Kristian Ferrell
Kyrie Irving is an NBA champion who has a signature shoe line in collaboration with Nike. Irving was the fourth player in Nike's history to create his own signature shoes, signing a deal when he was just 22 years old. The first shoe in the line was the Kyrie 1, released in 2014, which featured responsive cushioning thanks to Nike Zoom Air technology. The shoe line has since expanded to include the Kyrie 2, Kyrie 4, Kyrie 5, Kyrie Low, Kyrie Low 2, and Kyrie 6, with each iteration introducing new design elements and technologies. In 2023, Irving also collaborated with ANTA to release the ANTA KAI 1, a performance basketball shoe that combines elite technology with storytelling. The Kyrie brand extends beyond shoes and includes clothing items such as hoodies and pants.
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What You'll Learn
Kyrie Irving's signature shoe line history
Kyrie Irving, the professional athlete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and guard on the Brooklyn Nets, has a signature sneaker line with Nike. Irving was the 20th player to get a signature shoe with Nike, with the debut of the Kyrie 1 in December 2014. The shoe was designed by Nike Basketball Footwear Design Director Leo Chang and featured a dynamic mix of black, white, bright crimson, and anthracite. It was nicknamed "Dream" as a nod to Irving's dream of playing in the NBA. The Kyrie 2 was released in 2015 and featured an updated look inspired by motorcycle tires.
In 2017, Irving wore the Nike Kyrie 3 during another impressive season with the Cavaliers. The shoe was built for quick cuts and transitions, with traction pods on the outsole for enhanced grip. Teammates joked that Kyrie's shoes had "magnets" on the soles due to his effortless changes in direction. The Nike Kyrie 4 introduced updated cushioning and a more flexible outsole, blending classic elements with modern performance features. The Confetti colorway became iconic after Irving wore them during a game-winning performance, leaving a "trail of confetti" on the court.
In 2019, Irving and Nethongkome collaborated for the fourth time on Kyrie's signature sneakers, blending art and science with a touch of nostalgia. The result was a 90s-inspired basketball shoe modernized for today's players. That same year, Nike launched the Kyrie x SpongeBob SquarePants collection, featuring loud, expressive colors inspired by the Nickelodeon series.
The Nike Kyrie 7, released in 2021, focused on speed and agility, with a mesh upper and 360-degree traction. Irving's friends jokingly called him "Spider-Man" due to the shoe's web-like traction pattern and his superhero-like moves on the court. The Kyrie 8, released in 2022, emphasized comfort and performance with a streamlined design and updated cushioning. However, Nike cut ties with Irving that year after he posted a Twitter link to a documentary containing antisemitic messages. The Kyrie Infinity, released in 2023, appears to be the final chapter in the Nike and Kyrie partnership.
After spending time in "sneaker free agency", Irving signed a five-year deal with the Chinese brand ANTA in 2023. He released his first signature shoe with the brand, the ANTA KAI 1, and became their Chief Creative Officer, gaining the ability to sign other athletes and artists.
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Nike's collaboration with Kyrie
Nike has a history of collaborating with some of basketball's greatest stars, and Kyrie Irving was the fourth player in the brand's history to create his own signature shoes. Irving signed a deal with Nike in 2014, the year he was named league MVP. The first shoe in the line was the Kyrie 1, which featured responsive cushioning and impressive grip thanks to Nike Zoom Air technology and a 360-degree traction pattern in the sole. The Hyperfuse construction of the Kyrie 1 also offered wearers ultimate support.
The following year, Nike released the Kyrie 2, which added a curved midsole and outsole to increase lateral movement. The Kyrie 3, released in 2016, offered several new features, including traction pods in the forefoot and Flywire cables to help reduce internal foot slide. The Kyrie 4 included a Flex Groove outsole, a Cushlon midsole, and a heel Zoom Air unit, designed by Benjamin Nethongkome.
In 2018, Nike and Kyrie took a different approach with the Kyrie Low, one of the only shoes in the line to feature a low-cut upper. That same year, they released the Nike Kyrie 5, a Venus flytrap-inspired design that kept feet secure and supported during intense moments of action. The following year, Nike released the Kyrie Low 2 and the Kyrie 6, the latter of which combines Air Zoom Turbo with Traction 360 for a comfortable grip on the court.
