The Best Basketball Shoes of the 2025-26 Season
The 2025-2026 NBA season is well underway and it feels like a momentous one. Power shifts within each conference, burgeoning team rivalries and, of course, the final season of a generational talent in LeBron James combine to give the impression that this season acts as a passing of the baton. We're ushering in an exciting new era of the NBA, and while this kind of pivotal season doesn't happen every year, there's one thing that you can be sure will always keep evolving: basketball shoes.
There is seemingly no end to the turnover in colorways or new technology that the big footwear brands can bake into their designs, and an ever-growing list of players worthy of their own signature shoe. This makes for a perenially exciting landscape when it comes to the best basketball shoes of the year. It's a constantly evolving world that features some seriously top-ticket pairs.
So, in order that you can place all your attention on the developing action on court like the fact that the Pistons are actually good now (who saw that coming?) we’ve scoured the net, read hundreds of reviews, and rounded up the best basketball shoes that you’re likely to see in the NBA 2025-2026 season. Rather than our usual style-first approach, for this selection we’ve looked at fit, technology, traction, quality, (and a bit of style) to offer up the definitive best basketball shoes of 2026, right in time for All-Star Weekend.
Keep scrolling to see a list of the best basketball shoes of 2026.
Nike LeBron XXIII "Out For Redemption"
So it's LeBron's final season. It's been a generational run and that's not limited to on-court numbers, either. The Nike LeBron range has been around since 2003 and has given us some of the boldest and most technical kicks to play ball in. One of the most lightweight silhouettes of the saga is the Nike LeBron XXIII, and this "Out For Redemption" colorway is unrivalled, referencing the iconic 2008 Olympics when LeBron led Team USA back to gold.
Fitted with full-length ZoomX foam in the sole unit, it's super lightweight and springy. This responsiveness is balanced by a crown-shaped containment system which essentially keeps your foot locked in place for stability.
Nike KD18 "Warning Label"
So many pairs of basketball trainers prioritize substantial protection over breathability and lightness. We get it: the demands of the modern game are so tough on the ankles and knees, so every bit of added stability helps. But the Nike KD18 poses the option to have both stability and a light touch.
This pair features a nearly fully perforated upper which lightens the weight considerably as well as adding supreme breathability. But this isn't in exchange for balance. The sole unit boasts both Air Zoom and Nike Air cushioning for flexibility; even when your foot lands at an angle, the cushioning will even the load, providing traction on court and minimizing injuries.
Nike Book 2 "Spiridon"
Something that we're seeing more and more in recent years is the use of iconic colorways on mismatched silhouettes. The Nike Book 2 "Spiridon" is the perfect example. Any sneakerhead will recognize that colorway from the Air Spiridon which debuted in 1997. Devin Booker pays homage to this historical silhouette by reviving the colorway with the Book 2.
The Nike Book 2 is one of the most comfortable basketball shoes around. This is thanks in no small part to the sockliner which you can really feel hold you in place. Combined with Air Zoom tech focused on the forefoot, the design feels incredibly responsive and gives an extra boost for an explosive first step.
Adidas Harden Volume 10 Shoes
James Harden's game can have a hypnotic effect on opposition players. His smooth step backs don't need extreme pace to be effective, just perfect timing that lulls a defender to their demise. The adidas Harden Volume 10 has a whirling silhouette that emphasizes this kind of fluid movement. It's reminiscent of the polarizing Foamposite, actually.
Beyond the head-turning exterior, it's loaded with specs to improve your game, too. Namely, adidas Boost in the most important spots of the sole unit to maximize spring, flex, and energy return while a hardy rubber outsole sticks to the court.
Air Jordan 40 "Infrared"
Believe it or not, the Jordan franchise has been around for 40 years. That's four decades of groundbreaking design on and off the basketball court. In celebration of this huge milestone, the Nike Air Jordan 40 "Infrared" goes somewhere we've never been before. This sole unit features a full-length Zoom Strobel unit on top of full-length ZoomX foam. To put that in normal language: that's a huge amount of responsive cushioning. We also love the herringbone tracks to the outsole which cling to the ground.
New Balance P400
Don't get us wrong, we love the world of modern basketball footwear, but we'd be lying if we said that the retro styles don't make our heart beat a bit faster. New Balance's basketball pedigree has been growing exponentially in recent years as it counts names like Kawhi, Tyrese Maxey, and Cooper Flagg in its roster. The New Balance P400 is the brand's latest basketball shoe and it's a throwback to the early 2000s. Think D Rose, AI, Shaq.
