For forever and a day high-tops have been the go-to for basketball shoes. That’s not just you, but the majority of NBA stars wear high-top shoes and subsequently, the shoe brands predominantly make high-top designs. However, it’s 2022 and a lot has changed since you probably last considered low-tops. That’s especially true considering some of the best basketballers out there today are rocking the low-top design, which includes Steph Curry and James Harden. So if the best players are on board, it’s time for you to get in the know about the best low top basketball sneakers.
If however you’re moved by data and statistics, RunRepeat; a leading shoe comparison site ran a study on the differences between high and low top basketball shoes. While the study largely showed little difference in athlete performance, a notable trend appeared that ankle movement is less restricted in low-top shoes. This means that if your game relies on sudden quick movements and changes in pace, then you could benefit from low-tops over high-tops.
What to look for When Buying Low Cut Basketball Shoes
Just like any other design, when buying basketball shoes you want to make sure that the fit is right and your foot can do all the things your mind wishes it to do. Low-tops can offer quite a bit of comfort as they don’t encapsulate as much of the foot. This fit can work for some players more than the conventional high-top design.
In totality, just ensure that the shoes fit and you will be comfortable in them going forward.
What are the Benefits of Low-Top Basketball Shoes?
Firstly you should remember that low-top basketball shoes are just that, they’re basketball shoes. Even if they lack the high-top they will still serve you well on the court. The aforementioned study found that most attributes basketballers rely on perform the same regardless of high or low-top design.
One of the notable (and most obvious) benefits that low-top designs have over their high-top counterparts is that because they use fewer materials; as a rule, they’ll be lighter in weight – which in theory means that this top design will allow for speedier on-court movements.
While it’s not true of every shoe in the marketplace, players have noted that in general, low-tops tend to have more durability and longevity than high-top designs. If this is important to you; then you should seriously consider the design for your next pair of basketball shoes.
Top 10 Rated Low Cut Sneakers:
The Under Armour Curry 9 came out at the tail end of 2021, but so far the reports (as of early spring 2022) suggest that this is another great shoe under the direction of the Golden State Warriors legend.
Under Armour has made it a tangible objective of their shoes to help their end-users navigate the court just how they see fit. That means endless hours have been devoted to creating traction patterns that will enhance the game for professionals and amateurs alike. A lot of that work came in the form of Steph Curry’s passion for the UA Flow technology – originally intended for their running range (zzzzzz… how many times have you heard that?). What won’t send you to sleep however is the traction that will have you up, down, across, and to each side of the court as fast or as methodical as you want to go.
If you’re prone to a few outdoor hoops then this shoe might just be for you as other outdoor ballers credit the shoe as having great durability and having the capacity to survive multiple sessions on hard concrete. This is a testament to just how good the materials are which have gone into this shoe; especially the upper segments which utilize the WARP technology which expertly enhances the fit and total comfort.
The only downside is that these shoes can offer relatively little impact protection, even when compared to other shoes that Under Armour make. The difference between this protection on this shoe and the Under Armour Anatomix Spawn 3 (featured a little further down in this article) is simply night and day.
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Puma has long championed the low-top design in basketball; long before others dared to disrupt the market. The Clyde series made with Walt Frazier in mind has long been an outlier in a crowded marketplace.
The ProFoam+ comes into great effect in the midsole of the shoe as it replicates the cushioning needed to circulate the foot’s power; ensuring you don’t run out of gas before the buzzer sounds in the fourth quarter. While you might not play every game like Frazier did in his history-making 1973 season; you’ll certainly have the footwear tools to do so.
Be sure to try on a few different sizes however as these shoes have been reported to run a little narrower on sizes. While the ProFoam+ midsole is excellent, it won’t work so well if the sides of your feet are crippled from a poor fit.
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One of our favourite shoes, the Under Armour Anatomix Spawn 3 always delivers with its superb cushioning which delivers almost unparalleled comfort; combined with the price point – this shoe is quickly becoming a contemporary classic for basketball players.
The low-top design lends itself to the ergonomically designed traction pattern which performs beyond the level it has to when you consider this shoe is widely available for less than 100 US dollars. The shoe continues to think about the user as the cushioning not only provides a cloud-like fit; but provides ample protection from heavy landings – making it very useful for bigger players who like to get good hangtime.
However when considering these shoes be sure to try on a few different sizes as this design has been known to run a little larger than the common sizes. While it’s not a major gripe; it’s worth being certain that you have the right size.
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Under Armour are no strangers to our site, especially given Stephen Curry’s dedication to producing elite-tier basketball shoes which include the brand’s Flow technology which debuted in Under Armour’s running range.
The UA Curry 8 was released at the back end of 2020 but has remained incredibly relevant due to its longevity and exceptional on-court performance. The Flow technology works in tandem with the Pebax plate to ensure you can grip the court and stay level while doing so. Furthermore, all the components of the shoe’s construction are light and facilitate your foot to breathe easily.
