How these 11 pairs of basketball shoes stack up for a wear tester

To test whether price affects performance, Marketplace purchased 11 pairs of shoes priced $80 to $240 from leading basketball brands Adidas, Nike and Under Armour, and then subjected them to mechanical testing.

But to further get a sense of how each shoe supports the ankles and feet, Marketplacealso enlisted Jay Tiangco, a Toronto-based basketball sneaker enthusiast and wear tester.

He tested each pair in a special Marketplace sneaker "boot camp," and then played in them for about three weeks.

In 2014, Tiangco co-founded a now-defunct digital magazine called Sole Shift. He was one of the main wear testers and still consults with brands about their shoes. He says he owns more than 200 pairs of sneakers.

"Having wear testers that are able to provide you with a bit more information, that don't have the marketing push behind it, will allow you to make a more informed choice as a consumer," he says.

Here areTiangco'spersonal evaluations ofeach shoe, based on support and other attributes like traction and cushioning.

Adidas Harden Vol. 3

Materials (upper): The fabric upper allows for that one-to-one fit as soon as you put the shoe on. Super comfortable, little-to-no dead space, and overall one of the most comfortable on-foot feelings from all the models.10/10.

Fit: Fits true to size. 10/10.

Traction: On a super clean court, these AHV3's perform like nobody's business. They do the job,and they do it well. But with a tight traction pattern, you'll want to be wiping your outsoles from time to time to ensure maximum traction. 8/10.

Cushioning: Firm yet still plush. When it comes to impact protection, there aren't many on the market that have found that sweet spot, but AHV3 may be the exception. 10/10.

Support and stability: Good job in the support category. Because of the super comfy/soft upper and cushy midsole, there were times I thought I'd tip over and lose some stability. (But I never actually did.) 8/10.

FINAL SCORE:46/50

Nike LeBron 16

Materials (upper): The 2.0 version of Battleknit is definitely a refresh that needed to happen.9/10.

Fit: Fits true to size. Even with a bit more space in toe box than I'd like, the LeBron 16 felt comfortable. 8.5/10.

Traction: The LeBron 16 shines in this department (clean anddusty courts alike). One of the best performers in the traction department amongst the models tested. 10/10.

Cushioning: LeBron models have always provided amazing impact protection, and the LeBron 16 was no exception. 9/10.

Support and stability: Support was no issue in the LeBron 16. 9/10.

FINAL SCORE:45.5/50

Jordan'Why Not?' Zer0.2

Materials (upper): It required very little break-in time and felt comfortable andseamless as soon as I laced up. 8.5/10.

Fit: Fits true to size. Wide footers will appreciate a slightly wider footbed.Nevertheless, I didn't have any issues with excessive movement within the shoe during my wear test. 8/10.

Traction: Traction pattern worked effectively. Clean or dusty court, traction was second-to-none amongst our test group. 9.5/10.

Cushioning:What you get is a bouncy, responsive cushioning platform. 8.5/10.

Support and stability:Stability isn't one of its strong suits, but it provided just enough to keep you stable through your movements. Even with wider toe box, I didn't experience any excessive motion upon the footbed. 8.5/10.

FINAL SCORE:43/50

Nike PG 2.5

Materials (upper):Flexible where you need it to be and structured in the areas that it's also required. 8/10.

Fit:Fits true to size. They fit snug, but it's a snug fit that I crave in a hoop shoe. 9/10.

Traction:A traction winner within varied indoor court surfaces. All movements, whether the lateral, forward and back, and abrupt stopping motions were executed in an instant. 8.5/10.

Cushioning: It's responsive, provides solid court feel, yet doesn't lack in impact protection. 8/10.

Support and stability:I felt locked and loaded upon the footbed. Solid support, lockdown and overall stability.9/10.

FINAL SCORE: 42.5/50

Adidas Dame 5

Materials (upper):Materials were decent. 7.5/10.

Fit:Run a half-size too long for me. These are super-padded throughout the upper, so they felt snug enough keeping me locked in enough during gameplay, even though they were a bit long. 8/10.

Traction:On a clean indoor court, the traction was bar none. Dustier courts obviously didn't fare as well, but as long as you kept the outsoles clean, you were cutting, moving and going where you wanted. 8.5/10.

Cushioning:Comfortable and responsive cushioning. 8.5/10.

