Basketball Shoes with the Best Traction - 2025

Every basketball player has dealt with shoes slipping on dusty courts! They constantly wipe the soles off with their hands, step on a wet towel, or do anything else to stop sliding all over the place.

Does each different basketball shoe have varying levels of court traction? What if the court isn't cleaned? Can I enhance the grip on my basketball shoes?

Let's dive in!

Which basketball shoes have the best traction?

Basketball shoes all have different levels of court traction! Things like the sole tread and weight along with the shoe's weight and width all play a part in gripping the court.

You'll consistently hear basketball players complain about Lamelo's and Curry's when it comes to traction! On the flip side, players will swear by GT Cuts and Harden's! For the most part, there isn't that big of a difference as they age.

The next, universal, complaint you'll hear is about overall court maintenance, or lack thereof. 

These plastic, drop-down, tile, sport courts are the biggest enemy of having good court traction.

Any AAU event typically means you're stuck playing on these courts that are never cleaned!

Before you go running out to buy new basketball shoes because the pair you just bought, "don't grip anymore", try this!

Tons of youth basketball players carry this stuff in their backpacks for this exact reason! You never know what the court you'll be playing on is going to be like. As you can see, the basketball shoes pick up dust and dirt and need to be cleaned! But cleaning them isn't always enough. Grip Spritz cleans and brings the traction back to your basketball shoes!

Players love it. It lasts all game. It's safe for the shoes. It makes the shoes feel brand new. And it's 1/10th the price of buying new shoes!