7 karl lagerfeld karl charm lace up sneakers item in 2023

Dimitrije Curcic
Dimitrije Curcic on
7 karl lagerfeld karl charm lace up sneakers item in 2023
Boots BARTEK 11729-0 MAS Niebieski. Why trust us

Basketball is a combination of running, jumping, quick stops, and abrupt direction changes. Regular trainers can support some of these movements, but only the right basketball shoes support them all.

Some shoes make for perfect all-rounders while others excel in a specific characteristic like grip or cushioning. Don't be overwhelmed, though, as we are here to guide you through your choice.

We have reviewed over 100 basketball shoes from 10+ different brands to single out the best options to date. 

Best basketball shoes overall

lindsey vonn skinny jeans red crop top sneakers europe?

Among all the basketball shoes that we tried, we think that the Nike LeBron 20 is the one that should stand the proudest. This shoe just did all things right for us, from its heel support and overall stability down to its immense durability. It was quite effective in neutralizing impact as well! There was no asking for more because this shoe had us awesomely satiated.

The heel counter was quite effective in keeping our feet in place. When assessed in the lab, we ended up giving it a score of 4 out of 5 for firmness because it easily resisted the manual twists and squeezes that we did on it.

This shoe’s torsional rigidity is one thing that we were truly thankful for. Because of it, we never had to worry about rolling our feet. After manual lab assessments, the base of the shoe got a perfect 5 for rigidity.

The durability of this shoe was ultimately tested by subjecting it to the Dremel test. After a period of high-pressure drilling, our device barely left a dent on the upper. On the court, the upper of the LeBron 20 indeed protects from many forms of physical trauma.

The plushness of the heel is also worth noting. Our HA durometer gave it a softness score of 25.2 when the average is as high as 27.9. While not MUCH softer than the average basketball shoe, we did experience it as plushness! Thanks to that, the pain was effectively kept at bay even if our games dragged because of overtime.

If you are a narrow-footer, we highly recommend that you try something else. When measured using a caliper, we saw that the widest part of the toe box was 102.2 mm wide. It’s more spacious than the 99.9 mm sandals by a typical trainer.

especially if you opt for shoes that are Pros

  • product eng 1034943 Helly Hansen Cascade Low HT 11749 990 shoes
  • Great traction
  • car shoe glitter effect espadrille mules item
  • a backpacking boot with breathable waterproof lining keeping your feet dry while hiking
  • Dependable bounciness
  • Comfortable upper
  • open toe sandals Nero
  • Stylishly streamlined looks

especially if you opt for shoes that are Cons

  • Not for outdoors
  • Sinclair Jungle Boot
Full review of adidas stella mccartney x adidas ultraboost x all terrain marathon running shoessneakers

Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
nike lebron 20 orange 7bc5 60
Light silver/hyper royal-lemon chiffon-safety orange (DJ5423002)
Black/university red/universit (DJ5423001)
nike lebron xx mens shoes size 10 sesame light crimson sail 8c82 60
White/metallic gold/black/univ (DJ5423100)
901 olive/brown-white (DV1193901)
Black (DJ5423003)
300 green apple/reflect silver/university red/bright crimson/blue chill (FJ4955300)
More colors

Best basetball shoes for outdoor courts

Nike KD 15
93
Superb!

lindsey vonn skinny jeans red crop top sneakers europe?

Our experience and lab assessments tell us that the KD 15 from Nike rises above all other basketball shoes in terms of outdoor playability. We found that this shoe is above average when it comes to durability, perfectly suitable for outdoor usage. Besides outdoor-worthiness, this Nike shoe was also a bomb because of its amazingly consistent bite and plush cushioning.

We confidently used this shoe outdoors because we felt the power of its abrasion-resistant rubber sole. Our laboratory assessments revealed that the rubber is slightly thicker (4.1 mm) than average (3.9 mm). Our findings on the HC durometer were even more remarkable. It showed that the rubber material possessed a higher level of hardness (83.0) in contrast to the typical number (80.3). The harder the rubber, the longer it lasts in our experience.

When it comes to traction, this shoe is an awe-inspiring beast. Aside from being consistent on both indoor and outdoor courts, we were amazed by how resistant it was to dust. The sole gripped the floors so well, even if we did not wipe it much.

The third thing that gives the KD 15 the edge over other lace-ups is the cradle-like plushness of its heel. In the lab, we found that the midsole at the heel is softer than average. Specifically, the HA durometer showed 24.5 for the KD 15, while the average is currently 27.9. 

