Finding the basketball shoe with the best traction is not an easy task. There are so many different models to pick from and shoes often perform differently depending on the quality of the court, your playing style, and even the rubber compound used on a specific colorway.
Fortunately, the web is full of shoe reviewers that can provide you with different opinions and give you a good overall idea of the performance of a basketball sneaker. To save you the time reading and watching all of these reviews I am continuously checking out all significant shoe releases and read or watch all shoe reviews I can find.
So far I have collected ratings of 252 different basketball shoes and consumed exactly 1216 reviews in doing so! New reviews are added all the time to create a basketball shoe database that is complete and always up to date.
The following overview shows the ten basketball shoes with the best traction ranked by the average grade they received for it. Scroll down further to read a more detailed summary of each shoe.
- 10.0 traction rating based on 2 expert reviews
- The Li-Ning Wade 808 2 Ultra V2 has some of the best traction - it's a fantastic performer.
- This shoe is a solid pick for players looking for something similar to the Kobe line.
- 10.0 traction rating based on 2 expert reviews
- The Under Armour Curry 2 Low FloTro is the latest Curry model to receive the Flow upgrade, and the shoe performs as expected.
- The shoe is a solid pick for fans of older Curry models who want modern tech.
- 9.7 traction rating based on 9 expert reviews
- The Nike KD 15 is a shoe that has something for every type of player.
- Best for players looking for a shoe that covers all the bases.
- 9.6 traction rating based on 8 expert reviews
- The Curry 10 makes slight improvements and continues to be a top-tier performer.
- Anyone that utilizes traction to maximize footwork
- 9.6 traction rating based on 5 expert reviews
- The Wade 808 2 offers fantastic traction and a versatile drop-in midsole.
- Players who are fans of the Kobe 9 traction and cushioning setup
- 9.6 traction rating based on 4 expert reviews
- The Jordan 36 Low performs almost identically to the Jordan 36.
- Awesome shoe for players with explosive play styles looking for the extra lift when jumping.
- 9.6 traction rating based on 5 expert reviews
- Traction on the TWO WXY V2 is outstanding, but the other features don't disappoint.
- Ideal for players willing to give up some cushion for the other performance aspects fundamentals will enjoy this shoe.
- 9.6 traction rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The Curry Flow 9 manages to improve on its impressive predecessor.
- Great shoe if you rely on traction and court feel.
- 9.5 traction rating based on 2 expert reviews
- The Jordan One Take 4 is a decently performing shoe with reliable traction.
- Players who mainly play outdoors and prefer responsive cushioning will enjoy this shoe.
- 9.4 traction rating based on 4 expert reviews
- Following the footsteps of the original Puma MB.01, the low-top remains one of the top performance options on the market.
- Players who want an all-around performer with no weaknesses.
Best Traction Basketball Shoes:
The Top 10
1. Li-Ning Wade 808 2 Ultra V2
Performance Rating:
10.0
The Li-Ning Wade 808 2 Ultra V2 has some of the best traction - it's a fantastic performer.traction rating based on 2 reviews
Pros:
Outstanding traction
Soft and light cushioning
Cons:
The materials could be more comfortable
What do the experts think?
The traction of the Ultra V2 is fantastic. It plays well on all surfaces. The solid rubber options are top-notch. Reviewers suggest avoiding the translucent outsoles.
The drop-in midsole is reminiscent of the Kobe line. It feels soft and comfortable while remaining lightweight.
A revamped heel and ankle section improves the support and lockdown of the Ultra version.
Reviewers say the materials are light and perform well, but they also mention the comfort could be better.
The Li-Ning Wade 808 2 Ultra V2 is an impressive performance model. The traction excels, and the Boom drop-in midsole works.
2. Under Armour Curry 2 Low FloTro
Performance Rating:
10.0
The Under Armour Curry 2 Low FloTro is the latest Curry model to receive the Flow upgrade, and the shoe performs as expected.traction rating based on 2 reviews
Pros:
Excellent traction
Incredibly lightweight
Cons:
Lockdown could be better
What do the experts think?
Under Armour updates the Curry 2 Low with the Flow cushioning and outsole setup, making the traction excellent.
The cushioning is smooth and comfortable. It feels similar to all other Flow model shoes.
The materials are lightweight and breathable. This might be the lightest shoe in the Curry lineup.
