One of the worst feelings you can have while playing basketball is being afraid of injuring or re-injuring yourself. The most common injuries in basketball are ankle sprains. Everyone who has played basketball has rolled their ankle, and playing in shoes without the proper support is just a bad experience, especially if you have been injured before, that’s why it is important to find good basketball shoes for ankle support.
For this reason, one of the key features a shoe has to have for us at WearTesters is support. We test hundreds of shoes each year and put them thoroughly through their paces. We try to determine the best overall basketball shoes, but also which shoes are great for wide footers, which shoes feature great traction, shoes that excel outdoors, etc.
We wanted to make this list for those hoopers that need that extra boost of confidence on the court while cutting, jumping, and changing directions. So, after hundreds of hours of testing, here are our picks for the best basketball shoes for ankle support.
Last updated 06.01.2023
Best Basketball Shoes for Ankle Support Show
Best Basketball Shoes for Ankle Support 2023
Best Basketball Shoe For Ankle Support 2023
Jordan Zion 2
The Jordan Zion 2 comes after a not-so-stellar performance from the Jordan Zion 1. This time around, with a different cushioning setup, the performance is better. The traction shines as it grips the floor like nobody’s business after a short break-in period. It’s best felt when going aggressively from side to side. The materials aren’t anything amazing and could have been better, but at least the strap actually works to lockdown your forefoot. Read the full review. Price: $120
Jordan 36
Air Jordan 36 is as high-performance as a shoe can get. It features full-length Zoom Air, top-notch traction, and most importantly, great support features. The shoe features a sturdy internal heel counter, a midfoot shank plate, a secure 1-to-1 fit, and a fairly wide base. The only issue is the protruding forefoot Zoom Air bag but that just takes some getting used to. Read full review. Price: $185
Brandblack Rare Metal 2
The Brandblack Rare Metal 2 has no business being as supportive as it is at its weight, the cushion is similarly deceptive and is way more comfortable than you’d expect. The shoe does take some time to break-in, but when it does, you have a great on-court performer on your hands. The Rare Metal 2 also gets extra points for the unique design. Don’t be afraid of the shoe’s odd cut, it’s a beast. Read full review. Price: $250
Jordan Luka 1
The Jordan Luka 1 was highly rated by our team, and that’s saying a lot. Luka Doncic and the Jordan design team did well on this one. Jordan Brand used the Luka 1 to introduce its newest foam: Formula 23. Right off the bat, you’ll feel how comfortable it is underfoot. Support is an obvious priority with the IsoPlate system acting as torsional support while beefing up lateral support for extra support on stepbacks and defensive slides. The heel counter is sturdy as well. Read the full review. Price: $110
Nike KD 15
The Nike KD 15 is a great performer, just like its predecessor. The same tech specs that we came to love are back. The foam midsole is Cushlon, which is soft and plush, and on top of that foam is the full-length Nike Zoom Air Strobel that feels like springs under your feet. The materials have changed slightly, though they’re still breathable and flexible. The heel counter is solid, plus the insides of the collar are well-padded. See the full review. Price: $150
New Balance Two WXY V3
The New Balance TWO WXY V3 may not be eye-catching for some people, though we think it’s beautiful. Wear it, and you’ll discover why we recommend it. The traction is promising and potentially has Nike Kobe 9-level performance. The FuelCell used on this pair can be described as light and stable. The TWO WXY V3 gives basketball players lots to like. Read the full review. Price: $120
Puma MB.02
The Puma MB.02 looks to build on the repertoire of LaMelo Ball’s first signature sneaker. That became extremely popular with the youth, and this one will most likely follow those footsteps. The midsole has been improved with heel and forefoot nitrogen-infused foam housed inside a compression-molded EVA carrier. The upper stays micro-molded mesh with fuse overlays. Just like last time, this shoe takes inspiration from one of the namesake’s tattoos. Read the full review. Price: $130
Puma Court Rider 2
The Puma Court Rider 2 is the follow up to the shoe LaMelo Ball wore before he got his own signature sneaker, the MB.01. Though he’s 6’8” and can jump, he’s still a point guard. And that usually means preferring a lower-to-the-ground ride, which is what you get with the Court Rider. What gets the Court Rider here is the extra stability features added to the shoe. Puma has been doing a great job with their basketball shoes, and these are their best basketball shoes for ankle support. Read the full review. Price: $110
New Balance Kawhi 2
