Getting the appropriate shoe to maintain your traction on the field of play can be a herculean task. Many variables such as the court’s surface, the rubber on the colorway, your playing style, and other factors play a role in determining which shoe can offer the optimal traction. Several models of high traction shoes exist in the market.

We have taken time to go through the online reviews, and based on some market indices; we came up with the best traction shoes for basketball. This is to save you the hard work of trying to research them yourself.

Best Traction Shoes

• Nike Air Zoom BB NXT: The traction rating of this footwear is 9.6. It is comfortable and offers high impact protection to players.
• Nike Kyrie Flytrap 2: The traction rating for this shoe is 9.5, and it is very affordable.
• Under Armour Curry 3Zero 3: The traction rating of this footwear is also 9.5. It is perfect for lightweight players.
• Nike KD Trey 5 VII: The traction rating for this footwear is 9.6. It has soft cushioning, which makes it very comfortable for players.
• Under Armour Curry 7: The traction rating for this shoe is 9.4, and it is very responsive.
• Nike Kobe AD NXT FastFit: The traction rating of this product, named after famous basketball player Kobe Bryant, is 9.4. It is the perfect choice for fast players.
• Nike Lebron Soldier 13: The traction rating of this shoe js 9.4, and it is an all-rounder in terms of performance.
• Puma Clyde Hardwood: The traction rating of this shoe is 9.3. It is responsive and minimal.
• Air Jordan 34: The traction rating for this shoe is 9.3. It is an all-rounder in terms of performance and happens to be the lightest Air Jordan.
• Nike Kyrie Low 2: The traction for this shoe is 9.2, and it is the best for narrow footers. The cushioning it top-notch.

How to Help Improve the Traction of Your Shoe

• Clean often: As the name suggests, you need to keep the traction patterns clean all the time. Get rid of dust that accumulates in between the patterns.
• Use Courtside Traction mats: This helps prevent you from stepping on the dusty ground when you leave the court during a sub.
• Use “Court Grabbers”: These work differently from the courtside mats though the goal is similar. It features a traction pad that you attach to the lace of your shoe. Whenever you feel like cleaning the sole of your shoes to improve traction, you slide the pad over the surface of the shoe. This is an excellent way of enhancing your traction because it doesn’t involve leaving the pitch.

Best Traction Shoe for A Dusty Court?

Except in professional leagues where play is on a waxed hardwood, most amateur players know what it feels like to play in a dusty court. The most challenging part of these courts is that it defies most traction shoes, and the dust forms a film between the surface of the shoe and the court, thereby reducing friction. There is no perfect shoe for this condition of play, but some work better than others.

Go for shoes where the traction pattern is broad and deep grooves: It is very easy for shoes with narrow patterns to retain dust and get clogged in a short time. Therefore, go for those with wide grooves.

The Best Pattern for Basketball Shoes?

There are several types of traction patterns suitable for different play conditions, but as a rule, you should look out for these.

It must be Multidirectional: A right traction shoe should be multidirectional to provide a firm grip when you are in forwarding, backward or lateral motion.

Wrap Up

As an athlete, the goal of playing in a basketball game is so that you are effectively positioned to produce positive results. Therefore, in for your choice of a shoe, the functionality should be your primary consideration before anything else.

There are many beautiful shoes available but with bad tractions. Do not fall for sweet talks and boring jargons you hear during adverts; armed with the knowledge from this article, go for the best traction shoe.