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 332 most popular basketball shoe releases since the end of 2016, read (or watched) all 1733 reviews I could find and summed up the expert findings here.
The following list shows all low- or mid-tops (as of Dec 12, 2024) that received great scores for their traction and feature responsive cushioning:
- 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 8 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.
- 8.7 rating based on 5 expert reviews
- The New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2 delivers comfortable cushioning with ample impact protection.
- Explosive players who emphasize a vertical play style will appreciate the New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2.
- 8.7 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- The Curry 11 remains a fantastic basketball shoe. The traction is excellent, and the cushioning provides more impact protection.
- The Under Armour Curry 11 is the perfect shoe for quick and shifty guards.
- 8.7 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- The LeBron NXXT Gen has grippy traction and responsive cushioning.
- This shoe is a good pick for players who don't need maximum cushioning but still want Zoom.
- 8.6 rating based on 10 expert reviews
- The Adidas Harden Volume 8 is a fantastic performer with excellent traction on clean courts and comfortable cushioning.
- The Harden Vol 8 is best for players who use powerful footwork to create space.
- 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. 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.
2. 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 8 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2
Performance Rating:
8.7
The New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2 delivers comfortable cushioning with ample impact protection.Overall rating based on 5 reviews
Pros:
Soft, comfortable cushioning
Stable fit and support
Cons:
The shoe retains some moisture
Lacks some responsiveness
What do the experts think?
New Balance delivers a comfortable shoe with impressive performance features in the New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2.
The traction is grippy and substantial, especially on clean courts. Reviewers experienced some sliding on dusty courts.
New Balance's Fresh Foam X provides a soft, comfortable ride. The foam provides excellent impact protection.
All reviewers enjoyed the quality of the materials.
The support and lockdown comes from the stable and secure fit. The shoe is forgiving and well-contained.
The New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2 improves on many of the previous model's shortcomings. The cushioning is a standout feature.
6. Under Armour Curry 11
Performance Rating:
8.7
The Curry 11 remains a fantastic basketball shoe. The traction is excellent, and the cushioning provides more impact protection.Overall rating based on 6 reviews
Pros:
Improved impact protection
Flow traction
Cons:
Low volume, snug fit
What do the experts think?
Under Armour and Curry Brand continue to provide slight improvements to their main signature shoe line.
The Flow outsole is excellent. The performance is elite, and it performs better on dust this year.
Under Armour uses a dual-density foam setup for cushioning this year. It provides additional impact protection under the heel.
The fit is snug, with some reviewers mentioning it feels like a 1-to-1 fit around your foot.
The materials aren't premium but are lightweight, comfortable, and breathable.
Like previous models in the line, the support is secure, especially around the heel area.
The Under Armour Curry 11 sticks to the tried and true formula of the last three models. The traction remains the best on the market.
7. Nike LeBron NXXT Gen
Performance Rating:
8.7
The LeBron NXXT Gen has grippy traction and responsive cushioning.Overall rating based on 6 reviews
Pros:
Sticky traction
Comfortable and responsive cushioning
Cons:
Lower material quality
What do the experts think?
The Nike LeBron NXXT Gen features a map of Akron as its traction pattern. It grips nicely indoors and outdoors.
The foam feels firmer than the LeBron 20, but the Zoom units and shank keep the shoe comfortable and responsive.
Material quality is a downgrade, but there is no drop in performance.
Support and containment are not issues either. The materials work to keep you locked into the shoe.
The latest entry in the LeBron line of shoes has a lower price point than the flagship model and offers just as much performance.
8. Adidas Harden Volume 8
Performance Rating:
8.6
The Adidas Harden Volume 8 is a fantastic performer with excellent traction on clean courts and comfortable cushioning.Overall rating based on 10 reviews
Pros:
The Jetboost cushioning feels plush
Traction is tacky
Cons:
Heavy shoe for modern performance standards
Picks up dust quickly
What do the experts think?
James Harden's signature shoe continues to be one of the best on the market with the release of the Adidas Harden Volume 8.
All reviewers agree the traction performance is excellent on clean courts, but the outsole picks up dust quickly. After the rubber warms up, the performance on dust improves.
The full-length Jetboost cushioning setup provides comfort and responsiveness.
The materials are interesting, especially the EVA sidewall. The shoe is comfortable, but it retains heat longer than other shoes. The weight is also on the heavier side.
Support and lockdown are not an issue. The shoe's construction keeps you stable and secure through lateral movements.
Overall, the Adidas Harden Volume 8 is another impressive performer because of the tacky traction and comfortable cushioning.
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.
