Basketball players need to be fast on the field so the shoes they wear should help them in this regard. As we know there are high top, mid top and low top types of shoes. Many people say that you should go for either high top or mid top so that your ankles have good support. But these high or mid tops provide support but due to bulky buildup, they also slow you down. So low tops get in handy in these places as they are lightweight but the problem with most of the low top shoes is that they are not so good in support.
Here I have given you a list of 10 best low top basketball shoes that also have good support. However, if you have delicate ankles then you can wear ankle braces with them. You should also consult professionals about that if you are prone to injuries. If not, you should definitely give a try to any shoe from the list below according to your preferences. My personal recommendations for you are Nike Air Max Infuriate and Nike LeBron Witness 3 as they have all other features at their best along with being a low top.
Go through the list and get your shoe!
Table of Contents
The first on our list is from the great Adidas, the Pro Bounce 2018 low.
In 2018, Adidas wasn’t going so good until Adidas Pro Bounce arrived. These shoes turned the tables in favor of Adidas. These shoes have an upper of Forgefiber material that is a combination of lightweight mesh with some stitching for making them durable and strong. It’s lightweight and proper ventilation is provided as it is breathable and hence keeps the feet cool and dry.
It has one of the best tractions of 2018 shoes. The traction pattern is spiral but its shallow grooves can attract dust but wiping will make them perform at their best. Its outsole is also exceptional and can endure all kinds of courts.
For cushioning, Adidas didn’t use Boost cushioning in this one. They went with the Bounce Cushioning that is better with the overall makeup of these shoes. It provides a great court feel along with providing great protection against impacts from jumping and running.
Despite being low top, they provide great support for the feet. Two split TPU spring plates provide torsional support all the way to the forefoot. The midsole on these shoes is flat and wide.
For fit, they go true to size when we consider normal footers. However, if you are a narrow footer, you can feel a bit dead space in the toe. You can counter that by going down half a size. The lockdown is however perfect despite the dead space. The flywire cable-like lacing system really locks the foot.
These shoes are recommended if you want to go for a good traction low top shoe as they are not too expensive and are great for every kind of court. They also made the list of our 10 best outdoor basketball shoes
Pros
- They are great for everyone either you are a lightweight or a big heavyweight player.
- Their traction holds on every kind of court
- Their Cushioning is quite balanced and responsive
- They have a appealing design and look good
- They don’t allow stress to develop on lower body
Cons
- The materials are not very premium
- They may lack in support for some people
Second on our list is from the other great company, Nike. They are the Nike Mamba Rage.
These shoes have an upper of flyweave with a knit pattern which resembles snake scales. This Flyweave upper keep the feet cool and dry and is flexible for fitting the foot.
The traction pattern on these shoes is micro-tuned on the outsole that provides multi directional traction and awesome grip. Its inside sole also helps in traction. It is of solid rubber with ribbing which gives your steps great traction. It makes you feel like you are really gripping the ground while playing.
For Cushioning, they have Drop-in Lunarlon foam in the midsole which provides great impact protection and support to the feet. This cushioning is really great and your feet are really comfortable in them. Some people may find cushioning not so great. But lightweight players will really enjoy them. Response is great too.
Support and lockdown are good as like other Kobe shoes. The feet do not slip in the shoe and the shoe really locks your feet. Being low top they really give you a great range of motion in the ankle area. Outriggers on the lateral side provides stability to the foot
Its fit may be a problem as they are not generally true to size. Wide footers may need to go up half or even a full size.
They are not so expensive and great for younger people. So, if you are young and want low tops you can go for them.
Pros
- These shoes have excellent lockdown
- They are great for young and lightweight players
- They have flexible material and are comfortable
- They have insoles that can be removed. Some people like that
Cons
Their outsole can wear on outdoor courts
Third we have Air Max Infuriate low, another from Nike.
The upper of these shoes is made up of simple open mesh with fuse printed patterns. The patterns may help in durability otherwise they have no use. The mesh is very soft and comfortable.
For traction, they have a diamond pattern in the forefoot and heel. And for extra grip, herringbone pattern is also used on lateral and medial forefoot. This extra herringbone pattern really helps in quick stopping and turning. The rubber is hard and durable for outdoor courts as well.
The Air Max cushioning used here is a combination of a solid Phylon and Air Max that works exceptionally even beating more expensive and premium competition. They provide a bit more cushion than court feel along with excellent response and balance. The impact protection is great.
Despite being low tops, they have great support. The lateral and medial sidewalls are extended to keep the feet in line and tight in the shoe for quick cuts and jumps. The transition is also great on these. The heel has more of raised Phylon sidewalls and it aids in the support.
They run true to size and fit great. The width is slightly narrow or you can say normal. You can go up half a size if you are a wide footer. Their great flexibility locks the foot and does not hurt at all.
This shoe is great for any kind of player. The price is reasonable as well. If you want to take my advice, I will definitely recommend these to you.
