We’ve already listed the best basketball shoes for point guards, the best basketball shoes for shooting guards, the best basketball shoes for centers, and the best basketball shoes for small forwards. Now we’re going to dive into the best basketball shoes for power forwards.
The power forward position has evolved greatly over the last decade. At one point power forwards, as the name would indicate, were bruisers. A power forward was usually the second tallest player on the court, he or she was slightly more agile than a center, a rebounding pillar and you would rarely see a PF take a shot anywhere near the three-point line. Nowadays, a power forward needs to retain those skills as well as spread the floor, get up and down the court in a hurry and knock down threes.
These new skill requirements mean that finding footwear that can keep up is harder than ever. But, have no fear, Weartesters is here. Out of the hundreds of shoes we’ve tested, we looked for shoes that have a good amount of cushion and support to accommodate bigger players but still have grippy traction and some responsiveness. So without any further ado, here are our best basketball shoes for power forwards.
Updated 06.01.2023
Best Basketball Shoes For Power Forwards Show
Best Basketball Shoes for Power Forwards Overall
Best Basketball Shoe For Power Forwards
Nike LeBron 20
The Nike LeBron 20 is one of the most hyped LeBron James basketball shoes. It strays away from previous releases like the Nike LeBron 19, even in the traction department. That shoe’s grip was inconsistent, but this one’s a beast. The midsole is full-length Cushlon with a forefoot Zoom Turbo unit and an additional standard heel Zoom Air unit in the heel. For bigger forwards, this is the dream. You can combine nimbleness for intricate footwork and tons of impact protection. The upper is lightweight and comfortable as well. Read the full review. Price: $200
Jordan Zion 2
The Jordan Zion 2 is a significant improvement from the Jordan Zion 1. This time around, with a different cushioning setup, the performance is better, and the traction is some of the best on the market this time around. It grips the floor like nobody’s business after a short break-in period. It’s best felt when going aggressively from side to side. The materials aren’t anything extraordinary and could have been better, but at least the strap works to lock down your forefoot. We can see how Zion Williamson would need this shoe on his next stint in the NBA. Read the full review. Price: $120
Nike KD 15
You will see the Nike KD 15 on a lot of our “best” lists, and that’s because it is a great all-around shoe and another great shoe within the KD signature line. The Nike KD 14 could also be featured in this slot, but since it’s last season’s model, we went with the 15.
If you want a shoe with excellent cushion, this is a great option. Cushlon is the primary foam carrier on top of which sits the full-length Nike Zoom Air Strobel unit to provide impact protection and bounce. Another highlight of the KD 15 is the traction which is reminiscent of the traction on the Kobe 9, which offered some of the best traction of all time. This shoe is tremendously well-rounded and has everything you want from a hoop shoe. Read the full review. Price: $150
Jordan 36
The Air Jordan 36 could easily have taken the top spot on our list, and the fact of the matter is that it’s a great all-around shoe.
Power forwards will enjoy these because of the full-length Zoom Air Strobel unit and the extra forefoot unit, which is more than enough cushion to keep up with anyone. The Eclipse Plate that has been featured on previous models like the Jordan 35 and the Jordan 34 makes a return for maximum energy return and torsional support for bigger players. The Jordan 36 also boasts a leno weave upper which keeps things as lightweight and supportive as possible. Read the full review. Price: $185
New Balance TWO WXY V3
The New Balance TWO WXY V3 may not be eye-catching for some people, though we think it’s beautiful, its wearers will soon discover why we recommend it just from initial try-on and first impressions. The traction looks to be the most promising with potentially having Nike Kobe 9-level performance. You don’t want to slip while doing those Kevin McHale post moves. The FuelCell used on this pair can be described as light and stable. Read full review. Price $120
New Balance Kawhi 2
The New Balance Kawhi 2 is a very good all-around shoe. It was built with Kawhi Leonard in mind, so it needs to facilitate his all-around style of play. No one feature stands out but everything on the shoe works very well.
The cushion is dense and responsive, with decent impact protection. The Kawhi 2 also features FitWeave along the upper which helps reduce a lot of the weight and keep the shoe supportive. As with the previous Kawhi model, stability is this model’s best asset, which is great for taller heavier players. Anything that’s great for taller heavier players has a great chance of making the best Basketball Shoes For Power Forwards list. Read the full review. Price: $160
Anta KT 7
The Anta KT 7 is 2022 NBA Champion, Klay Thompson’s signature shoe. The cushion is the highlight of this tech-heavy model. Anta describes the KT 7 cushion set-up as a nitrogen-infused foam, which is bouncy yet stable at the same time. A great setup for forwards.
The midsole is wrapped on the lateral side and exposed on the medial side, similar to Adidas’ previous setups with Boost. The shoe also features Anta’s 3D Hug system that works in conjunction with the carbon fiber torsion plate to offer some Grade A support. The KT 7 features the best of everything Anta has to offer. Read the full review. Price: $150
Nike Air Zoom GT Jump
If you are looking for a shoe with cushion, look no further. The Nike GT Jump. The Nike GT Jump has some of the bounciest cushion of any shoe ever.
The GT Jump comes equipped with 2 large volume Zoom Air units in the heel and forefoot, a cushlon midsole, and a full-length zoom air strobel on top of it all. If that crazy amount of cushion weren’t enough, the GT Jump features a synthetic upper that requires no break-in time and is very breathable and lightweight. The shoe is probably better suited for bigger players that need a lot of cushion, but without a doubt, they’re the most comfortable shoe out there. Read the full review. Price: $200
adidas Harden Vol 6
The adidas Harden Vol 6 is MUCH better than the adidas Harden Vol 5 so extra points off the bat just for that. With the adidas Harden Vol 6 you get a full-length Boost midsole, which is caged on the lateral side, keeping the cushion on the responsive side. Traction and support are also standouts on the Harden 6 which make this shoe a surprisingly good shoe for power forwards. Read the full review. Price: $140
Best Budget Basketball Shoes for Power Forwards 2023
Nike LeBron Witness 7
The Nike LeBron Witness 7 is a great budget option. You get all that cushion, that great traction, and that beefy support for just a bit over $100 which is better than most signature models. Extra points for the great colorways that are available. Read the full review. Price: $115
Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes for Power Forwards 2023
Nike LeBron Witness 7
The Nike LeBron Witness 7 is a great outdoor option. It’s a great outdoor option for power forwards in particular because of the full-length Air and a very durable outsole that offers great traction. On top of that, the Nike LeBron Witness 7 offers some beefy support features which help bigger players feel confident cutting and changing directions on the blacktop. Read the full review. Price: $115
Thinking of a shoe we should add to the best basketball shoes for power forwards list? Comment below or message us on Instagram or Twitter.
wow Anatomix Spawn is everywhere haha more like a UA version of Hyperdunk haha
Are you going to be doing one for a center and an updated list of wide shoes
Absolutely ridiculous to include a shoe that you have not even put on your feet.
You are wrong RC, #nightwingknows
For players who are very versatile and play combo positions the Hyperdunk, XX8/E or Spawn seem to be the way to go.
Doesn’t look like there is many PFs around here.
lol, I think we’re all short, and I also think that some of the posters here with their skill sets would be awesome if we had the height/size of a PF.
nightwing – any upcoming dwight 4 review? they look awesome in the world tour cw