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Nike KD1 Performance Review

1095 days ago - by George Kiel III - 27 comments
Nike KD1 Performance ReviewWith new superstars entering the league every year, many brands are forced to create new signature lines depending on how good the player is. Kevin Durant is a budding superstar, and it seems his signature sneaker line is taking off at the same rate as his productive career.

We featured the Nike KD1 in our 9 Sneakers We’re Looking Forward to in ‘09, and after testing it out, we can honestly see why it is one of the more anticipated sneakers this year. When Kevin Durant stated that, “he wanted a shoe at a price point that most individuals could afford,” I was a little skeptical of how much quality Nike was going to insert into Durant’s 1st signature shoe.  Priced at $88, the shoe is less than half of the price of some of other shoes in the Nike Basketball lineup, but when put to the test, the shoe performed very well.

Click here to see how the Nike KD1 scored in the review as well as some detailed shots only Nice Kicks could bring you.

Nike KD1 Performance Review Score Card
Nike KD1 Performance Review

Strengths: The Nike KD1 had a very responsive feel to it. When jumping, this sneaker seems to possess springs because one is able to vertically react quicker than usual. For example when jumping up to grab a rebound, your second jump seems to be quicker than others because of the Nike KD1′s responsiveness. Credit the KD1′s low profile Zoom Air that rests in the forefoot.  The cushioning has proven time and time again to be the most responsive cushioning one can get.  Though Nike traditionally puts “Zoom” in the official names of their shoes, the Nike KD1 definitely has Zoom Air setting this shoe apart from so many at its price of just $88.  Another plus for the shoe was the flexibility of the shoe’s sole.  Nike achieved this thanks to grooves that cut into the rubber cupsole at strategic points to help one transition and move up and down the court.

Weaknesses: Although the KD1 is a very lightweight, it was a little too stiff around the ankle area and on the bottom of the foot for the first several wearings.  The patent half patent leather/half synthetic nubuck gives an interesting look for the shoe, but after a few wearings the shoes showed a little more wear than I anticipated to see.  Lastly, though alot of basketball is played on the front half of your feet, it would have been nice to have Zoom Air in the heel.

Nike KD1 Performance Review Score Card
Nike KD1

Nike KD1 Performance Review Score Card
Nike KD1

Nike KD1 Performance Review Score Card
Nike KD1

Nike KD1 Performance Review Score Card
Nike KD1

Nike KD1 Performance Review Score Card
Nike KD1

Nike KD1 Performance Review Score Card
Nike KD1

Nike KD1 Performance Review Score Card
Nike KD1

  • smart…one

    Honestly, I would never own a pair but these are straight. They look nice and are affordable to those in schoool that want a nice shoe to ball in but don’t have the funds for a higher price point shoe. Actualy a good job, Nike.

  • Dezism Google me.

    They aight.

  • his airness

    Come on NIKE, it’s a not bad looking shoe, but you could’ve done better… the SWOOSH is too big..!

  • Xen0uNiT

    Even though I didn’t get the KD 1s to ball in, I got the nike blue chip supremes and they pretty much look the same as the KD 1s. The performance test of the KD 1s have given me a positive outlook to testing out the blue chips.

  • his airness

    Hey Nicekicks,

    Any word on the Orange/Black Retro 1 Hi Cut being limited?
    Is it still coming out this coming Sat.?
    Is it a General Release?
    Is it a Quickstrike?
    thnx

  • Wiktor

    release date: february 2008?

  • John

    I’ve lamented on this shoe time and time again. I had mine reserved only to let it go on release date. Sorry KD. Your shoes are WAAAAYYYYY too stiff. I dunno what’s with the patent leather being used. I feel it was OVER-used and it really feels like a boot.

  • mr.never buy two of the same shoes

    they look alright…I don’t ball so thats all that matters to me

  • mr.never buy two of the same shoes

    LEBRON REVEIW PLEASE!!!

  • USWEATMYKICKS

    yo i dont think Kevin durant is all that, and by sayin that…. i believe giving him a signature shoe is a mistake. this design is decent and they could’ve use this model for someone more deserving. or made it just a str8 up nike b ball shoe without it being someones signature shoe.

  • Dru

    Looks nice for $88

  • NikeAce

    interesting… looks like a zoom soldier from the sole

  • MJSF

    I’d cop these for $88 just not in that fugazi colorway.

  • e_weezie

    I tested em a few months back and I think they’re pretty nice. I’m a bigger pt that drives a lot and I like how responsive they are (for me). I like to be kinda low and “feel the floor” some. There does need to be more cushioning in the forefoot and after a few wears they did start to look kinda beat. All that said, for $88 they are a great shoe AND I’m still playing in mine. So overall, good job Nike (but KD does NOT need a shoe… anyone for Roy??)

  • NYswagg

    i like the white and orange colorway better

  • TRUTH 4 U HATERZ!!!

    i kinda like this shoe but the half patent half not is just to messed up to fck wit

  • TRUTH 4 U HATERZ!!!

    I think Greg Oden now steppin up his game and getting double double’s on the regular and being a #1 draft pic should get a signature shoe.

  • JA-$O!

    enough of the hate pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzze! for $88, this is a rather fly shoe in a decent colorway at that!!! that blue is hot!!!!! but i bet’cha if it was a retro j wit them colors, all ya’ll be fiendin to cop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • michael

    thank you for adding the performance review to your site!! it is very helpful.how about a huarache 09 review???? oh an im definitely with e_weezie on the roy signature shoe. why doesnt nike ever show love to oregon???

  • greenmaker24

    sounds good

  • Lawrence

    Why are you hating on KD USWEATMYKICKS? The man is legit. 31 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals against the lakers.

  • rickjames

    GIVE BRANDON ROY A SIGNATURE SHOE!!! he’s an all-star for christ sakes!

  • Suwoop

    #13 —fugazi —mad funny—havent herd that in a while

  • alisson

    eu quero compra essa Nike KD1 fmz

  • alisson

    HA com eu faço para compra ????

  • josh grant

    nice kicks

  • guest

    theyre pretty good for a 90 dollar shoe i like dat they but all dat stuff about workin hard on the bottom though

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