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 1141 reviews of 238 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 Jan 31, 2023. 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
8 expert reviews
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The tech-loaded Nike GT Jump's performance is outstanding.
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Best for players with an explosive play style looking for good cushioning.
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9.6
cushion rating based on
4 expert reviews
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The Jordan 36 Low performs almost identically to the Jordan 36.
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Awesome shoe for players with explosive play styles looking for the extra lift when jumping.
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9.6
cushion rating based on
8 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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9.5
cushion rating based on
4 expert reviews
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The Li-Ning Way of Wade 10 features an outstanding cushioning setup alongside its grippy traction.
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This shoe is an excellent pick for quick, explosive players who enjoy a bouncy feeling in their shoes.
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9.5
cushion rating based on
9 expert reviews
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The Nike KD 15 is a shoe that has something for every type of player.
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Best for players looking for a shoe that covers all the bases.
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9.4
cushion rating based on
8 expert reviews
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The latest Air Jordan mainline signature model is, once again, a top-performing shoe.
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Great for players that are looking for a top-tier performance basketball shoe.
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9.3
cushion rating based on
7 expert reviews
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The Nike Air Zoom G.T. Cut 2 continues to offer plenty of cushioning and solid overall performance.
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Shifty players who enjoy lots of cushioning
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9.3
cushion rating based on
8 expert reviews
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The Nike LeBron 19 is better in almost every way compared to last year's model.
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Perfect if you enjoy extra cushion and impact protection.
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9.3
cushion rating based on
8 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 tech-loaded Nike GT Jump's performance is outstanding.
Pros:
The tech works well together for performance
Jump frame is as good as advertised
Cons:
A bit on the heavier side
What do the experts think?
The final release in Nike's GT series, the GT Jump, manages to find a way to make all of the tech Nike threw in it work well together.
The traction gripped all the different surfaces that reviewers tested it on while still keeping up with the cushioning.
When it comes to cushioning, if you're a fan of Nike Zoom, you're going to love these. It's bouncy, provides ample impact protection, and is very fast to play in.
Nike uses Jumpwire combined with synthetics and meshes to keep the shoe breathable without compromising performance.
Most reviewers also agree that the Jumpframe is a standout aspect of the shoe. It helps secure the foot so that the player doesn't feel unstable on top of the cushioning.
Although the wait was long, the Nike Air Zoom GT Jump delivers, and it's one of the best shoes to come out this year.
Performance Rating:
The Jordan 36 Low performs almost identically to the Jordan 36.
Pros:
More comfortable fit than the regular 36
Cons:
Does not contain as well as the regular 36
What do the experts think?
Jordan Brand's low-top version of its mainline shoe has an identical traction pattern but uses a solid rubber compound. It performs pretty much the same, which is to say it's great.
The cushion also remains the same. It's bouncy and is potentially the best setup on the market.
Some reviewers feel that the Low fits slightly better than the regular 36 because of the materials.
The support is solid and hard to beat for a low-top, but some reviewers mentioned experiencing heel slippage.
Overall, the Jordan 36 Low is just as good a choice for a performance basketball shoe as the mid-top version.
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 Li-Ning Way of Wade 10 features an outstanding cushioning setup alongside its grippy traction.
Pros:
Incredibly bouncy cushioning
Cons:
Soft rubber isn't suitable for outdoors
What do the experts think?
Reviewers describe the cushioning on the Way of Wade 10 as incredibly bouncy. It's easily the most raved-about feature of the shoe.
Its outsole traction is soft and grippy, perfect for indoor play.
The materials are lightweight and perform well, but reviewers mention they could be more premium based on the shoe's price.
Support and lockdown aren't an issue. There were no reported problems from any reviewers.
Li-Ning and Dwyane Wade's latest signature model, the Way of Wade 10, is an excellent basketball shoe that can contend for performance shoe of the year.
Performance Rating:
The Nike KD 15 is a shoe that has something for every type of player.
What do the experts think?
The traction is a standout feature on the Nike KD 15. It bites to every type of court, performing amazingly.
Reviewers agreed that the cushioning offers a unique combination of court feel, responsiveness, bounciness, and impact protection.
The materials conform to your feet nicely and are comfortable to play in.
The shoe also fits better than previous KD models and is more accommodating to different foot shapes.
If there is any downside, some reviewers experienced a bit of heel slippage. Others didn't feel completely secure around the heel.
The Nike KD 15 could be one of the best performance shoes available.
Performance Rating:
The latest Air Jordan mainline signature model is, once again, a top-performing shoe.
Pros:
Absolutely no issues at all with the traction
Cons:
The outsole can be a tiny bit unsteady
What do the experts think?
The Air Jordan 36 continues the recent trend from Jordan brand and picks up right where the last two models left off. The traction is phenomenal. It performs well on both clean and dusty courts.
All reviewers agree that the cushioning used in the 36 performs amazingly, but they also agree that the Air unit protruding from the outsole is unnecessary.
The fit is snug and narrow, so if that's not your cup of tea, consider sizing up.
Materials are slimmed way down this year. They make the shoe lightweight without sacrificing much in terms of comfort and durability.
The surprisingly strong upper and the outsole materials wrapping upward towards the midsole make the support in this shoe solid.
Being the latest signature shoe in the lineup, the Air Jordan 36 delivers and is yet another high-quality performance basketball shoe.
Performance Rating:
The Nike Air Zoom G.T. Cut 2 continues to offer plenty of cushioning and solid overall performance.
Pros:
Plush and bouncy cushioning
Drop-in midsole offers a lot of support
Cons:
Not the most durable materials
What do the experts think?
The second installment in the G.T. Cut lineup features solid traction, but a break-in time is needed. It also isn't as good as the original.
Cushioning for the shoe continues to offer some of the best bounce and impact protection. The drop-in midsole also features an improved liner for extra grip.
The material used on the shoe makes it feel lighter, but some reviewers mentioned missing the plastic side wall previously on the lateral side.
Players that enjoy a snug fit will enjoy the fit on the G.T. Cut 2.
There's a lack of torsional stability, but the rest of the support and lockdown features perform well.
The Nike Air Zoom G.T. Cut 2 is a solid performer with fantastic cushioning.
Performance Rating:
The Nike LeBron 19 is better in almost every way compared to last year's model.
Pros:
They provide good support and stability
The cushion feels incredible
Cons:
Traction can be inconsistent at times
What do the experts think?
The latest entry in LeBron's signature shoe line gets off to a shaky start with reviewers mentioning that the traction performs inconsistently.
As always with the LeBron line, the cushioning is the standout performance aspect. The shoe has ample impact protection while still finding a way to feel bouncy due to the forefoot Zoom Air.
The fit can be snug. However, the materials do loosen up once broken in.
Speaking of materials, they are much improved this year. The upper feels light and is comfortable straight out of the box.
There are no issues with support and lockdown. In fact, the lateral containment is even a highlight for the LeBron 19.
Overall, the Nike LeBron 19 is a fun shoe to play in with its crazy cushion setup, improved materials, and solid support. The only downside is the traction.
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.