Most reviews conclude that this shoe shouldn’t be used excessively on the outdoor courts, but the odd game here and there shouldn’t be too adverse on the shoe’s overall lifespan. The only other considerable down-point is the ‘unusual fit’. As the shoe is loaded with bespoke UA tech, it hampers the overall fit as it bleeds into where the foot sits. Subsequently, it can take time to get used to the overall feeling of wearing this shoe.
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Sabrina Ionescu might be the most recognizable female basketball player in the world right now. Having smashed seemingly every record going during her storied tenure with the Oregon Ducks, the WNBA point guard is now enjoying life with New York Liberty at the Barclays Center. With her success comes grandeur and the opportunity to work with the Swoosh brand on Nike Air Zoom G.T. Cut; is a perfect introduction before Ionescu gets her own signature series.
The first feature that grabs the attention of this shoe is the slim and futuristic design, which is most certainly appealing with its dark blue and purple colorway. The aesthetics compliment the tech inside the shoe as they hold the multiple air units which give a very desirable bounce.
While the shoes won’t make space on the court themselves; they’ll give your everything to help with that objective. The shoe is ultra-responsive and offers a unique bounce to float into spaces well before the opponent knows it's available.
Outdoor players can rejoice as there’s finally a premium shoe that will do more than ‘hold up’ on the outdoor hard courts. Obviously don’t go too hard on them all the time, but the high-quality materials used in this shoe will ensure a certain amount of longevity.
If one was to nitpick about the shoe; then it could be described as an expensive purchase when considering the price of other shoes of similar quality – yet the hard work and dedication gone into this shoe does merit a somewhat lavish pricing strategy.
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Nike steps up to the paint with its first forward-facing environmentally conscious basketball shoe. The Nike Cosmic Unity works in line with the overall objective of the brand, committing to a zero-waste future.
Whether it’s a placebo effect that you’re doing your bit to save the planet wearing these shoes, the fit is incredibly comfy, and even though some elements come from recycled parts; the materials still feel premium – despite, in theory, literally being trash before becoming part of this shoe.
While there is no glaringly obvious weakness about this shoe, there are two minor points that you should know so you can make an informed decision as to whether these shoes are for you. Firstly, the traction performance is good. It’s just not the best. It’s far from the best; as a lot of basketball shoes in 2022 make that the defining attribute – it’s notably average here.
Secondly, the size of the shoes has sometimes been reported as running a little smaller than anticipated. In most cases, it won’t matter, but if you have a bigger foot or are between whole number sizes; then it might be worth trying out a few different pairs just to be sure what fit works for you.
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Seven-time NBA All-Star and contemporary LA Clippers small forward Paul George has been an inspiration to many; given his relatively late start to his basketball career. While having his own signature series range with Nike isn’t definitive of his success, it certainly doesn’t hurt his stature. The Nike PG 5 has been out on the shelves for over a year now and has proved to be a popular low-top selection.
While this basketball shoe might look more like a casual sneaker for running to the shops in, there’s actually a lot more going on than meets the eye. Firstly the traction pattern is a work of art. Not only in an aesthetically pleasing manner; but also in that its multi-directional features allow great players to essentially hover around the court as they see fit.
The shoe also benefits from a good mix of Air features including the Air Dot on the outsole. This feature might be small in stature but makes all the difference when making those smooth transitions, finding the right area to make a killer pass, or even the shot-clock-winning hoop.
Add in the cushioning tech and this shoe makes any court feel like a wave of connected clouds rather than the hardwood surface. Oh, when we say any court… yeah, just about any court. At present, the jury is still out on whether this shoe is fit for excessive use outdoors, but it certainly hasn’t been ruled out. If you prefer your hoops outside be sure to go easy in them and mix up your shoe usage, just in case.
However, if you plan to buy this shoe, don’t expect four courses of filet steak if you only pay for two. In other words, the materials in this shoe vary heavily in quality. While the Air Zoom units and dots are undoubtedly fantastic bespoke technology; other parts of the shoe will feel inferior. They are not bad, they just don’t live up to the same standard of the premium elements of the shoe.
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The 2012 first-round draft pick, Damian Lillard has not only built his career on loyalty to the Portland Trail Blazers; but his decision-making and tendency to score 3-point shots. While this pair of shoes won’t get you a starting place at Moda Center right away; they might be able to put you in the right direction.
Adidas has put comfort at the forefront in would-be ballers’ efforts to emulate Lillard’s success on the court, which means a generous portion of Lightstrike tech is in order. In this shoe, the bespoke cushioning makes an appearance and delivers great bounce, but doesn’t hamper the court feel.
