Laced Up Legends: Top Ten Sneakers in WNBA History
- Simar Gill
- Sep 18, 2025
- 5 min read
As we enter the WNBA postseason, it's not just about how the players perform on the court, but also the iconic sneakers that each woman wears to elevate their look and play. Sneakers have become a statement piece in women's basketball, blending personality with performance and showing that style has a place with skill. Here's a look at the top ten sneakers in WNBA history because what's on your feet is just as important as how you play.
10. Cynthia Cooper, Nike Air C14
Released in 1999, the Nike Air C14 was Cooper's official signature shoe with Nike. With its bold color-blocking and classic 90s aesthetic, the shoe was a hit and held historical significance. Cooper won four straight championships with the Houston Comets and having a signature shoe as a woman in the late 1990s was rare, contributing to its legacy. The sneaker also had a Nike Air unit in the heel which provided extra cushioning, bounce, and support for on-court use. Despite being a classic shoe in the WNBA, its impact was fleeting, leaving it at the bottom of this top ten list.
9. Sheryl Swoopes, Nike Air Swoopes
Swoopes was the first woman to ever have a signature shoe with Nike and opened the door for women's sports and fashion. Besides the bold design, the Air Swoopes had performance in mind: lightweight feel, durability, stability straps, and more. The line also released multiple models, showing that there was ongoing interest and value in the sneaker. However, in recent times the demands for the sport have required additional features that the Air Swoopes lack, leaving it ranked at No. 9.
8. Diana Taurasi, Nike Air Taurasi
After Taurasi was drafted as the #1 Pick in 2004 and won Rookie of the Year, she got her first signature shoe model with Nike and followed it in 2005 with the Air Taurasi. The sneaker offered multiple color ways and used Nike Shox cushioning technology for performance. Though short lived, the Air Taurasi acts as a collector's item and its rarity adds to its value. However, the performance metrics did not pass the test of time, leaving it ranked at No. 8.
7. Chamique Holdsclaw, Nike Shox BB4 Mique
Holdsclaw was drafted as the #1 Overall Pick by the Washington Mystics in 1999. She signed one of the biggest women's basketball sneaker deals at the time with Nike and got her first signature model in 2001: the Shox BB4 Mique. This shoe had competitive performance standards compared with top men's models of the era and was priced relatively high, setting the standard for future women's basketball shoe releases. However, the sneaker was short lived as performance expectations have shifted.
6. Caitlin Clark, Nike Kobe V Protro PE
Clark wore various Kobe Bryant signature sneakers throughout her college career and that hasn't changed since she entered the WNBA as the #1 Pick in 2024. Her first ever player edition sneaker, the Caitlin Clark Kobe V Protro PE, released in 2025, featuring the colors of her own team, the Indiana Fever. As one of the highest profile players in the league, it was no surprise that this shoe sold out within minutes of its release. Despite its popularity and iconic look, the fact that it isn't a signature sneaker like other shoes on this list made it land lower in the rankings. However, to the delight of many, Nike recently announced that Clark is officially a Nike signature athlete and her own signature sneaker will debut in 2026.
5. Angel Reese, Reebok Angel Reese 1
Angel Reese is the second woman to ever have a signature basketball shoe with Reebok and is among a small group of current WNBA players that own a signature sneaker. With Reese having brand and creative control in performance and color ways, the sneaker showcases her personality on and off the court. It perfectly blends Angel's love of fashion and her electric playstyle, but it still needs to be put to the test as it was just released to the public today, September 18.
4. Sabrina Ionescu, Nike Sabrina 2 "Pink Foam"
A lighter and more cushioned version of the Nike Sabrina 1s, the Nike Sabrina 2s include new features to provide a secure fit along with comfort. Additionally, with fresh color way options like "Pink Foam" and personal details, the shoe becomes wearable both on and off the court. However, as the second model it isn't as significant as the Sabrina 1 and it hasn't had much time to build its own legacy yet.
3. Sabrina Ionescu, Nike Sabrina 1
The Nike Sabrina 1 was Ionescu's first signature basketball shoe with Nike. The sneaker was created with more cushioning and a mid foot band system that makes it fit better than other shoes on the market. The additional design features relate back to Ionescu's identity, tying in her heritage, a hidden quote, and a vertical swoosh that symbolizes the barriers she's broken in her career. These sneakers were in the top five amongst most worn shoes by NBA players last season, making it worthy of a top three spot. Though a great sneaker, it lacks some performance features that some athletes prefer such as ankle support and durability.
2. A'ja Wilson, Nike A'One
Wilson is already one of the WNBA's legends with multiple MVP awards, championships, and other record breaking stats and accomplishments to her name. Her deal with Nike for a signature line took time and development, which raised expectations and respect for the product when it finally dropped in 2025. Wilson's A'One sneaker is designed to stabilize without being overly bulky and offers support while allowing mobility. Its performance engineering includes cushions for bounce and better landings. Though an amazing sneaker, it's still very new and hasn't released enough models to become the top sneaker yet.
1. Breanna Stewart, Puma Stewie 3
Breanna Stewart is one of the most accomplished women's basketball players in history, and her performance and reputation give her signature line strong prestige. The Puma Stewie 3 has top-tier performance technology and offers comfort with an adjustable fit for all kinds of players. Her colorways reflect her family, life, and heritage, adding a personal touch as seen in styles such as Lavender Alert, Green Glare, Dewdrop, and more. Stewart has more of a legacy than most of the newer players that rank high on this list, allowing her name to speak for itself. The multiple versions of the sneaker have also allowed for refinement to ensure that this shoe fits any player the way they want it to.
Edited by: Isabella Messerli
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