The 2020-2021 season was a tricky time for all sports. The unprecedented year wreaked havoc on timetables and forced leagues to think outside the box. In comparison to other leagues, though, the NBA seemed to adjust quite naturally to the upset. In fact, with the players living inside the NBA bubble for much of last season, we had a concentrated Petrie dish for players’ style.
Funnily enough, walk-in fits were more in the spotlight than ever and on-court drip didn’t slow down either. Now, as the NBA season gears up to start again with usual programming — last season’s 72-game slate returns to the normal 82-game schedule — the world of basketball shoes has never looked so strong.
So, in time for the season’s tip-off, we’ve scoured the net, read hundreds of reviews, and rounded up the best basketball shoes that you’re likely to see in the NBA 2021-2022 season. Rather than our usual style-first approach, for this selection, we’ve looked at fit, technology, traction, quality, (and a bit of style) to offer up the definitive best basketball shoes of 2021-2022 list.
From Trae Young’s brand-new signature shoe to strong general releases from PUMA and Nike, here are the only basketball shoes that you should be wearing on-court this season.
Keep scrolling to see a list of the best basketball shoes of 2022.
adidas Trae Young 1 Shoes
Trae Young 1
adidas
An exciting development in the world of basketball shoes of 2021-2022 is the arrival of Trae Young's debut signature shoe. The adidas Trae Young 1 comes with a couple of unique style points. Firstly, the low-top silhouette features a laceless construction (though you can tighten up with laces if needed) but the real attraction here is the sole unit. The multi-directional ridged outsole sticks you to the hardwood while the ergonomic midsole offers support and comfort where you need it.
adidas Dame 8
Dame 8 Shoes
adidas
Nowadays, almost all of the best basketball shoes fall under the name of an NBA superstar. From Mitchell, we move to Portland's talisman Damian Lillard whose adidas Dame 8 has just hit the market, succeeding the fan-favorite Dame 7. This time the shoe comes made of production waste to reduce the use of virgin materials. You'll find dual-density Bounce Pro cushioning throughout that ensures that the Dame 8 loses none of the lightweight, fast reactions that made the Dame 7 so popular.
adidas Harden Vol.6 Shoes
Harden Vol. 6
adidas
From the new guard to one of the most respected players in the league right now: The Beard. James Harden's long-range game is matched by his equally aggressive, equally effective under-the-rim play, so his signature shoes need to suit all play types. Based on a Boost midsole, the Harden Vol.6 feels ultra-responsive and lightweight, aided by bands to the forefoot and heel which hold your foot in place so there's no delay between reaction and movement.
adidas Donovan Mitchell D.O.N. Issue 3
D.O.N. Issue #3 Shoes
adidas
Donovan Mitchell left his mark on the basketball shoes market about as quickly as he did the NBA as a whole. The young star gets stronger every season and his D.O.N. line follows suit. Issue 3 is the most popular of the range thanks to Lightstrike cushioning working in tandem with abrasion-resistant TPU to the outsole which provide the support and grip needed to rack up big numbers. This Louisville pair commemorates Mitchell's time as a Louisville Cardinal.
Nike Jordan XXXVI
Jordan AJ XXXVI
Nike
Behold, a non-signature sneaker (Jordan doesn't count anymore, right?) in our best basketball shoes roundup! That means that this one has really earned its spot. Jordan Brand always brings something new to the table. Here, it's the Jacquard Leno-Weave upper which offers a lightweight yet durable ride. Another aspect we saw for the first time last season was the introduction of the hollow mid-section which reduces the weight of the shoe and allows the stabilizing shank more space.
Nike Cosmic Unity
Cosmic Unity
Nike
Nike's always developing something exciting and in terms of basketball shoes of the 2022 season, that comes in the form of the Nike Cosmic Unity. Featuring a noticeably thin outsole, the Cosmic Unity promises lighter weight, better grip, and more overall response. Plus, its secure waffle-texture upper is made of at least 25 percent recycled materials.
Nike LeBron 19
LeBron 19
Nike
LeBron James has put his name to a long streak of player-favorite court-ready designs and the latest drop in the saga is no different. The LeBron 19 in this black and red colorway will undoubtedly be the meanest-looking pair on the court. But it's not all visuals. The real upgrades in the LeBron 19 come in security. A new molded sock combines with a rigid lacing cage to keep you locked in and unmoved throughout four solid quarters. Add cushioning pods to the collar and tongue and you've got one of the most comfortable rides in basketball right now.
Nike KD14
KD14
Nike
From one all-rounder to another. Durant's KD range is a perennial top-performer when it comes to the best basketball shoes. The KD14 is no different. Full-length Zoom Air cushioning combines with a multi-layer mesh upper and midfoot strap to keep you locked into your shoe. Odd, seeing as KD loses a shoe approximately twice a game.
New Balance KAWHI 2
KAWHI 2
New Balance
Made in partnership with the man who's as likely to win a game with a block as a heavily defended 3-point shot, the New Balance KAWHI 2 is a safe bet. The KAWHI 2 combines a FuelCell midsole with a full-length shank. While most shoes opt for a shorter midsole shank for rigidity, this pair goes all the way for durability and support when cutting and jumping.
