Kevin Durant is one of the greatest players in the game, but do his sneakers deserve the same ranking? While his All-Star play and signature co-signing give the Nike Zoom KD III court credibility many still wonder if an $88 sneaker can hang with the heavyweights. Zoom Air cushioning and Flywire technology add props to his newest kicks but never the less skeptics still remain. We put KD’s new signature to test on the court to see how they stacked up. Are the KD IIIs up to par? Read on to find out.
Strengths:
Fit
Court Feel
Durability
A great aspect of the KD III is that they’re a no-nonsense shoe. Aside from a short break in period due to its leather build the shoes feel great from the get-go and wrap around the foot nicely. Zoom Air and a minimal midsole provide great court feel for the active player. The same leather upper that took a minute to break in also stands the test of time in the durability department.
Weaknesses:
Traction
Responsiveness
Improvements could be made in both the traction and responsiveness categories. Some sliding occurred when stopping fast. As for responsiveness the Zoom Air cushioning did not feel as soft or reactive as other models.
Overview: For $88 the Nike Zoom KD III is the best value on the market. While the technology or design may not be as cutting edge or in your face as other models available, they provide solid performance with a big name endorsement. Don’t let the price tag fool you as Nike didn’t cut any corners when making these. They put together exactly what Durant asked for when he came into the league: a mid-priced shoe that he felt comfortable in. The Zoom KD III is a very good shoe for all players from pickup to the pros.
