For the longest time, basketball shoes were bulky high-tops designed to provide support and protection. But as the game of basketball evolved to become quicker and more athletic, basketball shoes adapted and became lighter, more flexible using less material.
The shoe that made low-tops popular and mainstream among NBA players, as well as recreational athletes, was the Nike Kobe 4. Released in 2009, this Kobe signature sneaker started a trend that was quickly picked up by models like the Hyperdunk Lows or the KDs.
Nowadays, low-tops have gained widespread adoption among NBA players thanks to a few advantages they have over the traditional high tops.
Advantages of Low Tops:
- They are lighter and more flexible
- They offer a better range of motion
- They make it easier to wear an ankle brace
These are the top-rated low cut basketball shoes currently on the market:
- 9.0 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- The Jordan 40 is one of the best mainline performers released in a while, thanks to its cushioning and materials.
- The Air Jordan 40 is best for players who enjoy maximum bounce and impact protection.
- 8.9 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The Way of Wade 808 5 Ultra is a lively performer thanks to the bouncy cushioning.
- This shoe is best for smaller, quicker, more explosive players.
- 8.9 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The Way of Wade All City 13 is excellent at all aspects of play. It's a versatile shoe.
- This shoe is best for quick, explosive guards but is versatile enough for everyone.
- 8.9 rating based on 4 expert reviews
- The Anta KAI 1 Speed is a worthy option with impressive traction and an accommodating fit.
- This shoe is a good pick for players who want a more responsive version of the KAI 1.
- 8.9 rating based on 9 expert reviews
- Li-Ning's Way of Wade 11 is an outstanding performance hoop shoe with grippy traction and bouncy cushioning.
- The lightweight, well-cushioned Way of Wade 11 is recommended for players who like to get up and down the court and vertical.
- 8.9 rating based on 8 expert reviews
- The Li-Ning Way of Wade All City 12 is a fantastic shoe with close-to-top-tier traction and cushioning.
- The Way of Wade All City 12 is best for guards or players who play fast and rely on court feel and responsiveness.
- 8.8 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The Adidas D.O.N. Issue 7 is a step up in performance thanks to its excellent cushioning and improved cushioning.
- This shoe is suitable for all positions and play styles. It has something for everyone.
- 8.7 rating based on 4 expert reviews
- The Way of Wade DLo 1 is a strong signature debut with fantastic traction and comfortable cushioning.
- This shoe is best for shifty, quick guards.
- 8.7 rating based on 5 expert reviews
- The GT Cut 3 Turbo makes minor adjustments to improve the traction and support.
- This shoe is best for players who want a more stable, improved version of the previous model.
- 8.5 rating based on 11 expert reviews
- The Adidas Harden Volume 9 is another solid performer in the Harden signature series.
- This shoe is best for all positions prioritizing a secure upper and springy cushioning.
Top 10 Low Cut Basketball Shoes
1. Air Jordan 40
Performance Rating:
9.0
The Jordan 40 is one of the best mainline performers released in a while, thanks to its cushioning and materials.Overall rating based on 6 reviews
Pros:
Excellent cushioning
Premium materials
Cons:
Retains lots of heat
Traction struggles on dirty floors
What do the experts think?
Jordan Brand nails it with the Air Jordan 40. It's one of the best mainline performers released in a long time.
The traction performance is excellent on clean courts and holds up decently on dirty courts.
Cushioning is the star of the show. It feels like a perfect balance of impact protection and bounce. The only downside is the lack of court feel.
The support and lockdown have greatly improved this year. The cushioning is more stable, which makes this shoe safer.
Reviewers agree the materials feel premium. The upper is comfortable and feels lighter than it actually is. Beware of breathability and low ventilation. The shoe can get hot.
The fit is slightly snug, but not too uncomfortable.
Compared to last year, the Air Jordan 40 is an improvement. It has one of the best cushioning setups available.
2. Li-Ning Wade 808 5 Ultra
Performance Rating:
8.9
The Way of Wade 808 5 Ultra is a lively performer thanks to the bouncy cushioning.Overall rating based on 7 reviews
Pros:
Cushioning is outstanding
Fast and reliable traction
Cons:
The fit feels long
Drop-in midsole is high off the ground
What do the experts think?