Pros
- They are lightweight and the fit is perfect
- The traction is excellent due to two kinds of patterns
- They are inexpensive
- They can also be worn as casual or fashion sneaker
- They provide excellent support
Cons
- These shoes can run tight at the forefoot for some people
The third edition of LeBron Witness is really a step up from the previous editions. Witness 3’s special PRM edition was released that involves the patent leather treatment. Let’s have an overview on this shoe.
The upper of these materials have the main difference from the original Witness 3. Patent leather overlay has been added to the shoe. It starts on toe and extends to the lateral sides. This leather overlay provides the sturdiness needed in the toe area as the original Witness 3 was lacking a bit in the forefoot area. The main upper is however the same knitted with mesh overlays.
For traction, they have a herringbone pattern that features the map of Ohio, the home state of LeBron James. The traction is really great for stopping instantly, turning and running. The traction may need a day or two to break in. Wiping may be needed on dusty courts. They are best for even outdoor courts due to XDR rubber on the outsole.
They have a full-length Air-Sole unit for cushioning that really gets the job done by providing impact protection and comfort. Responsiveness is also great in them unlike other LeBron shoes.
Wide base of these shoes provides great support. The patent leather strip also supports the foot very much.
The fit may be true to size for some but as all feet are not entirely same so they may be snug and a bit long for some people.
If you are going for a low top and need a best shoe in terms of durability, traction and cushion. They are a great choice for you. I will personally recommend them to you as they offer everything.
Pros
- They are great for any kind of courts whether indoor or outdoor.
- They are really good looking
- The responsiveness of the cushioning is just awesome
- They are very lightweight
- The court feel on these shoes is also great
Cons
- They lack a bit in lateral support
Next, we have Crazylight Boost low, the 2016 edition as it was the best.
These shoes have upper made of textile that is thick and comfortable not even needing any time to break in. Despite being thick, they don’t let the feet sweat due to the breathability of the material.
For traction, outsole rubber is continental and a great pattern for traction that does not collect any dust so frequent wiping is not needed. As far as traction is concerned this 2016 model is much better than the previous one. The traction grasps the court like a magnet and allows you to play freely without the fear of slipping. Wiping is recommended after every 5 to 6 plays for the traction to remain at its max.
For cushioning we can get the idea that it is Boost. The Boost cushioning used is full length on these shoes. Boost pallets in midsole make it a bit firmer but it also absorbs impacts. Heel to toe transition is smooth and great court feel.
These shoes have no problem with feet slipping inside the shoes as the lockdown is awesome and much better from the previous model. Foam filled Achilles are present on the inner side of the heel for support.
These shoes are also great for people with wide feet. So, go for them if you want low top and also have wide feet. You may have to confirm the size as you may need to go a half size up if you have wide feet.
Pros
- They have amazing fit and lockdown
- Their TPU lateral cage, heel counter and shank provide great stability.
- Their upper is breathable and keeps the feet dry
- Traction rubber is continental which is highly durable
Cons
- Their lacing set up is not so optimal.
Adidas T-Mac is the new and improved version of the Adidas T-Mac, the original one. The upper of these shoes is leather like synthetic that may not look very great right out of the box but they break in great with time. The upper also has some images on it. The material is stiff but very durable.
They have full length multi directional herringbone pattern that does not catch dust due to varying pattern size. The traction holds on every kind of court but they are not a very great choice for outdoor courts. The outsole rubber is pretty solid but still not good to play on concrete.
They have full length Boost midsole for cushioning that is awesome. The original T-Mac had adiprene but this Boost is much better than that. They are quite responsive and quick despite looking big and bulky. The cushion rides low in forefoot and forefoot caging on the lateral side adds to the stability. In short, it is just great.
All the normal support is at its best plus a full-length shank plate is present that along with the Boost provides reflex. Lateral stability is great too.
These shoes are good for wide footers as well. If you have slightly wide feet or need some room in front. You can go true to size. Going down half a size can help if you have narrow or normal feet.
These shoes are just great. You can go for them if you want every feature to its best along with low top. I will definitely recommend this one.
Pros
- The traction is great and does not collect much dust
- The cushioning is very balanced and responsive
- They are extremely comfortable
- The support is great despite being low top
- They can also be used as casual shoes
Cons
- The material takes time to break in
- Fit can be improved more
Next we have here the Nike LeBron 16 low, the shoe with a fascinating outsole.
The upper on these shoes is of premium Battle knit 2.0 and Nubuck, which is a type of flyknit material, the strongest that Nike offers.
They have insane traction as can be seen from the picture. The pattern is deep herringbone that really grabs the court. The traction pattern has wide spaces in it so it does not attract dust and hence we do not need to wipe them frequently. The pattern is straight lined with a slight angle that really is great. They perform great on all courts, indoor and outdoor.
For cushioning, they also have Max Zoom like the previous LeBron ones but the cushioning setup is overall stiffer than previous models. This little stiffness allows to damp the impacts made with the court hence providing great comfort and response while playing.
Support is good despite them being low top. Their one major difference from the previous models is the midsole. It’s a little bit stiff because of the cushioning as written above.