One minor snag that comes with this shoe is that all the features and cushioning come with a little extra weight to the shoe. While this will be nothing for those used to wearing high-top shoes; it’s uncommon for low-tops to be this bulky.
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Adidas has developed the Lightstrike range of fabrics and materials to ensure they keep up with the contemporary standards in the basketball shoe marketplace. This cushioning is present in the midsole and facilitates players to get those high-energy movements as well as fostering natural agility,
Aesthetically the shoes have the capability to be very easy on the eye. However, the initial design is a very plain issue that looks more like a knockoff shoe than the authentic charismatic brand associated with the brand with three stripes. That said, there are notable variations that pop and will ignite the court up with flair. Be sure to check out the Sonic Ink, Acid Red-Sky Rush, and Cloud White-Team Orange-Victory Blue editions as they are particularly pleasing.
Players who favour the hard outdoor courts should look elsewhere as these shoes couldn’t come with enough warning to avoid such surfaces, as the shoes will simply not survive the rough conditions.
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The LeBron name isn’t put to any old shoe. It’s put there when footwear deserves it. The Nike LeBron 18 Low provides exceptional grip on indoor courts; at the same time being plumped up by some lavish cushioning for a comfy fit.
This shoe however is targeted toward the player with bigger feet who wants some comfortable kicks as well as some impact protection. The Air Max Unit helps such players get off the ground while the React foam will ensure that touchdowns are safe and injury-free.
The fit is reported as being incredibly accurate to standardized sizes, so you needn’t worry about trying on too many sizes (unless you have a very abnormal foot) as this shoe tends to fit well; despite having a thick cushion and support system.
One other interesting point to consider is that this shoe can be a very appealing choice for those who wanted limited edition runs or bespoke colorways/designs. In addition to all manner of vibrant colour schemes; there’s a whole host of Space Jam editions – featuring your favourite Looney Tunes characters – there’s even one that has Daffy Duck’s famous phrase: ‘SUFFERING SUCCOTASH’ printed on the Air Max unit.
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Conclusion
By now you should have come across which low-top basketball shoes you think will work for you and your game. Let’s recap the major points and killer attributes to be armed with at the shoe store or on the shopping websites.
Yet again, the Under Armour Anatomix Spawn 3 makes our recommendation for its sublime mix of top-tier cushioned and value for money. This shoe delivers to a good standard across all major attributes while excelling in the cushioning department. Considering the shoe retails for under 100 US dollars, it cannot be more highly recommended.
For just a few dollars more; the Adidas Exhibit A comes in as a highly rated shoe not just for value but for its ethical approach and green-thinking to save the planet; as it uses recycled materials. Add in the Lightstrike tech and it becomes a very appealing shoe.
Under Armour are very good when it comes to low-top designs – as the most recent projects with Steph Curry are both fantastic low-cut shoes. The Curry 8 is a very reliable shoe with enhanced stability; while the Curry 9 has some fantastic colorways – in addition to just being a great shoe.
If you’re not deterred by a big significant price tag then you can do relatively little wrong with the Nike Air Zoom G.T. Cut. The shoe made in collaboration and consultation with Sabrina Ionescu is arguably what the future of basketball shoes should look like. By the same merit of higher prices, the Nike LeBron 18 Low benefits from exceptionally good materials and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are Low-Tops better than High-Tops?
In some regards yes, in some other regards no. Studies have suggested that low-top basketball shoes are better in terms of allowing a freer ankle movement. That said; high-tops have been noted to stimulate and activate muscles better. While many of the performance aspects of the shoes are completely the same.
How about mid-tops?
Best of both worlds? There’s no reason to exclude them from your search for new basketball shoes, but realistically speaking mid-tops are really just high-tops that are a little shorter.
I prefer high-tops! Why can’t I buy them instead?
Seriously, do what you want! We’ve done a whole article on the best high-top shoes too. Give that a look. But bear in mind, we’ve tried to illuminate the best features of low-top designs. But if they’re still not for you, please use whatever you are comfortable with.
When did low-tops become popular?
Low-tops have always been around, but just weren’t the design of choice for a long time. The Nike Bruin shoe from 1972 has been said to be one of the first real low-top basketball shoes; just it was well ahead of its time. The original Air Jordans from the 1980s were low-tops and there’s the iconic Nike Air Money from 1996 which was a low-top design. Yet it wasn’t until around 2009 and later that the low-top became commonplace in the NBA.
If you’re interested in more history about how low-top designs became more relevant in the game then head over to Sole Collector’s site; as they have a whole article on the subject.
Hey, I’m Aleksandar and I am a Basketball freak! That is why I decided to create this blog. Teaching people How to dunk a basketball and How to Jump Higher in this sport or other related sports that require vertical jumping, is my specialty. If that’s your aim, then you have come to the right place.