KD Shoes: Top 10 Kevin Durant Shoes [2024] (2024)

In a hurry? If you quickly want to know my choice for the best Kevin Durant basketball shoes, then go for Nike Zoom KD 14 as the best one from KD.

Kevin Durant is a two-time NBA champion and has been amongst the most lethal scorers in the league for a few years now.

The Seattle Supersonics drafted him in 2007, and right before he signed his first NBA contract, he was already part of the Nike family.

He has sported different Nike KD shoes throughout his career playing for the Seattle Supersonics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, and Brooklyn Nets.

Kevin Durant currently has 15 iterations of KD lines, which shows how he has since elevated his game to the next level.

In this article, I’ll review the following KD basketball shoes:

• Nike KD 14
• Nike KD 9
• Nike KD 13
• Nike KD 11
• Nike KD 8
• Nike KD Trey 5 IX
• Nike Zoom KD 12
• Nike KD 15
• Nike KD 7
• Nike KD 5

My Top 10 Choices

As I’ve mentioned, there have been 15 iterations of Kevin Durant shoe models, and each shoe model has a unique story to tell. Here’s my list of the best Kevin Durant signature sneakers.

1. Nike KD 14

The Nike KD 14 has been hailed as one of the best shoes that Nike has manufactured. It’s the best shoe model in terms of performance and durability.

Last Updated on: April 6, 2024

While the fit can be tricky, you get a combination of a full-length Zoom Air Strobel unit that is more than enough to provide the impact protection and cushioning you need.

On top of that, you also get a full-length cushion midsole which helps relieve stress when playing for long hours.

Its lightweight design and different colorways make it the most sought-after shoe model in the market.

Features:

• Zoom Air
• Cushion Foam
• Midfoot Strap

Pros

• Great traction
• Comfortable cushioning
• Lots of colorways available
• Adequate ventilation
• Responsive

Cons

• Quite expensive
• It takes a longer time to break in
• A little bit bulkier

2. Nike KD 9

The Nike KD 9 was his first signature shoe since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder and playing for the Golden State Warriors franchise.

It was also the shoe model where he won his first NBA championship along with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson.

One key feature of this signature sneaker is its visible tapered Zoom Air Unit, a technology that allows a basketball player to be a bit bouncier and springier.

Another thing I liked the most about this shoe model is that it comes with amazing colorways, and each colorway stands out on its own.

Features:

• Flyknit Technology
• Zoom Air Technology
• Tapered Zoom Air Unit

Pros

• Lots of colorways
• Fantastic cushioning
• Breathable materials
• It feels pretty solid and tight fit
• Lightweight

Cons

• Not great for wide feet
• Longer time to break in
• Lacks ankle support

3. Nike KD 13

The Nike KD 13 sneakers were another impressive shoe model introduced in the early portion of the year 2020.

Unfortunately, it couldn’t translate its predecessor’s success from the performance department as the Nike KD 12 was the better of the two sneakers.

It’s still a good shoe in different regards. It sports a high-cut version that provides plenty of ankle and midfoot support.

I have seen some amazing colorways of previous sneaker models, such as Aunt Pearl. But this sneaker model has some funkiest colorways of all Kevin Durant shoes.

Features:

• Double-stacked Air Zoom panel

Pros

• It fits like a glove
• Good traction on indoor courts
• Made of durable materials
• Stylish design
• Plenty of ankle support

Cons

• Quite heavy
• Not great for dusty courts

4. Nike KD 11

The Nike KD 11 shoe model almost feels like a combination of two Kevin Durant signature shoes, the 9s and 10s.

Although those two KD models mentioned above were quite impressive in their own right, the Nike KD 11 falls short in terms of performance.

It was widely known to be an inconsistent shoe and lacked the support you need for your forefoot and ankle.

Despite those drawbacks, this is still a great shoe by no means. It’s just that it didn’t surpass its predecessors.

Its lightweight and stylish design are great, and this was the first shoe model he wore right after winning the 2017 NBA finals by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Features:

• Full-knit upper
• Full-length Zoom Air cushioning
• Nike React Foam

Pros

• Stylish design
• Great for narrow footers
• Amazing traction and comfort
• Materials are great

Cons

• Lacks responsiveness
• Not the best in terms of ankle support

5. Nike KD 8

The Nike KD 8 was the last signature shoe KD wore for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite his success playing for the organization, the curtain was closing for both parties.

Despite everything, the Nike KD 8 was still a pretty decent shoe model, to say the least. Its performance is well above signature shoe standards and can even rival some competitors.

What I really liked most about this shoe model is its elite version with an extended compression sock and flywire technology.

