Grosbasket’s end-of-the-year list of the best-performing basketball shoes

After our look at some of the best budget friendly basketball shoes hopefully you learned something new and found inspiration for a fresh pair! However, if you are still looking for the next addition to your rotation and want something that’s packed with more technology – this blog is for you! Based on our tests and on the feedback we received from the Grosbasket community here is the list of shoes that are first and foremost focused on helping you play basketball at highest possible level.

Curry 10

The UA Flow foam is becoming renowned for providing top notch grip with a bouncy and comfortable feeling while being extremely light weight. The previous two Curry models more than confirmed this, and as always, the ultimate goal of this technology is to allow you to make faster cuts and stops. As a great bonus, it seems that this year the Flow is even more improved which will result in increased durability.

The overall theme of the shoe being lightweight and very breathable is continued with the UA Warp 2.0 upper whose main goals are improved comfort and control. As a nod to the number of NBA Championship rings that Curry has, the upper also features sets of 4 lines on both medial and lateral sides. More than being just a style detail, they are something that Under Armour called “tiny seat belts” and we agree that the lockdown they produce is simply awesome.

Nike PG 6

The evolution of this shoe line was always coupled with courage to make significant changes that can sometimes be risky, but PG and his team almost always find solutions that make his basketball sneakers very popular with professional basketball players in the NBA and European leagues and also with amateurs and recreational players. Specifically, there is no sign of any Air technology in these shoes, and React foam, which was made famous by Nike running shoes, is used as the only cushioning. It’s difficult to put into words how well this was crafted and how much comfort and energy recovery each movement brings. It really is something you will best understand when you try on the PG 6.

Nike LeBron XX

The 20th edition of the King’s signature line is the lightest ever LeBron shoe (and they feel absolutely great once you put them on) and also the first ever to debut as a low-top model. Even though it is not visible as it normally was with his previous releases, there is Air that will make your moves so much smoother – in the form of Zoom Air units in the forefoot and the heel. Specifically, the front part uses Air Zoom Turbo while there is a 13 mm thick Zoom Air unit under the heel. An “old-school” feature that first appeared on the LeBron 5s is the carbon fiber midfoot shank that is ideal for energy return and explosive movements.

Nike Zoom Freak 4

  • the sneaker has a multidirectional traction pattern that provides a great grip on the court
  • our recommendation is to keep this model for indoor use only
  • the sole is interesting because it is decoupled (the Zoom Freak 3 was similar) but it is not made up of two completely divided parts and the result is a superb heel-to-toe transfer of energy
  • in contrast to previous Zoom Freak issues, this edition features a remodeled midsole that reveals Zoom Air units on the sides of the foot while the “bubble” is also visible through the sole
  • different types of mesh are used for the upper to promote ventilation and support throughout the shoe

Jordan Luka 1

Normally, when players receive their first signature sneakers they tend to be somewhat of a test release which ends up being advanced with future editions. This was not the case with the Jordan Luka 1s! The best place to begin with describing the specifications of these amazing shoes are the new, never before seen, features. Following a long legacy of Jordan Brand inventions, such as the Eclipse Plate and the Flight Plate technologies, Luka 1 introduces the IsoPlate that elevates lateral forefoot stability to a whole new level. This was primarily developed to make number 77’s stepback move even more deadly and accurate. This was achieved in an amazing way that even adds a “springy/jumpy” effect to each move you make. Then, there is the brand new Formula 23, a highly sustainable performance foam injected into the midsole and placed within a phylon carrier. To simplify it, this a guarantee for responsiveness, comfort and great performance!

This is our list, but we would like to know if you have some other favorite pairs that help you elevate your game. Definitely tell us about on our social media!