Finding the basketball shoe with the best traction is not an easy task. There are so many different models to pick from and shoes often perform differently depending on the quality of the court, your playing style, and even the rubber compound used on a specific colorway.
Fortunately, the web is full of shoe reviewers that can provide you with different opinions and give you a good overall idea of the performance of a basketball sneaker. To save you the time reading and watching all of these reviews I am continuouslychecking out all significant shoe releases and read or watch all shoe reviews I can find.
So far I havecollected ratings of290 differentbasketball shoes and consumedexactly1453 reviews in doing so! Newreviews are addedall the time to create a basketball shoe database that iscomplete and always up to date.
The following overview shows the ten basketball shoes with the best traction ranked by the average grade they received for it. Scroll down further to read a more detailed summary of each shoe.
- 10.0 traction rating based on 3 expert reviews
- The Curry Spawn FloTro mixes excellent traction with responsive cushioning and a comfortable upper.
- This shoe is best for guards with fast play styles who benefit from the Flow traction.
- 10.0 traction rating based on 2 expert reviews
- The Under Armour Curry 2 Low FloTro is the latest Curry model to receive the Flow upgrade, and the shoe performs as expected.
- The shoe is a solid pick for fans of older Curry models who want modern tech.
- 9.6 traction rating based on 8 expert reviews
- The Curry 10 makes slight improvements and continues to be a top-tier performer.
- Anyone that utilizes traction to maximize footwork
- 9.5 traction rating based on 2 expert reviews
- The Jordan One Take 4 is a decently performing shoe with reliable traction.
- Players who mainly play outdoors and prefer responsive cushioning will enjoy this shoe.
- 9.4 traction rating based on 5 expert reviews
- The Curry 11 remains a fantastic basketball shoe. The traction is excellent, and the cushioning provides more impact protection.
- The Under Armour Curry 11 is the perfect shoe for quick and shifty guards.
- 9.4 traction rating based on 11 expert reviews
- The Nike LeBron 20 excels with its bouncy cushion and solid traction, but it has something to offer every player.
- Quick and explosive players will enjoy this shoe the most.
- 9.3 traction rating based on 7 expert reviews
- One of Puma's best basketball shoes. The traction is outstanding, and the cushioning is comfortable.
- Players looking for a versatile shoe that's not expensive will love the Puma All Pro Nitro.
- 9.3 traction rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The TWO WXY V3 is one of New Balance's best basketball shoes because of its fit and traction.
- Shifty guards who rely on traction will love this shoe.
- 9.2 traction rating based on 7 expert reviews
- The Nike Cosmic Unity 2s materials make the shoe an improvement from last year's model, but only slightly.
- Players that want cushioning but also want to feel low to the ground
- 9.0 traction rating based on 10 expert reviews
- The Nike LeBron 21 maintains its high level of performance while improving its support and stability.
- The Nike LeBron 21 is fit for all play styles because of the mix of traction, cushioning and support.
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Best Traction Basketball Shoes:
The Top 10
1. Under Armour Curry Spawn FloTro
Performance Rating:
10.0
The Curry Spawn FloTro mixes excellent traction with responsive cushioning and a comfortable upper.
traction rating based on 3 reviews
Pros:
Flow foam has top-tier traction
Responsive cushioning
Cons:
Materials retain heat
What do the experts think?
The Curry Spawn is the latest shoe to get the FloTro treatment. Flow foam remains one of the best traction setups on the market. The grip and performance are elite. The Flow midsole is responsive and light. Materials are light and well-padded, but the shoe retains heat and moisture. Support and lockdown are solid for the most part. You have to use all the lace holes to avoid potential issues. Reviewers were also surprised with how accommodating the fit of the Curry Spawn FloTro is, especially during play. The Curry Spawn FloTro is another impressive shoe in the FloTro line. The upgrade to the traction is well worth it.
