Foot Locker sells popular Nike KD versions. His switch to the Golden State Warriors altered his image slightly, but it also set him on the path to greater superstardom, including back-to-back NBA titles and Finals MVP trophies. His 2019-20 season was cut short due to injuries and another change of venue (to the Brooklyn Nets). But if you look past all that, you'll see that he still wears his original black and red colors with a white swoosh.
KD debuted in 2010 as a low-top shoe designed for defense first approaches to the game. It featured a full-length Nike Zoom unit in the midsole for increased responsiveness, along with added support and durability where it's needed most - on the foot's exterior. A rubber outsole provides traction on different surfaces while the sock-like fit keeps feet cool and comfortable even during long games or practices.
The original model was an instant hit and became one of the best-selling sneakers of all time. In 2011, a new version with a translucent sole was released which turned out to be even more popular than the original. In 2012, a third color option - gold - was added to the lineup.
In 2013, a special edition KD IV was unveiled in commemoration of 10 years since the launch of the brand. It included elements from each of the previous models plus some new ones too, such as a heel tab that could be converted into a license plate by scratching off certain areas.
We went over every shoe produced in the last year to come up with our top 5 basketball sneakers for 2021.
Basketball sneakers' cushioning configurations can vary greatly. Some shoes, like the Kyrie 3, feel like you're walking on a block of concrete, while others, like the LeBron 18, have a cushion that feels like a soft pillow. If your knees suffer after every game, you might consider getting greater impact protection!
The best way to understand how much cushioning is available in any given shoe is to look at the manufacturer's website for information about its engineering staff and their previous projects. For example, if a shoe has a lot of foam inside its upper, then it will feel more cushioned when you step out of it. If it has thick layers of leather or synthetic materials instead, it will be less forgiving on your feet.
Cushioning comes in two forms: midsole and outsole. Midsole is the layer of material within the shoe between your foot and the ground. It provides comfort and absorbs shock. Outsole is the surface of the shoe against which you walk. It gives traction and protection from other objects.
Midrange and high-end shoes usually have some form of injected plastic or rubber foam as their midsole material. These products are very durable and long lasting. They also add weight to the shoe, which improves its stability and makes it more comfortable to wear.
Low-end shoes tend to use sponge or polyurethane foam as their midsole material.
Nike introduced the Dunk basketball sneaker in 1985. Over the years, the model has been offered in a wide variety of colorways and materials in low, mid, and high top varieties, as well as a number of limited editions sought after by collectors.
In addition to its use on the court, the Dunk has also been used as a fashion statement. Models have been dressed up with accessories such as hats, gloves, and jewelry for added flair when worn out on the town.
Nike released two other basketball sneakers that year: the Flight-Simulator II and the Waffle Iron. The former was a trail runner while the latter was designed for walking or running non-stop on hard surfaces like airport terminals and museums.
The Waffle Iron was only available in white colorway. It was sold exclusively at Kmart stores in the United States and Canada. The Flight-Simulator II was not as popular nor successful as the Dunk, but it did manage to reach #1 on Amazon.com's bestseller list.
In total, Nike released five new products in 1985. Three of them (Dunk, Waffle Iron, Flight-Simulator II) were designed by Steve Young, who had joined the company just one year before.
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