6 Best Low Top Nike Basketball Shoes in 2025

As one of Nike's most elite signature shoes, the LeBron 23 keeps hitting all the high marks in our lab tests. But this time around, it takes energy return to another level, becoming one of the bounciest options on our list thanks to the winning combination of ZoomX foam and a carbon fibre plate. But is that enough to justify such a steep price hike? Especially given that the Zoom Air is gone and that it is still one of the most heavy-set shoes? It's a mixed bag, but we can't deny the fact that the Nike LeBron 23 is still one of the top performers in the basketball shoe realm.

Nike introduced minimal updates in the KD 18, making it feel like a slightly improved version of the old KD rather than a brand-new shoe. That's great news for hoopers who enjoyed the well-rounded performance of the KD 17, as the new edition scored high in nearly all our lab tests. But on the downside, we found that the KD 18 somehow gained a whole ounce of extra weight!

Our lab tests confirmed that the Nike G.T. Cut 3 Turbo introduced some significant upgrades to the regular G.T. Cut 3. Namely, the incredible energy return that grants an explosive ride thanks to Nike's most advanced ZoomX foam and the Turbo Plate. We also appreciated the improvements in lateral support and traction that made us feel even more surefooted in the Turbo version. However, its eye-watering price point and lack of impact protection would make us think twice before ordering this Nike shoe at full price.

The Nike Sabrina 3 retains that light, nimble, and low-to-the-court profile that agile hoopers have grown to love so much. Our lab tests confirmed yet again that the shoe clearly prioritises court feel and manoeuvrability over cushioning. And this time around, the Sabrina shoe granted us an even more secure and supportive experience for the sharpest cuts and surefooted side-to-side moves.

After our wear and lab tests, we have enough evidence to say the Ja 2 is the best Nike basketball shoe for beginners. This hooper offers a little bit of everything, yet nothing too specific…which is ideal for people who've just picked up the sport!

When we cut it in half in our lab, we saw it had a bouncy Air Zoom unit at the ball of the foot. We really felt it during our games, as it pushed us forward after every layup. Its solid structure gave us the surefootedness and confidence we needed to go for moves like that one, as it scored a 4/5 on both our torsional rigidity and heel counter stiffness tests.

This supportive design features a breathable upper that got a fantastic 4/5 on our smoke test, so our feet could breathe happily when we played. Last but not least, this ventilation unusually pairs up with a durable design. This Nike pair got an average 3/5 on both our toebox and heel padding Dremel tests, which is not so bad. The outsole finished the battle against the tool with a standard 1.1 mm deep dent, so we can't really complain about durability.

Even though it's not among Nike's budget models, the Ja 2 felt quite cheap when we put it on. If you're looking for a premium hooper, you should skip this one.

Based on our games and lab tests, we've found the Precision 7 is the best budget pair among Nike low-cost basketball shoes. Its wonderfully crafted design makes it an all-rounder that doesn't feel like an economical hooper at all!

For a start, its upper offers a healthy mix of top-tier breathability and high-quality durability, as it scored a perfect 5/5 on both our breathability and toebox durability tests. Despite the toughness of the recycled materials it features, this Nike has an incredibly lightweight design. According to our scale, it stands at a feathery 11.61 oz/329g!

Its balanced upper comes with a grippy and durable outsole. Our calliper returned 4.4 mm when we measured the outsole thickness, which means there's enough material to withstand the abrasion of harsh courts. The best part is that our Dremel could only eliminate 0.9 mm of this rubber compound, making it more durable than average.

However, at 27.3/20.9 mm, the Precision 7's midsole stack is neither high enough nor does it have the technologies to offer proper impact protection. Even though it doesn't feel like it, it's a budget shoe after all.