New Balance Two WXY
Two WXY
New Balance
Inspired by the changing structure of today's game, the New Balance Two WXY is optimized for the player who plays everywhere. Made for the moment you spring from defense to offense and vice versa, the Two WXY features FuelCell foam to deliver a propulsive feel to help drive you forward on the turn. On the flipside, a strong midsole shank affords great torsional rigidity in the shoe for a strong base when you're sticking to your opposite number.
Reebok More Buckets Basketball Shoes
More Buckets Basketball Shoes
Reebok
Although Reebok doesn't rock with the giants in basketball anymore, it's worth remembering that this brand has serious pedigree on the court. From Shaq to AI, some of the NBA greats swore by Reebok and you shouldn't overlook the brand's basketball kicks. The Reebok More Buckets is a great budget-friendly option that doesn't skimp on performance. The sturdy textile and mesh upper is perfect for the all-rounder and the retro aesthetic gets top visual marks.
PUMA MB.01 Shoes
MB.01 Shoes
PUMA
Love them or hate them, the Balls are a central part of the NBA now, so it's an exciting development to see LaMelo Ball's first signature sneaker hit shelves. Made for PUMA, the MB.01 incorporates LaMelo's bold personal style in color choice and detailing as well as high-performance aspects to match. Nitro Foam cushioning throughout the sole unit works perfectly for explosive play styles and is compounded by full engineered traction to the outsole for quick cuts.
PUMA RS-Dreamer
RS-Dreamer Proto
PUMA
A signature basketball shoe designed by a rapper? On paper, it shouldn't work. That's not taking into account the fact that J. Cole is about as good at hooping as he is at rapping, though. The PUMA RS-Dreamer has become PUMA's go-to basketball silhouette and for good reason. The RS-Dreamer is designed to be as effective on the court as in the street thanks to a bulkier upper and heavy cushioning to the midsole.
PUMA Court Rider Summer Days Basketball Shoes
Court Rider Summer Days Basketball Shoes
PUMA
The diversity in the best basketball shoes of the moment is great. With the relatively new arrival of names like PUMA and New Balance, the stalwarts are being forced to up their game. It's silhouettes like the Court Rider that are forcing that. A breathable, layered upper looks great with mixed materials while substance comes in the form of a heavy-duty high-abrasion rubber outsole for grip and durability. This pair is great for those looking to hoop on less forgiving surfaces than polished hardwood.
Under Armour Curry Flow 8
Curry Flow 8
Under Armour
Curry broke a boundary when he opted for Under Armour for his signature shoe. Since then, UA has become a big player in the basketball world and it's thanks in no small part to the effectiveness of Curry's basketball shoes. The Curry Flow 8 promises the best ride yet with a fully rubberless build that goes big on cushioning for a zippy, fast-reaction game.
Converse NBA Jam All-Star BB EVO
NBA Jam All Star BB EVO
Converse
No brand has as much experience on the court as Converse. It's no mistake that the imprint is still considered one of the top names on the hardwood. It's retained its reputation with an evolving catalog that culminates in the Converse All-Star BB Evo. Notably worn by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the BB Evo has a super-sleek mid-top silhouette. A woven QuadFit upper keeps you securely locked in, but be sure to size up half a size to avoid being literally locked in this shoe.
Nike Kyrie 7
Kyrie 7
Nike
Kyrie Irving's Nike partnership is now in its seventh chapter and if we've learned anything from the first six, it's that the duo knows what's up. Look at any team in the NBA and you'll spot a handful of players repping Nike Kyries — that's a strong co-sign. The Nike Kyrie 7 boasts a typically bold set of colorways with subtle personal detailing throughout. A slim, cushioned midsole is the center of technical attention here, offering super-fast reaction time and explosiveness on that first step.
Nike Air Zoom G.T. Run
Air Zoom G.T. Run
Nike
One of Nike's most popular new arrivals in the basketball category is the G.T. Run. This is a 'check us out' move from the Swoosh, incorporating everything at their disposal. Multi-layered cushioning from React inserts and a Zoom Air unit in the forefoot begin the tech barrage. A two-layer upper combines lightweight mesh with a haptic print layer for durability while the sole unit features cutaways and perforations under the arch to reduce weight without losing any grip. We could go on but to cut a long story short: expect to see a lot of these over the coming months.
Nike Zoom Freak 3
Zoom Freak 3
Nike
Named after The Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Nike Zoom Freak 3 is an equally mind-boggling entity. For those looking for an all-around performer, the Freak 3 is as good an option as any other. Seeing as Giannis can effectively play anywhere on the court, it makes sense that his signature shoe can too. Ever wondered why Giannis' euro-step is so damn good? It might have something to do with the springy, hollowed-out forefoot...
Nike PG 5
PG 5
Nike
One of the useful aspects of a shoe game dominated by signature designs is that you can match your style of play to the star you're closest to and be fairly sure you'll get what you need. If you're a steady anchor who looks for the right moment to strike, the PG 5 is ideal. Notice the big Nike Air Strobel midsole cushion from front to back — this pair is for the hooper who works in top gear all game long.
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