Nike puts out a ton of different basketball models every year. Just keeping track of all the different releases is a headache. So knowing which are the Best Nike Basketball Shoes or the best on-court performers is a tall order.
But not to worry, that’s what we’re here for. At WearTesters, our expert testers put all these kicks through their paces to help you find the best shoes overall, and in a bunch of different sub-categories.
With all this being said, let’s jump in and go over the top Nike Basketball shoes that are currently available on the market. Hopefully, this list will help you find the pair of Nikes you were looking for and get the most out of your hard-earned money. You can also check out our list of the best retro Nike shoes on the market.
Last updated 05.16.2023
Best Nike Basketball Shoe Show
Best Nike Basketball Shoes Overall
Best Nike Basketball Shoe
Nike LeBron 20
The Nike LeBron 20 is one of the most hyped LeBron James basketball shoes. It strays away from previous releases like the Nike LeBron 19, even in the traction department. That shoe’s grip was inconsistent, but this one’s a beast. The pattern is multidirectional, covering you on all movements on both defense and offense. The midsole is full-length Cushlon with a forefoot Zoom Turbo unit and an additional standard heel Zoom Air unit in the heel. The upper is lightweight and comfortable as well. Read the full review. Price: $200
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. It’s an excellent follow-up to the already great performer, the Nike KD 14. See the full review. Price: $150
Nike Air Zoom GT Jump
The Nike GT Jump is just a really solid basketball shoe that happens to be a high-top, and actually one of the highest high-tops out there. As we have mentioned, the Nike GT Jump has the best cushioning set up in 2022, herringbone traction that works well, all encased in a sturdy high-top package, that somehow remains lightweight. If you like to play in high-tops, you will love these, especially if you are a bigger player that needs a little extra impact protection. It is also the best basketball shoe for centers. Read the full review. Price: $200
Nike Kyrie Infinity
The Kyrie 8 is the most well-balanced Kyrie signature sneaker we’ve seen to date and it made our best overall list, too. The cushion is the biggest improvement. There’s a full-length Phylon midsole with a forefoot Zoom Air Strobel unit and a standard Zoom Air unit. Both feel bouncy and responsive as well as provide good impact protection. The traction, reminiscent of the Nike Kyrie 6, works well on most surfaces. If you’re looking for a shoe that will give you an all-around great experience, this is one you should consider. Read the full review. Price: $150
Nike Kyrie Low 5
Even though the Kyrie 5 Low is aesthetically very similar to the flagship Kyrie model, the Nike Kyrie Infinity, the performance features are quite different. The main difference is the cushioning. The Kyrie Infinity offers more of a plush ride on court whereas the Kyrie Low 5 is much more responsive. This isn’t a bad thing, it just means that the Kyrie Low 5 is better suited for lighter, shifter players. Read full review. Price: $110
Nike Zoom GT Cut 2
The Nike Air Zoom GT Cut 2 follows one of the most hyped basketball shoes in recent memory, the Nike Zoom GT Cut. The GT Cut features a low-profile, lightweight setup that compares to last year’s mode. The React, full-length Air Zoom Strobel, and heel Zoom unit work well together and provide solid cushioning despite how low this shoe sits to the ground. It’s a quick guard’s dream shoe. Read the full review. Price: $150
Nike PG 6
The 6th shoe in the Paul George Signature line is not the best Paul George shoe, but it is still a great on-court performer. The PG line is very consistent in quality but very inconsistent when it comes to performance features. The PG 6 is the first PG to feature a fully foam-based cushioning system, in this case, React foam. The shoe is very comfortable and provides great traction. The one drawback is the quality of the upper materials, but they are functional, and at the price point you can’t ask for much more. Read the full review. Price: $110.