Flexible fly wires on the tongue helps in lockdown. These shoes are true to size. You will not find dead space in the shoe. The insane outsole and traction pattern make them a great choice if your major consideration is traction along with low tops.
Pros
- These shoes have premium materials.
- The stability and foot support is excellent
- They have an exceptional traction best for all kinds of courts
- Their customizable fitting helps greatly in lockdown
Cons
- They may feel a bit stiff in the beginning but gets comfortable with time.
These great shoes by UA have an upper of engineered mesh. The material is breathable and great for support. The tongue is also of Air Mesh that adds to the comfort and breathability of the shoe. In the forefoot, anatomical flex grooves are present that makes them flexible naturally.
The traction pattern is herringbone that really does the job on the rubber outsole. They grip the court like crazy. They work well on outdoor courts as well. The traction is really improved from the previous models.
For Cushioning, Micro G foam on the midsole really gives you the impact protection you need. The weight and impact distribution is quite balanced. The response is great and it really gives explosive energy returns.
The die cut EVA sockliner gives the underfoot support and cushioning. External TPU shank aids in the torsional support. They lack a bit in ankle support but if you have strong ankles and you are young you may enjoy them. Otherwise you can wear a brace with them and can perform well.
The lacing system is webbed that gives a customized midfoot lockdown fit. They run true to size for narrow and normal fit. Due to flexibility, they may fit wide footers as well. But you should check according to your feet before hand.
Pros
- The traction is great especially on clean courts
- The cushioning setup on these shoes is just great both for court feel and impact protection
- They are easy to clean than a normal shoe
- They have great ventilation for feet
- They are budget friendly as well
Cons
- They don’t look so nice according to some users
- The die cut EVA insole can be improved more
These shoes are truly the lightest among the hardens. These shoes materials are like a ballistic mesh with a tight pattern. It’s strong and some thickness is present for giving them a premium feel. Nylon is also used on it.
For traction pattern we have herringbone but the grooves are a bit tightly spaced so wiping is needed frequently on dusty courts. On clean courts the traction is really beastly. They also work great on outdoor courts but will not last much longer because rubber is soft.
A very well-balanced full-length Boost is used for cushioning in the midsole. It gives smooth transition from heel to toe. In cushioning, everything is well balanced, whether it is bounce, impact protection or court feel.
The shoes support the feet as much as a low top can do. Upper really wraps the foot. The stable base is flat and a torsion spring plate runs from heel to toe.
These run true to size for most people but as different people have different feet so you should see your feet type before buying. The lockdown is also perfect.
Appearances are often deceiving, same is case for Harden Vol 3 but in a positive way. It may not look so great but its performance is exceptional that makes them a great choice for buying if you want to go for a low top.
Pros
- The traction is amazing of these shoes
- The cushioning is very well balanced
- The materials of the shoe feel premium
- They are extremely lightweight
- Their big heel tab makes them easier to put on
- They need a break in time at start to avoid the heel slip
Last on the list we have Nike Kyrie Flytrap.
These shoes have an upper of woven material that is quite thin and awesome. Due to being thin, it makes the shoes quite lightweight but strength is not compromised. The material is stretchable too.
The outsole is curved and the traction pattern is flat and aggressive that gets the job done on indoor courts. However, they are not recommended for outdoor courts. The traction pattern does not collect much dust so light wiping will do the trick for them from time to time.
The cushioning on these Flytrap is of Phylon and small Hex Zoom Air. The cushioning is minimal but not uncomfortable. Impact protection is average. But they give more court feel in this way. The heel to toe transition is very smooth on them by the way.
All basic elements for support that can be in low tops are there. Torsional shank and internal heel counter help in support. Overall, the support is good.
They lack a bit in fit for normal footers. It seems that they were made for wide footers so if you are a wide footer you are in treat as you can then go true to size. Normal or narrow footers can go down half a size but then it also matters on your feet.
These are a good choice for a wide footer who want low tops they may lack in a few aspects but they are very budget friendly as well.
Pros
- The shoes materials do not need break in time
- They have aesthetically great look
- They are quite comfortable
- Their traction is great on indoor maintained
- courts
- Their outsole barely picks up dust
Cons
- They do not grip well on unmaintained courts
- The minimal cushioning in the front may be a problem for some players
Conclusion:
So, this was the list of the ten best low top shoes to play basketball. My recommendation from this list are Nike LeBron Witness 3 and Nike Air Max Infuriate as they are complete package. However, for best traction along with low tops, Adidas Pro Bounce 2018 low is also a great choice.
Every person has different feet so you should consider your feet before buying. A same shoe can be a heaven for one person but a hell for another.
Before buying a low top, be careful, if you are injury prone you can get injured easily in them. It’s not like that you cannot get injured in a high or mid top but there is a little less risk of injury in them. High tops are more into support and thus they hinder in the agility. Low tops are more focused on providing agility rather than support. So, think before you buy this. Still if want to go for a low top despite the risk of injuries then you can wear an ankle brace for some protection.