For the longest time, low top basketball shoes fell out of fashion because they were perceived as being “bad for your ankles”. Not true at all. It took the late great Kobe Bryant and the introduction of the Kobe IV to get everyone back on board with low tops. Low tops have since become some of the best on-court performers each year.
Nowadays lower-cut shoes are some of the most popular silhouettes and a lot of us can’t wait to get our hands on the low top versions of our favorite models. So with this in mind, here’s our list of the best low top basketball shoes.
Last updated 09.02.2024
Best Low Top Basketball Shoes Show
Best Performance Low Top Basketball Shoes 2024
Best Low Top Basketball Shoe 2024
Nike LeBron 21
The Nike LeBron 21 promises to be a beast on court. It can be described as a remix of the Nike LeBron 20, and, that shoe was amazing. Barring any unfortunate surprises, this will be one of the top models this year, one of the most versatile, and one of the most comfortable on court, as well as an attainable Kobe substitute, and it just happens to be a low-top hoop shoe. Read the full review. Price: $200
Nike GT Cut 3
The Nike GT Cut 3 is a fun low-top basketball shoe. It’s bouncy, agile, and just one of those models that makes you want to sprint up and down the court as soon as you lace it up. The Zoom X does not disappoint, and Nike has done an outstanding job of implementing it into a basketball shoe. It’s soft and squishy, but by no means feels unstable or slow on court, and it might just be the best GT Cut model to date. Read the full review. Price: $190
New Balance Kawhi 4
The Kawhi 4 is the best in the Kawhi signature line so far. It offers a much-improved cushioning setup, excellent traction, and solid support while being lighter and more agile. On top of that, the shoe retails for $160, which, admittedly isn’t cheap, but it makes this model all the more attractive when you compare it to other similarly priced performance basketball models. New Balance has done a great job in 2024 of creating a basketball shoe lineup that caters to various preferences for cushioning and play styles, and the Kawhi 4 fits well within New Balance’s diverse basketball lineup. The Kawhi 4 will be an excellent indoor basketball shoe as long as you get the fit right and lateral containment isn’t an issue for your playing style. Read the full review. Price $160.
adidas AE 1 Low
To keep things short and sweet, the adidas AE 1 Mid is an excellent shoe (one of the best of the year in fact) and the AE 1 Low is slightly better in almost every way. Although the AE 1 Low looks similar to the originals, this is a very different basketball shoe and a better one at that. Not only is it better, it’s cheaper. The first AE 1 retailed for $120, which was already a very reasonable price for such a high-performing signature model, and the low version will run you a mere $110. Read full review. Price $110.
Under Armour Curry 12
The Curry 12 is currently the best Curry basketball shoe hands down. With this shoe, you are getting everything you have come to know and love from Curry’s signature shoes with better cushioning and better traction. Under Armour was able to achieve this impressive result by paying attention to the actual science that goes into designing performance footwear and making a small adjustment.