Features:

• Flyweave Upper
• Full-length Air Zoom panel
• Kevlar-Infused Flywire Technology

Pros

• Great for clean courts
• Amazing court feels
• Stellar traction
• Comfortable cushioning
• Impressive lockdown

Cons

• Questionable materials used
• Occasional heel slippage

6. Nike KD Trey 5 IX

There are already various iterations of the Trey Lines of Kd, but the ninth iteration is what we’re impressed with the most.

Despite being a budget shoe, it has features you would normally find in premium shoes. It still has a stylish design with a great on-court feel.

The forefoot and heel lockdown is great for impact protection and cushioning.

Although it falls below the $100 price range, it’s a great performing shoe model regardless of indoor or outdoor courts.

Features:

• Full-length Zoom Forefoot Unit
• Heat-map style outsole
• Nike Renew technology

Pros

• Amazing foot lockdown
• Great on-court feel
• Breathable materials
• Affordable and great for wide footers
• True to size

Cons

• May have some durability issues
• The strap appear to be for cosmetic purpose only

7. Nike KD 12

The Nike KD 12 shoe model was Kevin Durant’s first shoe when he arrived in Brooklyn. It’s a shoe model most notably known for its black and gray colorway as it reflects the city of Brooklyn.

In addition, it has one of the best colorways in Kevin Durant’s long signature line and is an upgrade from its predecessors.

That being said, this pair enjoyed a lot of success playing for the Brooklyn Nets and was a change-up from the previous version as this shoe line went back to high cut.

The change-up of the high-top design from the low-top design might be because it supports Kevin Durant’s Achilles as he was fresh off of the Achilles tear he suffered while still playing for the Golden State Warriors.

Features:

• Full-length Air Zoom with an upper
• Air Zoom Strobel Midsole
• 4-way directional Flywire cables.

Pros

• Breathable upper materials
• The cushion at the forefoot provides comfort
• Stylish design, which is great for basketball players with narrow feet
• Amazing on-court traction
• Highly responsive and has a great feel

Cons

• Not a cheap option
• Few players reported stability issues around the heel area

8. Nike KD 15

The newest member of KD’s long signature line, the Nike KD 15, is an upgraded version of the Nike Kd 14, which I thoroughly enjoyed during my tests.

The Nike KD 15 is as good as it gets. From what I have gathered from the Nike KD 14 review I’ve made, everything feels like an upgraded version. However, this simply isn’t the case.

Still, the cushion around the forefoot and midfoot areas is easily noticeable every time you jump high. It has a great on-court feel, which makes it great for basketball players who play the guard position.

Overall, I can’t find any lapses with this shoe model. It feels like Nike has made its mark in the technologies and innovations used with its shoes. The only problem I think is probably the relatively high price. Nothing more.

Features:

• Full-length Cushlon midsole
• Zoom Air Strobel unit
• Lightweight and streamlined materials

Pros

• Amazing lockdown
• Bouncy midsole
• It feels light and right
• It feels protective
• Amazing traction for lateral containment

Cons

• High price
• Not recommended for outdoor use

9. Nike KD 7

The Kevin Durant signature strap appeared again on the Nike KD 7 shoe model. This time, it featured the names of Kevin Durant’s four most important family members along the tongue area.

In addition, it was this signature shoe that he wasn’t able to will his team to the NBA playoffs due to an injury he suffered during the season. It was the first season after six years that the Thunder couldn’t make the playoffs.

On the other hand, the design added the strap, which provided foot lockdown and protection. This signature sneaker is a combination of the Nike KD III and Nike KD 4.

Features:

• Max Zoom Heel Cushion
• Foamposite Heel
• Upper mesh
• 180° Zoom bag

Pros

• Upper ventilation is superb
• Great on-court feel
• Elegant design
• Highly responsive
• Forefoot lockdown is amazing

Cons

• Not enough heel and ankle support
• Not the best ventilation

10. Nike KD 5

Another amazing shoe model from the Kevin Durant signature line, the Nike KD 5, is very well-rounded.

It ticks all the boxes, from traction, cushioning system, and true to size. Although I felt that the materials used for this sneaker are lackluster at best, I actually noticed that it’s durable and has good support around the heel section.

By this time, Kevin Durant was already amongst the finest superstars in the league and had carried his team to multiple playoff appearances.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder to a 60-win season to capture the Western Conference’s first seed. Unfortunately, they were defeated by the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round of the playoffs.

Features:

• 10mm Forefoot Zoom unit
• TPU cage
• Heel counter

Pros

• Great for dusty courts
• The forefoot zoom unit cushion was soft and comfortable
• Fused upper materials for better impact protection
• Wraps your foot perfectly
• Great balance of comfort and responsiveness

Cons

• Bulky for people with a narrow foot
• Not much ventilation

Other Notable KD Models

Here are some KD signature shoes that can also be a great addition to your shoe collection. Check them out!