The Li-Ning Way of Wade 808 5 Ultra is an incredible performance shoe.
Li-Ning's traction remains top-tier. It grips the court well and is durable enough for some outdoor usage.
The Super Boom drop-in midsole is one of the best cushioning setups. It's light and bouncy.
The materials are also lightweight, and the upper is thin but comfortable.
Support and lockdown are not an issue. The containment is excellent, and the shoe feels stable.
The fit can feel long and snug, but the snugness breaks in over time.
Overall, the Way of Wade 808 5 Ultra is one of the best shoes on the market. Li-Ning tuned the drop-in midsole very well.
3. Li-Ning Way of Wade All City 13
Performance Rating:
8.9
The Way of Wade All City 13 is excellent at all aspects of play. It's a versatile shoe.Overall rating based on 7 reviews
Pros:
Outstanding traction performance
Fantastic torsional support
Cons:
Breathability only centers around the tongue
What do the experts think?
The Way of Wade All City lineup continues to get better and better with each new release.
The traction performance on the WoW All City 13 is phenomenal. It bites and grips well on all court conditions.
There is a full-length bed of Boom foam that feels comfortable, bouncy, and responsive.
The upper materials on the launch pair are firm and supportive on the outside but soft and comfortable on the inside.
Support and lockdown are also phenomenal. Li-Ning implements a Euro plate that provides excellent torsional stability.
All these features combine to make the Way of Wade All City 13 one of the best hoops shoes available.
4. ANTA KAI 1 Speed
Performance Rating:
8.9
The Anta KAI 1 Speed is a worthy option with impressive traction and an accommodating fit.Overall rating based on 4 reviews
Pros:
Grippy traction
Generous, comfortable fit
Cons:
Poor outsole tread durability
What do the experts think?
The Anta KAI 1 Speed offers a slightly different take on Kyrie's first signature shoe with the brand.
The outsole tread and traction performance are outstanding. Reviewers all mention their enjoyment of the grip.
Anta's nitrogen-infused foam feels more responsive than the foam in the KAI 1. It also feels lighter.
The materials are breathable and supportive. Reviewers also mentioned the models with embroidery are good quality.
The fit is generous, particularly in the toe box. It accommodates players well in the forefoot.
There are also all the necessary support features. You'll be secure playing in this shoe.
Anta offers a lighter, more responsive version with the Anta KAI 1 Speed.
5. Li-Ning Way of Wade 11
Performance Rating:
8.9
Li-Ning's Way of Wade 11 is an outstanding performance hoop shoe with grippy traction and bouncy cushioning.Overall rating based on 9 reviews
Pros:
Bouncy cushioning
Grippy and consistent traction
Cons:
Lack of breathability
Shallow tread depth for outdoor play
What do the experts think?
Li-Ning delivers yet another impressive performance shoe with the Way of Wade 11. It's a worthy successor to the Way of Wade 10.
The traction is consistently grippy, and dust has minimal effect on the performance.
Li-Ning uses a full-length Boom midsole with a full-length shank plate sandwiched in the middle. The performance feels springy and bouncy while remaining lightweight.
Materials are lighter than expected. The shoe feels comfortable and light but lacks breathability outside of the tongue.
The construction of the upper and the wider outsole helps keep you secure during play. Support and stability are not an issue.
The Li-Ning Way of Wade 11 is a fantastic performance basketball shoe. The grippy traction is incredibly consistent, and the bouncy cushioning feels impressive.
6. Li-Ning Way of Wade All City 12
Performance Rating:
8.9
The Li-Ning Way of Wade All City 12 is a fantastic shoe with close-to-top-tier traction and cushioning.Overall rating based on 8 reviews
Pros:
Comfortable and responsive Boom foam
Grippy traction on all surfaces
Cons:
Shoe retains a lot of heat
What do the experts think?
Li-Ning continues to put out top-quality performance shoes with this year's All City 12.
The traction performs consistently well on all surfaces, and the rubber holds up outdoors.
Li-Ning's Boom foam cushioning is a favourite among reviewers. It feels responsive and offers plenty of court feel.
Reviewers had no complaints about any of the support and lockdown features.
The materials feel sturdier than last year's model without sacrificing comfort.
The Li-Ning Way of Wade All City 12 is a top-notch performer. It has no noticeable weaknesses, and the traction and cushioning excel.