Nike KD 14
Easily one of the best shoes of 2021. Where should we start with Kevin Durant’s 14th signature shoe, the Nike KD 14? The cushion is amazing. We have come to expect low profile, bouncy cushion from the line and these are no different. The midsole is Cushlon with a full-length Zoom strobel. The materials are not premium but they’re what we’ve come to expect in a modern day performance model: lightweight synthetics that get the job done. Read the full review. Price: $150
Best Nike Basketball Shoes for Outdoors
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. This setup will protect your knees and feet from the hard impacts on the concrete or the blacktop. Plus the outsole won’t wear away too quickly. The materials have changed slightly, but they’re still breathable and flexible. See the full review. Price: $150
Nike KD 14
The Nike KD 14 makes an appearance as one of the best outdoor options in the market today. It’s so good that it made our Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes list. The cushion with the combination of a soft, fluffy Cushlon along with the full-length Zoom Air Strobel unit really gives these much-needed impact protection capabilities needed on that concrete or blacktop. Everything else works together well to provide a supportive ride. Read the full review. Price: $150
Best Cheap Nike Basketball Shoes 2023
Nike Air Max Impact 4
Not a lot of people will care about the Nike Air Max Impact 4. It’s a budget model with no big name attached to it. But, it’s a beast on court and is featured in our Best Budget Basketball Shoes list. The most surprising aspect was how soft the foam on the shoe was. We assume its Phylon since no other foam was mentioned, but it definitely felt like Cushlon with its plushness and subtle bounce. The heel Air Max unit helps with impact protection, but wasn’t really noticeable. Plus, these are wide-foot friendly. Everything was more than good enough for a shoe under $100. Read the full review. Price: $90
Nike LeBron Witness 7
We know that the King loves Nike Air, so it’s not any surprise that one of this budget models, the Nike LeBron Witness 7, features a ton of it. Although it isn’t full-length like it looks (it’s a dog bone shape), that’s still a ton of air for a take down. We’ve come a long way since the 90’s with budget tech. The upper is basic textile mesh and the midsole’s Phylon. The heel wings help keep your feet on the footbed, as well as support your heel to avoid ankle sprains and other injuries. Read the full review. Price: $115
Nike Giannis Immortality 2
The Nike Giannis Immortality 2 is the identical shoe to the first edition. The Phylon midsole does not have any Nike Air or Zoom Air inside it. It’s just foam and is more on the responsive and court-feel side of the spectrum. The traction pattern stayed the same, which is good since it offers excellent durability and grip. There are slight material changes, but they are slight. No break-in time is required. Read the full review. Price: $85
Best Low Top Nike Basketball Shoes 2023
Nike Kyrie Low 5
The Nike Kyrie Low 5 makes another appearance on our list for one simple reason: it is a very good on-court performer that happens to be a low-top. The only thing to keep in mind is the basic cushioning which is better for smaller, guard-style players. Read full review. Price: $110
Nike Zoom GT Cut 2
The Nike Air Zoom GT Cut 2 follows one of the most hyped basketball shoes in recent memory, the Nike Zoom GT Cut. The GT Cut features a low-profile, lightweight setup that compares to last year’s mode. The React, full-length Air Zoom Strobel, and heel Zoom unit work well together and provide solid cushioning despite how low this shoe sits to the ground. It’s a quick guard’s dream shoe but big guys may want to look elsewhere. Don’t worry about ankle support because it is enough for most people. Read the full review. Price: $150
Best Nike Basketball Shoes for Wide Feet 2023
Nike PG 6
The Nike PG 6 delivers great performance. The midsole is made up of full-length React foam, which feels soft and has some rebound to it. Traction is mostly made up of circular-style patterns. The upper is a basic, layered Jacquard, which does take a bit of break-in time but should make for a custom feel and fit—getting the EP version wouldn’t hurt for wide-footers but they’re accommodating enough for most foot shapes. Read the full review. Price: $120
Best Nike Signature Basketball Shoes 2023
Nike KD 14
This spot once again goes to the Nike KD 14. Let’s not forget that the Nike KD 12 and Nike KD 13 were also great on-court performers so seeing a Kevin Durant shoe in this list twice should really come as no surprise. For the cushion, traction, and support you’re getting, there’s not a lot of basketball shoes that’ll rival what you get with these for the same price. Read the full review. Price: $150
Best Looking Nike Basketball Shoes 2023
Nike Air Total Max Uptempo
A lot of people remember the Nike Air Total Max Uptempo as the shoe that Reggie Miller wore. And rightfully so. He made so many clutch buckets and highlight plays in these bad boys. These certainly have elements of Jordan Brand sneakers, like similar paneling with the Jumpman Pro Strong. They also feature the latest and greatest of Nike’s tech at the time: full-length Air below a Phylon midsole. If you need nostalgia, style, and tech from the 90’s, these have you covered. Read the full review. Price: $170
Best Nike Basketball Shoes for Ankle Support 2023
Nike Kyrie Infinity
The Kyrie Infinity is likewise great for your ankles if you need a shoe that will keep your feet secured at all times. The cushion also aids in this because although it does have Zoom Air in both the heel and forefoot, it’s still low to the ground. That makes it so you never feel unstable at any time. Plus, if you’re a heel striker, the heel Zoom Air unit will ease that landing just enough so you’re not in pain. Read the full review. Price: $150
Nike KD 14
And yet again, the Nike KD 14 makes another appearance on this list. The ankle support of the shoe is great, especially considering the cushioning system. Cushlon can be really soft, but the sculpt of the rear plus the wide base all around really helps contain the foot to prevent injuries. Again, this shoe is just great overall. Read the full review. Price: $150
Best Nike High Top Basketball Shoes 2023
Nike GT Jump
This is the last shoe in the Greater Than lineup, the Nike GT Jump. There’s no question about the highlight of this shoe: layers upon layers of cushion. We have a full-length Zoom Air Strobel unit that’s amazing. Beneath that is a Cushlon midsole. And still below that are two large volume Zoom units, one in the forefoot and on in the heel. There’s no wonder Brittney Griner and Nikola Jokic love these. Read the full review. Price: $200
Best Nike Retro Basketball Shoes 2023
Nike Air Penny 2
The Nike Air Penny 2 screams 90s. The outsole is Uptempo-inspired and what’s remarkable is that it also gives insight into the tech in the midsole. Other tech specs include the large-volume Air Max unit and a forefoot Zoom Air unit. The collab version features awesome materials, too. There’s also a carbon fiber plate that’s interestingly implemented to reduce weight. Read the full review. Retail Price: $200
