In a hurry? If you quickly want to know my choice for the best traction basketball shoes, then go for Nike KD 15.
Looking for the best basketball shoes with amazing traction can be challenging and problematic.
There are a lot of new basketball shoes popping up here and there, and each shoe has its unique way of performing in different sets of conditions.
Fortunately, I’ve tried and have reviewed tons of basketball shoes and have concluded that here are the best traction basketball shoes in the market today.
In this article, I’ll be reviewing the following basketball shoes with good traction and grip:
- Nike KD 15
- Nike LeBron 20
- New Balance OMN1S
- Nike KD Trey 5 VII
- Under Armour Curry 8
- Nike Air Jordan 36
- Nike Kyrie Low 5
Top 7 Best Traction Basketball Shoes
Here’s my list of basketball shoes with the best tractions on the market today. Come and check it out!
1. Nike KD 15 – Traction Rating – [9.8]
The Nike KD 15 is one of the latest signature sneakers to come out from Nike. This pair of basketball shoes bites regardless of what type of court you are in.
Its cushioning is definitely one of the best ones I have tried so far. It has a great combination of responsiveness, low to the ground, and a great on-court feel.
The Nike KD 15’s upper materials are breathable fabrics, which can drastically improve impact protection when going for hard landings.
I can safely say it has an excellent grip and feels light on the feet. The Nike KD 15 is one of the best basketball shoes with amazing traction on my list.
Features:
- Perforated Mesh Tongue
- Thermoplastic Polyurethane Midfoot
- Nubuck Heel Counter
Pros
- Good traction
- Amazing impact protection
- Lots of support features for the foot
- Great on-court feel
- One of the best performance shoes
Cons
- Expensive price tag
- Occasional heel slippage
- Not the best for outdoor play
2. Nike LeBron 20 – Traction Rating [9.7]
The Nike LeBron 20 is the 20th iteration of Lebron James’ signature sneaker collection.
While I felt like Nike toned it down with the cushioning for this basketball shoe, I am still quite impressed with how it feels on indoor courts.
The rubber outsole feels very sticky to the ground, which I feel can perform better than any other signature shoe on the market today.
Overall, the cushioning and the upper materials used for this basketball shoe feel premium and breathable.
The only problem I have with this one is the price, where there are not a lot of basketball players who can afford this one.
Features:
- Carbon Fiber Midfoot Shank
- Forefoot Air Zoom Turbo Unit
- Synthetic-wrapped Lateral Guardrail Footbed
Pros
- Bouncy cushioning
- Low to the ground
- Good for wide footers
- Multidirectional outsole
- Made of lightweight and breathable materials
Cons
- Expensive price tag
- Not the best for outdoor courts
3. New Balance OMN1S – Traction Rating [9.6]
From the moment I have worn these shoes on the court, it has given me one of the best tractions I’ve ever felt from a basketball shoe.
While the protection on the forefoot leaves something to be desired, the area around the heel is more than enough to protect you when landing on hard surfaces.
This excellent pair of basketball shoes has a grippy outsole and would be ideal for playing around indoor and outdoor courts.
With its strong grip, it is one of the best traction basketball shoes New Balance has provided us this year.
Features:
- Fuelcell Cushioning
- Omnidirectional Pattern
- Textile Upper
Pros
- Fantastic traction
- Grippy outsole with amazing ankle support
- Improved stability
- Durability is not an issue
- Amazing ankle and heel support
Cons
- The upper materials don’t feel premium
- Feels wide on the foot
4. Nike KD Trey 5 VII – Traction Rating [9.6]
The Nike KD Trey 5 VII is one of my list’s best budget traction basketball shoes.
It is specifically designed with a top-tier traction system that is almost a rarity in the budget-oriented shoe segment.
While the Nike KD Trey 5 VII falls below the $100 mark, it’s still overperforming, which is great for dusty courts with its instance traction and materials that prevent slippage.
Overall, I was most impressed with its traction despite being within the budget range. Nike has never failed to impress me with the quality of shoes they make at different price points.
Features:
- Lace-up Closure System
- Nike Renew Foam
- Engineered Mesh Upper
Pros
- Good grip on dusty courts
- The solid rubber outsole has solid traction
- Great for players with wide feet
- Amazing performance for the price
- One of the lighter shoes I’ve tried
- The rubber outsole has a durable traction pattern
Cons
- It may feel cheap and lightweight due to the soft materials
- Not a lot of cushioning and support around the ankle area
- Basic basketball shoes
5. Under Armour Curry 8 – Traction Rating [9.5]
The Under Armour Curry 8 does talk the talk! It has one of the best tractions in the world and is one to watch out for in the coming months.
There’s no reason why Steph Curry can’t be running up and down the court with such precision. The strong grip is remarkable and it has plenty of ankle support which makes it more comfortable to play with.
Apart from the traction, the Curry 8 also impressed me with its stability that blows past its previous models.
This signature shoe has a great on-court feel, is very low to the ground, and is very responsive. It is also one of the best basketball shoes for guards on the market today.
Features:
- UA Flow Cushioning Platform
- Flexible Knit Upper
- All-foam Outsole
Pros
- The best traction basketball shoes for guards
- Amazing grip on different courts
- Made of high-quality soft, and durable materials
- Comfortable and lightweight with plenty of support
- Durability is impressive
- Unique outsole traction pattern
Cons
- Cushioning can be improved
- Not responsive enough
6. Air Jordan 36 – Traction Rating [9.4]
The Air Jordan 36 is one of the best traction basketball shoes on my list from Air Jordans.
This basketball shoe is amazing in terms of traction, breathability, support, and durability.
