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NBA Playoffs making you want to get back on the court? It might be time for a shoe update.
Your basketball shoes can be the difference between playing OK and playing great. The wrong footwear can lead to slips, heaviness, or even injury, while the best basketball shoes work with your play style to provide a balance of support, traction, and responsiveness.
At a Glance: The Best Basketball Shoes for Men
Editor’s Pick: Nike Lebron 22
Runner-Up: Adidas AE 1
Best for Arch Support: Nike KD18
Budget Pick: Skechers SKX Float
Best for Point Guards: Nike Sabrina 2
Best for Wide Feet: Adidas Harden Vol. 7
If your basketball shoes haven’t been delivering lately — or you’re just looking to up your game — read on. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best basketball shoes for men to buy right now, including picks for different positions, foot shapes, and styles.
The Best Basketball Shoes for Men in 2025
Here are our picks for the best men’s basketball shoes of 2025. We created this list by hooping in dozens of shoes and having friends play in the same shoes to give their feedback. After reviewing shoes ourselves, we researched other users’ experiences and only selected shoes with good customer reviews that were in stock (as of writing) at trusted online retailers.
Nike Lebron 22
$180
Buy Now on nike
Lebron James’ latest Nike sneaker — the Lebron 22 — is a tomahawk slam-dunk of a shoe, in our opinion. The shoes are extremely rigid and responsive, yet comfortable enough for hours of use. This is largely thanks to a host of Nike technologies, including Air Zoom units in the heel and forefoot.
Adidas AE 1
$110
Buy Now on footlocker
Buy Now on stockx
Another one of the best basketball shoes that we’ve used is the AE 1 from Adidas and Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards. We’ve only used them a couple of times, but our initial impression is excellent. The AE 1 is one of the most grippy shoes we’ve played in, thanks to their wavy herringbone pattern outsole. The only possible turn-off for some might be the futuristic design, but we think it looks exciting next to most other basketball shoes.
Nike KD18
$150
Buy Now on nike
A common complaint from hoopers is a lack of arch support. If you’ve struggled with that, pick up these Nike KD18s. Designed to stay comfortable during long practice sessions for back-to-back pickup games, the Kevin Durant shoes feature a supportive sole and plush, balanced cushioning throughout. They’re slightly heavier with this added padding, but it’s a worthwhile trade-off for some.
Skechers SKX Float
Buy Now on skechers $140
Skechers entered the basketball shoe game just last year, but they nailed it. Our favorite offering from the footwear giant is the SKX Float, a stable and fast shoe that works on all courts. Best of all, it’s a great value at $140.
Nike Sabrina 2
$130
Buy Now on nike
If you’re a PG looking for a pair of fast kicks, check out these Nike Sabrina 2s. Sabrina Ionescu’s shoes boast great all-around performance with an advanced containment system, an Air Zoom unit in the forefoot, and Cushlon foam padding. They’re also extremely lightweight, and Nike’s modified herringbone traction pattern is ideal for fast cuts and directional changes.
Adidas Harden Vol. 7
Buy Now on stockx $100+
Hoopers with wider feet sometimes feel restricted, or like they have to size up and deal with extra toe room. If you’ve faced this, consider these Harden Vol. 7s. After scouring the internet for suggestions and speaking to wide-footed friends, the shoes were a clear winner as the best basketball shoe for wide feet. Besides an accommodating fit for wide feet, the Harden 7s are a grippy, high-performance shoe all-around, and we like the futuristic look too.
Basketball Shoe Buying Guide
Not sure how to choose the right pair of basketball shoes? Here are a few things to consider while shopping.
Position: Point and shooting guards typically want lighter, faster shoes that won’t lag behind when the player flies to the hoop or pulls up at the three. Centers and power forwards, on the other hand, often look for high-top shoes with extra support to aid fast, small direction changes (like faking). Of course, some shoes offer a blend of all the above, but it’s good to consider your play style and typical position before shopping.
Fit: Basketball shoes should be very snug, but you’ll also want to account for double socks (if you do that) and foot swelling during long sessions. Generally, there should be half an inch to an inch of space at the top of your shoes.
Style: There’s no shame in wanting to look good on the court; feeling confident is a great way to play better. Be sure to choose a shoe or a colorway that you’ll enjoy looking at when you lace up.
How We Chose the Best Basketball Shoes
We created this roundup by hooping in dozens of pairs of basketball shoes and making note of not only how they played in-game, but also how they wore in and how our feet felt the day after. After choosing our favorites, we poured over reviews from experts and real customers for comparison. Once we had our finalists, we made sure they were available (as of this writing) at trusted retailers, and had at least a 3.7/5-star average customer rating.
