The collaboration between the two names began in 2007 when Nike launched its Kevin Durant collection. The first release was the Nike Air Flight School sneaker, which featured his team’s colors and was emblazoned with his initials in bold lettering. A year later, Nike introduced the Zoom KD 1, alongside matching Nike KD apparel to add flair and winning style to your closet.
The shoes are equipped with legendary Nike features, including Zoom Air cushioning to provide plenty of bounce and superior energy return, plus midfoot straps to lock down the feet and enhance security with every cut, jump, and turn on the court. The mix is wide and varied: there are high- and low-profile styles alike, shoes equipped with tough Nike Flywire to create a weightless feel while adding support, and perforated uppers to enhance breathability.
Every edition brings something fresh, but one aspect that never strays too far is the shoe’s dominance on and off the court. Nike KD shoes are built with stability, response, mobility, and natural flow in mind. They move with you, providing you with the fluidity you need to carry your game to Durant-level heights.
Design Dreams
Durant puts the same level of thorough intensity into developing his footwear as he does on the basketball court. He and Nike’s Design Director, Leo Chang, set out to create footwear that was uniquely KD. In addition to a mix of bold and neutral colorways, the entire line tells a story that honors the player’s rich heritage and background.
You’ll see it in the contemporary lowercase “KD” that adds a hint of style and in the “35” that recognizes his beloved and late childhood coach, Charles “Big Chucky” Craig. That name, along with those of his mother Wanda, his grandmother Barbara, his father Wayne, and his brother Tony, also appear on some of the shoes. To further honor his mom and dad, some sneakers feature postage stamps and security badges to honor their jobs as postal workers and security officers. Some shoes even shout out his hometown in Maryland!
If you’re rocking a pair of Nike KD sneakers, then you definitely need some Nike KD apparel, too. Slip on a comfortable T-shirt and pair it with shorts or a pair of relaxed joggers if you need to cover up a little more. Throw on a hoodie for additional warmth, or zip into a windbreaker when it gets chilly. You’ll love the way it all comes together.
