For the longest time, basketball shoes were bulky high-tops designed to provide support and protection. But as the game of basketball evolved to become quicker and more athletic, basketball shoes adapted and became lighter, more flexible using less material.
The shoe that made low-tops popular and mainstream among NBA players, as well as recreational athletes, was the Nike Kobe 4. Released in 2009, this Kobe signature sneaker started a trend that was quickly picked up by models like the Hyperdunk Lows or the KDs.
Nowadays, low-tops have gained widespread adoption among NBA players thanks to a few advantages they have over the traditional high tops.
Advantages of Low Tops:
- They are lighter and more flexible
- They offer a better range of motion
- They make it easier to wear an ankle brace
These are the top-rated low cut basketball shoes currently on the market:
- 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.
- 8.6 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- The Air Jordan 38 Low provides all the performance of the 38 with a lower cut.
- All players can take advantage of the comfortable cushioning and reliable traction.
- 8.5 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- The recent LeBron signatures are some of the best shoes for traction and cushioning, and the Nike LeBron 22 is no exception.
- This shoe is best for anyone looking for a comfortable, responsive, and bouncy cushioning setup.
Top 10 Low Cut Basketball 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. Air Jordan 38 Low
Performance Rating:
8.6
The Air Jordan 38 Low provides all the performance of the 38 with a lower cut.Overall rating based on 6 reviews
Pros:
Improved containment and stability
Traction and cushioning remain unchanged
Cons:
Dust pickup
What do the experts think?
Jordan Brand did a solid job on their latest release, the Air Jordan 38 Low.
The traction performance remains the same on the Low. It performs exceptionally well as long as players wipe the dust.
The full-length Zoom Strobel remains a favourite amongst reviewers. This shoe has one of the best cushioning setups on the market.
Reviewers also enjoyed the containment and stability of the 38 Low, especially around the heel area.
There are no complaints about the material usage. Reviewers say the shoe feels comfortable on foot.
The Air Jordan 38 Low delivers impressive performance in a low-cut form factor. The traction and cushioning combo remains elite.
10. Nike Lebron 22
Performance Rating:
8.5
The recent LeBron signatures are some of the best shoes for traction and cushioning, and the Nike LeBron 22 is no exception.Overall rating based on 6 reviews
Pros:
Excellent, bouncy cushioning
Supportive midfoot saddle
Cons:
Increased weight
Forefoot is not breathable
What do the experts think?
The Nike LeBron 22 continues to try and build on the performance of the previous two models but takes a slight step back in one regard.
Traction performance remains top-tier. Most reviewers agree the outsole grips well and feels safe, especially on cleaner courts.
The cushioning is outstanding for impact protection and bounciness. The midsole also feels responsive, which is a plus.
Materials are where the shoe regresses. The upper is comfortable and supportive, but the shoe feels heavier than the previous models.
The fit is accommodating, thanks to the spacious forefoot.
For support and lockdown, Nike implements a unique midfoot saddle to help with stability and torsional support. Your foot also feels secure during lateral movements.
LeBron's latest signature shoe maintains impressive performance, highlighted mainly by the traction and cushioning.