The support is bouncy at best and would provide comfort even when you go for rebounds or blocking shots. It’s the best for shoe details; it has a premium look and offers different colorways.
While I may have encountered occasional heel slippage from this shoe, its traction and materials are enough to include it on my list of the best traction basketball shoes on the market today.
Features:
- Synthetic Reinforcement Forefoot
- Composite Textile
- Eclipse Plate 3.0 Support System
Pros
- Stellar traction and amazing grip on different courts
- Durable rubber outsole
- Radial traction pattern for improved grip
- Made of durable and high-quality upper materials
- Amazing performance on the court
- Lots of colorways
Cons
- The outsole can be unsteady at times
- Not great for players with narrow feet
- Cushioning can be improved
7. Nike Kyrie Low 5 – Traction Rating [9.3]
The Nike Kyrie Low 5 is another surprising shoe on my list because it’s a slight variation from the main Kyrie Lines.
However, it doesn’t feel like it’s a budget shoe. I actually felt like it has the potential to be the best basketball shoe out there, if only for a few setbacks.
One problem that I have experienced is the cushioning, it leaves something to be desired, and this pair is not great for playing outdoors.
While it does bite on different courts, it’s not great for dusty courts as it attracts too much dust on a game-to-game basis.
Still, its performance on indoor courts is more than impressive, the traction is stellar, and the support is more than enough.
Features:
- Forefoot Zoom Unit
- Multidirectional Pattern
- Dynamic Strap System
Pros
- Amazing traction
- Great on-court feel with fantastic cushioning
- Very low to the ground, which is great for guards
- Made of durable materials
- Fantastic indoor performance
Cons
- Needs to improve on cushioning
- Not for basketball players with wide foot
- Not for outdoors
Why Should You Get Basketball Shoes With Solid Traction?
The game of basketball has relied on traction for decades now. Every basketball player can use a pair of basketball shoes with amazing traction regardless of their position.
One of the reasons why you should get basketball shoes with solid traction is you don’t have to experience slippage on the court. A reliable grip lets you easily run, drive, or cut.
Players who want to corral rebounds, go for dunks, and drive will use a basketball shoe with good traction as it helps them propel off the ground effectively.
In addition, players who rely on their post moves to score under the basketball will also use a basketball shoe with amazing traction.
Regardless of your sport, traction is important to help move your feet efficiently and without slippage. It helps you have the best performance on the court.
Factors To Consider When Buying The Best Traction Basketball Shoes
If you are looking for the best traction basketball shoes on the market today, there are two important factors to consider before buying one.
Design Patterns
The herringbone traction pattern has been widely used on different shoe brands for years. One of the reasons why this traction pattern is amazing is because of its ability to adapt to multidirectional movements.
However, different shoes come with different patterns these days. While one pattern might not be the best over the other, all the basketball shoes on my list offer amazing traction patterns.
For one instance, the Nike KD 15 and Nike KD Trey V VII patterns are great despite being centered around different price segments.
While the herringbone pattern is still used today, omnidirectional patterns also make waves for how fantastic they grip, regardless of the court type.
Surface Type
You should consider the surface type when shopping for the best traction basketball shoes.
Most shoe engineers consider different courts that basketball players use when making a basketball shoe.
So, if you find yourself playing more outdoors than on indoor courts, then I highly recommend looking for a basketball shoe with these features:
- The upper material should be durable and resilient to the constant wear and tear of playing outdoors
- It shouldn’t cost a fortune for an outdoor basketball shoe to buy
- The outsole should be made of hard and durable rubber
- The traction grooves should be deep and wide
Unfortunately, most basketball shoe brands aren’t selling enough basketball shoes designed for outdoors.
Most shoes they’re making are centered around indoor play. Still, some of these basketball shoes are ideal for playing outdoors. You have to find the right one based on my criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you have additional questions regarding traction and basketball shoes in general, you might find them below.
How Do I Get Traction on My Basketball Shoes?
You can get traction on your basketball shoes as long as you take care of them. Wipe your shoes to improve their performance on the court whenever your shoes get dusty.
Always keep a clean cloth in your bag so you wouldn’t encounter problems such as slipping that can cause or aggravate an injury.
I highly recommend cleaning your shoes to enhance their performance.
How Do I Stop My Basketball Shoes from Slipping?
There’s only one way you can stop your shoes from slipping other than buying basketball shoes with amazing traction, which is to wipe the outsole of your shoes constantly.
As time passes, wear and tear on the shoe’s outsole becomes increasingly shallow. As a result, you will need to wipe a lot more when playing if you don’t want to slip.
The Awesome Choices
Here’s the summary of my personal top picks. Check it out!
Best Budget – Nike KD Trey 5 VII
I picked the Nike KD Trey 5 VII as the best budget footwear because of its affordability, you get impressive traction with superb performance regardless of what court you play in.
Best Value – Nike Kyrie Low 5
The Nike Kyrie Low 5 might be centered around budget-conscious players, but it doesn’t fail to meet the demands of the players. It has great on-court performance, responsiveness, and bites on most courts.
Best Overall – Nike KD 15
The Nike KD 15 blows past the competition with ease. I feel like it has the best traction because it was recently released by Nike, combined with a few infused technologies that make this shoe impressive.
Conclusion
When it comes to basketball shoes, traction is everything. It can help you enhance your game to the highest level without worrying about slipping on the court.
While there can be an overabundance of options available on the market, I have trimmed down the list to make it easier for you which ones to choose.
I really hope that this article I’ve written about the best traction basketball shoes is useful for you in choosing the right basketball shoes with the best grip.