The Best basketball shoes 2019: Top Picks for Performance and Style

Let’s talk about finding the best basketball shoes in 2019. It’s a bit like watching a great game unfold—you need the right gear to perform when it matters most, and style that makes you feel confident stepping onto the court. I remember trying to pick my own pair that year, overwhelmed by all the tech jargon and flashy designs. It wasn’t just about hype; it was about what actually worked during those intense fourth-quarter moments. Think about it like that pivotal UAAP game where Sierba, that phenomenal homegrown prospect, unleashed 15 of her 18 points in the payoff period to anchor the Growling Tigresses’ huge 30-point run. Her shoes weren’t just accessories; they were part of the foundation that allowed her to explode when her team needed it most, even in a season where she narrowly lost Rookie of the Year to Cielo Pagdulagan. That’s the energy you want from your footwear—something that supports your peak performance.

So, where do you start? First, forget the flash for a second and think about your game. Are you a guard making quick cuts, or a forward battling in the paint? Back in 2019, I was all about guard play, so my first step was looking for shoes with exceptional traction and a low-to-the-ground feel. I learned the hard way that a shoe with poor grip is a disaster waiting to happen. One time, I slid on a simple crossover during a pickup game because I prioritized a cool colorway over a solid outsole pattern. It was embarrassing and could have been worse. For me, the traction pattern needed to bite hard on clean courts and handle a bit of dust, something with a herringbone or multi-directional pattern worked wonders. I’d literally test them by making sharp stops and starts on a clean section of floor before buying. Cushioning is next, and this is deeply personal. Some players love that super-bouncy, responsive foam that gives back energy with every step, while others, like me, prefer a more balanced setup—enough impact protection for my knees without feeling like I’m on stilts. I found that shoes with Zoom Air units in the forefoot gave me that perfect blend of court feel and responsiveness for quick launches.

Now, let’s get into the fit, which is arguably the most critical step. A shoe that isn’t locked down is a liability. I made the mistake of buying a pair half a size too big once, thinking I’d “grow into them” with thicker socks. Bad idea. My foot slid around inside on every pivot, and I ended up with a nasty blister on my heel. The best method I found was to try shoes on in the late afternoon when your feet are naturally a bit swollen, just like they would be during a game. You want a snug fit from heel to midfoot, with a little room (about a thumbnail’s width) in the toe box. Don’t just stand there; walk, jog, and simulate a defensive slide if the store allows it. The upper material matters too. 2019 saw a big shift toward knit and woven uppers, which offered amazing comfort and flexibility, but sometimes at the cost of support. For a player like me who needs lateral stability, I often leaned toward shoes with synthetic overlays or a fuse material in key areas to keep my foot from rolling over during aggressive moves.

Of course, we can’t ignore style. Performance is king, but looking good on the court does something for your mentality. It’s that extra swagger. In 2019, brands were really pushing bold colorways and collaborative designs. I had a personal rule: find the shoe that performed best for my needs first, then choose the best colorway available. Sometimes the loudest colorway wasn’t my first choice, but if the shoe performed, I’d rock it. It’s like Sierba’s performance—the fundamentals of her game were rock solid, allowing her style and flair to shine in the payoff period. Your shoes are the same; their core job is support and function, letting your personal style and confidence take over when you’re making your move. I was particularly drawn to shoes with a clean, classic silhouette that still had a modern tech look, avoiding anything too overly bulky or clunky.

A few final pieces of advice from my trial and error. Durability is a big one, especially if you’re playing outdoors. The rubber on some premium shoes wears down fast on concrete. I’d estimate that a shoe designed primarily for indoor use might last only 2-3 months of regular outdoor play before the traction is completely smoothed out. Also, consider the weight. While not the lightest on the market, a shoe around 13-14 ounces for a size 10.5 often provided the best mix of support and speed for me. And finally, don’t get blinded by a signature athlete’s name. Just because a shoe is made for a superstar who plays above the rim doesn’t mean its high-top, max-cushion design is right for your shifty, guard-oriented game. It’s about your needs, not the marketing. Finding the best basketball shoes in 2019 was about balancing all these elements—traction, cushioning, fit, and a dash of personal style—to create a package that lets you finish strong. Just like Sierba’s 18-point, fourth-quarter explosion, the right gear helps you anchor your own performance when the game is on the line.