One thing that made us a bit concerned is the non-uniform breathability of the upper. After pumping smoke into the shoe, we saw that it rose only through the tongue and not so much through the toebox where ventilation is most needed. When worn, the forefoot indeed felt warmer than the rest of the shoe.

especially if you opt for shoes that are Pros

  • Consistent grip on different surfaces
  • Dust-resistant outsole
  • combat boots dr martens 1460 smooth 11822207 green
  • Bouncy midsole
  • Secure heel counter
  • Well-ventilated upper
  • Feels light
  • OK for outdoors

especially if you opt for shoes that are Cons

  • Not for wide-footers
  • Lacks flexiblity
Full review of Nike KD 15

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
nike kd 15 white 8a84 60
900 multi-colour/multi-colour (DO9825900)
Game Royal/Game Royal/White (DO9826401)
nike kd 15 light orewood brown metallic gold sundial b3e0 60
nike kd 15 multi color multi color 498b 60
nike kd 15 black beach smoke grey a130 60
nike kd 15 multi color multi color multi color c59f 60
600 university red/white (DO9826600)
More colors

Basketball shoes with the best court feel

lindsey vonn skinny jeans red crop top sneakers europe?

We consider the Zion 2 not only as a noteworthy shoe but also as one that prioritizes court feel. Hands down, the amount of ground feedback that the especially if you opt for shoes that are delivered was truly one of the books. Finer footwork and faster sprints were made a lot easier because of such court feel. This basketball shoe also boasted superb breathability that we confirmed in our lab test. Finally, the grip was something that we can run about with so much glee.

Using a caliper, we discovered that the heel and forefoot are 1.9 mm and 2.7 mm thinner than average. The insole is also 1 mm thinner than usual. This setup brought our feet closer to the ground, allowing us to feel more feedback from it. Hence, we felt more in control even of our fine movements.

To ascertain breathability in the lab, we did a smoke test. After pumping smoke into the shoe, we saw just how fast the smoke rose through most of the upper. Indeed, the mesh material in the forefoot and the perforations in the tongue area allowed the smoke to easily escape. No wonder we felt air literally blowing against our feet during our test games!

The Zion 2 could bite, and it bit the hardwood so well. We did not have any reason to complain. We did stepbacks, quick direction changes, and even twists to trick our opponents. The outsole and the pattern engraved in it never failed to give us the amount of grip that our moves required.

It’s just unfortunate that the Zion 2 sacrificed a lot of plushness so that it can deliver a more pronounced court feel. The thinner midsole was not really reliable when it comes to compression. We do not recommend this shoe to ballers, especially the bigger ones, who might actually need a well-cushioned ride.

especially if you opt for shoes that are Pros

  • chunky ankle boots Black
  • Tremendous support
  • Very pronounced court feel
  • Reliable energy return
  • True-to-size fit
  • Breathable
  • Good for bigger men
  • OK for outdoors
  • Casual style

especially if you opt for shoes that are Cons

  • Dust-prone outsole
  • Lacks impact protection
  • superstar c sneakers adidas kids shoes ftwwht ngtsky ftwwht
Full review of especially if you opt for shoes that are

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Red (DO9073600)
Black (DO9073410)
Black (DO9161060)
White/Volt-black-dynamic Turquoise (DO9161107)
Brown (DO8990217)
jordan nike men s zion 2 tb basketball shoes in white adult white cf17 60
Green (DO9161367)
Black/Metallic Gold/Vast Grey (DQ7688001)
More colors

Basketball shoes with the best lockdown

especially if you opt for shoes that are | lindsey vonn skinny jeans red crop top sneakers europe?

We declare the adidas originals ozweego light green marathon running shoessneakers as the best shoe for foot containment because it has cradle-like cushioning, an amazingly wide base, and a twist-resistant platform. All these features work together to hold the foot securely in place. Not once did we feel unstable or wobbly even as we moved quite aggressively during the most intense parts of our games.

Lab results showed us that the heel area is not only thicker than average but also softer. With a stack height of 30.5 mm as per our caliper, the heel cushioning is 2.3 mm thicker than that of the typical hoop shoe. The durometer made it clear that the heel cushion is 34% softer than average. Our feet sank a little into the cushion until they were cupped by the material, which helped hold our feet in place.

The caliper showed us that the forefoot and heel are 119 mm and 99.1 mm wide respectively, making these areas 7.3 mm and 8.5 mm wider than average. Given this setup, we never had to worry about our feet slipping off the footbed; there was just so much surface area to accommodate splays and sudden side-to-side maneuvers.