Reviewers mention the support and lockdown are adequate. Nobody reported any issues, but it is said that the lockdown is nothing special.
The Under Armour Curry 2 Low FloTro is another successful update to an older Curry model.
3. Nike KD 15
Performance Rating:
9.7
The Nike KD 15 is a shoe that has something for every type of player.traction rating based on 9 reviews
Pros:
Amazing traction
Bouncy cushion
Cons:
Some heel slippage
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.
4. Under Armour Curry 10
Performance Rating:
9.6
The Curry 10 makes slight improvements and continues to be a top-tier performer.traction rating based on 8 reviews
Pros:
Top-tier traction
Comfortable materials
Cons:
Impact protection isn't the best
What do the experts think?
As we've come to expect, the Flow traction is fantastic. It's some of the best traction available.
The cushioning is responsive and low to the ground. The shank also offers some additional bounce.
The materials feel similar to the Curry 9 from last year. It does feel a tad bit more comfortable, though.
Support and lockdown are better than last year because of a better heel counter and more supportive construction.
Overall, the Curry 10 improves on last year's model and remains a top performer because of the outstanding traction.
5. Li-Ning Wade 808 2
Performance Rating:
9.6
The Wade 808 2 offers fantastic traction and a versatile drop-in midsole.traction rating based on 5 reviews
Pros:
Traction grips courts hard
Comfortable drop-in midsole
Cons:
Cushioning on hard impact can be better
The fit is slightly long
What do the experts think?
The traction of the Wade 808 2 is grippy and reminiscent of the Kobe 9 traction. The rubber is also hard enough to take outdoors.
Li-Ning's drop-in midsole is comfortable, and it feels bouncy. The only downside is the impact protection on hard landings.
Reviewers describe the materials on the shoe as minimal and breathable.
Despite not having an outrigger, the shoe has plenty of lateral containment and stability.
Overall, the Li-Ning Wade 808 2 is a versatile shoe with enough traction and cushioning for most players.
6. Air Jordan 36 Low
Performance Rating:
9.6
The Jordan 36 Low performs almost identically to the Jordan 36.traction rating based on 4 reviews
Pros:
More comfortable fit than the regular 36
Amazing traction
Cons:
Does not contain as well as the regular 36
Slight heel slippage
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.
7. New Balance TWO WXY V2
Performance Rating:
9.6
Traction on the TWO WXY V2 is outstanding, but the other features don't disappoint.traction rating based on 5 reviews
Pros:
The traction bites hard
Materials are form-fitting and comfortable
Cons:
Material quality could be more premium
Not offered in wide fit options
What do the experts think?
Reviewers agree that traction is the best feature of the shoe. It bites hard on just about every surface.
The cushioning is low to the ground and offers a good amount of court feel. The impact protection in the heel is adequate but could be better in the forefoot.
No issues were reported support-wise. It gets the job done.
The FitWeave Lite that New Balance uses for the upper is comfortable and conforms nicely to your feet during play.
With its hard-biting traction and no glaring weaknesses, the New Balance TWO WXY V2 might be New Balance's best basketball shoe.
8. Under Armour Curry 9
Performance Rating:
9.6
The Curry Flow 9 manages to improve on its impressive predecessor.traction rating based on 7 reviews
Pros:
Traction is phenomenal
Improved materials
Cons:
Not the greatest for impact protection
What do the experts think?
The Curry Flow 9 continues to build on the performance that the 8 provided last year.
The traction pattern and material are identical, but that's not a bad thing. Reviewers agree that the performance is phenomenal in this regard.
For cushioning, the responsive and court feel are fantastic. The only thing the cushion lacks is impact protection which is just adequate.
The materials are much improved from last year and feel premium for performance. It's lightweight, thin, and comfortable.
The fit starts out snug and narrow, but the materials conform to your foot over time.
Support and lockdown continue to be fantastic just like the rest of the Curry line.
Reviewers agree that the Curry Flow 9 is one of the best shoes available on the market right now, and the shoe is a pleasure to play in.
9. Jordan One Take 4
Performance Rating:
9.5
The Jordan One Take 4 is a decently performing shoe with reliable traction.traction rating based on 2 reviews
Pros:
Durable performing traction
Reactive cushioning
Cons:
Not much impact protection
Cheap materials
What do the experts think?