7. Adidas D.O.N. Issue 7
Performance Rating:
8.8
The Adidas D.O.N. Issue 7 is a step up in performance thanks to its excellent cushioning and improved cushioning.Overall rating based on 7 reviews
Pros:
Excellent traction performance. Top-tier.
Improved Lightstrike Pro cushioning
Cons:
Material quality could be better
What do the experts think?
The Adidas D.O.N. Issue 7 might be the best performance shoe in Adidas' lineup.
Reviewers all agree that the traction performance is excellent. The outsole grip is consistently impressive, especially indoors.
Adidas uses full-length Lightstrike Pro for the midsole. It feels improved compared to last year. The cushioning is soft and comfortable with decent bounce.
The materials are comfortable, but not top quality. The shoe is well-padded and feels secure around your feet.
Thanks to the materials, the fit breaks in very nicely after feeling snug at the beginning.
Support and lockdown aren't an issue. The heel counter is secure. There is more forefoot flexibility, but the torsional support still feels good.
Overall, Donovan Mitchell's latest signature shoe is a performance improvement. The combination of traction, cushioning, and support makes it one of the best shoes on the market.
8. Li-Ning Wade DLo 1
Performance Rating:
8.7
The Way of Wade DLo 1 is a strong signature debut with fantastic traction and comfortable cushioning.Overall rating based on 4 reviews
Pros:
Tacky traction performance
Boom cushioning is always nice
Cons:
Slightly narrow fit
A bit high off the ground for a low-cut shoe
What do the experts think?
The Li-Ning Way of Wade Dlo 1 is well-suited for shifty and quick guards who can take advantage of the reliable traction and plush cushioning setup.
Traction performance is one of the shoe's highlights. It plays consistently well on clean courts and holds its own on dust.
The shoe features full-length Boom cushioning in the midsole. It feels plush, responsive, and comfortable.
The materials are better than expected. The upper is not premium, but it's comfortable and fits your foot well.
Reviewers reported no issues with the support and lockdown features. The lateral containment is also solid.
Some reviewers report the fit is slightly narrow, but the length feels good. There isn't much discomfort, though.
The Way of Wade Dlo 1 is one of the better intro signature shoes. It offers a lot of value for the price. The traction and cushioning shine in particular.
9. Nike GT Cut 3 Turbo
Performance Rating:
8.7
The GT Cut 3 Turbo makes minor adjustments to improve the traction and support.Overall rating based on 5 reviews
Pros:
Improved support and lockdown
Excellent traction performance
Cons:
Needs a longer break-in period
Retains heat
What do the experts think?
The Nike G.T. Cut 3 Turbo is an expensive improvement to the previous model in the lineup.
The outsole improves traction. The pattern is the same, but the rubber is better at handling dust.
Cushioning is the same. The only differences are the shank, which feels fantastic, and the insole, which doesn't add much comfort.
The materials feel comfortable and provide structure at the cost of ventilation.
Support and lockdown feel better. The shank provides extra stability, and the upper helps keep your feet secure.
Overall, the G.T. Cut 3 Turbo is an improvement over its predecessor, thanks to the traction and support.
10. Adidas Harden Volume 9
Performance Rating:
8.5
The Adidas Harden Volume 9 is another solid performer in the Harden signature series.Overall rating based on 11 reviews
Pros:
Springy cushioning setup
Breathability is better than expected
Cons:
The shoe is still heavy
Thin outsole tread picks up dust
What do the experts think?
James Harden's ninth signature shoe makes tweaks to the upper to continue improving the performance of the previous two models.
The outsole is mostly the same as his previous shoe. It grips well on clean courts, but the thin tread can pick up dust on dirtier floors.
Adidas uses LightBoost in the midsole, and it's bouncier and more springy. This setup feels nimble while still providing impact protection.
The materials are lighter than the Harden Volume 8, but it's still a heavy shoe. The upper also feels supportive and secure once broken in.
The combination of the new upper, the heel counter, and the shank creates a locked-in experience.
Overall, the Adidas Harden Volume 9 is another step in the right direction as an evolving performance line, thanks to its support and cushioning.
Founder of thehoopsgeek.com. A passionate basketball enthusiast and coding geek, Andy combines a love for sports with technology.
