The cushioning setup of basketball sneakers can differ wildly. There are shoes like the Kyrie 3 that make you feel like walking on a slab of concrete while others (Lebron 18) provide cushion that feels like a soft pillow.
Not everybody needs soft and comfortably-cushioned basketball shoes, but there are a lot of reasons why basketball shoes with a lot of impact protection might make sense for you:
- You are a big and heavy guy
Large players put a lot more stress on their joints and profit the most from well-cushioned shoes
- You experience a lot of knee pain
If your knees are hurting after every game you should look for more impact protection!
- You play a lot
If you are absolutely crazy about basketball and play hours every day it might make sense to get a second pair that provides additional cushioning to relieve the stress on your joints
To help you find the best cushioned basketball sneaker I am constantly checking out the latest shoe releases and record the ratings of every honest and qualified performance review I can find. So far I have summed up the findings of 843 reviews of 186 different performance basketball shoes.
The following overview shows the top ten sneakers, ranked by the average score they received for their cushioning. This list was last updated on Oct 24, 2021. Scroll down further to see a more detailed summary of each shoe, or click on the links to see quotes and ratings from every review I gathered for each shoe.
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10.0
cushion rating based on
2 expert reviews
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The Under Armour Anatomix Spawn 3 is one of the best budget shoes you can buy.
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Great for any position or player who wants a balanced cushion setup.
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10.0
cushion rating based on
3 expert reviews
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Full-length Nike Zoom Air Strobel, Flynit materials, and FlyEase lacing system
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Good choice if you are looking for shoes that are comfortable and easy to put on
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9.8
cushion rating based on
5 expert reviews
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An update to the Jordan 34 that performs just as well if not better.
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The perfect shoe for players of every position who want a premium experience.
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9.8
cushion rating based on
6 expert reviews
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The KD 13 is a great all-around performer with one of the best cushioning setups available.
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A great pick if you are looking for a comfortable shoe that will also work outdoors.
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9.5
cushion rating based on
6 expert reviews
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LeBron's 18th signature shoe has one of the best cushion setups available.
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Great for big guys who like soft and comfortable cushioning.
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9.5
cushion rating based on
6 expert reviews
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The huge Max Air unit in the heel and 2 Zoom Air units in the forefoot provide crazy cushioning
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Top choice if you are looking for a comfortable, supportive shoe with a ton of impact protection
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9.4
cushion rating based on
6 expert reviews
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Paul George's 4th signature sneaker is one of the most affordable signature sneakers
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Super comfortable and well-cushioned basketball shoes
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9.3
cushion rating based on
4 expert reviews
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The Nike Air Zoom G.T Cut is a great low-profile shoe packed with Nike's latest tech.
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Players that like a fast and responsive shoe.
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9.3
cushion rating based on
5 expert reviews
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The KD14 is a great overall performer with no obvious weaknesses.
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A versatile shoe that works for all type of players.
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9.3
cushion rating based on
4 expert reviews
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The Nike Cosmic Unity is made from 25% recycled trash but doesn't perform like trash at all.
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Best for players who need a good mix of impact protection and court feel.
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Top 10 Best Cushion Basketball Shoes
Performance Rating:
The Under Armour Anatomix Spawn 3 is one of the best budget shoes you can buy.
Cons:
Heel curve causes some instability
What do the experts think?
The traction of the UA Anatomix Spawn 3 is great on clean and dusty courts and the outsole is durable enough for occasional outdoor use.
The cushion setup is one of the highlights of the shoe and features full-length Micro-G with a great mix of court feel, bounce, and impact protection.
Considering the budget price, the materials are pretty good and get the job done just fine performance-wise.
These fit true to size and provide a slightly loose fit. The materials stretch out a little over time.
The support is solid and has you covered with good lateral containment. Lateral stability is good overall but the heel curvature causes a little instability.
Overall the UA Anatomix Spawn 3 is an outstanding performer for the price.
Performance Rating:
Full-length Nike Zoom Air Strobel, Flynit materials, and FlyEase lacing system
Pros:
Super comfortable full-length Zoom Strobel
Cons:
Heel slippage and containment issues
What do the experts think?
The Nike UNVRS does some things really well but can't convince critics overall.
Cushioning is by far the best thing about this sneaker: the full-length Zoom Air Strobel board is comfortable, bouncy, and a favorite among all critics.
The traction was disappointing to most testers. Even on clean courts, the rubber doesn't provide hard stops and slides out too often.
The Flyknit upper materials are comfortable but not supportive enough for explosive basketball moves. The FlyEase lacing system is easy to use but has some issues with heel slippage.
