Game, set, and match your aching feet. Gone are the days of sacrificing comfort for support on the court.
Today's high-top basketball shoes are a luxurious blend of plush cushioning, flexible materials, and performance-driven technologies, designed to keep your feet happy from tip-off to buzzer-beater.
Whether you are a nimble guard weaving through defenders or a dominant center battling for rebounds, there is a perfect pair of high-tops out there waiting to cradle your footwork in cloud-like comfort.
1. Nike G.T. Jump 2
- Price: $180.00-$190.00 on Nike
- Available Colors: Black/White, Wolf Grey/Blue, Black/Anthracite, Light Fusion Red
- Special Feature: Nike React foam, Zoom Air unit
Nike has enhanced the initial model's outstanding features in the creation of the GT Jump 2, elevating its performance as a basketball shoe.
With three applications of Zoom Air, the shoe provides increased springiness upon impact with the ground.
The addition of Nike React foam in the heel ensures both cushioning and comfort during abrupt and forceful landings. Furthermore, the inclusion of lacing through the medial and lateral webbing loops directly enhances forefoot support.
2. Nike Air Jordan XXXVIII High
- Price
- $200.00 on Nike
- $120.00 onĀ StockX
- Available Colors: Black/Bright Concord, Light Marine, White/Black. White/Metallic Gold, White/University Red
- Special Feature: X-Plate technology, Zoom Strobel unit
The latest flagship model from Jordan is a remarkable upgrade from the Jordan 37.
The Jordan 38 boasts a lightweight and agile design, featuring abundant ventilation, an excellent and straightforward traction setup and a meticulously balanced layered cushioning system.
Additionally, it combines elements of both high-top and low-top styles, with the sides resembling a typical high-top basketball shoe and the back sculpted in the fashion of a low-top.This hybrid design aims to provide the optimal combination of the secure fit.
3. Nike Air Zoom GT Jump
- Price
- $180.00 on Nike
- $155.00 on eBay
- Available Colors: Pearl White/Vivid Sky, Oxyygen Purple/Coral Chalk, Orange/Black, Black/White
- Special Feature: Leno-weave upper made with twisted strands of composite fibers, Air tongue system
The Nike GT Jump is widely considered to possess the highest level of cushioning among basketball sneakers, and it boasts the most Air in any Nike basketball shoe.
This silhouette stands out as one of the most gravity-defying designs to date.
These shoes come equipped with a full-length Air Zoom Strobel unit, featuring double-stacked Zoom Air in both the heel and forefoot, providing superior responsiveness and cushioning for all your vertical jumps and cuts.
4. Puma MB 03
- Price
- $125.00 on Puma
- $105.00 on Footlocker
- Available Colors: Fluro Green Pes, Poison Pink/Fluro Orange Pes, Purple Glimmer/Green Gecko
- Special Feature: Nitro Infused Foam in the midsole
The Puma MB 03 could be considered LaMelo's top signature shoe so far.
Featuring a distinctive slime-inspired rubber wrap-around and a specially designed knit upper with cutouts, the MB.03 is genuinely unique.
With its slime sole and advanced PUMA Hoops technology, including NITROFOAM, this shoe not only looks ready for tournaments but also has a futuristic, otherworldly appeal.
5. Nike LeBron Soldier 14
- Price
- $140.00 on Nike
- $88.00 on StockX
- Available Colors: Black/White, Core Black, Black/Blue
- Special Feature: Full-length foam and Zoom Air with sleek, futuristic design
The LeBron Soldier 14 provides a minimalist, deconstructed structure designed to assist a player through a responsive and comfortable cushioning system.
The shoe features a combination of full-length foam and Zoom Air, delivering both energy return and responsiveness while ensuring a seamless heel-to-toe experience.
Your foot is enveloped in a breathable partial bootie covered by a shroud, showcasing a sleek and futuristic design. Woven materials add to the overall aesthetic, and on the outer side, a transparent plastic overlay aids in stabilization.
6. Reebok Shaq Attaq
- Price
- $180.00 on Reebok
- $159.90 on Amazon
- Available Colors: White/Core Black, Yellow Spark/Black, Royal/Navy/Yellow, Core Black/Azure
- Special Feature: Leather upper with synthetic accents, Graphlite plate
The Reebok Shaq Attaq is a legendary high-top basketball shoe that was launched in 1992, mirroring the unstoppable force that was Shaquille O'Neal.
