Best Basketball Shoes for Men
Our Favorite On-Court Kicks of 2025, No Matter Your Budget
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Whether you’re a hooper or you just happen to be shopping for one, the sheer volume of options out there can be totally overwhelming. Every major sneaker company that makes basketball shoes makes multiple pairs of basketball shoes, some of which are extremely expensive, so finding the high-performing pairs can be a chore.
To make matters worse, not all shoes are built for all types of players. Some shoe models are optimized for lighter, faster guards, while others offer more cushioning to protect heavier forwards from the impact of constantly jumping. And then, of course, there’s the quality factor. Even very reputable companies with lengthy histories of making basketball shoes are still fully capable of releasing duds, shoes that just don’t perform as well as they should or could. Making matters worse, brands often coast on their reputations, or on the reputations of the high-profile athletes whose name rights they’ve purchased for their sneaker lineup, and trust us: few things sting more as an athlete than overpaying for underperforming equipment.
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To spare you a lot of grief (and wasted cash!), we did our due diligence to pick out the best basketball shoes available right now. Every sneaker on this list, no matter its price, is a high-performing option suitable for serious athletes or weekend warriors.
Reebok Engine A
The Engine A marks Reebok’s return to the world of basketball, and it’s a total triumph. The futuristic aesthetics pair well with the advanced performance tech, from the molded heel cap to improve lockdown the rubber-reinforced TPU shank to aid energy transfer. The one-piece upper simultaneously keeps weight down and durability up, while the multidirectional traction pattern bites the court, even when it’s dusty. If you’re looking for a great performing and versatile basketball shoe, the Engine A fits the bill perfectly.
Under Armour Curry 12
Steph Curry, the consensus greatest shooter of all time, remains one of the game’s most electric players, capable of scoring from anywhere on the court, and the 12th iteration of his signature sneaker takes an already-great design and improves it in every conceivable way. The Curry 12s are lighter, faster, and more responsive, helping fast-moving guards create the separation they need to score at will.
ANTA KT 10
Klay Thompson, formerly one of Golden States’ vaunted “Splash Bros,” has one of the best performing basketball shoes of the past year. The tenth iteration of his signature shoe, created in collaboration with chinese brand ANTA, is that rare sneaker that ticks every box in terms of performance andlooks while still managing to be affordable. We love the carbon fiber outsole, radial traction pattern, and nitrogen-infused foam, all of which help make this shoe extremely comfortable without sacrificing on-court feel.
New Balance TWO WXY v5
New Balance re-entered the basketball shoe market in a big way when they signed a shoe deal with NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard, right on the heels of his championship victory with the Toronto Raptors, but it’s a non-signature shoe that stole our hearts in 2025: the TWO WXY v5. It’s not an especially light shoe, but neither is it very heavy, and in compensation it offers fantastic cushioning, excellent grip, and a high level of bounce, so taller, heavier players who like to chase rebounds will appreciate these sneakers. And because of the sturdy rubber outsole, you can safely use these outdoors, for those of you who love to hoop on concrete.
Nike Sabrina 2
WNBA superstar Sabrina Ionescu has helped to create one of the best guard shoes currently available in the Sabrina 2, and the basketball world has taken notice. Using a combination of Air Zoom and Cushlon to harmonize both comfort and performance, as well as a classic herringbone pattern to maximize traction, these lightweight, low-profile shoes offer rapid response to every cut, jab or fake you make, which is part of why they’ve become so popular among guards everywhere.
PUMA x LAMELO BALL MB.04
We didn’t have PUMA making a best-selling basketball shoe on our bingo cards, but the success of their partnership with Lamelo Ball is undeniable. The funky aesthetics aren’t for everyone, but the MB.04 is an on-court beast, with excellent cushion, superior traction, and the kind of heel lockdown that allows you to cut and jump with total confidence.
Adidas Harden Volume 9
Like their predecessor, the Harden Volume 9, the Volume 9 are definitely “out there” in terms of their aesthetics, with many OG sneaker fans loving them and a vocal minority hating them, but we’re less concerned with their appearance than with their performance, and trust us: there’s no doubts there. A combination of BOOST and Lightstrike in the midsole deliver cushion and responsiveness in equal measure, while the rubber outsole with its multi-directional wave pattern bites into any surface, from hardwood to synthetic and even concrete, with ease.
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