Overall, the Nike Air Zoom UNVRS is a very comfortable shoe for casual use, but not well suited for explosive basketball play.
Performance Rating:
An update to the Jordan 34 that performs just as well if not better.
What do the experts think?
The traction on the Jordan 35 is similar to the 34 and performs just as well. You will get consistently great grip and stopping power - just don't ruin them playing outdoors.
The addition of a large volume Zoom Air unit in the heel makes the cushion of this shoe even more comfortable and responsive.
The materials are premium and have a good mix of old school and new textile materials. They are breathable and don't need breaking in.
The support is even better than the 34 and has nice lateral containment, stability, and ankle support.
Overall the Jordan 35 is an awesome performer that lives up to the hype and the expensive retail price!
Performance Rating:
The KD 13 is a great all-around performer with one of the best cushioning setups available.
Pros:
Comfortable full-length cushioning
Great traction indoors and outdoors
Cons:
Materials could be more premium
What do the experts think?
The nicest part of the KD 13 is the full-length Zoom Strobel which provides one of the best cushioning setups in basketball.
The traction pattern does a good job in all directions and is tough and thick enough to last outdoors.
The materials are thin, lightweight, and perform well but the quality doesn't feel premium in-hand.
Support comes from the wide base and good fit however the minimal upper doesn't provide as much lockdown as previous KD models.
As for most KD models, the fit of the KD13 is very comfortable if you have regular or narrow feet, wide-footers should go up half a size or look elsewhere.
Overall, the KD 13 is a great basketball shoe with outstanding cushioning.
Performance Rating:
LeBron's 18th signature shoe has one of the best cushion setups available.
Cons:
Poor lateral stability and containment
What do the experts think?
The traction of the Lebron 18 is good on clean courts, but inconsistent on dusty courts. The rubber of the outsole is durable enough for outdoor use.
The cushion is one of the best setups you can buy today! The combination of full-length Zoom Air, Cushlon, and Max Air offers top of the line comfort with solid responsiveness.
The $200 retail price is justified by materials that feel premium and durable, but some reviewers had issues with the tongue rubbing at the top of the foot.
The Lebron 18 fits true to size, but the Batleknit materials take a little to break-in.
The support is the low point of the shoe as reviewers had issues with lateral stability and containment due to the soft and high-off-the ground outsole.
Overall the LeBron 18 is a comfortable shoe that is more suitable for big guys who can take advantage of the cushioning and don't make a lot of hard cuts.
Performance Rating:
The huge Max Air unit in the heel and 2 Zoom Air units in the forefoot provide crazy cushioning
Pros:
Insanely comfortable cushioning
What do the experts think?
The Lebron 17 is one of the most expensive basketball shoes on the market, does it justify it's $200 retail price?
Reviewers' opinions on the traction were split: the Solebrother called it "god-levels" especially on a translucent rubber pair while Nightwing2303 didn't like the white solid rubber, even on clean courts.
The cushioning, however, was loved by everyone. A huge Max Air unit in the heel is combined with Zoom in the forefoot and they provide a ton of impact protection and bounce.
The new Knitposite upper material is thick, soft and comfortable - but it gets pretty hot after a while.
Overall, the Lebron 17 is a great performer, especially you are a heavier player looking for a comfortable and supportive shoe.
Performance Rating:
Paul George's 4th signature sneaker is one of the most affordable signature sneakers
Pros:
Super comfortable cushioning
Affordable signature sneaker
Cons:
Lateral support could be better
What do the experts think?
The 4th edition of Paul George's signature sneaker changes things up a little.
A Nike Air strobel board that sits directly under your feet replaces the Nike Zoom Air cushioning. This setup gives you a softer and super comfortable, cloud-like feeling.
The circular traction pattern works well in all directions and keeps performing solidly even on dusty courts.
The biggest weaknesses of the PG4 are the support and lockdown: most critics reported sliding out off the footbed on sharp lateral cuts and some experienced mild heel slippage.
Overall, the PG4 is a solid performer that works best for lighter players who don't rely on explosive lateral cuts.
Performance Rating:
The Nike Air Zoom G.T Cut is a great low-profile shoe packed with Nike's latest tech.
Pros:
Cushion is responsive yet bouncy
Cons:
Unnecessary material around the heel area
What do the experts think?
A majority of reviewers agree that the traction for the Air Zoom G.T Cut performed very well on clean courts and only needs occasional wiping on dusty courts.