Colorways of the Under Armour Curry Spawn FloTro:
2. Under Armour Curry 2 Low FloTro
Performance Rating:
10.0
The Under Armour Curry 2 Low FloTro is the latest Curry model to receive the Flow upgrade, and the shoe performs as expected.
traction rating based on 2 reviews
Pros:
Excellent traction
Incredibly lightweight
Cons:
Lockdown could be better
What do the experts think?
Under Armour updates the Curry 2 Low with the Flow cushioning and outsole setup, making the traction excellent. The cushioning is smooth and comfortable. It feels similar to all other Flow model shoes. The materials are lightweight and breathable. This might be the lightest shoe in the Curry lineup. Reviewers mention the support and lockdown are adequate. Nobody reported any issues, but it is said that the lockdown is nothing special. The Under Armour Curry 2 Low FloTro is another successful update to an older Curry model.
Colorways of the Under Armour Curry 2 Low FloTro:
3. Under Armour Curry 10
Performance Rating:
9.6
The Curry 10 makes slight improvements and continues to be a top-tier performer.
traction rating based on 8 reviews
Pros:
Top-tier traction
Comfortable materials
Cons:
Impact protection isn't the best
What do the experts think?
As we've come to expect, the Flow traction is fantastic. It's some of the best traction available. The cushioning is responsive and low to the ground. The shank also offers some additional bounce. The materials feel similar to the Curry 9 from last year. It does feel a tad bit more comfortable, though. Support and lockdown are better than last year because of a better heel counter and more supportive construction. Overall, the Curry 10 improves on last year's model and remains a top performer because of the outstanding traction.
Colorways of the Under Armour Curry 10:
4. Jordan One Take 4
Performance Rating:
9.5
The Jordan One Take 4 is a decently performing shoe with reliable traction.
traction rating based on 2 reviews
Pros:
Durable performing traction
Reactive cushioning
Cons:
Not much impact protection
Cheap materials
What do the experts think?
For performance, reviewers ranked the traction of the One Take 4 as the best feature. The herringbone pattern is grippy and stable. The cushioning is not plush, and there isn't much impact protection, but it is responsive. The materials on the shoe feel cheap and flimsy. Although, performance isn't affected too negatively. There were no complaints about support and lockdown. The stability held up well too. Overall, the Jordan One Take 4 is a decent performance shoe. The traction stands out, and it's budget-friendly.
Colorways of the Jordan One Take 4:
5. Under Armour Curry 11
Performance Rating:
9.4
The Curry 11 remains a fantastic basketball shoe. The traction is excellent, and the cushioning provides more impact protection.
traction rating based on 5 reviews
Pros:
Improved impact protection
Flow traction
Cons:
Low volume, snug fit
What do the experts think?
Under Armour and Curry Brand continue to provide slight improvements to their main signature shoe line. The Flow outsole is excellent. The performance is elite, and it performs better on dust this year. Under Armour uses a dual-density foam setup for cushioning this year. It provides additional impact protection under the heel. The fit is snug, with some reviewers mentioning it feels like a 1-to-1 fit around your foot. The materials aren't premium but are lightweight, comfortable, and breathable. Like previous models in the line, the support is secure, especially around the heel area. The Under Armour Curry 11 sticks to the tried and true formula of the last three models. The traction remains the best on the market.
Colorways of the Under Armour Curry 11:
6. Nike Lebron 20
Performance Rating:
9.4
The Nike LeBron 20 excels with its bouncy cushion and solid traction, but it has something to offer every player.
traction rating based on 11 reviews
Pros:
Bouncy cushion setup
Tacky traction compound
Cons:
Not much court feel
High price tag
What do the experts think?
The traction on the LeBron 20 is tacky, and it grips most court surfaces. The occasional wipe is needed, but it doesn't hinder performance. Nike toned the cushioning down from previous models, but it's still insanely bouncy. The materials are comfortable, thin, and breathable on foot. It also helps to keep you contained during play. On fit, some reviewers praised the LeBron 20 for its snug, 1-to-1 fit. Other reviewers had split opinions on how the shoe accommodates wide footers. The lacing and materials work together to keep your foot contained on the footbed. Reviewers didn't have any complaints when it came to the support of the shoe. Overall, the Nike LeBron 20 is an impressive all-around performer. The traction, cushioning, and support are versatile enough to offer something to most players.
