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:
Under Armour Curry 3Zero 3
- 8.9 rating based on 2 expert reviews
- Outstanding traction, comfortable fit and very supportive upper
- Great budget option for players who prefer lightweight and minimal shoes
Nike PG 3
- 8.9 rating based on 6 expert reviews
- Great all-around performer at a very fair price
- Versatile shoe that works for all positions
Adidas Harden Vol. 4
- 8.8 rating based on 7 expert reviews
- Good traction, soft Lightstrike cushioning, and a fast, low-to-the-ground silhouette
- Best for guards looking for a fast, low-to-the-ground, and supportive shoe
Puma Clyde Hardwood
- 8.8 rating based on 2 expert reviews
- A nice blend of old-school leather and new-school performance textiles and synthetics
- Great shoe if you are looking for beastly traction and minimal, responsive cushioning
Under Armour Curry 6
- 8.7 rating based on 9 expert reviews
- One of the best Curry signature shoes so far
- Perfect for quick guards looking for a supportive, lightweight shoe with great court feel
Adidas Dame 7
- 8.7 rating based on 2 expert reviews
- Damian Lillard's 7th signature shoe is a significant upgrade over last years model.
- A perfectly balanced shoe that fits any position or player.
Nike Kyrie Low 2
- 8.6 rating based on 5 expert reviews
- Great bang-for-your-buck model from the Kyrie signature line
- Works best for narrow-footers looking for a good allrounder with responsive cushioning
Adidas Crazy BYW 2.0
- 8.5 rating based on 2 expert reviews
- A supportive and well-cushioned shoe with flashy design.
- Great shoe if you are looking for a supportive and well-cushioned Low Top.
Nike Zoom Freak 2
- 8.5 rating based on 3 expert reviews
- An affordable signature sneaker and all-around performer.
- A great choice for guards who prefer court feel over impact protection.
Adidas T-Mac Millenium
- 8.5 rating based on 3 expert reviews
- A very durable shoe with great traction and comfortable Boost cushioning
- Perfect for T-Mac fans looking for a good all-around performer
Top 10 Low Cut Basketball Shoes
1. Under Armour Curry 3Zero 3
8.9
Overall rating based on
2 reviews
Pros:
Really good traction
Super lightweight
Cons:
Very firm cushioning
What do the experts think?
At only $90 retail price, the Curry 3 Zero 3 is a surprisingly good performer!
The traction is absolutely top-notch on clean courts and doesn't require any wiping on dusty courts either.
The synthetic leather breaks in very nicely and provides a comfortable and supportive 1:1 fit.
The only downside of this shoe is the very firm Micro-G cushioning. This setup works well for lighter players who prefer responsiveness and court feel over impact protection, but heavier players looking for impact protection should probably look elsewhere.
Colorways of the Under Armour Curry 3Zero 3:
2. Nike PG 3
8.9
Overall rating based on
6 reviews
Pros:
Great traction
Very supportive shoe
Cons:
Materials feel cheap in-hand
Long break-in period
What do the experts think?
Sneaker reviewers like almost everything about the PG3 - except its looks.
The "moon crater" traction pattern works very well on all surfaces but might take a little while to break in.
The Zoom Air cushioning in the forefoot is responsive and bouncy and the foam in the heel provides decent impact protection.
Materials feel a little cheap in-hand, but are comfortable on-foot and absolutely get the job done.
Overall, the PG3 is a great performer that will work for a wide array of players and comes at a very fair price of only $110.
Colorways of the Nike PG 3:
3. Adidas Harden Vol. 4
8.8
Overall rating based on
7 reviews
Pros:
One of the lighter Adidas shoes
Great all-around performance
Cons:
No longer uses Boost cushioning
What do the experts think?
The Vol. 4 is the first shoe in the James Harden signature line that comes without Boost cushioning. But that's not necessarily a bad thing as the Lightstrike cushioning provides a much lighter shoe that still feels very comfortable to play in.
The traction works great on clean courts and requires only minimal wiping on dusty courts.
Materials differ between colorways, you can choose between Primeknit or Mesh uppers - they all get the job done!
If you are looking for a supportive, fast, and low-profile basketball shoe then the Harden Vol. 4 is a great choice!
