NIKE KD7 basketball shoe for kevin durant

kevin durant sporting the new NIKE KD7 basketball shoe

kevin durant’s seventh NIKE signature shoe designed by leo chang features a forefoot mesh, dynamic NIKE flywire technology and a midfoot strap. while the sole uses NIKE zoom in the front combined with hyperposite support and a newly developed visible NIKE zoom air bag in the heel. the initial colorways and styling references durant’s fascination with meteorology that began as a child and continues today.

NIKE KD7 basketball shoe

NIKE designer, leo chang with kevin durant at the KD7 launch

‘it’s been a great journey with NIKE and I’m confident giving leo specific feedback on what I’m looking for in a shoe. for the KD7, I really wanted a shoe that allowed me to move quickly, while having great support. I also wanted to bring back the strap.’ – kevin durant

‘the objective for the KD7 was to provide durant with the quickness and forefoot flexibility typically reserved for a point guard, combined with the stability and support in a shoe designed for a power forward.’  – leo chang, NIKE designer

sketches of the KD7 by leo chang

 
the KD7 has a newly developed visible NIKE zoom air bag in the heel

the front of the shoe features a forefoot mesh, dynamic NIKE flywire technology

the sole uses NIKE zoom in the front combined with hyperposite support

KD7 35,000 degrees
lightning strikes earth at an average temperature of 35,000 degrees fahrenheit, and much like durant’s game, it is powerful and unpredictable. this bright mango, grey and volt version of the KD7 is the lead colorway for the new collection. launch: july 12

NIKE KD7 July 4th
durant’s love for independence day with its fireworks, or ‘man-made lightning,’ inspired this this red, white and blue colorway featuring festive graphics on the tongue lining and swoosh. launch: june 26.

NIKE KD7 global game
the global game of basketball has given this young man who grew up in a small town outside washington DC, an opportunity to travel extensively throughout the USA, asia and europe. this all-red colorway features a globe graphic on the tongue and a confetti-adorned swoosh. durant will lead USA basketball into a busy summer basketball season that begins with the world basketball festival in the windy city of chicago this august, and wraps up in spain at the basketball world cup this september. launch: aug 2.

NIKE KD7 calm before the storm
the grey and pink colorway is indicative of skies that appear tranquil before the onset of a powerful storm, though durant typically remains calm even throughout a swirling frenzy on-court. launch: aug. 16

NIKE KD7 easy money
inventor and statesman ben franklin used a metal key and a kite to prove that lightning was really a stream of electrified air. franklin’s famous stormy kite experiment in june 1752 radically changed general understanding of the power of lightning and electricity. as an ode to franklin’s fascination with weather and his prominence on the US $100 bill, the easy money colorway features green hues and graphics from the benjamin bill – a tribute to KD’s nickname, easy money.  launch: sept. 10

the KD7 35,000 degrees colorway shown here is available at nike.com and select global retail locations beginning june 26, though it will be preceded by the ‘july 4th’ colorway that will go on sale from july 12. the KD7 is available for customization now at nike.com/NIKEiD.

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