But the story doesn’t end there. This small but critical change also makes this shoe accessible to a much wider audience than any other Curry of the past, as this shoe will suit the on-court requirements of a wider range of hoopers. Read the full review. Price: $140
Serious Player Only Player 1 Plus
The Player 1 was already a great hoop shoe and the Player 1 Plus takes things to another level. Everything has been refined and improved slightly in this version of the shoe: more versatile traction, better materials, better fit, … it’s just a better performance basketball shoe. The biggest drawback of the Player 1 Plus is the price. $180 is, admittedly, steep. But you are getting a ton of bang for your buck and excellent traction both indoors and outdoors. Read full review. Price: $180
Way of Wade 808 4 Ultra
Way of Wade’s 808 series has provided us with some of the best guard-orientated shoes in recent years, and the 808 4 looks like it will meet this standard. The 808 4 is quick, agile, and durable and the closest thing you can find to a Kobe that you can actually get your hands on for a reasonable price. Support and traction are perhaps the shoe’s best attributes, but it’s a very well-rounded shoe. Read the full review. Price: $119
Way of Wade 808 3
The Way of Wade 808 3 promises to be one of the best guard shoes for the third straight year. What you are getting with the Way of Wade 808 3 you are getting a great, low profile, speedy cushioning setup, top-tier traction, and support features, and a versatile shoe that will work equally well indoors and outdoors, all for the very reasonable price of $119. Our recommendation is to go with the “normal” version instead of the Ultra version. Read the full review. Price: $119
Puma Stewie 3
The Puma Stewie 3 is an elevated and improved Kobe 11. It’s more flexible, wider, lower to the ground, with better torsional support and more durable cushioning…so if you like the Kobe 11 or you’re looking for an affordable, low top, Kobe substitute, the Puma Stewie 3 should be at the top of your list. Read the full review. Price: $130
Nike Sabrina 1
Nike did a very good job with these, balancing the Kobe influences while creating a shoe and a new signature line with its own personality and unique vibe, and at the same time producing a top-notch performance basketball shoe. The Nike Sabrina 1 is a great first signature shoe for Sabrina Ionescu and is one of the best basketball shoes Nike has to offer in 2023/24. The Sabrina 1 is a top-notch guard-style shoe that will give you great traction (indoors), a speedy and reactive cushioning setup, along with elite lockdown and support. Read the full review. Price: $130
Jordan Luka 3
Overall, the Jordan Luka 3 is a rather disappointing model. Performance should be fine, but feels lackluster if you take into account the $130 price tag. The lack of innovation is also a bummer, both in terms of tech and all-around aesthetics. Admittedly, traction and support are standout features, and cater well to shifter players on the court, and the cushioning setup will provide a comfortable, zippy, and smooth ride, which will work well for most playing styles. However, the materials used feel very cheap for the price, and the fit can be uncomfortably tight. Honestly, we expected more from the 3rd signature shoe of a player of the caliber of Luka Doncic. The Jordan Luka 3 sneaker is a solid choice all around, especially for players who prioritize traction and support, but we suggest holding off until you can get the Luka 3 on discount. Read the full review. Price $130.
Curry 11
The Curry 11 is another great Curry shoe, that happens to be a low top. The one weakness of all the Flow Curry models has been the cushioning. Not that it was bad in any way, but Flow for basketball has been dense and neutral feeling underfoot, making the shoes that feature it fairly niche items.
With this new dual-density iteration of Flow, that one weakness has been addressed. This shoe has everything you know and love from the Curry signature line, with softer, bouncier cushioning. Read the full review. Price: $160
Nike Kobe 6 Protro Reverse Grinch
Nike has brought us “protros” in the past that haven’t lived up to the term, offering little or no performance updates. Kobe, who actually coined the term, would be proud of this model as it makes an almost perfect shoe that much better. Your chances of actually getting a pair are slim to none, but if you’re one of the lucky few to get a W you will be purchasing a really awesome basketball shoe. If you’re lucky enough to get them, do yourself a favor and play in them. Read the full review. Price: $190
Way of Wade All City 11 V2
The Way of Wade All City 11 V2 is virtually identical to the original model, which is a very good thing. The All City 11 V2 features an updated upper and enhanced lockdown, but, at the end of the day, it’s still the same very well-balanced, do-it-all hoop shoe, that the original All City 11 was. Read the full review. Price: $150
Curry 10
The Curry 10 may look similar to the Curry 9 but it takes everything in that shoe and ramps it up. Both feature Under Amour’s Flow cushioning, but the latest updates the upper with Warp 2.0.