The shoe provides stability with its combination of leather and mesh upper. Cushioning is enhanced by the injection-molded EVA midsole, and support is maintained by the graphite components.
Additionally, the tongue features the P366 pump for personalized fit adjustment. Individuals seeking lightweight basketball footwear might not find this particular shoe to be suitable.
7. Under Armour Curry Spawn FloTro
- Price: $140.00 on Under Armour
- Available Colors: Mystic Magenta/Neo Turquoise, White/Taxi/Versa Blue, Hyper Green
- Special Feature: Combination of mesh & TPU films for anatomical flex with stability
The FloTro treatment has been applied to the newest footwear, the UA Curry Spawn.
It features a plush collar that provides increased comfort and secure ankle lockdown. The multi-layered upper combines mesh and TPU films to offer anatomical flexibility along with stability.
The materials used are lightweight and well-padded, yet it's worth noting that the shoe tends to retain heat and moisture.
8. Way of Wade 10
- Price: $199.99 on Wade
- Available Colors: Pink, Mint Green, Purple, Orange/Blue/Ice Blue, Crystal Blue, White/Black, Milk Tea Brown
- Special Feature: BOOM technology midsole, TPU panels
The Li-Ning Way of Wade 10 is packed with advanced technology, highlighted by a complete carbon fiber torsional plate that serves dual purposes as a spring plate.
The cushioning is enhanced with the incorporation of the brand's BOOM technology.
Designed to facilitate explosive plays, the breathable mesh upper includes seamless overlays and supportive TPU panels. The outsole is equipped with non-slip rubber to guarantee stability on various surfaces.
9. New Balance TWO WXY V4
- Price: $119.99 on NB
- Available Colors: White/Navy, White/Mercury Red, Black, Bright sky/Aqua, Steel/Silver metallic, Thirty watt
- Special Feature: Dual technology midsole featuring Fresh Foam X and FuelCell
The New Balance TWO WXY V4 is a game-changer for positionless players.
It features a unique, split-sole design with Fresh Foam X in the heel for impact absorption and FuelCell in the forefoot for explosive responsiveness.
This combination provides unparalleled cushioning and court feel, whether you're attacking the rim or draining threes. The mesh and synthetic upper are lightweight and breathable, while the molded heel counter keeps your foot locked in for secure support.
10. Nike LeBron 17
- Price: $120.00 on StockX
- Available Colors: White, University Red, Black White, Red
- Special Feature: Dual technology midsole featuring Fresh Foam X and FuelCell
The LeBron 17 is ideal for athletes engaged in activities like rebounds and powerful jumps, thanks to its effective cushioning system that provides high-level impact protection.
Specifically, it excels in absorbing the impact associated with jumps and forceful movements. Featuring a substantial Zoom Air unit, this Nike footwear boasts an impressive configuration that delivers substantial bounce and cushioning.
Nevertheless, the occasional inconsistency in the shoe's grip can pose a safety concern for traction while using the LeBron 17.
11. New Balance Kawhi 2
- Price: $160.00 on NB
- Available Colors: White/Black
- Special Feature: FuelCell midsole, Kinetic Stitch technology on upper
The New Balance Kawhi 2 is a high-top basketball shoe designed for explosive, positionless play, and it's widely considered one of the best in the game.
A propulsive FuelCell midsole delivers maximum energy return, making you feel like you're bouncing off the court.
A full-length performance plate designed specifically for Kawhi's signature moves provides lockdown stability for sharp cuts and powerful jumps.
The FitWeave Lite upper, with its data-driven Kinetic Stitch technology, conforms to your foot like a second skin for a locked-in feel and precise control.
12. Nike Air Deldon
- Price
- $119.99 on Nike
- $85.32 on Amazon
- $97.00 on GOAT
- Available Colors: Safety Orange/Citron Tint, White/Black
- Special Feature: Air Strobel and a forefoot Zoom unit for cushioning
Elena Delle Donne's first-ever athletic shoe showcases a traction design that reviewers noted as unpredictable.
While it excels on well-maintained courts, its performance diminishes significantly in the presence of dust.
The shoe incorporates a full-length Air Strobel and a forefoot Zoom unit for cushioning. This configuration offers a comfortable feel while retaining a degree of responsiveness. Surprisingly, the support and lockdown remain stable, even without a conventional heel counter.
Reviewers hold conflicting views regarding the materials. While some assert that the materials are of low quality, others contend that they are plush and comfortable.