1. Caitlin 1

   It's so good I have no notes. Game changer!

2. Ja 3

   Another 10/10 in my opinion. Some colorways were fire and some... pretty ugly imo. Every one of them sold out. Noticeably awesome traction. Don't know how Ja has nearly thrown his career away and has the hottest shoe in the league but here we are.

3. Sabrina 3

   Easiest sell of all time. The backbone of girls basketball this shoe. Tons of volleyball players wearing both these and Ja's as well but mostly Sabrinas. Probably the easiest shoe on the eye, easily agreeably yet still unique. Closest thing to Kobes on the market. Truly one of the all time great shoes.

4. Giannis Immortality 5

   So this is not Giannis actual signature line but I have to shout out the Immortalitys because they are almost as easy a sell as the Sabrinas as they are budget friendly. Anyone who asks for hoop shoes that won't break the bank, I get them Immortalitys and they walk out happy.

5. Mb.05

   I don't even know what to say here. Congrats to Puma, the people love these

*very significant drop off

1. Sabrina 4

   Can't imagine this will be close to as successful as the Sabrina 3. But it's gonna be the #1 for girls

2. Tatum 4

   To be clear, not one person has ever come in asking for Tatums. They're usually people with no clue who's who and asks for the most simple looking Jordans. They seem to be a comfy, well rounded shoe.

3. KD19

   So I think this shoe is going to age well. It's very different. But this is a very very easy shoe to walk by and say yea.. no thanks. So bulky, so just different. Gonna be a big big downgrade in sales from the KD18 which was last years most popular NBA shoe.

4. Luka 5

   Same exact deal as the Tatums. Tbh I've never tried either on but the Tatums seem more comfortable.

5. Anta Kai

   Literally the exact opposite of Jordans. People come in looking specifically for these. In pickup games you'll see some niiiice players in the Kais.

6. A'two

   I'm unsure about these. The A'one wouldve been in the top 5 of this list- probably the (yea imma say it) prettiest hoop shoe ive ever seen. The A'two looks little bulkier but who knows could be great to hoop in. A'ja has one of the best logos IMO.

7. Shai 1

   More of like a collectors thing, I think? These can be worn off the court more so than any other shoe here. I thought they'd be much more popular tbh.

8. Harden 10

   Basically the adidas version of the KDs. They look pretty cool. But I bought two pairs of the Harden vol 1s because of how nice they looked and I swore off adidas hoops forever because of how bad the traction was. Maybe I should let that grudge expire

9. Fox 3

   Definitely the worst player on this list, but Under Armour did a good job with this shoe. It looks nice and doesn't do too much.

10. Lebron 23

    Would be like #3 based on looks and feel but some idiot decided to sell these in a box in a bag in a box in a suitcase and nobody could figure out how to try them on. A stockroom's worst nightmare.

11. Don 8

    Underrated shoe IMO. Again the whole Adidas thing but looks pretty nice.

12. Angel 1

    Whatever

13. Book 2

    I hate this shoe with everything in me. If you come to get Nike hoop shoes and walk out with Books.. I got some questions.

14. Hali 1

    Sorry tyrese try again

Undetermined: AE3, Tatum 5, Ja 4, Melo 6, LeBron 24, Maxey 1

And yes I know theres more but these are the ones on shelves. Popularity is different for online orders as well. People have been ordering KDs but next to nobody shopping in person is asking for them

Have just bought GT cut 1s the Harpers, Love the look of them so, Only thing is I am told by podiatrist to wear orthotics due to my peroneal/posterior tendon pain on one ankle. Obviously done some research and cannot use orthotic insoles in the GT cut 1s. Have anyone experienced anything similar? Will the react insoles break in eventually to the shape of my foot?

Could you have suggestions for shoes which would fit me the best

My foot measurements are 26.8 cm lenght and 10.5 cm width

I usually get 9.5 US size in Nike, but they are too narrow most of time, but lenght wise I cant go with 10 US because too much room lenght wise

Recenlty got CC1s in 9.5 mens but the width is too narrow, midfoot is the widest part for me

Do you have any suggestions I prefer lightweight shoes with good lateral support and traction

Brand-wise: Nike, Jordan, NB, could try some chaina brands as well

I am 186 cm and 87kg returning from knee injury

With the Anta KT 10, the Way of Wade 12, and the 361 Joker 1 GT, my rotation should be all set.

And to be honest, I only play indoors 2-3 times a week, so I don’t really need 3 pairs… 🤷‍♂️🤣

All three models provide excellent traction and good impact protection without being heavy. In terms of relative strengths, the Joker 1 GT is plushier, the WOW 12 is nimbler and the KT 10 is super stable.

Happy to answer questions about these “bangers.”

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone knew some great basketball shoes mainly outdoor for plantar fascitis. I’ve been playing basketball for years but until recently, no matter the shoe, my right foot hurts within 5 minutes of playing since my feet are flat. I was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for wide feet/plantar fascitis with enough ankle support and movement for a shifty guard. I like to move around a lot and be confident in my footwork with any shoe. I like a lot of ankle support and something that secured my feet.

I appreciate all the help in advance! Thanks.

Ive been looking to get a pair of Lining Gamma 2 Infinity, but couldn't find them on Amazon or AE. So I checked out a few websites that specialize in Chinese sneakers and put together a quick comparison. Just a headsup, all the prices and size availability below are specifically for the Gamma 2 Infinity in US9.

KICKSOWN:

Kicksown mainly sells basketball and running shoes, including brands like Lining, Anta, and 361°, but you will also find Nike, Adidas, Puma, and plenty of other brands. The Gamma 2 Infinity in US 9 is $324, with sizes ranging from US 6.5 to 15. US 14 is listed separately. It ships internationally, with free standard shipping on orders over $99 and a $6.99 fee for orders below that amount. Returns are generally accepted within 7 days of delivery. EU customers have a separate 14 day withdrawal period. For regular personal returns, a 15% processing and restocking fee may apply, along with return shipping costs. If you're ordering from the EU, check the specific EU return policy for the applicable terms.

VJsneaker:

VJsneaker focuses on Chinese sports shoes, mainly basketball and running models. The Gamma 2 Infinity in US 9 costs $365, and available sizes range from US 6.5 to 15, except US 14. Shipping is listed as free, with an estimated delivery time of 7–14 days. Some remote areas may require an additional shipping fee. You get a 30 days return window, but keep in mind that personal returns come with a 5% processing fee plus a $35 restocking fee per order. You will also have to cover return shipping. I also noticed that Malik Monk is working with vjsneaker.

ChinaSportShop:

Chinasportshop sells Chinese sports shoes, with a wider selection of running shoes than basketball shoes based on what I could find. It has some Lining Gamma models, but I couldnt find the Gamma 2 series. The site advertises free shipping on orders over $150. For international orders, you can choose from shipping services like EMS, FedEx, and DHL, with costs and delivery estimates shown at checkout. The return policy is a bit unclear: its shipping and return page says items must arrive back within 7 days of delivery, but its customer service page lists a 30 days return window. You'll generally have to pay return shipping yourself unless the item is faulty or the wrong one was sent, and the original shipping fee isnt refundable. Id check with customer service to confirm the applicable return window before ordering.

Shopnings:

Shopnings covers a wider range of sports, including basketball, table tennis, running, and badminton. Besides shoes, it also sells apparel, equipment, and even signed athlete photos. It lists some Gamma 2 models through its puchasing service, so you'll need to email them to check the current price and whether your size is available. Not everything on the site uses this service, though. Orders over $99.99 after discounts qualify for free standard airmail, while other shipping options are priced at checkout. Returns are accepted within 14 days, but you'll generally need to pay return shipping, and the original shipping fee isn't refundable. If you receive a faulty or incorrect item, make sure to report it with photos within 7 days of delivery.

WOWSOOLE:

Wowsole specializes in Lining and wow shoes, especially limited edition basketball releases. The Gamma 2 Infinity in US 9 is listed at $369. It ships internationally, with express delivery estimated at 7-9 business days, and a free sea shipping taking around 40-60 business days. One thing to watch out for is that wowsole doesnt accept returns or exchanges on certain items, including special releases like the Gamma 2 Infinity. So double checking whether that policy applies to the pair you are ordering, and make sure you get the right size. Overall, each site has its pros and cons. Taobao is also worth checking out, but the listed price doesnt tell the whole story. International shipping, the difficulty of buying from overseas, and potential return or after sales costs can all add up, so it isnt necessarily the cheapest option once everything is factored in. Id compare the final cost and return conditions before deciding where to buy.

So has anyone here bought from these sites or Taobao? How was your experience?

So I just got a pair of Nike kybrid s2s (which use the Kyrie 4 traction pattern) and keep slipping and sliding in them. I heard that I need to break in the traction by wearing off little nubs on the traction pattern. I really need some help because I really want to play in these shoes, but I just don’t trust them enough to play hard in them.

Please tell me how I can wear off the “nubs” on the traction pattern, while hopefully not destroying the whole traction pattern

If you have a personal method that worked well please tell me too

Thoughts on these 2 pairs for game ball? Cant decide which one to get. Has anyone tried them the CC 1s on court?

I’ve traditionally been a Nike guy (Kobes, PG, LeBrons, Books) and dabbled with Adidas and UE. Some friends recently were raving about Li Nings and WoW and are encouraging me to get some. They aren’t cheap in Canada so wanted to get some more intel and real life opinions before I decide.

How do you find them compared to the traditional brands? Are they worth the price and tech? Reviewers online seem to like them a lot too but I’m not a huge fan of the aesthetics. Considering the new curry’s next year when they release potentially. Thanks!

I've spent a lot of time playing in the Kobe Protro line, and figured I'd share my personal rankings.

I'm ranking these based off of traction, cushioning, support, fit, court feel, and durability. I'm not factoring in looks. You can check out a full review of every model at Sole-Standard.com when we launch at the end of the month.

I've also included a preview of my HoopGrade scores. The full scores and category breakdowns will also be available when the site launches.

For context, I'm using a 7.0 to represent average performance. Anything above a 7.0 is considered a good shoe, while scores in the 8s represent some of the best performers out there. scores in the 9.0-10 range are near perfect basketball shoes. Scores below 7.0 indicate increasingly significant performance compromises.

Now, here's how I'd rank all the Kobe Protros:

1. Kobe 6 Protro
HoopGrade: 8.X/10

My favorite of the bunch. The combination of traction, court feel, and overall performance is hard to beat. They aren't perfect, especially as the cushioning and support start to wear down, but it's the most complete package for me.

2. Kobe 10 Protro
HoopGrade: Pending

I'm still in the process of testing these, but so far, they've had my favorite implementation of Zoom Strobel that Nike has ever done. I'm usually not a fan of the setup, but the cushioning setup feels fantastic in these. I've really enjoyed playing in them. That being said, the shoe definitely isn't without its flaws. A Full review will be coming with the launch of Sole-Standard.com.

3. Kobe 4 Protro
HoopGrade: 8.X/10

One of the best in the line from a support and stability standpoint. The traction can be a tad inconsistent and the forefoot cushioning leaves something to be desired, but it's still a really solid performer.

4. Kobe 5 Protro
HoopGrade: 7.X/10

A great one-to-one fit and a fantastic overall playing experience. My biggest issues have been the cushioning bottoming out and the support becoming less reliable over time, particularly torsional support.

I actually broke my foot playing in these back in 2023, so there may be some bias here. Prior to that though, these were actually my favorite shoe to play in.

5. Kobe 1 Protro
HoopGrade: 7.X/10

The Kobe 1 Protro is noticeably different from the rest of the Kobe Protro line. It doesn't have the same lightweight, quick, and responsive feel that most people associate with Kobe shoes. It's a heavier shoe built to provide solid all-around performance rather than prioritizing quickness or explosiveness. As a result, it's not a shoe I reach for very often. But whenever I do, I'm reminded that it's still a very capable performer.

6. Kobe 11 EM Protro
HoopGrade: 7.X/10

Good traction, excellent court feel, and a comfortable ride. The lack of substantial midfoot support and some heel containment concerns keep it from ranking higher.

7. Kobe 9 EM Protro
HoopGrade: 7.X/10

Very good traction, but I wasn't a huge fan of the cushioning or heel-to-toe transition. The shoe feels a little clunkier than I'd like, especially compared to some of the models above it.

8. Kobe 9 Elite Protro
HoopGrade: 7.X/10

The forefoot fit is more forgiving than the EM, which I definitely appreciate. Unfortunately, the carbon fiber heel clips make the heel-to-toe transition feel even clunkier. The shoe just doesn't move as naturally as I'd like, and that outweighs the improvement in fit for me.

9. Kobe 8 Protro
HoopGrade: 7.X/10

One of my biggest disappointments. The traction is good, but I really dislike the cushioning setup. It feels like a brick underfoot, and the heel-to-toe transition isn't particularly smooth. I wanted to like these a lot more than I did. A fairly average shoe.

10. Kobe 3 Protro (High and Low)
HoopGrade: 6.X/10

Near the bottom of my list, although I know some people really love these. Both versions of the shoe are too heavy and clunky in my opinion. The highs also feel too restrictive, while the lows don't provide enough lockdown. If you're planning to get these just get the Kobe 1s.

11. Kobe 11 Elite Protro
HoopGrade: 3.X/10

My least favorite of the group. The traction requires constant wiping, the upper doesn't provide any lockdown whatsoever, and the overall support leaves a lot to be desired. Just too many compromises for me.

Hey Guys,​I'm trying to decide between the Nike GT Cut 1 and the 361 Joker 2 GT.

​If you've played in either (or both), which one would you pick for overall on-court performance, traction, and cushioning? Are the GT Cut 1s still worth the hype/price today, or is the Joker 2 GT the better buy?

​Let me know your thoughts!

Pros:

- Wide lateral outrigger

- Stability

- Torsion system (isoplate) gives you that spring back

- Outsole durability (very hard outsole and outdoor friendly)

- Lockdown system (gives you options, two upper eyelets)

Cons

- Needs a lot of break-in. Upper materials can be stiff (can be both a pro and a con because a stiffer upper material can help with lateral movement support). Really hurted my toes the first time I played in these but got better over time.

- Narrow fit. These shoes gives a slight "banana"-shaped last.

- Short laces. This shoe gives you two upper eyelets, but the laces are so short that I can only lace up to only one of them. If you try to lace the last two eyelets, the shoelaces will be too short and cannot be tied to a knot.

No category: I put the cushioning in the "no catergory" because cushioning can be subjective. This shoe has no Air Zoom Unit. It uses Cushlon 3.0 but it's very caged. Only the medial-side of your forefoot is the Cushlon exposed.

These shoes are very responsive.

Also in the "no catergory" is traction. Traction can be inconsistent. The first time I played in these indoors it was slippery but got better over time. Probably needed to be broken in.

Overview: These shoes give you that very low-to-the-ground responsive cushioning while providing great stability because of it's wide outrigger and torsion system. These shoes are good for players who are extremely shifty. The upper materials can be stiff and your toes might hurt after a while, but that stiff material is good when changing lateral directions. It doesn't feel like your feet is going to fall "out" of your shoe. The lockdown system can be improved with longer laces. The cushioning is responsive, which can be both a pro and a con because responsive cushioning can be stiff and hurt your feet after a while, BUT it's good for shiftyness.

Summary: Shoe is stiff but supportive for shifty players.

Rating: 8/10

For context im a 6'1 wing 180lbs i like to drive and stop for quick pullups. I previously really liked the giannis immortality 4s overall traction, comfort and lockdown also really liked the jordan 38 but has issues with durability. Traction is important but dosent have to be insane, lock down must be good and a mix of cushion but court feel as well. Going to return my tatum 4s as i found them to be to flimsy and then buy a new pair. Currently looking at gt cut 1s, kobe x protro, sabrina 4s, and cc1s.

i'm 14y 5'8 60kg wing/forward. i play outdoor everyday and indoor one day for school team practice. i'm looking at kobe6, kobe5, kobe8, and gtcut1s are there other shoes with lower pricd but similar performance?

Hey y’all. I’ve recently got back into basketball and have been playing casually at the local rec & outdoor courts. Since I’ve started playing again, the type of shoes I want have changed.
I used to not really care and could wear any hoop shoe but now I have a few requirements, and also need help with sizing.

-As close to a 10/10 court feel as possible. Im ok with sacrificing cushion / bounce / impact protection
-As close to a 10/10 lockdown as possible- I want the shoe to squeeze as tight as possible (without causing injury of course) I want no dead space on the sides and the least amount possible in the toe box. Call me weird but I sort of like that feeling of squeezing into a shoe that’s half a size too small.
-Bonus points for great traction and decent enough ankle roll prevention but these aren’t
requirements if I can tick my other two boxes

Now this is where my weird ahh feet come into play. I’ve measured the best I can at home and I believe my barefoot is 24.5cm long and 9.5cm wide. Im not sure if this is considered wide for the length (I’ve been told it’s a bit weird) When I wear a US8 in the Sabrina 4s I absolutely love the lockdown and I don’t think I could go down anymore, but I’m left with about 2cm of dead space in the toe box which is too much for me.

I really wanted to order some of the og Nike kyrie 2s (with the strap) and Nike kyrie 3s but after looking it up, im not sure my feet are good for those type of shoes, even if I want that vice grip.

Any help on sizing recommendations, inside knowledge as to which shoes run short, long, narrow, wide etc etc As well as specific shoe recommendations would be amazing, thanks y’all.

Also dont talk bout my weird ahh feet your eyes are lucky I spared them

Here is my review of the AJ40. First of all, I have multiple shoes in rotation:

1. Most used — Nike Book 1 (Rattlesnake, Decade, Moss Point)

Super comfortable with a minimal design. I play in them indoors and outdoors, and even wear them to the office. These sneakers were my discovery of 2025, especially since I’d been pretty disappointed with Nike lately. But Book 1s at 30–50% off? Hard to pass up. And a small note: the three pairs I own will eventually be passed down to my two sons.

1. SPO 1+ (mismatch MVP)

Great pair when I know I’ll be driving more.

1. 361 QP5 Big 3.0 (mismatch Duck)

My workhorse of 2024. Excellent balance of cushioning and traction.

1. 361 Joker 1 GT (Soulmate)

Love these, especially considering the €126 price. Top-tier traction and cushioning. My only complaint: they look a bit “plasticky.” I was choosing between WOW12, JB3, JB4, WOW808U5, and AJ40, and I’m happy I went with the Joker 1 GT. Also, the Soulmate colorway is kind of a tribute to my wife, whom I love dearly and who very patiently lets me buy all these sneakers lol.

I bought the AJ40 “The Classic” seven months ago. Unfortunately, I got injured, so I was only able to really test them on the court last week. Here are my initial impressions.

They fit snugly. I went half a size up, but during the first two games, the upper rubbed against my feet around the midfoot. I have wide feet and high arches. Starting with the third game, though, I didn’t feel any discomfort from the upper. After breaking them in, they’re very comfortable.

I think it has something to do with the leather upper because I had a similar experience with the Book 1. In contrast, with some shoes that have synthetic uppers, I can still feel the plastic outrigger or upper pressing against my feet even after breaking them in. The AJ40 has plenty of cushioning and impact protection, although at 77 kg, I’m not very heavy. Also, these shoes are definitely NOT mid-tops: they’re low-tops, as they don’t cover my ankles.

I can’t say much about traction on dusty courts because we’re playing on very clean courts this season. On clean courts, the traction is elite. The only downside for me is the lack of breathability. I don’t think I’ll play in them during summer, late spring, or early autumn here in Europe.

Basically, for me, these are like a premium Book 1 with improved lateral stability and premium materials, while still keeping a minimalist design. I like how they look and feel, and I can wear them casually. That said, I don’t think they’re worth full retail price. I bought “The Classic” colorway for €110, and once I realized they did break in nicely, I bought another pair in the Grey Wolf colorway for €50.