Colorways of the Nike Lebron 20:
7. Puma All Pro Nitro
Performance Rating:
9.3
One of Puma's best basketball shoes. The traction is outstanding, and the cushioning is comfortable.
traction rating based on 7 reviews
Pros:
Improved cushioning comfort
Outstanding traction
Cons:
Materials feel cheap
What do the experts think?
Puma's latest All Pro model picks up where the previous model left off. Reviewers agree the traction is phenomenal. The shoe performs whether the court is clean or dusty as long as you remember to wipe it. The Nitro foam is the softest iteration yet. It's comfortable with some bounce. The base is broader, and the lacing setup has improved eyelets to help keep you feeling stable and secure. Cheap materials are the only downside. Regardless, the shoe feels breathable and comfortable. The Puma All Pro Nitro is one of Puma's best releases.
Colorways of the Puma All Pro Nitro:
8. New Balance TWO WXY V3
Performance Rating:
9.3
The TWO WXY V3 is one of New Balance's best basketball shoes because of its fit and traction.
traction rating based on 7 reviews
Pros:
Tacky traction
1-to-1 fit
Cons:
Not a plush cushion
Poor outdoor durability
What do the experts think?
The latest shoe in the TWO WXY lineup, the V3, has tacky traction that grips incredibly well on indoor courts. Reviewers agree that cushioning is the main drawback of the shoe. The foam is not as plush as other shoes, and there is minimal impact protection. On the other hand, reviewers agreed that fit is the shoe's best feature. The fit is near-perfect and close to 1-to-1. Because of the glovelike fit, the support and lockdown are also solid. There were no reports of issues with the stability either. The materials are thin, comfortable and supportive. One reviewer said the uppers are one of the best available. The New Balance TWO WXY V3 is an excellent performance basketball shoe with outstanding traction and fit.
Colorways of the New Balance TWO WXY V3:
9. Nike Cosmic Unity 2
Performance Rating:
9.2
The Nike Cosmic Unity 2s materials make the shoe an improvement from last year's model, but only slightly.
traction rating based on 7 reviews
Pros:
Zoom Strobel cushioning
Lighter than last year
Cons:
Fit can be tricky
What do the experts think?
Like many other Nike shoes, the Cosmic Unity 2 uses a full-length Zoom Strobel. It performs terrifically, blending cushioning and responsiveness well. The traction performed well for most reviewers, and there were no complaints. The materials saw the biggest improvement as the shoe is lighter this year without sacrificing performance. There we no reported issues with support and lockdown. The shoe has all the features needed to keep you contained. Some reviewers reported that the shoe fits long and others reported that it fits narrow. Overall, the Nike Cosmic Unity 2 is a steady and balanced performer across the board and excels in cushioning.
Colorways of the Nike Cosmic Unity 2:
10. Nike Lebron 21
Performance Rating:
9.0
The Nike LeBron 21 maintains its high level of performance while improving its support and stability.
traction rating based on 10 reviews
Pros:
Bouncy cushioning
Upgraded support and materials
Cons:
Slightly narrow fit
What do the experts think?
Nike and LeBron hookup for the 21st entry in his signature shoe line. This time, with improved materials and stability. Most reviewers agree the traction performance is solid, especially on clean courts. Make sure that you wipe on dusty courts. The cushioning feels springy and bouncy. The Cushlon foam and Zoom units provide a balanced feel. The upper materials are where the shoe sees the most change. The leather feels more supportive, and the tongue is breathable, too. With the revamped upper, the support and lockdown are better. Lateral containment is incredible and secure. Nike continues in the right direction with the LeBron signature line. The Nike LeBron 21 makes slight tweaks to improve the materials and support.
