Ten Basketball Shoes Everyone Must Own

There has only been one shoe capable of competing with the Nike Dunk over the past few years, and it is the New Balance 550. The old-school hoop shoe debuted in 1989 and made its mark on basketball courts from coast to coast. 

After its initial run, the 550 was filed away in the archives before being reintroduced in limited-edition releases in late 2020 and returned to the full-time lineup in 2021. The 550s have been the shoe of choice for most New Balance-sponsored NBA players when they are not on the court.

It is hard to go wrong with a low-top leather hoop shoe. It is impossible to miss when it has a very affordable retail price of $120. Fans of the 550 can choose between several colorways on New Balance's website.

Following the success of the 550, it was only fitting that New Balance introduce the shoes' high-top counterpart, the New Balance 650. True to its 1980s roots, the New Balance 650 offers supportive features with epic proportions.

The classic model features a leather upper bolstered with a puff and stitch collar for a subtle reinterpretation of molded foam construction. Many sneakerheads see the 650 as the Boston-based brand's answer to the Air Jordan 1.

However, the 650 can stand on its own merit and does not need comparisons. It is capable of being worn in almost any situation and has a shopper-friendly retail price of $140 on New Balance's website.

When discussing basketball footwear, the conversation always begins and ends with Michael Jordan's iconic Air Jordan sneaker line. The Air Jordan 1 low is inspired by the original that debuted in 1985 and offers a clean, classic look that's recognizable but always fresh. 

The low-cut shoes feature a leather upper and encapsulated Air-sole unit for lightweight cushioning. Thanks to its timeless design, the Air Jordan 1 can be worn year-round and with any outfit.

Online shoppers can choose between a multitude of colorways and different versions of the Air Jordan 1 Low for $110 on Nike's website.

The Air Jordan 1 Mid does not get the respect it deserves. Often overlooked for the low-cut or high-top version, the Air Jordan 1 Mid is the closest replica we have to what Jordan actually wore on the court.

The legendary sneaker should be a staple in everyone's wardrobe. Thanks to its sleek design, the Air Jordan 1 can be dressed up or down. It is one of the few footwear options that does the talking for you.

The shoe comes in several colorways, which feature a real and synthetic leather upper. Additionally, the Air-sole unit helps keep you comfortable and light on your feet. Fans can buy the Air Jordan 1 Mid for $125 on Nike's website.

Jordan's second signature shoe was sandwiched between some absolute classic sneakers. However, the Air Jordan 2 has aged like fine wine. Over the past couple of years, we have seen athletes and rappers remained fans of what they have been missing.

The luxurious sneaker features faux lizard skin, sleek lines, and no Swoosh logo to keep the minimalist elegance and refined look of the original. The Air Jordan 2 may be on the bench for some people, but its still capable of doing numbers with any outfit.

Unfortunately for fans of the iconic model, its releases are few and far between. Luckily, real sneakerheads can purchase the Air Jordan 2 in a clean white and green colorway for $175 on Nike's website.

It is impossible to see the Air Jordan 5 and not think of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. It is a truly-90s shoe that is perfect for hoop fans, trendsetters, and everyone who just longs for the past.

Jordan's fifth signature shoe was the last model before "MJ" and the Chicago Bulls started racking up championships every summer. Although Jordan didn't win any rings in the Air Jordan 5, the shoe is deserving of all the accolades.

The Air Jordan 5 'Aqua' features a black suede upper, metallic silver detailing, and eye-catching aqua accents throughout the shoe. Fans can purchase Jordan's fifth signature shoe for $175 on Nike's website.

When the Air Jordan 7 was released in 1992, Jordan had begun transcending the sport and becoming a global icon. Thanks to the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, Jordan made sneaker history with the Dream Team.

Since Jordan took basketball global in the early 1990s, we have seen the Air Jordan 7 take flight whenever the culture needs a heavy dosage of nostalgia. Trust us, the model still does the job.

The latest installment of Jordan's seventh signature shoe comes in a clean colorway featuring a white upper, navy outsole, and cardinal detailing. Fans can purchase the Air Jordan 7 'Cardinal' for $210 on Nike's website.

Not every hoop shoe has to be a blast from the past. Nike is still putting out some serious heat with its current performance models. LeBron James' 20th signature shoe has enjoyed critical acclaim from athletes and fans thanks to its on-court performance and off-court versatility.

James and his two sons played in the unreleased basketball shoes all of last summer and drove sneakerheads wild with speculation. Luckily for everyone, the low-cut shoes have lived up to the hype.

The Nike LeBron 20 launched in September 2022 and dropped several exciting colorways that pay homage to arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. Fans of "King James" can purchase the Nike LeBron 20 for $200 on Nike's website.

One of the most underrated basketball shoes on the market is the Nike Zoom Freak 4. The fourth installment in the signature sneaker line of Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the shoe of choice for many NBA players.

The Nike Zoom Freak 4 features tilted cushioning and a hollowed-out midsole to propel players forward on the court. Antetokounmpo is the most powerful player in the NBA, and Nike's cutting-edge technology is able to harness his velocity with these performance models.

Even better for us, the performance basketball shoe has dropped in several fun colorways. Frugal shoppers can purchase the Nike Zoom Freak 4 at a discount in most colorways on Nike's website.

Last season was all about Stephen Curry. The Golden State Warriors point guard became the league's all-time best three-point shooter, All-Star Game MVP, and NBA Finals MVP.

Since the release of the Curry Flow 10 in September 2022, Curry Brand has released several exciting colorways that celebrate Curry's success. We have seen rare collaborations and exciting general releases that spread the love.

It also does not hurt that the performance shoes do not miss on the court. Curry's tenth signature model feels like a running shoe with the support of a basketball shoe. Fans can purchase the Curry Flow 10 for $160 on the Curry Brand website.