Are you looking for the best basketball shoes with traction?  Are you tired of slipping in your current pair of sneakers and instead are ready to bring you’re a game to the court?  IF this describes you, you are in the right place.

Imagine agreeing to a pickup game only to realize that your shoes won’t grip on the floor.  You’re not sure what to do or how to fix it, so you play the whole game slipping on the floor and unable to completely get your footing.  As you would imagine, your team loses. This is mainly because you lacked shoes with a good grip.

Don’t let this person be you. Having the right pair of shoes could elevate your game to entirely new heights.  If you are an athlete who loves basketball, this article will help you advance your game and look good doing it.

Not only will we provide you with information on some of the basketball shoes with a good grip, but we will also provide you with information on how traction works. If buying a new pair of sneakers is not in your budget right now, no sweat. We will also be giving tips on how to increase the traction in your current shoes as well as on the court.

Keep reading to find the latest information on basketball shoes with excellent traction and an abundance of other information you can use.

If you want to get back to playing basketball, get our top pick basketball shoes with traction here.

Our Favorites for the Best Basketball Shoes with Traction

Under Armour Spawn Low

Under Armour is one brand that can always be counted on to deliver a quality shoe. The Under Armour Spawn Low is a shoe known for its superior traction.  Outside of its traction benefits, the shoe also provides a comfortable fit.  This is a moderately priced shoe that looks to as good as it performs.

What Makes It Unique:

• The outside of the Spawn sneaker is constructed with traction control in mind. This control is specially essential when stopping.
• The underfoot of the shoe offers a curved underfoot design for added support and comfort.
• Thermoplastic is used on the toe cap for added strength.
• This low top shoe provides a snug fit and contours to your foot. The shoes also offer a Die-cut EVA sock liner for added support and comfort.

Why Choose this Best Traction Sneaker:

• Many purchasers love this shoe and rave that the traction is A1.  The shoes stick to the floor like glue.
• These shoes have great support.  They are incredibly breathable and comfortable.
• They fit true to size and have great support. The Under Armour Spawn Low low provides extended outsole wraps to increase traction and performance.
• Even with dirty floors, these shoes will provide A! traction.  Shoes can be slightly longer on foot, however, they are perfect for wide foot individuals.

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adidas Performance CrazyLight Boost Low

The adidas Performance CrazyLight Boost Low are shoes designed for stealth and speed. The Boost shoe has one of the most responsive cushions that Adidas offers. These are excellent shoes for making explosive movements.  The energy you exert is transferred back to you, resulting in the most explosive movements.

What Makes It Unique:

• The Boost offers a foam-filled Achilles for added comfort and support.
• The adidas Performance CrazyLight Boost Low boasts a TPU wrap for stability and support for big side to side movements.
• The upper area of the shoe is mesh. This allows for breathability and increased airflow through the shoe.
• The heel cap offers the three-stripe design on the back of the shoe for style.

Why Choose this Best Traction Sneaker:

• This shoe is not only affordable but heavily recommend. It offers excellent traction and a snug fit.  The adidas Performance CrazyLight Boost Low has an impeccable relationship between cushion and bounce.
• These shoes have grip for days while still offering fantastic comfort and arch support.  Customers continuously rave about this basketball shoe’s grip on the hard-indoor floors.
• This shoe is a fantastic addition to any sneaker collection. They are durable and built to last.
• Athletes agree that this shoe performs better when sizing down by a half size.  However, if you have a wider foot, your true size will be perfect.

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The Runner-Ups for the Best Basketball Shoes with Traction

Nike Lebron Soldier 13 SFG

If you are looking for shoes with excellent traction, these are it. The Nike Lebron Soldier 13 SFG are meant to bring out the inner monster in you. Play like never before with these sneakers.  LeBron is consistently aiming to provide consumers with a shoe that will enhance their skills and fine-tune them like never before. This shoe does just that and more.

