The 10 Best Low Top Basketball Shoes

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 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.
  • 8.7 rating based on 7 expert reviews
  • The TWO WXY V3 is one of New Balance's best basketball shoes because of its fit and traction.
  • Shifty guards who rely on traction will love this shoe.
  • 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 5 expert reviews
  • The Curry 12 is the best performer in the Curry line thanks to the revamped cushioning and continued excellence of Flow foam.
  • The Curry 12 is the perfect shoe for players who need elite traction on clean courts.
It's Quiz Time!
Answer 6 easy questions and find
your perfect basketball shoes!
Let's Get Started!

Top 10 Low Cut Basketball Shoes

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. New Balance TWO WXY V3

Performance Rating:
8.7
The TWO WXY V3 is one of New Balance's best basketball shoes because of its fit and traction.
Overall rating based on 7 reviews
Pros:
Tacky traction
1-to-1 fit
Cons:
Not a plush cushion
Poor outdoor durability
What do the experts think?
The latest shoe in the TWO WXY lineup, the V3, has tacky traction that grips incredibly well on indoor courts. Reviewers agree that cushioning is the main drawback of the shoe. The foam is not as plush as other shoes, and there is minimal impact protection. On the other hand, reviewers agreed that fit is the shoe's best feature. The fit is near-perfect and close to 1-to-1. Because of the glovelike fit, the support and lockdown are also solid. There were no reports of issues with the stability either. The materials are thin, comfortable and supportive. One reviewer said the uppers are one of the best available. The New Balance TWO WXY V3 is an excellent performance basketball shoe with outstanding traction and fit.

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. Under Armour Curry 12

Performance Rating:
8.5
The Curry 12 is the best performer in the Curry line thanks to the revamped cushioning and continued excellence of Flow foam.
Overall rating based on 5 reviews
Pros:
Upgraded dual-density Flow foam cushioning
Flow outsole remains elite
Cons:
Dust affects performance
Not much innovation
What do the experts think?
The Curry 12 only makes minor changes compared to the previous model. If it's not broken, don't fix it. Flow foam is still an elite traction setup, especially on clean courts. Just make sure to wipe any dust pickup off the outsole. The dual-density Flow foam midsole is tweaked slightly this year. It feels a bit softer, but it's still firm. The setup provides responsiveness and a solid court feel. Materials are mostly an engineered mesh. The upper is comfortable and flexible right out of the box. Support and lockdown are impressive. The upper is supportive, and the shank plate provides plenty of torsional rigidity. The Curry 12 performance improves slightly thanks to the minor changes to the shoe's materials and cushioning.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *