Phoenix Suns star, Kevin Durant has been in the NBA for 17 seasons. His sneaker collaboration with Nike has been a big hit since 2008 when his first sneaker, the Nike Zoom KD1, was released. This year, as more and more Nike shoes climb the charts, Kevin Durant’s KD17 is the shoe to buy. With high quality material, court grip and cushion, the Nike KD17’s are a top-tier basketball shoe guaranteed to boost your performance on the court.
This shoe consists of a textile mesh and leather material designed for a comfortable on foot feeling. It’s designed to be highly cushioned around the ankle and heel, while creating a more open midfoot. I love this component because it creates lots of support for impact while not compressing the foot too much, allowing for it to be a very breathable shoe. However, the design does begin to narrow around the forefoot which can be uncomfortable for wide-footed players. This part of the design, if you have wide feet, can compress the front of your foot and cause blisters or cramping.
As a player who has worn a wide variety of basketball shoes, I’ve found that good traction on a shoe is hard to find. Having worn the KD17 in many different gyms it definitely wins the fight against dusty courts. The rubber outsole creates great traction to help you stop quickly and change direction.
When it comes to the look of a basketball shoe, my personal preference is a design and color that catches the eye. I have the KD17 orange colorway which is a vibrant and bold color that you don’t see often on the court. The wavy design on the side of the shoe enhances the aesthetic while making it an even more unique basketball shoe. With blue accents that balance out the warm colors, this shoe is as stylish as it is functional. Additionally, the KD17 comes in many colorways so you can find the style that fits you.
The KD17 can be found at local stores here in Portland like Nike and Dicks. At $150 you can order this shoe online to be delivered in 7-10 days or you can visit these stores and buy in person for the same price. This shoe is very accessible and at $150 it is a reasonable price for a great basketball shoe.
Compared to Kevin Durant’s last shoe, the KD16, which was one of the most popular basketball shoes last year, the 17’s aren’t a huge upgrade. If you have the 16’s and they are in good condition and fit well for your style of play, you can stick with those and still have a great performance. But if you want to rock the latest style on the court, I’d say the KD17’s show great style and will be an exceptional performance shoe.