belief changed when we played in the LeBron NXXT GEN. Its tooling actually felt firm and reactive! Our HA durometer in the lab pegged its softness to be 30.6, which is higher (hence firmer) than the 27.9 average.

We felt so protected from twists because the shoe’s base truly felt firm and stable. We manually assessed it in the lab, and it indeed showed quite a resistance. It earned a 4 out of 5 from us for torsional rigidity.

The shoe’s ventilation, though, was quite a bummer. Our smoke test showed that the upper material couldn’t let the smoke nor air pass through, and it earned only a 2 out of 5.

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.

True to its name, the Nike G.T. Jump 2 is indeed a shoe that understands the demands of each jump. Its midsole gives back the power that fuels takeoffs and absorbs impact upon landing. For players whose style involves jumping blocks, dunks, and jump shots, this shoe is going to be such a treat.

All things considered, the Jordan Luka 2 is indeed a worthy upgrade from the Luka 1. Swifter guards are going to have the games of their lives in this shoe because of the energy return and comfort that it provides. It's a very welcome bonus that this shoe is comfortable and pleasing enough to be worn in non-game contexts.

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.

The anticipation for Ja Morant's first signature shoe with Nike is pretty much justified. The Nike Ja 1 is a total performer that suits different kinds of players: from guards who appreciate a lot of energy return to heel strikers and bigger men who need good impact protection. It's also comfortable enough to be worn off the court. You can really maximize the money spent on this hoop shoe.

The Adidas Ownthegame basketball shoes get the job done, there should be no question about this by now. This pair of kicks just deliver on generally important aspects that wearers start using their Ownthegame shoes for other activities such as tennis, dancing, and even working out in the gym. This shoe surely gives anyone a lot of opportunities to make the most out of it.