We also manually twisted the Dame 8 as part of our lab assessments. Because of the shoe's resistance when we did torsional twists, we gave it a 4 out of 5 for rigidity. Given this much stiffness, worrying about ankle rolls quickly became a thing of the past.

Unfortunately, those players whose feet sweat easily cannot enjoy what the adidas originals ozweego light green marathon running shoessneakers has to offer. Based on our experience, it’s not the most well-ventilated shoe out there. We had to wear thinner socks just to make the warmth a bit bearable.

especially if you opt for shoes that are Pros

  • Good traction on clean courts
  • ankle boots r polanski 0887 czarny nubuk
  • Forefoot responsiveness
  • Secure lockdown
  • Puma Running Favorite 7inch shorts in blue
  • Side-to-side stability
  • Wide-foot friendly
  • Okay for outdoor courts

especially if you opt for shoes that are Cons

  • Dust magnet
  • The perfect boots dont exi
Full review of adidas originals ozweego light green marathon running shoessneakers

Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
White/Black/Red (GY0384)
adidas unisex dame 8 basketball shoe yellow tint glory purple signal green 13 us men yellow tint glory purple signal green 2bba 60
adidas unisex dame 8 basketball shoe white black grey 10 us men white black grey c3e2 60
Black/White/Grey (GY6461)
adidas men s dame 8 mic chinese new year basketball shoes gw1816 us footwear size system adult men numeric medium numeric 8 point 5 black orange black orange a8ca 60
Grey Three/Red/Core Black (HR1558)
Energy Aqua/Core Black/Team Shock Pink (GZ6475)
signal cyan/silver metallic/shock cyan (GY6465)
More colors

Best lightweight basketball shoes

Nike Zoom Freak 4
90
Superb!

especially if you opt for shoes that are | lindsey vonn skinny jeans red crop top sneakers europe?

The Nike Zoom Freak 4’s weight (12.3 oz or 348g) is below the average (13.7 oz or 387g), so it helped us be more agile and to persist longer during our games. Its outsole is actually harder than average, making it more resistant to abrasion. The above-average hardness even makes it a worthy outdoor shoe. This shoe is also a beast when it comes to heel support because of its stiff counter. Given all these benefits, we hail the Zoom Freak 4 as the best lightweight shoe in our inventory.

We learned in the lab that while the outsole is not any thicker than average (4.0 mm vs 3.9 mm average), the rubber compound is actually harder. Our HC durometer pegged the Freak 4’s sole hardness at 84.5 when the average is 80.3.

The heel counter got a score of 4 out of 5 for firmness. We gave this rating after it showed considerable resistance when we squeezed and twisted it manually in the lab. Our feet loved this heel support!

Our digital force gauge showed that the Zoom Freak 4 needed 54.0N to bend at 90 degrees, this makes it more resistant than the typical shoe which would need only 41.9N. Players who need shoes that do so well with natural foot flexions might not be too happy with this pick.

especially if you opt for shoes that are Pros

  • Noticeable upgrades
  • nike air max 270 betrue sneakers item
  • Dust-resistant outsole
  • Smooth steps
  • fluff yeah shoes and blanket set ugg kids zestaw rcr
  • Dependable impact protection
  • Jump-improving bounce
  • Reliably supportive structure
  • True-to-size fit

especially if you opt for shoes that are Cons

  • Not ideal for outdoors (but OK)
  • Not for bigger players and wide footers
  • Cheap-feeling materials
Full review of Nike Zoom Freak 4

Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
nike zoom freak 4 basketball shoes white black barely volt white adult white black barely volt white ec8b 60
Ironstone/Cobblestone/Sail/Orange Trance (DJ6149003)
nike zoom freak 4 university red white university red 6b9c 60
Light Bone/Moon Fossil/Sail/Sw (DJ6149002)
nike men s zoom freak 4 birthstone basketball shoes in blue adult blue ad72 60
Action grape/pinksicle-summit white (DO9680500)
nike zoom freak 4 white white black 8fd4 60
nike zoom freak 4 midnite navy white da43 60
More colors

Best basketball shoes for nimble players

lindsey vonn skinny jeans red crop top sneakers europe?

After several lab tests and actual on-court usage, we are convinced that the product eng 1030064 Shoes Salomon Alphacross Blast is the best basketball shoe for nimble players. This shoe just gripped hard on any surface that we used it on–hardwood, concrete, and even the tiled floors of our changing rooms!  The rear area was also a master at clasping our heels, making sure they stayed in place even as our movements got a little too swift and aggressive. What made this shoe even more of a breeze to use was the airiness of the upper. 

