The tandem of Kevin Durant and designer Leo Chang have done it again. Their collab on the KD8 has resulted in a breakthrough basketball shoe.
Space Age Tech
This is the first Nike Basketball shoe to bring high-strength woven textile that can be designed in high resolution – down to the pixel – for the rigors of basketball footwork. “It is the most technically precise shoe we’ve designed for Kevin. Flyweave is optimal for his multidimensional skillset and footwork as he jumps, cuts, jabs and accelerates,” said Chang. Combined with Flywire cables in the forefoot, Flyweave locks you in like a seatbelt, but moves and feels like a second skin.
Born from the design principals of woven textiles engineered for spacesuits, Flyweave technology was just over two years in development when Chang and fellow Nike designer Thomas Bell singled it out for the KD8 upper.
Nike Zoom Air Undergoes a Transformation
“When I first tested the KD8, I instantly loved the springy response of the Zoom Air combined with the natural feel of the Flyweave. I didn’t want to take it off,” said Durant.
Well what makes that happen is the full-length Nike Zoom Air unit specifically designed for the KD8 that provides responsive cushioning that moves naturally with Durant’s foot. Thousands of high-strength fibers connect the top and bottom of this Zoom Air unit, which runs the foot’s entire length. For the first time in basketball, this Zoom Air unit is designed with strategically placed notches in the forefoot and heel to intuitively flex with the foot’s movement.
Eye of the Tiger
The sabertooth is a legendary big cat that Durant adopted in the form of a tattoo above his right ankle. He connected with the ice age cat’s unique predatory instincts, ferocity and prehistoric old soul.
Building athlete insight into the KD8, Chang created a one-of-a-kind heel design for the KD8 that mimics a sabertooth’s fangs. This high wrapping midsole detail also serves a functional benefit – keeping Durant’s foot locked in and stable.
Availability
The KD8 had its debut on June 23rd on NIKEiD for personalized customization. The KD8 July 4th colorway dropped on June 27th, while the KD8 V8 colorway is set to drop on July 11th.