Nike KD 4

The Nike KD 4 was his first signature shoe to reach the NBA finals. He, alongside teammates Russel Westbrook and James Harden, battled it out with LeBron James but succumbed to 5 games.

It was this shoe that further etched his mark as one of the best players in the league by dominating the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals.

It also proved a popular signature line as it showcased different colorways that are aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. The Nike KD 4 is a great performance shoe.

The balance of traction, cushioning, and Zoom Air Technology allows it to blow past the competition. Overall, a great shoe model in terms of performance and looks.

Nike KD 1

The Nike KD 1 was his first signature basketball shoe in his young career. During this time, the Sonics franchise also moved to Oklahoma and became the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Nike also unveiled Kevin Durant’s first signature shoe as part of the new franchise.

He enjoyed great success with the franchise, capping it off with its first-ever NBA finals appearance since moving to Oklahoma.

The Nike KD 1 was pretty stylish from the start, and many basketball fans fell in love with this shoe model. I was fortunate enough to try this one.

The traction was amazing when played indoors, it feels really great around the forefoot area, and its fit is amazing, which we’re most happy about.

Nike KD 6

The Nike KD 6 was his signature shoe when he first won his MVP award. It packed a lot of impressive features such as an ultra-thin upper, Flywire technology, and many more.

What I liked the most was its colorways, which featured different colorways to suit everyone’s needs. The Aunt Pearl colorway will always be the best for us.

In terms of performance, the shoe didn’t have many issues. It was a great performing shoe that is both amazing in indoor and outdoor courts. The stylish design feels like the icing on the cake for this sneaker.

Overall, this KD sneaker is amazing for basketball players with narrow feet. It feels very comfortable and highly responsive.

What Should You Consider When Buying A Kevin Durant Basketball Shoe?

Before heading out to your local shoe store, here are some things you might want to consider before buying one.

Traction

Traction is everything. When your basketball shoes have great traction, you are able to navigate through the court with ease and precision.

Shoes with good traction reduce slippage and bring out the best performance possible for players.

Comfort

You can’t be at your best if you’re not comfortable with what you wear. It is one of the reasons why I highly recommend trying the shoes first before buying them.

In addition, avoid buying shoes online as it can be quite difficult to feel the shoes physically if you’re doing it this way.

Support

Your shoes should provide the best support possible. From cushioning, foot lockdown, and shoe laces. It should feel like your foot and shoe are all in one piece.

This way, you get to perform the best basketball game of your life. Great basketball shoes have plenty of support to avoid injuries and wear and tear on the feet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you have questions regarding KD sneakers, you might find them below. Check it out!

What Makes KD Shoes Stand Out From Its Competitors?

The entire line of KD models stands out from the rest of the competition because all his shoes are centered around delivering the best performance possible.

Kevin Durant is one of the multi-faceted players wreaking havoc on both ends of the basketball court, and it’s the reason why Nike has focused his shoe line on providing the most well-rounded signature shoes ever.

From traction, cushioning, lockdown, responsiveness, and all the technologies infused in his line, it’s no wonder some people think his pair of shoes is a cut above the rest.

Is the KD 15 Better Than the KD 14?

Based on my personal experience and tests on different floor surfaces, the KD 14 is better than the KD 15. It’s more stable and responsive on all types of courts.

In addition, the cushioning and lockdown are also great. The only areas where the KD 15 is better are breathability and ventilation.

Still, both of these signature shoes are top-notch and are more than enough to give you the best performance on the court.

The Awesome Choices

If you still need help choosing Kevin Durant shoes, then I have listed my personal top three best Kevin Durant shoes when it comes to value for money, budget, and overall performance. Check my list out below.

Best Budget – Nike KD Trey V IX

Although it has limitations, it has a cheaper price tag and excellent cushioning and impact protection, a rarity among the budget-oriented shoe category.

Best Value – Nike Zoom KD 15

It might be a new model, but the Nike KD 15 has been making waves on everyone’s feet as of late. The Nike KD 15 has amazing traction and a secure fit and is great for basketball players with narrow feet.

Best Overall – Nike Zoom KD 14

It’s no wonder why the Nike KD 14 was hailed as the best shoe model of 2021. It has everything you want, from a standout shoe, impressive traction, comfortable cushioning, and an elite design.

Conclusion

Out of all NBA players with a signature shoe, KD models are definitely on the upper echelon in terms of performance and style.

From the likes of Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, and Paul George, the Nike brand has provided us with the best-performing signature shoes in recent years and sneaker news.

Have you made your choice already? If not, I really hope that this article of mine has helped you decide which KD shoe model to buy!