5 Best Basketball Shoes in 2025

Basketball shoes that enhance every move are designed for speed, grip, and supremacy throughout play.

Running, jumping, fast stops, and sudden direction changes are all part of basketball. Some of these movements can be supported by standard athletic sneakers, but only the proper basketball shoes can support them completely.

While some hoop shoes specialize in a particular area, like as grip or cushioning, others are excellent all-arounders that work well for the majority of playing styles and positions. With so many options on the market, we are here to help you select the one that best suits your requirements and tastes.

We selected the top choices in each category after extensively evaluating basketball sneakers both on the court and in our lab.

In order to compile our ranking of the top basketball shoes:

For the purpose of doing an impartial review, we pay for the shoes ourselves.
On both indoor and outdoor courts, we hoop and play in these shoes.
Finally, we analyze and examine these pairs in greater detail by putting them through more than 20 lab tests.
You can see the outcome of this strategy in our reviews: what a mix of in-person and laboratory testing produces.

Best basketball shoes overall: Nike LeBron 22
Basketball shoes with the best traction: Adidas D.O.N. Issue #6
Basketball shoes with the best cushioning: Nike G.T. Jump 2
Basketball shoes with the best support: Adidas Dame 9
Best basketball shoes for outdoor courts: Nike Cosmic Unity 3

Best basketball shoes overall

Nike LeBron 22

LeBron is a well-known athlete throughout the world, and his signature shoe collection, now in its 22nd generation, is no different. In both our lab and wear testing, the LeBron 22 demonstrates exceptional performance and playability. It was therefore simple to decide that it was our greatest basketball sneaker overall.

Its extremely responsive and lively ride was the most notable feature. It has some of the most cutting-edge technology from Nike, including as Zoom Air, Zoom Turbo, and the luxurious Cushlon 2.0 cushion. With a firm 30.5 HA on our durometer, the midsole provides excellent shock absorption and dependable support during every cut and jump.

In relation to support, this pair’s confinement is exceptional. The construction is extremely sturdy, as seen by the torsional rigidity test, which gave it a perfect 5/5 result and required 44.1N of force to bend to 90 degrees. Without any unwelcome movement, our feet remained fixed in place.

Another victory was traction. The firm grip gave us the confidence to push our boundaries on dusty and pristine courts alike. However, there is a cost associated with all that structure and support: weight. This shoe weighs more than average. Therefore, if you’re a player or guard who prioritizes quickness and rapid cutbacks, you might want to think about going for a lighter choice.

However, the LeBron 22 is difficult to top if you want the most cushioning, quick response, and high-end construction that can withstand rigorous play.

Basketball shoes with the best traction

Adidas D.O.N. Issue #6

After numerous hours of testing in our lab and on the hardwood, we can state with confidence that the Adidas D.O.N. Issue 6 meets the needs of hoopers who prioritize feeling secure and surefooted. It had a truly outstanding level of traction. It earned its place as our top basketball sneaker for traction by gripping the court like it was on a mission.

With unshakeable assurance, these duo kept us grounded whether we played on muddy courts or immaculate ones, indoors or out. Each of the six pieces that make up the outsole has a unique circular traction pattern designed for abrupt stops, sharp cuts, and fast pivots. Its readiness was validated by our durometer using a soft 74.0 HC, which provided the ideal ratio of bite to flexibility.

However, there were other highlights besides traction. The confinement and lockdown of this shoe were equally excellent. Our feet felt comfortable and safe because of the fully gusseted tongue. With a flawless 5/5 in torsional rigidity and a 4/5 in heel counter stiffness, it also didn’t cut corners on structure. Simply noted, worries about instability or ankle rolls were never an issue because this shoe held our feet down like it was designed for combat.

We discovered an X-plate embedded in the midsole when we split it in half for our lab assessment, which improved the shoe’s stiffness and energy return even further. Power techniques and explosive transitions benefit greatly from that additional rigidity, but there is a cost. There is undoubtedly a break-in phase, and the shoe felt more like it was moving on its own than with us during the first few games.

Nevertheless, the D.O.N. Issue 6 becomes a dependable beast on the court after it is broken in. This is a no-brainer for players who value support, containment, and traction.