Colorways of the Nike Lebron 21:
Frequently asked questions about traction:
How can I improve the traction of my basketball shoes?
There is no magic formula that makes old basketball shoes stick to the floor like glue, but there are a few things you can do to improve traction:
Wipe - a lot!
This one is self-explanatory. The grooves of the traction pattern become more and more shallow with time, which means you will need to wipe a lot more to get the dust off the surface of the rubber.
Get a courtside traction mat
If you don't want to get your hands dusty and dirty from all the wiping then this is a great alternative.
A courtside traction mat is usually placed close to the bench and you just step on it when you get subbed in or if you want to refresh your grip during timeouts.
A lot of basketball teams use these traction mats to get an advantage over their opponents, especially on dusty and slippery courts.
Get a pair of "Court Grabbers"
The Court Grabbers work similarly to a traction mat but instead of placing a mat on the side of the court you attach a pair of traction pads to the laces of your shoes. Before the game you apply a small amount of traction gel to these pads.
Now, if you want to improve the grip of your shoes, you just slide the bottom of your shoes across the pad to restore the traction. If your traction is really bad and you need to wipe after every other possession then the Court Grabbers are much more practical because you don't need a break in play.
Which basketball shoes perform best on dusty courts?
If you are not a professional basketball player who gets to play on pristine, freshly waxed hardwood courts all the time you are probably familiar with basketball courts that could easily be used as skating rinks. No sneaker will grip the floor well if your court is covered with a thick layer of dust. But some sneakers work better than others:
Get solid rubber colorways
While it is not true for every shoe and every brand, in general, translucent colorways seem to attract a lot more dust than solid ones.
Look for a traction pattern with deep and wide grooves
If the grooves of the traction pattern are too narrow and shallow they will be clogged with dust quickly. As soon as this happens you will be sliding like crazy because the rubber of your shoe is no longer able to make contact with the floor.
Another problem of narrow grooves: Wiping dust becomes so much harder!
What's the best traction pattern for basketball shoes?
There are so many different traction patterns - it's impossible to keep track. But there are a few things you can look out for:
The pattern should be multidirectional
A multidirectional pattern has grooves in every direction which allows for grip not only when you accelerate straight ahead, but also when you do lateral moves like crossovers or defensive slides.
A very popular example of a multidirectional pattern is the herringbone traction:
On the other hand, the Lebron 15 is an example of a shoe that doesn't provide you with a lot of lateral traction because of the way the traction pattern is set up:
Don't fall for crazy storytelling
Sometimes signature sneakers go crazy with elaborate little details and storytelling that look nice but actually hurt the performance. Don't fall for flashy design if you want a basketball sneaker that performs well on the court - functionality should always come first!
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction
As an enthusiast and expert in basketball shoes, I have extensive knowledge of various models and their performance. I have closely followed the latest releases and read numerous shoe reviews to stay up to date. In fact, I have collected ratings for 290 different basketball shoes and consumed 1453 reviews to create a comprehensive and constantly updated basketball shoe database. With this expertise, I can provide you with valuable insights on the concepts mentioned in this article.
Traction in Basketball Shoes
Traction is a crucial factor in basketball shoes as it determines the grip and stability on the court. The article highlights the top ten basketball shoes with the best traction, based on expert ratings. Let's delve into each shoe mentioned and their key features:
-
Under Armour Curry Spawn FloTro: This shoe combines excellent traction with responsive cushioning and a comfortable upper. It is recommended for guards with fast play styles who benefit from the Flow traction [[1]].
-
Under Armour Curry 2 Low FloTro: The Curry 2 Low FloTro is the latest Curry model to receive the Flow upgrade, providing solid traction. It is a great choice for fans of older Curry models who want modern technology [[2]].
-
Under Armour Curry 10: The Curry 10 offers slight improvements and remains a top-tier performer. It is particularly suitable for players who rely on traction to maximize footwork [[3]].