For performance, reviewers ranked the traction of the One Take 4 as the best feature. The herringbone pattern is grippy and stable.
The cushioning is not plush, and there isn't much impact protection, but it is responsive.
The materials on the shoe feel cheap and flimsy. Although, performance isn't affected too negatively.
There were no complaints about support and lockdown. The stability held up well too.
Overall, the Jordan One Take 4 is a decent performance shoe. The traction stands out, and it's budget-friendly.
10. Puma MB.01 Lo
Performance Rating:
9.4
Following the footsteps of the original Puma MB.01, the low-top remains one of the top performance options on the market.traction rating based on 4 reviews
Pros:
Aggressive, grippy traction
Balanced cushioning setup
Cons:
Cheap feeling materials
What do the experts think?
Not much changed between the original Puma MB.01 and the low-top version. The traction is still reliable on all surfaces.
Puma's Nitro foam is a balanced cushioning setup offering both impact protection and responsiveness.
The fit can be narrow, but the materials are comfortable and get the job done performance-wise.
The shoe also has solid support features to keep your foot secure and contained.
Overall, the Puma MB.01 Low continues the trend of Puma releasing quality performance basketball shoes.
Frequently asked questions about traction:
How can I improve the traction of my basketball shoes?
There is no magic formula that makes old basketball shoes stick to the floor like glue, but there are a few things you can do to improve traction:
Wipe – a lot!
This one is self-explanatory. The grooves of the traction pattern become more and more shallow with time, which means you will need to wipe a lot more to get the dust off the surface of the rubber.
Get a courtside traction mat
If you don’t want to get your hands dusty and dirty from all the wiping then this is a great alternative.
A courtside traction mat is usually placed close to the bench and you just step on it when you get subbed in or if you want to refresh your grip during timeouts.
A lot of basketball teams use these traction mats to get an advantage over their opponents, especially on dusty and slippery courts.
A courtside traction mat is usually placed close to the bench and you just step on it when you get subbed in or if you want to refresh your grip during timeouts.
A lot of basketball teams use these traction mats to get an advantage over their opponents, especially on dusty and slippery courts.
Get a pair of “Court Grabbers”
The Court Grabbers work similarly to a traction mat but instead of placing a mat on the side of the court you attach a pair of traction pads to the laces of your shoes. Before the game you apply a small amount of traction gel to these pads.
Now, if you want to improve the grip of your shoes, you just slide the bottom of your shoes across the pad to restore the traction. If your traction is really bad and you need to wipe after every other possession then the Court Grabbers are much more practical because you don’t need a break in play.
Now, if you want to improve the grip of your shoes, you just slide the bottom of your shoes across the pad to restore the traction. If your traction is really bad and you need to wipe after every other possession then the Court Grabbers are much more practical because you don’t need a break in play.
Which basketball shoes perform best on dusty courts?
If you are not a professional basketball player who gets to play on pristine, freshly waxed hardwood courts all the time you are probably familiar with basketball courts that could easily be used as skating rinks. No sneaker will grip the floor well if your court is covered with a thick layer of dust. But some sneakers work better than others:
Get solid rubber colorways
While it is not true for every shoe and every brand, in general, translucent colorways seem to attract a lot more dust than solid ones.
Look for a traction pattern with deep and wide grooves
If the grooves of the traction pattern are too narrow and shallow they will be clogged with dust quickly. As soon as this happens you will be sliding like crazy because the rubber of your shoe is no longer able to make contact with the floor.
Another problem of narrow grooves: Wiping dust becomes so much harder!
What’s the best traction pattern for basketball shoes?
There are so many different traction patterns – it’s impossible to keep track. But there are a few things you can look out for:
The pattern should be multidirectional
A multidirectional pattern has grooves in every direction which allows for grip not only when you accelerate straight ahead, but also when you do lateral moves like crossovers or defensive slides.
A very popular example of a multidirectional pattern is the herringbone traction:
On the other hand, the Lebron 15 is an example of a shoe that doesn’t provide you with a lot of lateral traction because of the way the traction pattern is set up:
Don’t fall for crazy storytelling
Sometimes signature sneakers go crazy with elaborate little details and storytelling that look nice but actually hurt the performance. Don’t fall for flashy design if you want a basketball sneaker that performs well on the court – functionality should always come first!
I myself have lebron 13 .. really like them.. I think i need an upgrade though haha! Nice review Andy