BasketballShoeSpecs

position

Best Basketball Shoes for Small Forwards

All-around versatility, mid-cut stability.

Best Basketball Shoes for Small Forwards: what the specs show

This hub lists 55 shoes from 11 brands (Jordan 25, Nike 15, Adidas 3, Converse 2, Li-Ning 2, New Balance 2, Puma 2, 361 1, Asics 1, Peak 1, Under Armour 1). Listed weights run from 12.8 oz (Puma Stewie 3) to 17.5 oz (Nike Air Foamposite One), averaging 14.8 oz. Heel-to-toe drops range from 8 to 9 mm.

By cut height there are 6 low-cut, 34 mid-cut, and 15 high-cut; by manufacturer price band 8 budget, 25 mid, and 22 premium. 13 of the 55 carry an outdoor rating; the rest are indoor shoes. On fit, Nike Cosmic Unity 3 and New Balance Kawhi 2 are listed as wide; everything else is standard width.

Spec-sheet picks

Straight from the listed specs — not hands-on test results.

How to choose within this hub

Narrow the list with the two specs that vary most here: cut height and weight. In this hub the 6 low-cut models average 13.9 oz against 14.9 oz for the 49 mid and high cuts, so the low-tops are the lighter group. Drop barely varies (8–9 mm), so it is rarely the deciding factor.

Within this position the shoes are classified for these play styles: all-around (51), jumper (2), slasher (1), shooter (1). Pick the style closest to how you actually play first, then compare weight and cut.

If you play mostly outdoors, start with the 13 outdoor-rated models — indoor outsoles are generally softer rubber and wear faster on asphalt.

Side-by-side specs

ShoeWeightDropCutSurfacePrice band
Nike LeBron Witness 914.2 oz8 mmMidOutdoormid
Nike GT Jump 315 oz9 mmMidIndoorpremium
Nike KD 1714 oz8 mmMidIndoormid
Nike KD Trey 5 X14.5 oz8 mmMidOutdoorbudget
Nike PG 713.5 oz9 mmLowIndoormid
Nike Cosmic Unity 313.3 oz9 mmMidIndoormid
Nike Air Zoom BB NXT14.6 oz8 mmMidIndoorpremium
Jordan Tatum 213.4 oz8 mmLowIndoormid
Jordan One Take 514 oz8 mmMidOutdoorbudget
Jordan True Flight15 oz9 mmHighOutdoormid
Adidas Exhibit B Mid13.4 oz8 mmMidIndoorbudget
Puma Stewie 312.8 oz8 mmLowIndoormid
Puma All-Pro Nitro13.6 oz8 mmMidIndoormid
Under Armour Flow FUTR X13 oz8 mmMidIndoormid
New Balance TWO WAY v314.2 oz8 mmMidIndoormid
New Balance Kawhi 214 oz8 mmMidIndoormid
Li-Ning Way of Wade 1113.9 oz8 mmMidIndoormid
Li-Ning JB114 oz8 mmMidIndoormid
Asics Nova Blast Basketball13.4 oz8 mmMidIndoormid
Peak AW113.6 oz8 mmMidIndoormid
361 AG213.8 oz8 mmMidIndoormid
Nike Precision 713 oz8 mmMidOutdoorbudget
Adidas OwnTheGame 313.6 oz8 mmMidOutdoorbudget
Adidas Pro Bounce 202414 oz8 mmMidOutdoorbudget
Nike Giannis Immortality 313.4 oz8 mmMidOutdoorbudget
Air Jordan 1 Retro High "Bred"15 oz8 mmHighOutdoormid
Air Jordan 1 Retro High "Chicago"15 oz8 mmHighOutdoorpremium
Air Jordan 3 Retro "White Cement"15.4 oz8 mmMidIndoorpremium
Air Jordan 3 Retro "Black Cement"15.4 oz8 mmMidIndoorpremium
Air Jordan 4 Retro "Bred"15.6 oz9 mmMidIndoorpremium
Air Jordan 4 Retro "White Cement"15.6 oz9 mmMidIndoorpremium
Air Jordan 5 Retro15.8 oz9 mmMidIndoorpremium
Air Jordan 6 Retro15.5 oz9 mmMidIndoorpremium
Air Jordan 7 Retro15.4 oz9 mmHighIndoorpremium
Air Jordan 9 Retro15.7 oz9 mmHighIndoorpremium
Air Jordan 11 Retro "Concord"15.9 oz9 mmHighIndoorpremium
Air Jordan 11 Retro "Bred"15.9 oz9 mmHighIndoorpremium
Air Jordan 12 Retro16.1 oz9 mmHighIndoorpremium
Air Jordan 13 Retro16.2 oz9 mmHighIndoorpremium
Air Jordan 14 Retro15.7 oz9 mmHighIndoorpremium
Nike Air Foamposite One17.5 oz8 mmMidIndoorpremium
Nike Air Flightposite16 oz8 mmMidIndoorpremium
Converse Chuck 70 Vintage Hi14 oz8 mmHighOutdoorbudget
Converse Weapon 8615.5 oz8 mmHighIndoormid
Air Jordan Mars 27015 oz8 mmMidIndoormid
Air Jordan 37 Low14.6 oz8 mmLowIndoorpremium
Air Jordan 38 Low14.7 oz8 mmLowIndoorpremium
Air Jordan 3915 oz8 mmMidIndoorpremium
Air Jordan 4015 oz8 mmMidIndoorpremium
Air Jordan 1 Low14.6 oz8 mmLowOutdoormid
Air Jordan 1 Mid14.8 oz8 mmMidOutdoormid
Nike Air Zoom Flight 95 Retro16 oz9 mmHighIndoormid
Nike Air Penny 216.5 oz9 mmHighIndoormid
Nike Air Pippen 116.8 oz9 mmHighIndoormid
Nike Air More Uptempo16 oz9 mmMidIndoormid

55 shoes match this hub.

Nike KD 17 mid

Nike

KD 17

Kevin Durant signature

  • Cushioning: Zoom Air Strobel + Cushlon 3.0
  • Weight: 14 oz · Drop: 8 mm
  • Cut: Mid · Width: Standard
  • Best for: SF/PF — All-Around

$132.90Price as of Nov 3, 2026, 14:42 UTC

View specs → Check Price on Amazon
Jordan Tatum 2 mid

Jordan

Tatum 2

Jayson Tatum signature

  • Cushioning: Formula 23 + Zoom Air
  • Weight: 13.4 oz · Drop: 8 mm
  • Cut: Low · Width: Standard
  • Best for: SF — Slasher

$111.73Price as of Nov 3, 2026, 14:42 UTC

View specs → Check Price on Amazon
Li-Ning JB1 mid

Li-Ning

JB1

Jimmy Butler signature

  • Cushioning: Boom + Cushion
  • Weight: 14 oz · Drop: 8 mm
  • Cut: Mid · Width: Standard
  • Best for: SF — All-Around

$90.30Price as of Nov 3, 2026, 14:42 UTC

View specs → Check Price on Amazon