The New Balance Kawhi 2 gets the job done, although quietly and without a lot of extra, unnecessary features – much like its namesake. The FuelCell foam midsole is on the firmer and denser side of the spectrum which offers a lot of stability. The FitWeave upper may look flimsy, but it does a good job of containing your foot and reducing weight at the same time. Not a common combination for basketball shoes. A good option, especially for Kawhi fans. See the full review. Price: $160
Nike LeBron Witness 7
The LeBron Witness 7 might be a budget shoe, but it sure doesn’t feel like one. Those “shark fin” plates you can see on either side of the shoe are why the Witness 7 made the list. This feature will keep you locked into the heel of the shoe and help prevent ankle rolls, better than 99.9% of the other shoes on the market. Aside from that, you get 3/4 length Zoom Air and some sturdy, 90’s style traction. Read the full review. Price: $115
Nike KD 14
The Nike KD 14 is on practically all our “best” lists, and for good reason. The KD 14 is just an excellent shoe. As far as the support goes, the shoe features a standard shank plate along with an internal heel counter. The forefoot strap is more of an aesthetic touch and the fit plays more of a role in the shoe’s support. The TPU sidewall helps keep you on the footbed which is a nice reinforcement for the soft Cushlon. Finally, the base of the shoe is wide and cradles the foot nicely. Read the full review. Price: $150
Anta KT 8
The Anta KT 8 is packed with technology that it’s kind of tough to break down one by one. The foam carrier is AFlash Edge, Anta’s comfortable proprietary foam compound. In the forefoot, we have a Pebax-based cushion system. The heel features their patented Smart SAM system. Even with this much in the midsole, the feeling is more muted than before, thus helping your ankle stay stable. The 3D-printed Flow spring plate also aids in this department. Read full review. Price: $160
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adidas D.O.N. Issue 4
The adidas D.O.N. Issue 4 feels slightly stiffer than the previous D.O.N. Issue model upon the first try. This is mainly due to the support features the shoe is equipped with. Once they break in, however, you have a good-looking, lightweight, and secure hoop shoe that gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Read full review. Price: $120
Best Low Top Basketball Shoes with Great Ankle Support 2023
People usually associate high and mid tops with better ankle support, but the two aren’t necessarily related. Low tops can offer as much or more ankle support than their taller counterparts, and you don’t need ankle insurance to rock them on court either:
With this in mind, here are some of our top picks for low-tops with great ankle support.
Puma TRC Blaze Court
The Puma TRC Blaze Court continues Puma’s resurgence into the basketball performance sneaker scene. The outsole looks awesome and performs great on all surfaces. The heel is reinforced with a hard plastic overlay for better containment. Trinomic cushion is now foam-based and is what Puma shows when you turn the shoe over. The rest of the midsole is ProFoam+ which is really comfortable. See the full review. Price: $120
Jordan Luka 1
The Jordan Luka 1 was highly rated by our team, and that’s saying a lot. Luka Doncic and the Jordan design team did well on this one. Jordan Brand used the Luka 1 to introduce its newest foam: Formula 23. Right off the bat, you’ll feel how comfortable it is underfoot. Support is an obvious priority with the IsoPlate system acting as torsional support, and the heel counter is as solid as a rock so you don’t go anywhere. And at $110 ($120 for the special editions), you get a lot of performance for the money. Read the full review. Price: $110
Nike Kyrie Low 5
The Nike Kyrie Low 5 might look similar to this year’s flagship Kyrie, the Nike Kyrie Infinity, but it’s a very different shoe. As the name suggests, they are low cut and have a more subdued and responsive cushion set up with a Zoom Air unit in the forefoot and a foam midsole. This setup makes the shoe more stable, and the Dynamic Strap System finished the job with two anchor points that lock your heel and whole foot in the shoe. The heel counter isn’t the beefiest in the world, but it works well with the rest of the shoe. Read the full review. Price: $110
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoe for Ankle Support 2023
Nike LeBron Witness 7
The Nike LeBron Witness 7 is a great outdoor option. You get full-length Air and a durable outsole which is exactly what you want from an outdoor basketball shoe.
The Nike LeBron Witness 7 also offers some beefy support features which will help you feel confident cutting and changing directions out on the blacktop. This shoe is proof of how much budget models have evolved and improved over the years. Read the full review. Price: $115
Best Budget Basketball Shoe for Ankle Support 2023
adidas Harden Stepback 3
The adidas Harden Stepback 3 is a great budget version of the adidas Harden Vol. 6. The Bounce foam midsole feels like the one we fell in love with a few years ago. The materials are basic yet comfortable. The fit is accommodating, and wide-footers will especially enjoy it. The best part is the traction. It grips every surface, outdoor and indoor. Read the full review. Price: $80
