John Kim 
The evolution of Kevin Durant’s signature series reaches a new chapter this weekend with the official retail debut of the Nike KD 8. While earlier installments were focused more on being affordable, lower-priced options, recent iterations of the KD have been noted for their advancements in design, and with Durant’s rising stardom and success, Nike has used the Durant’s sneakers as primary platforms to tell stories of innovation.
That said, the KD 8 is simply unlike any of its preceding chapters simply based on the forward leaps of basketball engineering and creativity. Flyweave makes its first appearance on a basketball shoe, while the most game-changing cushioning unit in history gets a key update that will surely have influence in the future of its existence. Read more on on the KD 8 below and let us know what you think of Kevin Durant’s newest shoe.
The shoes will debut at retail this weekend in “Fourth of July” colorway
Nike has positioned the launch of new KDs during this pivotal juncture of the season, and since that switch was first made in 2012 with the Nike Zoom KD V, Durant’s shoes have been blockbuster hits every summer. The KD 8 has a strong outlook for the upcoming months, and it all starts with the “Fourth of July” on June 27th followed by the “V8” on July 11th.
Artful inspiration from Kevin Durant’s ink
Durant’s a bit of a tattoo-fiend, but his approach to permanent ink is a bit clandestine because most of his artwork is shrouded by his jerseys. We recently saw some of KD’s permanent artwork be used on the KD 7 “Aunt Pearl”, but this upcoming release touches on the sabretooth that Durant had done on his leg not long ago.
Zoom Air continues to evolve
Visible Zoom Air will be the primary agent for providing cushion to KD’s size 17 feet. For the KD 8, Nike introduces a new take on full-length Zoom called Articulated Zoom Air; the cushion unit was built specifically for KD’s style of play, with notches and grooves at the forefoot and medial heel allowing for natural movement and flex.
Flyweave is not Flyknit
One of the key features of Kevin Durant’s new shoe is the Flyweave upper. The material first debuted on the Air Jordan XX9 and went on to appear on a number of different models like the CJ3 Trainer. While it may appear to be similar to Flyknit, the fact is that Flyweave is much stronger and can actually stand on its own. Flyknit on basketball shoes (namely the Kobe 9 Elite and Kobe 10 Elite) requires a shell beneath the Flyknit layer to provide structural sustenance to the shoe.
More innovation = Higher price
One detail that can’t go overlooked – the new KDs jumps $30 in price. As Kevin Durant continues to establish himself as one of Nike’s most important athletes, the brand has selected its most impressive innovations to be featured on Durant’s feet. The addition of Flyweave as well as the new Articulated Zoom Air are what you’ll be paying extra for.
The KD 8 Lifestyle May Feature Flyweave
To put it lightly, reaction to the Nike KD 8 Lifestyle was “mixed”. This high-top shoe which apparently borrows the sole and silhouette of the Nike Dunk High features a one-piece upper that may very well be Flyweave. Regardless of the innovative push, the KD 8 Lifestyle has a long way to go to impress sneakerheads.