What Makes It Unique:

• These shoes boast a strap system, rather than traditional laces to keep your ankle stable in gameplay and the bonus of reducing the worry of untied laces.
• The Nike Lebron Soldier 13 SFG come with cushioning tested specifically by LeBron James for durability.
• The Soldiers also have the Zoom Air units for maximum comfort and support.  They respond quickly when jumping or running during gameplay.
• The intricate sole tread pattern provides traction on an abundance of surfaces.
• Straps crisscross to keep feet locked in and secure at all times during gameplay.

Why Choose this Best Traction Sneaker:

• The shoes are lightweight yet massively supportive. The shoes conform to your feet.
• The shoes are not only profoundly functional but incredibly stylish.
• The shoe offers flexible cushioning while be easy to get on and off.  This is due in part to the flexible inner sleeve collar.
• The outsole of the shoe also provides a herringbone traction pattern.

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Nike Hyperdunk 2016 Low

The Nike Hyperdunk 2016 is a stable shoe that builds on the failures of the 2015 version.  This is an excellent option if you’re looking for something with great traction and comfort.

What Makes It Unique:

• The Nike Hyperdunk 2016 Low feature zoom cushioning, which allows explosive takeoffs and soft landings.
• The upper parts of the shoe are meshed to allow maximum breathability.  The shoes offer an excellent fit. You don’t have to lace them too tight to feel locked in.
• This shoe ditches the herringbone method for a new blade-like design. This is a better pattern for durability and makes the traction feel more consistent.
• These shoes are suitable for indoors as the zoom windows make it hazardous for outdoor play.

Why Choose this Best Traction Sneaker:

• Besides offering excellent traction and fit, these shoes marked the return of the zoom cushions, which give players the Boost they need.
• These may be a little pricey, but they are worth the price.  The padding around the ankle perfectly envelopes the foot and wraps the ankle.
• The shoe has a broad base, midfoot shank, and a stable collar. Though a low cut the shoe offers boot like support.

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The Value Picks for the Best Basketball Shoes with Traction

Under Armour Curry 7

Under Armour is consistently able to deliver a shoe that checks all the boxes for traction, fit, style and performance. The Curry 7, though a bit pricey, is an excellent option if you are looking for a high-performance shoe that will aid in enhancing your game. This is one of the best traction basketball shoes for dusty courts.

What Makes It Unique:

• The shoe features a foam-padded heel and collar.  This adds comfort and support for your collar to ensure that even with all that ankle-breaking movement, you are not hurting your ankle.
• The Micro G cushioning technology is used in the Curry 7 to aid in making movements explosive.  When used in conjunction with the UA HOVR technology, your energy is returned right back to you.
• On the rubber outsole, you will find a herringbone pattern.  This pattern is used to not only provide better traction but increase grip and floor control.

Why Choose this Best Traction Sneaker:

• Athletes say that the traction on these shoes is impeccable.  Your footwear is still able to cut through dirt and stand up to the challenge of dirty indoor courts.  You won’t find any issues with defending, cutting, or planting in these shoes at all.
• Curry 7 provides more heel support than prior Curry editions, and materials have also been enhanced in this shoe as well. The rubber on the shoes allows them to be extremely durable, and lace hoops have even been improved from previous versions.
• Though the shoes fit true to size, they have excellent ankle support, even if you can’t tell by looking at them.
• The shoes are provided in several colorways and options for enhanced style.

adidas Crazy Explosives

adidas Crazy Explosives genuinely live up to their name, offering excellent traction, stylish designs, and crazy cushioning. When put to the test, these shoes always perform.  The shoe was initially released in 2016 but is still being hailed as a show with excellent traction and grip on indoor courts.

What Makes It Unique:

• The soles of the shoes offer a unique pattern, intricate for increased traction.  This traction pattern is referred to as a coral pattern, whereas many have likened it to an ant farm.
• The upper shoe takes on a bootie shaped with a prime knit wave pattern.
• The crazy explosive shoe fits like a glove and is friendly, even for wide feet.  No matter how big or small you are, this shoe is one for the books. It features an inner bootie for comfort and fit.
• The adidas Crazy Explosives has windows in the sole to easily see cushioning as well as a TPU outer midsole wrap.

