Kevin Durant and Nike Basketball officially unveiled the Nike KD 8 in its Nike KD 8 “V8” colorway.
The Nike KD 8 features two technical firsts in a Nike Basketball shoe: a Flyweave upper and an articulated full-length Zoom Air unit. These elements work in tandem to provide Durant with a versatility, fit and responsiveness engineered for basketball’s most dynamic player.
It’s 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. The introduction of Flyweave along with the Flyknit upper that debuted in the KOBE 9 in 2013, continues Nike Basketball’s leadership in engineered textiles.
The articulated, full-length Nike Zoom Air unit specifically designed for the KD8 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.
“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, a six-time All-Star.
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.
The Nike KD 8 will be available via NIKEiD on June 23rd. The Nike KD 8 “USA” colorway will debut on June 27th, followed by the Nike KD 8 “V8” dropping on July 11th.