The combination of the drop-in React midsole and the Zoom Air Strobel underfoot helps to create a very responsive ride that still manages to be bouncy. However, one reviewer did note that their React midsole felt a little bit firm.
Materials on the shoe are breathable and feel comfortable on foot.
The fit is snug and slightly narrow in the forefoot area. One reviewer recommended sizing up half a size if you have wide feet.
Most reviewers agree that the Nike Air Zoom G.T. Cut is an excellent performer loaded with tech that justifies the price tag.
Performance Rating:
The KD14 is a great overall performer with no obvious weaknesses.
Pros:
Soft & comfortable cushioning
Doesn't have any weaknesses
What do the experts think?
For some reviewers, the traction of the KD14 took a little to break-in, but they all agreed that it provides a ton of grip on clean courts and doesn't have much trouble with dusty courts either.
The Zoom Strobel and Cushlon midsole provide a perfect mix of comfort, impact protection, and responsiveness. One reviewer coined it the softest KD to date.
Materials are a little cheap to the touch but they are comfortable on foot and combined with the wide base and plastic enforcement on the sides provide a lot of lockdown and support.
The fit is less narrow than previous KD's and should work for most players unless you have super wide feet.
Overall, reviewers agree that the KD14 is a slight improvement over the KD13 and a great overall performer that is absolutely worth the $150 price tag.
Performance Rating:
The Nike Cosmic Unity is made from 25% recycled trash but doesn't perform like trash at all.
Cons:
Inconsistent traction on dust
What do the experts think?
The Nike Cosmic Unity is part of Nike's sustainability push and made from at least 25% trash. Is the performance on the court trash as well?
The traction features a traditional herringbone pattern that performs well on clean courts but struggles a little on dusty surfaces.
The cushion setup uses the same Zoom Air Strobel as the KD 12 and 13 and provides nice impact protection and responsiveness. The midsole is very low to the ground and gives your great court feel.
The knit materials are nice to the touch and very durable. Performance-wise you'll have no issues!
The support provides everything you've come to expect from performance basketball shoes with solid lateral stability and containment.
Overall the Nike Cosmic Unity is a solid performer in every category. Just watch out if you play on dusty courts often.
Frequently asked questions about cushion in basketball shoes
What types of cushioning are there? And which cushion is the best?
It is impossible to say which type of cushioning setup is the best because they each cater to different needs and styles of play.
There are firm cushions like pure Phylon that provide great court feel and responsiveness which are perfect for light and quick guards. Other types of cushion like Nike Zoom Air provide a lot more impact protection and are better suited for heavy players or older athletes that want to go easy on their joints.
These are some of the most popular cushioning systems often used in basketball sneakers:
Nike Zoom Air
Zoom Air was first released in 1995 and is one of the oldest and most popular cushioning systems. It is made of tightly stretched tensile fibers in a pressurized “Air” unit. It is most often used in high-end basketball shoes and expensive signature lines like the Lebron or KD shoes.
Nike Zoom Air is a very bouncy cushioning that provides great energy returns through the way the fibers expand back to their initial state after every impact. It is also very versatile and can be used in different ways: from small Air units like in the heel of the Kyrie 4 to one huge full-length Zoom unit like in the Jordan Why Not Zero.1
Adidas Boost
Adidas Boost is still relatively new and was first used in basketball shoes for the Adidas Crazylight Boost in 2014. Since then it has taken the sneaker world by storm because of the incredible comfort it provides and is used in popular lifestyle models like the NMD or the Yeezy Boost
Boost outsoles are made of hundreds of tiny thermoplastic urethane pellets that are fused together using hot steam. What makes these pellets unique is that they are incredibly soft while still remaining springy enough to provide great energy return. This allows Adidas to make shoes that are insanely comfortable but still provide enough responsiveness to be used in quick sports like basketball.
Boost is used in most of Adidas’ high end basketball sneakers like the Crazy Explosive, D Rose 8 or the Harden Vol. 2. Check out this video to learn more about the Boost technology:
Other foam-based cushioning
Every shoe brand has multiple versions of foam cushionings usually made of EVA which is a mixture of two plastics (Ethylene and Vinyl Acetate). EVA is a foam that includes a lot of tiny air bubbles which provide the intended bounciness and comfort.
A well-know example of a simple EVA cushioning is Phylon which is used in a lot of Nike sneakers. Other more advanced forms of cushioning like Nike Lunarlon, Adidas Bounce or Under Armour Micro G use a mix of EVA and other rubbers to create lighter and more comfortable foam.
While the characteristics of foam cushioning can vary wildly, they are usually very responsive and provide great court feel but lack elite impact protection.