The transition is smooth and having all that exposed foam without an outsole just screams comfort. You also get really good traction and a great lightweight upper to go along with that. It almost feels like a running shoe that has been beefed up to be able to play basketball in them. Read the full review. Price: $160
Puma All Pro Nitro
The Puma All Pro Nitro takes a fresh approach, setting itself apart from its predecessor, yet manages to be an impressive continuation of the beloved performance basketball shoe. Expect exceptional traction, a plush and well-balanced cushioning system, and adequate materials that deliver performance, culminating in an outstanding, low top, performance basketball shoe that won’t disappoint. Read the full review. Price: $130
adidas Trae Young 3
The adidas Trae Young 3 is a massive improvement in regards to Trae Young 2. It is a very solid performance basketball shoe, it’s a quick, light, reactive, and grippy shoe that also boasts top-tier lockdown and stability. This also makes it one of those shoes that just won’t be everybody’s cup of tea. If you are an agile, springy player who doesn’t require much impact protection and enjoys a fast and secure ride on court, all packaged in a pretty outlandish design, the Trae Young 3 will be perfect for you. Read the full review. Price: $140
Puma Stewie 2
The Puma Stewie 2 is Bianna Stewarts’ second signature, and simply put it is just a great all-around performance model. The shoe boasts excellent indoor traction, a very well-balanced and bouncy cushioning system, and a very secure and natural feeling low-top build (making it an excellent guard shoe as well). It offers a very similar on-court experience to the Puma Clyde All-Pro, which is an all-time great. KEEP IN MIND that in the US the Stewie 2 comes in woman’s sizes, so if you want the correct men’s size you will need to go 1.5 sizes up (ie: 12M = 13.5W). Read the full review. Price: $125
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. And even though it’s a low top, support is not compromised. Read the full review. Price: $150
Puma TRC Blaze Court
The Puma TRC Blaze Court continues Puma’s resurgence into the basketball performance sneaker scene. The outsole looks awesome and will perform awesome. It’s mainly made out of multi-directional lines that have herringbones in key places. Trinomic may now be foam-based as that is what they’re showing when you turn the shoe over. The rest of the midsole is ProFoam+ which is really comfortable. See the full review. Price: $120
Best Budget Low Top Basketball Shoes 2024
Check out our full list of the best budget basketball shoes here.
Nike Air Max Impact 4
The Nike Air Max Impact 4 is absolutely the best budget basketball shoes on the market today. The cushion provides the biggest bang for your buck. They’re incredibly soft and comfortable for what is most likely Phylon. Add that to a soft upper that needs no break-in time and you have a great-feeling shoe. Support is terrific with two outriggers and the fit is wide-foot friendly. There’s really no other shoe under $100 that performs this well, this consistently. If you enjoyed the Nike Air Max Impact 3, you will love this model. The best cheap basketball shoe hands down. Read the full review. Price: $90
Best Outdoor Low Top Basketball Shoes 2024
Check out our full list of the best outdoor basketball shoes here.
Way of Wade 808 3
The Way of Wade 808 3 promises to be one of the best guard shoes for the third straight year. You’re getting a great, low profile, speedy cushioning setup, top-tier traction, and support features, and a versatile shoe that will work equally well indoors and outdoors, all for the very reasonable price of $119. Our recommendation is to go with the “normal” version instead of the Ultra version. Read the full review. Price: $119
Best Low Top Basketball Shoes: Retros / Casual 2024
We all know low tops look great off-court as well. Check out our top picks for the best low top basketball shoes for off-court use. You can rock some of these on court as well, but that’s up to you:
Nike Kobe 6 Protro Mambacita
The Nike Kobe 6 Protro Mambacita gives tribute to Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gigi, and the Mambacita foundation. It was one of the most highly coveted shoes of 2022. Everyone wanted a piece of the Mamba and his memory. All standard Protro features are still intact with the full-length Cushlon midsole and a forefoot Zoom Turbo unit. It’s playable, memorable, and historic. All the proceeds of this shoe went into the foundation. Read full review. Price: $180
The Air Jordan 1 Low OG Mystic Navy was released as a retro in 2015. This release from 2022 features many of the same aspects as that one. The Wings logo is in the proper place and done the right way. The midsole is still the same: a rubber cup sole with a polyurethane wedge and an encapsulated Air Sole unit. The insoles are better than last, and the leather upper is almost premium. See the full review. Price: $130
adidas Yeezy 350 Turtle Dove 2022
The adidas Yeezy 350 Turtle Dove 2022 is historically significant in sneaker culture. It was the first shoe in the modern era that had people camping outside and waiting to get their hands on a pair. It was also the shoe that ushered in what we now know as the resell market. The upper is pure Primeknit with nothing restricting it and the midsole is full-length Boost, the most comfortable cushioning at the time. See the full review. Price: $130
Surprised the Rare Metal IIs are not on this list.