If we were to rank all the shoes that we’ve played in, the Luka 1 from Jordan is going to be up there in terms of traction. The bite on this was just impressive. We got the anchorage that we needed when we sprinted as fast as we could toward the basket.

On the court, heel slippage never crossed our minds, thanks to how secure the heel counter felt. In the lab, we were left with no other choice but to give the heel counter a perfect 5 for stiffness. It remained firm even after we pulled, pushed, and squeezed at levels beyond the normal on-court pressures.

Smoke was pumped into the shoe to see through which parts of the upper it was going to escape. This process was our test for breathability, and we found that the tongue and the mesh forefoot served as this shoe’s ventilators. Our feet and socks remained dry even after several hours of fast play and training.

After measuring the width of both the heel and forefoot parts of the footbed, we found that the product eng 1030064 Shoes Salomon Alphacross Blast does not deviate much from the average. The forefoot is 97.1 mm wide (average is 97.5 mm) while the heel is 79.2 mm (average is 77.0). Given these measurements, we do not think this shoe suits players with unusually wide feet.

especially if you opt for shoes that are Pros

  • Impressive grip
  • Nice impact protection
  • Amazing energy return
  • Comfortable upper materials
  • Breathable
  • Material running Ferrino
  • Stable steps
  • sandals bartek 76016 nrg gold

especially if you opt for shoes that are Cons

  • Cheap-feeling materials
  • Not for outdoors
Full review of product eng 1030064 Shoes Salomon Alphacross Blast

Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
White (DN1772108)
Red (DN1772676)
Blue (DN1772436)
jordan nike men s luka 1 basketball shoes in white adult white 841f 60
Black/black-white (DQ7689001)
White (DN1772106)
Mint Foam/Court Purple/Dark Concord/Racer Pink (DN1772305)
White/White/Fire Red (DQ7689116)
More colors

Best value basketball shoes

lindsey vonn skinny jeans red crop top sneakers europe?

The Nike Air Max Impact 4 managed to go beyond the already high standards set by the Air Max Impact 3 performance-wise. Traction, cushioning, support, and comfort - the Air Max Impact 4 surely delivers on aspects that matter, making it a perfect value-for-money option for an entry-level player.

especially if you opt for shoes that are Pros

  • Traction is consistently good
  • Responsive cushioning
  • Decent impact protection
  • Comfortable and well-ventilated upper
  • Dependable foot containment
  • Great for outdoor use
  • ankle boots keddo 518617 18 03 czarny

especially if you opt for shoes that are Cons

  • Needs to be broken in
  • Not for wide-footers
Full review of Nike Air Max Impact 4

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
White (DM1124101)
Black Anthracite Off Noir (DM1124004)
Black Mtlc Gold Star Anthracite White (DM1124003)
nike air max impact 4 basketball shoes black bright crimson wolf grey white 1cd5 60
Black (DM1124001)
White Black Pure Platinum (DM1124100)
Blue (DM1124401)
Black (DM1124006)
nike air max impact 4 basketball shoes ashen slate football grey blue lightning citron tint 2846 60

Comparison of the 7 best basketball shoes

+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
Best
CoreScore
Users rating
Experts
Best price
Ranking
Popularity
# of colorways

Why basketball shoes?

Logic says that because basketball involves a lot of running, it’s OK to play in your reliable ASICS or Brooks runners. They’ve got traction. They’ve got a cushion. They even promise durability. But are these in the right amounts?

Why basketball shoes_(hi).png

Compared to running shoes, good basketball shoes need the following:

Great traction. Basketball needs good traction because of the complex footwork that it requires. There are quick stops, jumping, and a lot of lateral actions. These are high-intensity movements that a shoe designed for running is not prepared for. 

Slightly less cushion. Because of the complexity of their footwork, basketball players need to feel the court. Too much cushion can lead to dangerous movement miscalculations, slips, and falls. 

More support. A good basketball shoe withstands immense pressure from aggressive movements. The extra stiffness and weight that it has make this possible.

Choosing one basketball shoe among many seemingly great options is already a daunting task. You can make your search easier by following the 3 quick steps below.

Basketball shoes and playing styles

Basketball positions allow us to predict what movements a player most likely does during the game. Basketball shoes should correspond to the needs of the wearer’s playing position.