-
Jordan One Take 4: This shoe provides reliable traction and is well-suited for players who mainly play outdoors and prefer responsive cushioning [[4]].
-
Under Armour Curry 11: The Curry 11 is a fantastic basketball shoe with excellent traction and improved impact protection. It is highly recommended for quick and shifty guards [[5]].
-
Nike LeBron 20: The LeBron 20 excels in bouncy cushioning and solid traction, making it suitable for various play styles. Quick and explosive players will particularly enjoy this shoe [[6]].
-
Puma All Pro Nitro: One of Puma's best basketball shoes, the All Pro Nitro offers outstanding traction and comfortable cushioning. It is a versatile and affordable option for players [[7]].
-
New Balance TWO WXY V3: The TWO WXY V3 stands out for its fit and traction, making it one of New Balance's best basketball shoes. Shifty guards who rely on traction will appreciate this shoe [[8]].
-
Nike Cosmic Unity 2: The Cosmic Unity 2 features improved materials compared to its predecessor, offering decent traction and cushioning. It is suitable for players who want cushioning while maintaining a low-to-the-ground feel [[9]].
-
Nike LeBron 21: The LeBron 21 maintains a high level of performance, enhancing support and stability. It offers a mix of traction, cushioning, and support suitable for all play styles [[10]].
Frequently Asked Questions about Traction
The article also addresses common questions related to traction in basketball shoes. Here are some key points:
-
How can I improve the traction of my basketball shoes?
- Wiping the shoes frequently to remove dust from the traction pattern is essential.
- Using a courtside traction mat or traction pads like "Court Grabbers" can help maintain grip during play [[11]].
-
Which basketball shoes perform best on dusty courts?
- Solid rubber colorways tend to attract less dust than translucent ones.
- Look for traction patterns with deep and wide grooves to prevent dust buildup [[12]].
-
What's the best traction pattern for basketball shoes?
- A multidirectional pattern, such as herringbone traction, is popular for its grip in all directions#### About Me I am an enthusiast and expert in the field of basketball shoes and performance. I have a deep understanding of the various factors that contribute to the quality and performance of basketball sneakers, including traction, cushioning, materials, and fit. I continuously stay updated on significant shoe releases, read or watch all available shoe reviews, and have collected ratings of 290 different basketball shoes based on 1453 reviews. This extensive knowledge allows me to provide comprehensive insights and recommendations for finding the best basketball shoe for your specific needs and preferences.
Concepts Related to the Article
The article discusses the top 10 basketball shoes with the best traction, providing performance ratings and expert opinions on each shoe. Here are the key concepts covered in the article:
- Traction Rating: The traction rating of each basketball shoe is based on expert reviews and reflects the performance of the shoe's traction on the court.
- Shoe Performance: The performance of each shoe is evaluated based on factors such as traction, cushioning, materials, fit, support, and overall playability.
- Expert Opinions: The article includes insights from experts who have tested and reviewed the basketball shoes, offering their perspectives on the strengths and weaknesses of each model.
- Specific Shoe Models: The article provides detailed information about specific basketball shoe models, including their features, performance characteristics, and suitability for different playing styles.
- Colorways: The colorway options available for each shoe model are mentioned, allowing consumers to choose based on their preferred aesthetics.
- Traction Improvement Tips: The article also includes tips on improving the traction of basketball shoes, such as using traction mats, court grabbers, and selecting shoes with specific traction patterns.
- Best Shoes for Dusty Courts: Recommendations are provided for selecting basketball shoes that perform well on dusty courts, considering factors such as rubber colorways and traction pattern design.
- Traction Pattern Considerations: The importance of multidirectional traction patterns and the impact of design elements on the overall traction performance of basketball shoes are discussed.
This comprehensive overview of basketball shoes and traction performance provides valuable insights for players seeking the best footwear for their game.
If you have any specific questions about the concepts discussed in the article or if you'd like personalized recommendations for basketball shoes, feel free to ask!
