{"id":317315,"date":"2013-07-26T14:58:00","date_gmt":"2013-07-26T19:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/?p=317315"},"modified":"2018-05-15T00:22:53","modified_gmt":"2018-05-15T04:22:53","slug":"performance-review-nike-kd-vi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/performance-review-nike-kd-vi\/","title":{"rendered":"Performance Review: Nike KD VI"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Nike KD VI<\/a> is unlike any basketball shoe we\u2019ve seen from the Kevin Durant signature line. With a summertime launch, low-top cut and asymmetrical design, the KD VI doesn\u2019t look like anything else on the shelves, managing to stand out in the already evolved basketball category. Weighing in at 10.6 ounces, the newest signature shoe from KD is a design oddity, re-appropriating classic elements of technology while introducing new concepts of cut and closure. So, how did the Nike KD VI play on court? Read this\u00a0Performance Review<\/em><\/a> to find out.<\/p>\n

**Note** The pair pictured is the same pair that was played in.<\/p>\n

Lockdown:<\/strong> Plain and simple, the KD VI doesn\u2019t fit well. While the two-layer Flywire composition is certainly lightweight, it doesn\u2019t hug the foot at all, bending around the toe box rather than forming. Much like the Hyperize, the shoe pinches more than it conforms to the foot.\u00a0The asymmetrical tongue is great from a design standpoint, but fails to stay tied tightly. The result is an uncomfortable fit around the ankle with too much wiggle room in the forefoot. Conversely, the molded heel fits well and cradles the foot nicely when backpedaling on defense. When placing all one’s pressure in the forefoot to cut or exploded on offense, the fit is frustrating.<\/p>\n

Traction:<\/strong> Traction was definitely one of the biggest selling points of the KD VI when the model was unveiled. The outsole features a data-informed traction pattern, showcased in hexagonal fashion. I didn\u2019t find this attribute an aid to traction, but I didn\u2019t find it a hindrance, either. The KD VI held up well on indoor and outdoor surfaces, providing sufficient grip.<\/p>\n

Cushioning:<\/strong> For just walking around, the KD VI is actually pretty comfortable. The shoe is lightweight, the outsole flexes well, and the cushioning feels firm and functional. On the basketball court, the cushioning wows less. The heel Max Air unit is far more firm and less apparent than that of an Air Max runner. On the flipside, it\u2019s also far lighter. A forefoot Zoom Air unit feels very comparable to that of the KD III, providing sufficient court feel but not much support in the way of cushioning. The cushioning was a disappointment when playing, but the general lack isn’t too great of a surprise due to the model’s lightweight direction. Honestly, I really think the KD VI would\u2019ve done well with basketball-specific Lunarlon, countering the rigid upper with a cushy base.<\/p>\n

Responsiveness<\/strong>: Next to lockdown, responsiveness was probably my biggest issue playing in the KD VI. Naturally, the two aspects go hand-in-hand. Lack of a snug fit made for more slipping within the shoe, and thus, more lag time when cutting and changing direction. The firm combination of heel Max Air and forefoot Zoom Air was definitely light, but it didn\u2019t give anything back when running, jumping or landing.<\/p>\n

Support:<\/strong> Despite its lack of lockdown and low-top cut, the KD VI actually scores pretty well in the support category. The molded heel stands firm and the two-layer Flywire is strong – it just doesn\u2019t fit well. When playing in the KD VI, I never had any issues with support. They took well to landing and cutting, I just wish they held my foot tighter.<\/p>\n

Breathability:<\/strong> Breathability was an attribute that didn\u2019t wow or woe. The Hyperfuse upper doesn\u2019t really feature any ventilation, but its mesh lining and ultra lightweight composition more or less make up for that. Its unorthodox tongue styling is where the ventilation is visible, hidden when tied but appropriately covered by mesh. These may get a little hot when playing, but they air out easily.<\/p>\n

Durability:<\/strong> Aesthetically, the KD VI takes a bit of a beating when playing, but the smooth Hyperfuse\/Flywire upper is easy to wipe off. From a performance standpoint, the firmness of the cushioning and the rigidity of the upper may alter comfort on the shoe, but it does feel and appear as if they’re built to last. Some may find that playing in the KD VI gets better with time.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Overview:<\/strong> In general, the KD VI is an awesome shoe in terms of aesthetics, but not really a great shoe to play in. A lack of lockdown makes for a poor fit, while firm cushioning underwhelms in the way of comfort and offers next to no energy return.<\/p>\n

From a composition standpoint, the Nike KD VI is really a minimal shoe, showcasing top of the line technology in a lightweight, bare bones manner. Its technical mainstays of two-layer Flwyire and forefoot Zoom Air back that. While the result is an incredibly lightweight basketball shoe for all, those attributes sacrificed fit and comfort in a major way.<\/p>\n

When discussing design, the KD VI takes a lot of risks, namely the split tongue construction. Aesthetically, the results are pretty radical, but from a performance standpoint I wasn\u2019t feeling it. An asymmetrical design doesn\u2019t really influence fit, but its two-part construction made it very difficult to achieve a snug fit throughout the shoe. Yes, the incredibly thin tongue is light and breathable, but it makes for little-to-no protection against the laces when the shoe is tied tightly. The immediate result is discomfort due to the lace pressure. Ultimately, a loose fit results because the foot is constantly pushing against the knot.<\/p>\n

A low-top look is really nothing new in performance basketball. Where the KD VI differs from say the Kobe line is that the midsole feels as if its built more for support than speed. For being a lightweight shoe, the KD VI is incredibly sturdy. With that said, I never felt fast in KD VI like other low top contemporaries.<\/p>\n

All in all, I love the design of the Nike KD VI, I just don\u2019t like playing in them. The lack of lockdown proved the fundamental flaw on this pair for. From a casual standpoint, I really like the KD VI. They look great on the foot and the push the envelope. Off the court, I\u2019ll continue to wear them, but these won\u2019t remain in my basketball rotation.<\/p>\n

Years from now when looking at the Nike Basketball archives, I believe the KD VI will stand out for its unique and daring design much like the Air Worm or the Hyperflight. Still, the shoe just doesn\u2019t get it done on court. Poor fit matched with a lack of flexibility and comfort make the model a frustrating wear when playing. The aesthetic aspects redeem the KD VI for casual wear and continue Nike\u2019s long history of innovation.<\/p>\n

For the guard on the run, the lockdown issues make the KD VI a poor choice. For the big man on the block, I think these would feel too light and low to play in the paint. While I don\u2019t personally plan on playing in the KD VI again, that\u2019s not to say that some might not like them. Players looking for a shoe that is lightweight, low to the ground and supportive may like the KD VI. I could see the methodical swingman, like Kevin Durant, enjoying the super light support and firm shooting base that the KD VI offers.<\/p>\n

The Nike KD VI is available now at Nike.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Nike KD VI is unlike any basketball shoe we\u2019ve seen from the Kevin Durant signature line. With a summertime launch, low-top cut and asymmetrical design, the KD VI doesn\u2019t look like anything else on the shelves, managing to stand out in the already evolved basketball category. Weighing in at 10.6 ounces, the newest signature shoe from KD is a design oddity, re-appropriating classic elements of technology while introducing new concepts of cut and closure. So, how did the Nike KD VI play on court? Read this Performance Review to find out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2415,"featured_media":317467,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[618,1225597],"tags":[1214785,1791],"cultivate_rss":[],"class_list":{"2":"type-post"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nPerformance Review: Nike KD VI | Snkrs Day<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Where to buy Performance Review: Nike KD VI shoes. 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