Why Choose this Best Traction Sneaker:

• Even on dirty hardwood floors, these shoes still perform. However, on a clean floor, these shoes still stick like glue.
• Some players say that the TPU holds everything together while the shoes give them the Boost they need.  Players rave that the shoes make their crosses sharper, offer incredible ankle and knee support as well as making movements more explosive.
• The adidas Crazy Explosives fit true to size and feel great on your feet. They are incredibly light and ready for gameplay. If you are someone who needs arch support, you will fill greatly supported and comfortable.
• Some players found that in the shoes, their feet sweated profusely while others did not.  Even still, they raved that these were the best basketball shoes they had ever worn.
• Overall this is a stable shoe.  It is expertly constructed and provides excellent bounce to its wearers.

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FAQ on Basketball Shoes with Traction

Why do Basketball Shoes get Slippery?

Before you can adequately understand how to ensure your shoes have excellent traction, you should understand why they get slippery in the first place.  There are several things which can make your basketball shoes slippery. However, this ultimately comes from the dirt or debris on the court.

It’s easy for indoor courts to become slippery and even easier for your shoes.  Shoes become slippery when they are covered with dust. Even the slightest layer of dust can make your shoes slippery against the court.  Therefore, it’s essential to do things to get more traction on your shoes. This helps you to not only avoid injury but play your best game possible.

How Can You Get More Traction on Your Basketball Shoes?

Though the ultimate way to combat shoes without traction is to replace them, there are several ways you can work to improve traction on your basketball shoes. These methods include the following:

Use traction or grip lotion.  Grip lotions or sticky mats provide players with an additional amount of stickiness.  Sticky mats are used right before you are about to step on the basketball court. You step on them right before a game to increase your traction.  These mats have disposable adhesive sheets adherd to a large base so that they can be easily stepped on. The sheet is used until it becomes dirty and full of dust.  The matt grabs the dirt from your soles to ensure they are clean when stepping on the game floor. Grip lotions are similar; however, instead, they are poured onto a towel.

Once they are poured onto the towel, the player will step onto the towel with the shoes they are looking to enhance the grip on.  Hairspray can also be sprayed on the bottoms of the shoes for added traction. One important thing to note is that when agents are used to increase the stickiness to the floor, it will also increase the rate at which dirt will stick to your shoes.

Wipe your shoes with a damp cloth.  A damp cloth can help players when they start becoming slick.  If you are sitting on the sidelines, this is the perfect time to run a damp cloth over your shoes when you feel that they are becoming slick.  The same effect can be achieved on the court by licking your hand or using your sweat to wipe on the bottom of your shoes.

Replace your shoes.  Sometimes when the traction on your shoes is so low that the sole is wearing, it is merely time for a replacement.  Over time these treads will wear down, and when they are gone, it is nothing you can do to get them back.

Are There Other Ways to Improve Traction Aside from Your Shoes?

It is easy for indoor floors to become slippery and throw off your game.  One of the best ways to increase traction on your basketball shoes without directly changing your shoes is to ensure your court is swept regularly and free from dust and debris.  Keeping the court clean is one of the surefire ways to ensure you get an excellent grip on the floor without slippage.

Can you Restore the Traction on Basketball Shoes?

Let’s face it, if you are wearing a pair of worn-out basketball shoes, the odds of you being able to restore traction to these shoes is slim to none.  Though you may use mats, lotions, sticking agents, or wipe your shoes every few minutes, these fixes will only be temporary, and if your shoes are really bad, some may not even work at all.  These agents work well with shoes with consistent treads that are in an excellent overall condition.

What Differences are There for Traction Playing Basketball Indoors vs. Outdoors?

There are some vital differences when playing indoors versus outdoors.  One significant difference with this is traction. Different surfaces provide a different level of traction, and different shoes should also be used on both surfaces.  Indoor and outdoor shoes have differences between their sole and how they are constructed to provide traction.

When playing outdoors, you need to be able to fight against the changing atmosphere as climates and circumstances are not controlled as they would be indoors.  When playing basketball outdoors, your shoe should be compromised of material that is harder and more durable for wear and tear. This generally includes materials like rubber or polyester, while great indoor shoes are typically made of leather.

