The Top 10 Basketball Shoes with the Best Cushion in 2021

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 823 reviews of 176 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 Aug 01, 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.

Nike Air Zoom UNVRS

10.0 cushion rating based on 3 expert reviews
Full-length Nike Zoom Air Strobel, Flynit materials, and FlyEase lacing system
Good choice if you are looking for shoes that are comfortable and easy to put on

Nike KD 13

9.8 cushion rating based on 5 expert reviews
The KD 13 is a great all-around performer with one of the best cushioning setups available.
A great pick if you are looking for a comfortable shoe that will also work outdoors.

Air Jordan 35

9.8 cushion rating based on 5 expert reviews
An update to the Jordan 34 that performs just as well if not better.
The perfect shoe for players of every position who want a premium experience.

Nike Lebron 18

9.5 cushion rating based on 6 expert reviews
LeBron's 18th signature shoe has one of the best cushion setups available.
Great for big guys who like soft and comfortable cushioning.

Nike PG 4

9.4 cushion rating based on 6 expert reviews
Paul George's 4th signature sneaker is one of the most affordable signature sneakers
Super comfortable and well-cushioned basketball shoes

Nike Lebron 17

9.4 cushion rating based on 5 expert reviews
The huge Max Air unit in the heel and 2 Zoom Air units in the forefoot provide crazy cushioning
Top choice if you are looking for a comfortable, supportive shoe with a ton of impact protection

Nike KD 14

9.3 cushion rating based on 6 expert reviews
The KD14 is a great overall performer with no obvious weaknesses.
A versatile shoe that works for all type of players.

Nike Cosmic Unity

9.3 cushion rating based on 4 expert reviews
The Nike Cosmic Unity is made from 25% recycled trash but doesn't perform like trash at all.
Best for players who need a good mix of impact protection and court feel.

Jordan Jumpman 2020

9.3 cushion rating based on 3 expert reviews
The Jordan Jumpman 2020 feels like a cheaper version of the excellent Air Jordan 34
A great overall performer that comes at a very affordable retail price

Nike Zoom Rize

9.2 cushion rating based on 3 expert reviews
The "takedown" version of the Nike AlphaDunk is a very versatile performer
Suitable for all players, especially big guys looking for support and comfort

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Top 10 Best Cushion Basketball Shoes

1. Nike Air Zoom UNVRS

Performance Rating:

10.0

Full-length Nike Zoom Air Strobel, Flynit materials, and FlyEase lacing system

cushion rating based on 3 reviews

Pros:

Super comfortable full-length Zoom Strobel

Cons:

Lacking traction

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.

Colorways of the Nike Air Zoom UNVRS:

2. Nike KD 12

Performance Rating:

9.9

Great overall-performer with awesome full-length Zoom cushioning

cushion rating based on 7 reviews

Pros:

Full-length Zoom cushioning

Much more stable than previous KD models

Cons:

Materials could feel more premium

What do the experts think?

The KD12 is a huge step up from the disappointing predecessors. The full-length Zoom sits directly beneath the feet and provides a ton of response and bounce. The cushioning is a bit divisive, some reviewers are raving about it, others found it to be a bit too inconsistent on dusty courts. The look and feel of the materials aren't very premium, but the performance of the flywire upper is top-notch. The fit should work for most basketball players as it isn't as long and narrow as we are used too from the KD line. Overall, the KD12 is a great performer with outstanding cushioning and no real weaknesses!

Colorways of the Nike KD 12:

3. Nike KD 13

Performance Rating:

9.8

The KD 13 is a great all-around performer with one of the best cushioning setups available.

cushion rating based on 5 reviews

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.

Colorways of the Nike KD 13:

4. Air Jordan 35

Performance Rating:

9.8

An update to the Jordan 34 that performs just as well if not better.

cushion rating based on 5 reviews

Pros:

Awesome cushion setup

Very supportive

Cons:

Rubbing around heel/arch

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!

Colorways of the Air Jordan 35:

5. Nike Lebron 18

Performance Rating:

9.5

LeBron's 18th signature shoe has one of the best cushion setups available.

cushion rating based on 6 reviews

Pros:

Outstanding cushion

Premium materials

Cons:

Poor lateral stability and containment

Uncomfortable tongue

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.

Colorways of the Nike Lebron 18:

6. Adidas Harden Vol. 3

Performance Rating:

9.5

Amazing performer with outstanding cushioning and top-notch traction

cushion rating based on 8 reviews

Pros:

Amazing traction

Well-balanced Boost cushioning

Cons:

Break-in required to get rid of heel slip

What do the experts think?

The Harden Vol.3 is by far James Harden's best signature sneaker. The traditional herringbone traction pattern performs extremely well - even on dusty courts. The Boost cushioning is low-to-the-ground, comfortable, responsive, and definitely the best implementation of Boost in a basketball shoe. Materials feel premium and comfortable and support is much improved compared to previous Harden models. All sneaker reviewers agree: the Harden 3 is a huge improvement in all areas and one of the best basketball shoes currently on the market.

Colorways of the Adidas Harden Vol. 3:

7. Nike PG 4

Performance Rating:

9.4

Paul George's 4th signature sneaker is one of the most affordable signature sneakers

cushion rating based on 6 reviews

Pros:

Super comfortable cushioning

Affordable signature sneaker

Cons:

Lateral support could be better

Sizing is tricky

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.

Colorways of the Nike PG 4:

8. Nike Lebron 17

Performance Rating:

9.4

The huge Max Air unit in the heel and 2 Zoom Air units in the forefoot provide crazy cushioning

cushion rating based on 5 reviews

Pros:

Insanely comfortable cushioning

Premium upper materials

Cons:

Steep $200 retail price

Heavy

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.

Colorways of the Nike Lebron 17:

9. Nike KD 14

Performance Rating:

9.3

The KD14 is a great overall performer with no obvious weaknesses.

cushion rating based on 6 reviews

Pros:

Soft & comfortable cushioning

Doesn't have any weaknesses

Cons:

A little bulky

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.

Colorways of the Nike KD 14:

10. Nike Cosmic Unity

Performance Rating:

9.3

The Nike Cosmic Unity is made from 25% recycled trash but doesn't perform like trash at all.

cushion rating based on 4 reviews

Pros:

Balanced cushion

Great support

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.

Colorways of the Nike Cosmic Unity:

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:

WHAT IS ADIDAS BOOST...

Watch this video on YouTube

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.