I’m 45, weigh 77 kg, and am not a shifty player—mostly a spot-up shooter—so I don’t need shoes for crazy cuts or explosive moves. These will be my go-to for indoor pickup games. For indoor and outdoor shooting sessions, I’ll stick with the Book 1.

P.S. The last photo is a tribute to the famous “Wing$” music video by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.

Just bought both, the Sabrina’s were 50$ at the outlet and the Clark’s I got off Nike today.

Just wondering what was the better shoe? I like them both but mainly looking for a Kobe 6 replacement. I played in the OG ones when they initially came out and looking a for a similar shoe. I don’t really see a point in keeping both though

I got a pair of WoW 10's a few months back. I was worried about all the comments saying go half a size up, so I did. 10.5 - The shoes fit, I can play in them fine, however I have to lace up pretty tight and there is probably just over a thumbnail between my toe and the end of the shoe(inside).

I just bought a pair of WoW 12's, they're yet to arrive. I was 50/50 on going back to a 10 (my usual basketball shoe size) for a more snug fit r.e. the toe box/tight lace up issue...so I did.

Since then, I've checked all my size 10's and realised they are ALL 28cm, just like my size 10.5 WoW.

Meanwhile, the WoW 12's I have are 27.5cm - I understand the sizes differ depending where the shoes come from, but the logistics are breaking my brain. I don't get it, the 28cm in the WoW 10's was bought to be half a size up from my usual size 10 in Nike/Underarmour etc however they are the same cm sizing - did I even actually go up a half a size? Is the half a size metric based on cm or by literal sizing?

So is getting a size 10 (my usual size) which is 27.5cm actually going a half size down or is a 10 my true to size fit?

I assumed I had gone up half a size with the 10.5, safe to say I'm nervous as hell that the 10 (27.5cm) is just going to be a nightmare tight fit as I actually didn't go a half size up last time, just stayed at the normal size and got confused because chinese/us shoe sizes differ. Now I'm a half size down in a shoe that depending on where you read, you probably shouldn't be sizing down in.

Can ANYBODY give me some insight from personal experience? Anybody here use wades that are a .5 of a cm smaller than your other shoes, does it suck? Is it actually perfect because they have long toe boxes?

Heeellllpppp

It's has been quite a while since the 809 6 came out, and the 808 5 v2 has been released some what this time of the year last year.
and there are still no news about 808 6 v2.

would there be no v2 for 808 6?

For those who have both of these shoes, which one is a better value in terms of performance?

I want to get the GT Cut 1 since, it was being praised by the majority as one of the goated shoes in the market but, it was expensive. As for the 808 6 Ultra, it was also praised by a lot but, considering it's a newly released shoe, it does not have that much "honest" reviews.

Hi,

My foot length is just under 29cm (like 28.7ish) and i have narrower feet, right (still narrower than normal) is wider than left; the right is 10cm wide at its widest in the forefoot measuring across big toe ball joint and the pinky joint.

(all in us mens) I wore an 11.5 in hesi low v2. I got away with 11 for joker 2 gt as they run longer; however, as my right foot is wider than my left, my right big toe had a not so fun time breaking in the shoe and even now i always feel like i want to crack it or stretch it out. Maybe its cos the joker 2 gt are more of a straight shoe (9deg inflare) and more tapered + right foot is more wider than left. My feet are inflared a bit, I did like playing in the hesi low v2 (16deg inflare) so maybe thats why joker 2 gt was more painful break in. And tbh at the start I felt a bit clumsy in the joker 2 gt before i adjusted to them.

So what size should I go for in wow12 and dlo1 and dlo2? most interested in wow12 but others would be helpful to know as well. wow12 is more inflared (16deg) so that should help over the joker 2 gt

bit of a pain to return and get a new size yknow.

I just got the kobe 9 and i have a fake pair of kobe 11s Og if i put the kobe 11 og insole, will the kobe 9 break? Or deform?

hace un par de días compre unos calcetines nike everyday cushioned pero al primer uso se me rompieron del talón y quisiera saber si ustedes saben de algún paquete que pueda funcionarme.

tengo un presupuesto de unos $30, agradecería mucho sus recomendaciones 🙏🏻.