Basketball shoes with the best cushioning

Nike G.T. Jump 2

Some of the best impact protection we’ve ever experienced is provided by the G.T. Jump 2, which is supported by our basketball games and lab results. This Nike cushioning monster is our finest cushioned hooper since it made every landing seem like a cloud and allowed us to joyfully forget about any impediments that attempted to interfere with our jumps!

We took out our caliper and measured its stack height at 35.6/29.2 mm to learn more about its amazing cushioning. Among the tallest hoopers we’ve ever used is this one! We found out that it featured Nike React foam at the back when we sliced it in half, which ensured that our feet always landed happily. In addition to being comfortable, it is responsive since it has a full-length Zoom Air strobel underneath the insole.

What we experienced on the court was validated by our durometer: the midsole is 60% plusher than typical at 16.0 HA. To prevent our feet from sinking into infinity, the manufacturer has inserted a second layer of foam. Compared to React foam, this EVA is 130% stiffer. In our torsional rigidity test, we also scored this Nike a 5/5, which is consistent with the secure and stable sensation our ankles experienced while playing.

However, weighing 15.59 oz (442g), this shoe is far heavier than typical. Centers and larger players who require more cushioning underfoot could find it useful. However, we experienced its weight during our games, so if you’re a guard searching for a quick friend, this isn’t the one.

Basketball shoes with the best support

Adidas Dame 9

After putting the Adidas Dame 9 through rigorous wear and lab tests, there was one unanimous verdict: this is hands-down the best basketball shoe for support we’ve tried so far. From the first wear to the final buzzer, we felt locked-in, balanced, and confident in every move.

Support is where the Dame 9 truly dominates. With tall lateral walls and rubberized reinforcements, it felt like our feet were in a tactical grip. Whether we were pushing off for a drive or sliding hard on defense, there was zero give. The numbers backed this up too, with a 5/5 on torsional rigidity and a 4/5 on heel counter stiffness—this shoe isn’t here to mess around.

The bootie-like construction only added to that secure feeling. It wrapped our feet snugly, eliminating any internal shifting, no matter how explosive our movements got. When we tested its flexibility, it took 43.8N of force just to bend it to 90 degrees—meaning the structure stays firm under pressure.

Underfoot, the Dame 9 also boasts an extra-wide platform, with a forefoot width of 120.1 mm and heel width of 93.0 mm. That gave us an ultra-stable ride, especially during landings and lateral cuts. Combined with the upper’s containment, we were always grounded and in control.

However, this fortress-like build doesn’t come without trade-offs. At 14.71 oz (417g), it’s definitely on the heavier side. If you’re a speed-first player or looking for a featherlight feel, this might not be your go-to.

But for bigs, wings, or players who prioritize support, stability, and impact protection, the Dame 9 is a standout performer. It’s built like a tank—with the foot-hugging fit of a compression sleeve—and it plays like one too.

Best basketball shoes for outdoor courts

Nike Cosmic Unity 3

Based on our expertise and laboratory testing, the Nike Cosmic Unity 3 is the best basketball sneaker for outdoor play. We discovered that this shoe’s outsole hardness is above average, which makes it ideal for outdoor use. In addition to being suitable for outdoor use, this Nike sneaker was fantastic because to its remarkably reliable bite and remarkably resilient upper.

The relentless solidity of the rubber sole gave us the confidence to wear this shoe outside. According to our results on the HC durometer, the rubber material had a higher degree of hardness (86.5) than the average (81.5). In our experience, rubber that is tougher lasts longer.

The Nike Cosmic Unity 3 is an incredible beast in terms of traction. We were astounded by its dust resistance in addition to the fact that it was constant on both indoor and outdoor courts. Even though we didn’t wipe it very often, the sole held the floors firmly.

The Cosmic Unity 3’s incredible toebox durability is the third factor that sets it apart from competing footwear. We conducted the common Dremel test in the lab. We gave it a perfect five for durability because we could hardly see any damage from the 12 seconds of high-pressure drilling.

Its weight was one item that caused us some concern. It weighs 15.66 oz (444 g), which is heavier than the average of 14.22 oz (403 g).