Indoor shoes have softer treads that allow them to bend easily, and treads can be found on the heel and toe.  This pattern will not work well for outdoor shoes as they will cause you to slip multiple times. Shoes built for the outdoors have patterns that will cover the entire soul as well as tougher treads.  Adding treads on the outer soles will increase the basketball shoe grip.

How to Compare Traction Patterns on Shoes

AS you come across different shoes, each one will have a different traction pattern.  The traction pattern can majorly determine how much grip you will get on your shoes. It will also make or break how they perform on the court. There are a large number of factors that must go into play when comparing the traction of shoes.

Though traction is not a visual stimulate, it makes a big difference in a shoe’s overall performance.  Some traction patterns are used so often that many players are aware of the possibilities that the shoe has by this alone.  This includes patterns like traditional herringbone designs. These include multi-directional patterns, wave bone, and even broken herringbone.  The multi-directional pattern is set wide — this aids in stopping dust collection.

Traction can be evaluated by the amount that you are slipping.  If a pattern is causing a lot of slipping, it is not the pattern you should be wearing.  Slippage is the easiest way to evaluate if the traction pattern is good or not. You cannot merely judge a design by its looks.  Shoes like the Kobe 9 will surprise you if you attempt to.

Leaning towards a herringbone pattern is a surefire way to ensure you get excellent traction on your shoes.  However, one hidden gem to ensuring the herringbone design does what it needs to, is the rubber compound. If a superb rubber compound is paired with an A1 design, you have a great show on your hands.

How to Choose the Best Basketball Shoes with Traction for You

Choosing the best indoor basketball shoes can be hard, but It is certainly doable.  All it takes is a little effort and research on your part to choose the best footwear from you.  Use the list of questions below to begin determining what the best basketball shoes are for you.

How much am I looking to spend?

Before you begin to search, you will need to understand how much you are willing to spend.  Basketball shoes tend to be slightly pricey, therefore understanding your price point is essential.  As you begin to find shoes that offer more comfort, cushion, and support, you will notice that the price point for these shoes steadily increases.

Am I picking the right traction patterns? Pay attention to the traction pattern on the shoe. 

Traction patterns with deep, wide grooves tend to provide the best traction on indoor courts.  If the grooves are small and narrow, they can easily be clogged and hold on to collections of dirt.  This pattern will ensure that you are sliding like crazy, and picking a full flat pattern will help. Wiping the dust from narrow grooves is extremely hard.

What patterns do I know to offer excellent traction?

Several patterns provide exceptional traction.  These patterns include a multi-directional herringbone pattern.  A flashy pattern is not always the best to choose when looking into new designs.  Though it may look nice, it can be tragic for performance. No matter the style, if the shoe is not functional, it is a wash.

What other ailments will I need to combat?

Aside from ensuring that traction is up to par, you must also take into account any current ailments to may need to be mindful of when choosing a shoe.  This can include flat feet, wide feet, or low arches. You should also find shoes that will give you maximum ankle stability.

Summary of the Best Basketball Shoes with Traction

Wrapping everything up, here are the best basketball shoes with traction we went over today:

Overall, excellent traction is needed to ensure that you can play at your fullest potential.  There are several shoes on this list with excellent grip and designs. They are not only stylish but massively functional; with this in mind, shoe sole design goes a long way.

Shoes like the Under Armour Spawn Low are known for their excellent traction and stylish design.  A thermoplastic toe cap is used for increased strength, and the shoe provides a snug fit for wearers.  Another excellent traction option is the Adidas Crazylight Boost. The Boost is an affordable option for any athlete and offers crazy comfort and stability.

If you don’t see something on the list that you like, no sweat, we have provided you with the tips you need for choosing a supportive shoe as well as things you can do to increase the traction on your old sneakers. It’s important to remember that you can’t simply know that a shoe has excellent traction by just looking at it.  To get a true reading, you must practice in the shoe and see how much slippage you have.

We are sure that the perfect shoe for you is out there and ready to be discovered.  Use this article for help with your traction issues and if you’re still stuck on which shoe to purchase.  Happy hunting!

If you found this post helpful, check out our other basketball shoe reviews here.

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> The Best Extra Wide Basketball Shoes

> The Best Women’s Basketball Shoes