The 10 Best High Top Basketball Shoes in 2025

Classic basketball shoes like the Chuck Talor or the Air Jordan 1 feature a high top silhouette with the shoe extending up above the ankle bone. This extra support is intended to provide more stability for the ankle joint and help protect players from ankle sprains and other injuries.

These days, low tops have become much more popular and safe thanks to advances in technology and design (wide bases and lateral outriggers provide more stability), but there are still a lot of basketball players out there so prefer high top basketball shoes.

Why pick high tops?

Big and heavy players in particular feel safer and more protected wearing high tops
Many prefer the classic and old school look of high tops
Modern materials significantly reduces the weight of shoes

The following list is a quick overview of the 10 best-rated high cut basketball shoes currently on the market:

1. Nike LeBron NXXT Genisus

8.1 rating based on 5 expert reviews
The Nike LeBron NXXT Genisus offers impressive support and containment through a rigid upper.
This shoe is best for players who like supportive uppers.

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Top 10 High Top Basketball Shoes

1. Nike LeBron NXXT Genisus

Performance Rating:

8.1

The Nike LeBron NXXT Genisus offers impressive support and containment through a rigid upper.

Overall rating based on 5 reviews

Pros:

The forefoot Zoom unit feels bouncy

Lockdown and containment are supportive

Cons:

Rigid ankle collar

Materials require a break-in time

What do the experts think?

LeBron's latest NXXT Genisus uses an outsole similar to the Air Zoom Generation, and it feels consistent but isn't the tackiest. The cushioning features a Phylon-like foam and a forefoot Zoom Turbo unit. It feels comfortable and offers impact protection with some bounce. The upper material feels stiff initially, but it breaks in to soften up. It provides solid support, lockdown, and containment. There isn't much else needed for support, but the carbon fibre shank and rigid heel counter also provide stability. The only downside is that the ankle collar can feel stiff and restrictive. The Nike LeBron NXXT Genisus is a decent performance shoe, excelling at support and containment.

Colorways of the Nike LeBron NXXT Genisus: