If you are a quick guard and you like to beat your opponent off the dribble with deadly crossovers and smooth pull-up jumpers you need shoes that can keep up with your style of play.
But what does the perfect guard shoe look like?
- It features great traction that will grip the floor and allow you to change directions very quickly
- The cushioning is responsive and doesn't lag
- It is a low- (or mid-cut) shoe that doesn't unneccessarily restrict your range of motion
So how do you find a shoe that fulfils these three criteria?
Easy! You check all shoe releases of the last year, pick all low- or mid-tops, read all the reviews and choose the one with amazing traction and responsive cushioning!
Sounds like a lot of work? Luckily I did it for you! I have checked out the 362 most popular basketball shoe releases since the end of 2016, read (or watched) all 1928 reviews I could find and summed up the expert findings here.
The following list shows all low- or mid-tops (as of Oct 20, 2025) that received great scores for their traction and feature responsive cushioning:
- 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.
- 8.9 rating based on 11 expert reviews
- The Nike LeBron 21 maintains its high level of performance while improving its support and stability.
- The Nike LeBron 21 is fit for all play styles because of the mix of traction, cushioning and support.
- 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 5 expert reviews
- The Curry 12 is the best performer in the Curry line thanks to the revamped cushioning and continued excellence of Flow foam.
- The Curry 12 is the perfect shoe for players who need elite traction on clean courts.
- 8.5 rating based on 5 expert reviews
- The Adidas D.O.N. Issue 6 is a great performer. The shoe is lightweight and reliable.
- The D.O.N. Issue 6 is best for quicker players looking for a bottom-light shoe.
The Best Basketball Shoes for Guards
Let's take a closer look at some great PG shoes:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Nike Lebron 21
Performance Rating:
8.9
The Nike LeBron 21 maintains its high level of performance while improving its support and stability.Overall rating based on 11 reviews
Pros:
Bouncy cushioning
Upgraded support and materials
Cons:
Slightly narrow fit
What do the experts think?
Nike and LeBron hookup for the 21st entry in his signature shoe line. This time, with improved materials and stability.
Most reviewers agree the traction performance is solid, especially on clean courts. Make sure that you wipe on dusty courts.
The cushioning feels springy and bouncy. The Cushlon foam and Zoom units provide a balanced feel.
The upper materials are where the shoe sees the most change. The leather feels more supportive, and the tongue is breathable, too.
With the revamped upper, the support and lockdown are better. Lateral containment is incredible and secure.
Nike continues in the right direction with the LeBron signature line. The Nike LeBron 21 makes slight tweaks to improve the materials and support.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Under Armour Curry 12
Performance Rating:
8.5
The Curry 12 is the best performer in the Curry line thanks to the revamped cushioning and continued excellence of Flow foam.Overall rating based on 5 reviews
Pros:
Upgraded dual-density Flow foam cushioning
Flow outsole remains elite
Cons:
Dust affects performance
Not much innovation
What do the experts think?
The Curry 12 only makes minor changes compared to the previous model.
If it's not broken, don't fix it. Flow foam is still an elite traction setup, especially on clean courts. Just make sure to wipe any dust pickup off the outsole.
The dual-density Flow foam midsole is tweaked slightly this year. It feels a bit softer, but it's still firm. The setup provides responsiveness and a solid court feel.
Materials are mostly an engineered mesh. The upper is comfortable and flexible right out of the box.
Support and lockdown are impressive. The upper is supportive, and the shank plate provides plenty of torsional rigidity.
The Curry 12 performance improves slightly thanks to the minor changes to the shoe's materials and cushioning.
10. Adidas D.O.N. Issue 6
Performance Rating:
8.5
The Adidas D.O.N. Issue 6 is a great performer. The shoe is lightweight and reliable.Overall rating based on 5 reviews
Pros:
Lightweight performance
Top-tier traction
Cons:
Not very responsive
Lack of court feel
What do the experts think?
Adidas continues its run of impressive signature models with the latest release in Donovan Mitchell's line.Â
The traction is one of the shoe's main highlights. It's consistent and reliable. Some reviewers consider it top-tier.Â
The cushioning setup has a decent amount of impact protection, and the bottom of the shoe feels light. However, the foam does not feel springy.Â
Adidas' materials are lightweight, durable, and comfortable. The shoe is well-padded, and the upper construction helps with containment.Â
Lateral security and containment are not issues, but some reviewers did report minor heel slippage.Â
The Adidas D.O.N. Issue 6 is a strong performer with impressive and reliable traction.Â
What makes a great shoe for point guards and shooting guards?
Traction
As a quick guard, traction is by far the most important aspect of a shoe's performance. Sticky traction will allow you to blow by your defender with an explosive first step, help you to stop on a dime when attacking the basket, and give you the necessary grip to pester your opponent on defense. Shoes with bad traction will rob you of all your quickness, negate all your strengths and might even make you slip on an opponent's crossover - nobody wants that!
So, the most important thing as a guard is to get shoes with amazing traction.
Herringbone pattern
Cushion
Shoes with comfortable cushioning that make you feel like you're walking on clouds are great for heavy big guys, but not for shifty guards. As a guard, you probably weigh a lot less than the Shaqs of this world, and therefore you need a lot less impact protection. In fact, mushy and soft cushioning often has a negative effect on your speed and quickness as it takes away from your court feel and makes cuts and first steps a split second slower.
As a guard, you want to have a responsive cushioning setup with excellent court feel that doesn't take away from your quickness.
Style of Silhouette
In today's game, most guards are playing in low or mid-top basketball shoes. These shoes are cut a lot lower around the ankles compared to traditional basketball "boots". This style reduces the weight and allows a greater amount of flexibility and freedom of movement. The lost ankle support is made up for with other support features like extended outriggers and sturdy heel counters. If you still don't feel comfortable playing in low-tops, or you are recovering from an ankle sprain take a look at ankle braces. Steph Curry is wearing an ankle brace every game, and he's doing okay! Low or mid-tops are the way to go for guards.
Founder of thehoopsgeek.com. A passionate basketball enthusiast and coding geek, Andy combines a love for sports with technology.
