Nike KD1 Performance Review

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

With 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

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