Support and stability:You're stable like an ox. You're locked in, without feeling like you're in a straitjacket in this one. 9/10.

FINAL SCORE:41.5/10

Under Armour Curry 6

Materials (upper):A full-length knit upper with specific synthetic overlays in high-wear areas, giving you only what you need and where you need it.8/10.

Fit:Fits true to size. Made wide in the toe box, but not with the extra dead space in the toe that one would expect. 8.5/10.

Traction:What you get is a basketball shoe that stops on a dime and effectively grips on both clean and dusty courts. You'll need to wipe once in a while to get that stickiness performing at a high level, but what shoe doesn't make you do that when dust is prevalent. 8/10.

Cushioning:With just a bit more impact protection (when I compare it to previous models), the Curry 6 provides cushioning that's the right mix of impact protection & responsiveness. 8/10.

Support and stability:The lacing system and one-piece sock-like construction kept me locked in upon the footbed. One stable package. 9/10.

FINAL SCORE:41.5/50

AdidasN3XT L3V3L

Materials (upper):The upper feels comfortable upon foot (once you get them on). 8/10.

Fit:Fits true to size. Left shoe had extra space in the heel area. With the lack of a lacing system, I would definitely suggest trying these on to not only double-check on sizing, but to see if these are even for you.7.5/10.

Traction:Performed well in the traction department on clean indoor courts. You'll need to constantly wipe to achieve that reliable traction consistencyon dusty courts. 8/10.

Cushioning:Responsive feel. 9/10.

Support and stability: Stability is actually one of the shoe'sbetter strong points. On cuts and side to side movements, my foot really didn't shift anywhere. 8.5/10.

FINAL SCORE: 41/50

Under ArmourLightning5

Materials (upper):The materials felt decently soft upon foot. 7.5/10.

Fit:They run long, about a half-size, and for some, even a full-size too long. Overall fit was supportive (regardless of the sizing). 7.5/10.

Traction:Clean or dusty, these performed reliably and consistently, moving and stopping on a dime. 9/10.

Cushioning: Plush but not too cushy. Bouncy, responsive feel. 8/10.

Support and stability:I felt locked in upon the footbed, no excessive movement laterally, nor front to back even with extra space. All-around supportive model. 9/10.

FINAL SCORE: 41/50

Adidas Pro Spark 2018

Materials (upper):Comfort, comfort, comfort is the name of the game. 8.5/10.

Fit:Fits true to size. 8.5/10.

Traction:Traction was solid on both clean and dusty courts alike. 8/10.

Cushioning:Pro Spark 2018sare comfyand do the job in the impact protection category, but if you're looking for that ultra-bouncy sensation underfoot look elsewhere. 7.5/10.

Support and stability:Keeps you locked in upon the footbed. On lateral cuts into the paint, high power side-to-side movements I found the Pro Spark 2018 to lack the stiffness I desire in a basketball shoe. 8/10.

FINAL SCORE:40.5/50

NikeKyrie Flytrap II

Materials (upper): The stiffness that I initially felt soon became a forgotten thought as these required little break-in period. 7.5/10.

Fit:Fits true to size. A bit on the narrow side, but there was enough room in the toe box for me. 7.5/10.

Traction:Multi-directional herringbone [pattern]and a dense rubber compound usually results in traction that is both reliableand spot on. And the Kyrie Flytrap II is no exception. 8/10.

Cushioning:If you're the type of person that likes firm cushioning, that's exactly what you'll get in the Kyrie Flytrap IIs. A bit firmer for my liking, but what you'll lack in the plush cushioning department, you'll more than make up in responsiveness. 6/10.

Support and stability:Ankle stability is top notch in this lower price point model. Keeps you locked in upon the firm footbed. 8/10.

FINAL SCORE:37/50

Under Armour Lockdown 3

Materials (upper):Standard fare especially at this price point. 6.5/10.

Fit:Fits true to size.Comfortable on foot but lacking any compressive feel that I desire in a performance basketball model. 7/10.

Traction: These worked well in the traction department (clean or dusty floor, regardless). 8/10.

Cushioning:It felt flat, and unresponsive throughout my wear tests. 5/10.

Support and stability:I felt secure upon the footbed, upon movements I didn't notice any excessive movement within the shoe. There was little tension/structure within the midfoot and I felt my foot twisting excessively on hard cuts or push-offs while playing.7.5/10.

FINAL SCORE:34/50

These capsule reviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.