But don't be fooled. Nothing about the tech in this shoe is retro. With a dual-cushioned EVA foam and Fresh Foam X combination, it's one of the most reactive designs on the market.
Adidas Anthony Edwards 2 Shoes
When picking a pair of basketball shoes, it can be really helpful to match your play style with that of a player. The likelihood is that their signature shoe is designed perfectly for you. For those who prefer life around the backboard to life beyond the three-point line, the adidas Anthony Edwards 2 is a great place to start.
Fitted with the energy-return of BOOST and the ultra-lightweight cushioning of Lightstrike, they're geared towards a game based around pure athleticism and explosiveness.
New Balance HESI LOW V2
The New Balance Hesi Low V2 is all about pliability. Lighter than most of the other basketball shoes on the market right now, it might not offer the same level of stability but it makes up for that with hugely increased freedom of movement.
It features nitrogen-infused FuelCell foams that are impressively springy to drive you up and down the court. What's most impressive though, is how low this silhouette keeps you to the ground. For thos who rely on quick reactions and a quick first step, this might be the go-to.
Puma HALI 1 Smoke
The name Salehe Bembury holds some serious weight when it comes to sneaker design. The name Tyrese Haliburton holds equal weight in the world of basketball. Combine the two and you've got a solid foundation for a shoe worth taking seriously.
Salehe Bembury's signature flowing aesthetics meet a full-length NITROFOAM™ midsole to balance visual beauty with legitimate performance.
Anta Kai 3 'Chinese New Year'
Kyrie Irving's move from Nike to Anta definitely turned some heads. Nike is the gold standard for athlete co-signs, so sacrificing that for a relatively unknown alternative understandably confused many. But since July 2023, the duo have made a strong case. Hailing from China, Anta is at the forefront of a huge market and has the technical possibilities to prove it. They're baked into the the Anta Kai 3. Take the mid-foot carbon plate, incredible heel protection, or full-length nitrogen technology in the sole unit for energy return.
Nike Ja 3 "Warning Label"
“ZoomX is crazy responsive, I call it that jet fuel," says Ja Morant, whose Nike Ja 3 is up there with the most responsive shoes available. This is the most lightweight release in the Ja family so far, built on a full-length Hybrid ZoomX foam midsole. The low-top construction helps to reduce weight, too, blending a foam sockliner with a padded collar for a barely-there feel.
Puma All-Pro NITRO™ 2
It's rare to find a basketball shoe in 2026 that isn't part of an athlete's signature range. Actually, it bodes well for a design. It means that even without the big-name marketing, it still warrants a spot in a brand's collection. The PUMA All-Pro NITRO 2 is the perfect example.
An engineered mesh upper meets NITRO™ SQD foam technology and a high-abrasion outsole, making the design perfect for quick cuts as you move past defenders.
Nike Sabrina 3 "Warning Label"
We're loving the fact that we can include women's signature basketball shoes in this roundup now. The Nike Sabrina 3 comes from the mind of the New York Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu and, like the woman herself, is a serious danger from behind the three-point line.
One of our favorite details about this shoe are the cables that lock the lacing system in place. These provide stability for every jump shot, as well as step backs and explosive first steps.
Nike A'One "Warning Label"
The Nike A'One "Warning Label" is the epitome of an all-round performer. If you're on the hunt for a basketball shoe that's as effective on the defensive side as it is putting up numbers on the offensive side, then look no further.
Look to the Cushlon 3.0 foam midsole, light mesh upper, stable foam and generative traction print to the outsole, and a midfoot band—here, you'll find all the answers as to why this pair offers stability, traction, and reactivity for lock-down defending as well as quick steps and jumping.
Under Armour Curry Series 7
The Under Armour Curry Series 7 is one of the more interesting shoes in this roundup in terms of technology. Since Steph never stops moving, the geniuses at Under Armour decided that transferring their cutting-edge running tech into this shoe would make sense, and they were right.
Using the same engineered warp knit upper as you'll find in most high-tech runners these days, the Curry Series 7 is ultra-lightweight and breathable while dual-density UA Flow cushioning and midfoot Pebax® plate deals with grip and flex.