Colorways of the Adidas Harden Vol. 4:
4. Puma Clyde Hardwood
8.8
Overall rating based on
2 reviews
Pros:
Premium leather and knit materials
Beastly traction
Cons:
Slightly heavy
Basic foam cushioning
What do the experts think?
Waiting for 3 expert reviews to post summary.
Colorways of the Puma Clyde Hardwood:
5. Under Armour Curry 6
8.7
Overall rating based on
9 reviews
Pros:
Extremely stable shoe
Very lightweight
Cons:
Durability issues of the outsole
Lace pressure
What do the experts think?
The Curry 6 is much better received by sneaker reviewers than its predecessor.
The traction performs very well but showed some durability issues early on.
The full-length HOVR cushioning is on the firmer side and offers a nice balance of impact protection and court feel.
The knitted materials look great and need very little break-in time.
Stability and support are excellent like always in Curry models.
Overall, reviewers are having a lot of fun with this shoe and rank it as one of the best Curry signature shoes so far!
Colorways of the Under Armour Curry 6:
6. Adidas Dame 7
8.7
Overall rating based on
2 reviews
Pros:
Balanced cushioning
Solid traction indoors and outdoors
Cons:
Not the most premium materials
What do the experts think?
The traction on the Dame 7 performs well - significantly better than the 6. Good news if you play outdoors a lot: the outsole is made of very durable rubber and performs well on the blacktop.
The Lightstrike foam cushion setup is also an upgrade over the 6 and is a good balance of impact protection, court feel, and responsiveness.
The materials are of decent quality, well ventilated, and get the job done performance-wise.
The support offers good lateral stability and containment but the low cut doesn't provide any additional ankle support.
Overall, the Dame 7 is a great all-around performer - especially for the price!
Colorways of the Adidas Dame 7:
7. Nike Kyrie Low 2
8.6
Overall rating based on
5 reviews
Pros:
Very good traction
Great materials
Cons:
Stiff cushioning
What do the experts think?
The Kyrie Low 2 offers amazing traction like we are used to from the Kyrie signature line.
Cushioning also follows the trend of this signature line and is very stiff and responsive. If you need a lot of impact protection - keep looking.
The materials are surprisingly premium for a retail price of only $110 and feel soft, flexible, and supportive.
For a low-top, the Kyrie Low 2 offers a lot of support and stability which stems partially from the great fit.
Overall, the Kyrie Low 2 is a great performer without any real weaknesses!
Colorways of the Nike Kyrie Low 2:
8. Adidas Crazy BYW 2.0
8.5
Overall rating based on
2 reviews
Pros:
Super comfortable Boost cushioning
Cons:
Slightly cheap materials
What do the experts think?
Waiting for more reviews
Colorways of the Adidas Crazy BYW 2.0:
9. Nike Zoom Freak 2
8.5
Overall rating based on
3 reviews
Pros:
Overall improvement from the previous model
Great fit and support
Cons:
Minimal impact protection
Poor ventilation
What do the experts think?
The traction of the Zoom Freak 2 is improved and works great on clean courts. Some wiping will be necessary if you play on dusty courts and the outsole is also durable enough to play outdoors.
The cushioning is minimal with full length foam and Zoom Air in the forefoot, but provides great court feel for players.
The upper materials are nothing to write home about, but they provide a comfortable fit and the TPU on the outer front of the shoe helps with support as well.
Overall, the Zoom Freak 2 is a clear improvement over the Zoom Freak 1 and is an affordable shoe with no glaring weaknesses.
Colorways of the Nike Zoom Freak 2:
10. Adidas T-Mac Millenium
8.5
Overall rating based on
3 reviews
Pros:
Sticky herringbone traction
Balanced Boost cushioning
Cons:
Synthetic materials take time to break in
What do the experts think?
The T-Mac Millenium is much-improved version of the original Adidas T-Mac.
The herringbone traction works well on all kinds of surfaces.
The Boost cushioning is a bit on the firmer side but very well-balanced with good impact protection in the heel and responsive feel in the forefoot.
The synthetic upper materials don't feel great out of the box but break in nicely after a while.
Support is great thanks to the slightly higher ankle collar and sturdy materials.
Overall, this is a great all-around performer that should also work well for big guys looking for support and cushioning.
Colorways of the Adidas T-Mac Millenium:
