The Best Basketball Shoes

Our picks for the best basketball shoes will keep you looking fresh on and off the court.

Adidas Crazy Explosive Low Primeknit
Adidas

Adidas Crazy Explosive Low Primeknit

Adidas Crazy Explosive Low Primeknit

Whether basketball season is in full swing or you're living in the aftermath of another all-consuming NBA Finals, there is no wrong time to strap up them boots and head to your local gym to play all of one game of basketball before you hit the sidelines and debate for two hours about who is actually deserving of an MVP title. While others may be basing their hypothesis on PERs, BPMs and OPPs, you are able to determine the Finals champion AND the MVP simply by whose signature sneaker is the most popping, the true barometer of success, as anyone with any sense will be able to tell you.

How do you determine the best basketball sneakers from the more forgettable ones? Like the famous saying about porn versus art, it's hard to describe what makes a basketball shoe great, but you definitely know it when you see it. And while the big name athletes attached to their signature shoes, from Lebron to Curry and Harden, will do their best to make sure you think they have the coolest joints out there, you've got to avoid the temptation to ride with a garbage product regardless if you really want to rise above the rest.

We are currently blessed with a litany of shoes fit for every type of player you could imagine being, regardless of whether or not you have any skills on the court whatsoever. Because, guess what? It actually doesn't really matter at all. In a pair of one of these shoes, whether they're the newest Nikes, the latest Jordan reissue, or a pair of instant-classic Adidas, you will look fly as fuck and, in the grand scheme of things, that’s all that counts, am I right? If you agree, do yourself a big favor and check out the best basketball shoes right now.

Nike Kyrie 3

Nike Kyrie 3 Basketball Shoe

Nike Lebron XIV

Nike Lebron XIV

Adidas Harden Vol. 1

Adidas Harden Vol. 1

Price: $140

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The Adidas Crazy Explosive Low Primeknit is exactly what the Three Stripes was missing in its basketball division. Powerful, more explosive players like Andrew Wiggins, Nick Young, Iman Shumpert, and even rookie Brandon Ingram have been craving a lightweight, low top shoe that doesn’t compromise their ankles. With a full-length Boost midsole, the Crazy Explosive Low Primeknit features more Boost technology than any other Adidas basketball sneaker.

UA Curry 3

UA Curry 3

Price: $185

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The Air Jordan XXXI might be the best recent Air Jordan since the XX3, making it special for more than one reason. Aside from being the premier basketball sneaker from the Air Jordan line up, the XXXI does something that no other Air Jordan has does as successfully—it takes modern technology and blends it with classic styling cues that made Air Jordan the brand it is today. In addition to featuring  the Air Jordan Wings logo and faint Nike Swooshes on the sneaker, each colorway released thus far connects to the history Michael Jordan made 31 years ago. The "Fine Print" colorway celebrates Michael Jordan inking a deal with Nike, the "Banned" colorway pays homage to Jordan's banned black and red sneakers, while the "Shattered Backboard" remembers Jordan's monster dunk at a Nike Exhibition game in Italy. And, of course, you can’t forget MJ’s personal favorite “Royal” colorway.

Nike Zoom KD 9 Elite

Nike Zoom KD 9 Elite

Nike Lebron Soldier 10

Nike Lebron Soldier 10