Anta Kyrie 2
Imagined in the head-tunring blue hues of the Mavs, the Anta KAI 2 is visually one of the best shoes in the roundup. It's got tech to match, as well. Cushioning comes from full-legnth Nitrogen technology to the midsole which couples with an anti-slip rubber outsole for grip. The high-strength upper provides premium support and the Arrow TPU frame prevents the silhouette collapsing on any heavy, angled steps. It matches Kyrie's zig-zagging play style to a tee, so it's a great pick for any slashing PGs.
Li-Ning Way Of Wade 808 5 Ultra V2
Founded in 1990 by gymnast Li Ning, Li-Ning has earned its stripes in the sportswear arena. Although regular readers of Highsnobiety might be more familiar with the name in a lifestyle sense — offering bold, futuristic designs, it's a regular component of our sneaker roundups — the brand's work with Dwayne Wade is making some serious noise now.
The Way of Wade 808 5 Ultra V2 is fittingly futuristic, like all of Li-Ning's designs, with an undulating upper that features a cage-like structure to provide evenly distributed support.
Adidas D.O.N. ISSUE 7 Shoes
Donovan Mitchell left his mark on the basketball shoes market about as quickly as he did the NBA as a whole. The star gets stronger every season and his D.O.N. line follows suit. Issue 7 is the latest of the range and is set to be the most popular thanks to Lightstrike cushioning working in tandem with abrasion-resistant TPU to the outsole, which provide the support and grip needed to rack up big numbers.
Li Ning Jimmy Butler JB4
It's been very interesting to see the increasing numbers of athletes tempted away from the major American sports brands to the Chinese market. Jimmy Butler's ongoing relationship with Li Ning has been one of the pioneering partnerships in this realm and the JB4 is a warning sign if ever we saw one.
What's particularly outstanding about this shoe is the substantial midsole which appears to extend all the way to the lacing column. It's a fresh perspective on stability, offering solid walls to either side of the foot rather than the standard elasticated bands within the shoe.
New Balance FRESH FOAM BB V3
Most basketball shoes on the market in 2026 have a low-top profile which is a considerable change that began to happen in the mid-2010s. A closer focus on lightweight freedom of movement than ankle support opened the floodgates for low-top sneakers but we love to see more old-school silhouettes which still opt for a higher collar.
The New Balance FRESH FOAM BB V3 does just that. Stacked with proprietary Fresh Foam to the midsole, it has great energy return while the padded mid-top collar provides reassuring support. Although this pair offers less court feel through the midfoot than the lighter pairs in this roundup, it's a great choice for those who prefer a more 'locked-in' feel.
Anta Kai 1 'Chief Hélà - Crown Jewel'
One of the best things about the Anta Kai range is the freedom on the colorways. While we're always here for a revived OG Nike colorway, it's refreshing to see new palettes being thrown out each and every time from Anta. This pair features a tassled detail around the heel cup which definitely adds some flair to your game. The translucent orange outsole complements the spiritual bent of the design.
Nike Tatum 4 "First Ring"
Inspired by the pair that Jayson Tatum wore to win his first ring back in 2024, the Nike Tatum 4 "First Ring" is a meaningful pair, especially for any Celtics fans out there. Not only is it imbued with significance adn emotion, but it looks the part, too. The camo upper blends seamlessly with khaki layers while our favorite feature—the Jordan logo outlined in striking red—stands out on the midfoot.
Converse SHAI 001 'Iron Grey'
Believe it or not, young ballers, there was a time when athletes legitimately wore Converse Chuck Taylors for basketball. Now, luckily, the Converse basketball line up is much more advanced. Led by SGA, Converse is regaining much of its basketball pedigree. The Converse SHAI 001 in its Iron Grey colorway might be one of the best drops so far. Combining futuristic construction with an understated, industrial palette, its quiet demeanor is what really stands out on court.
Nike Luka 5
Such an all-round talent like Luka needs a shoe to match. That's where the Nike Luka 5 comes into play. Cushlon 3.0 foam throughout the midsole offers advanced cushioning, while a responsive IsoPlate system helps absorb force on any stutter steps and step backs. The understated silhouette is part and parcel of this holistic approach: It's neither too lightweight nor too bulky.
Reebok Angel Reese 1
Few basketball shoes are as ready for the lifestyle arena as the Reebok Angel Reese 1. With a chunky sole unit, it's a seriously substantial pair to wear on court, but it's not all as it seems. Featuring Energy Return System (ERS™) technology and a lightweight, molded upper design to save on the weight, it's still a highly functional pair to ball in.
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