Basketball shoes and playing position (hi).png

Centers and power forwards are quite similar. Big and strong, they usually position near the basket to do rebounds or blocks. Reebok’s Shaquille O’neal and Nike’s LeBron James are among the most celebrated big men in the NBA. 

Small forwards, point guards, and shooting guards are more aggressive with their movements. Smaller and more agile, they are pretty mobile and more physically engaged with their opponents. Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry are great examples. 

Generally, basketball shoes must provide a secure lockdown regardless of what role the wearer plays on the court. To ensure this, the best shoes are often equipped with laces, which you can tie in different ways depending on the size and shape of your foot. View quick lacing demonstrations here.

Finding the best fit in basketball shoes

It’s obvious that you should get the right size to maximize a shoe’s potential. What’s not so obvious are the factors that affect your size-related decisions. 

Brands fit differently.  CerbeShops is equipped with a tool that helps you find the right size given the brand. This tool can also use your actual size, brand preference, and inputs from other users to come up with sizing recommendations.

stella mccartney colour block quilted ankle boots item. Ankle braces provide additional support to your foot. Braces basketball players use are thicker than normal. If you plan to wear braces, get shoes that are at least half a size larger than your usual shoe size.

Don’t forget the aesthetics

No te pierdas las novedades running de New Balance. Low-tops are not really better performers than high tops, and vice versa. It’s just a matter of preference. 

Know your color. Basketball shoes are available in thousands of colorways. Some of these colors allude to NBA teams, NBA events, popular holidays (e.g. Easter and Christmas), and even political advocacies (e.g. Black History Month).

Indoor or outdoor: The sturdiness test

The basketball shoe industry is largely driven by the NBA. As such, brands rarely release shoes that are deliberately for outdoor hooping. 

If you often play outdoors, you need to know how to assess a shoe’s outdoor playability. Here’s our suggestion:

how to assess a shoe’s outdoor (hi).png

The best basketball shoes for wide feet

lanvin bumpr faux shearling sneakers Jordan and Adidas rarely release products that are really for those with wide feet. Buyers will really have to rely on reviews of fellow wide-foot players before they make purchase decisions. 

In the first half of 2020, LeBron James’s LeBron 17 and Paul George’s PG3 from Nike and Chris Paul’s CP3 12 Ankle Boots Midway Tronchetto Vitello Morgan Ruhof. 

A lacing technique can also help in making regular shoes fit wide feet better. You can watch a quick demonstration here.

How do I break in my basketball shoes?

There are shoes that need break-in time so that they can be worn more comfortably. There are many ways to break in basketball shoes. The following are some.

  • Hold the shoe by the heel and then twist the toe area left and right using the other hand. Do this as many times as needed to soften the upper. Softening helps the material conform to the foot better. 
  • Wear the shoes daily with a thick pair of socks for at least ten minutes.  After a week, try a different pair of socks while doing household chores. You may look funny wearing high-end kicks in your home, but doing this makes the shoe court-ready quickly.
  • Use the shoes during your light indoor gym workouts such as in treadmill running. Don’t lift heavy weights while in basketball shoes as this might put too much pressure on the footwear.
  • Practice playing basketball in your basketball shoes. Basketball practices introduce the shoe to your unique movement patterns. After a few weeks, the basketball shoes should be ready to hit the court for some real action.

How we test basketball shoes

Paris Texas is one of the hottest womens boot brands on the Instagram scene:

  • We purchase the shoes by reaching into our own pockets so that we can proceed to review the shoes with total fairness.
  • We play, run, walk, and jump in the basketball shoes on both indoor and outdoor courts, so we will have a diversified feel of them.
  • Also, we put them through various tests in the lab, where we also dissect the shoes to scrutinize them more profoundly. 

To elaborate more on the tests we perform in the lab, we judge what factors affect the shoe's performance during our play and wear tests. A few of the things we check are the stack height measurements and the insole's thickness where we use our caliper.

Author
Dimitrije Curcic
Dimitrije Curcic

Dimitrije Curcic has been playing basketball for over 22 years. Like Manu Ginobili, he’s a left-hander whose moves led him to a better career-shooting percentage than the Argentine himself. After playing professionally for 10 years, Dimitrije moved to coaching for two seasons before he became a basketball statistician for StatScore, and FanSided contributor for the San Antonio Spurs. Dimitrije loves to tell hoop stories through numbers and graphics and has been featured on Fansided, FiveThirtyEight, Eurohoops, and runBasket among the others.