In addition to shoes, the Kyrie brand offers clothing items such as hoodies and pants. The collaboration between Nike and Kyrie Irving was terminated in 2022 after an antisemitism controversy.
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The ANTA KAI 1 performance basketball shoe
The ANTA KAI 1 is a basketball shoe designed in collaboration with Kyrie Irving, a basketball player. The shoe combines Irving's signature style with top-tier performance. The logo details on the tongue and inner shoe feature gradient colours that reflect the vibrant images of a kaleidoscope. Kyrie's motto, "The Journey is the Reward", is printed on the heel, and the shoe also features ANTA's Nitrogen Technology in the midsole to provide support for every step. The shoe's wear-resistant outsole ensures a relentless performance on the court, with a strong grip to control the pace.
The ANTA KAI 1 is part of the larger ANTA KAI collection, which includes the KAI 2, KAI SPEED, and KAI TEAM. The collection is a tribute to Kyrie's home team and city. Outside of the KAI collection, ANTA also offers the KT and GH lines, which are endorsed by basketball players Klay Thompson and Gordon Hayward, respectively.
In addition to ANTA, Kyrie Irving has also collaborated with Nike to create a signature line of basketball shoes. Irving was the fourth player in Nike's history to create his own signature shoes, signing a deal when he was just 22 years old. The first shoe in the line, the Kyrie 1, was released in 2014 when Irving was the league MVP. It featured responsive cushioning thanks to Nike Zoom Air technology and offered impressive grip with its 360-degree traction pattern. Subsequent releases in the Kyrie line include the Kyrie 2 in 2015, the Kyrie Low in 2018, and the Nike Kyrie 5, which featured a Venus flytrap-inspired design for secure and supported feet during intense gameplay.
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The design and technology of Kyries
Kyrie Irving is one of basketball's greatest stars and has collaborated with Nike to create his own signature shoe line. Irving was only 22 when he signed the deal with Nike, becoming the fourth player in the brand's history to do so. The first shoe in the line, the Kyrie 1, was released in 2014 when Irving was the league MVP. This shoe featured responsive cushioning thanks to Nike Zoom Air technology in the forefoot and offered impressive grip with its 360-degree traction pattern sole. The Hyperfuse construction of the Kyrie 1 provided superior support to the wearer.
The following year, Nike released the Kyrie 2, which built upon the features of its predecessor by adding a curved midsole and outsole to enhance lateral movement. In 2018, Nike and Kyrie introduced the Kyrie Low, one of the only shoes in the line to feature a low-cut upper. That same year, they released the Nike Kyrie 5, which was inspired by the Venus flytrap and provided enhanced security and support for the feet during intense gameplay.
The year 2019 saw the release of the Nike Kyrie Low 2 and the Nike Kyrie 6. The former incorporated heel and forefoot Zoom Air units, while the latter combined Air Zoom Turbo with Traction 360 for improved grip and comfort on the basketball court. The Kyrie line offers a range of bold and bright colour options, reflecting Kyrie's unique style and paying tribute to his favourite experiences.
In 2023, Kyrie Irving started a new chapter by partnering with ANTA to develop a new performance basketball shoe line, resulting in the ANTA KAI 1. This shoe combines elite performance technology with a narrative-driven design, showcasing Kyrie's journey and paying homage to his home team and city.
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The popularity of Kyrie shoes
Kyrie Irving, the basketball player, has a line of shoes with Nike, called Kyrie. Irving was the fourth player in the history of the brand to create his own signature shoes, signing a deal with Nike at just 22 years old. The first shoe in the line, Kyrie 1, was released in 2014 when Irving was the league MVP. The shoe featured responsive cushioning thanks to Nike Zoom Air technology in the forefoot and an impressive grip with a 360-degree traction pattern in the sole. The following year, Nike released Kyrie 2, which added a curved midsole and outsole to increase lateral movement.
The bold and bright colourways of Kyrie shoes also stand out and appeal to consumers. The designs are inspired by Irving's favourite experiences and unique style, offering something different from other shoe brands. In addition to the shoes, the Kyrie brand also includes clothing items such as hoodies and pants, which further contribute to the popularity of the Kyrie line.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kyrie Irving has a signature shoe line with Nike.
The first shoe in the line, the Kyrie 1, was released in 2014.
The Kyrie 1 featured responsive cushioning thanks to Nike Zoom Air technology in the forefoot and an impressive grip with a 360-degree traction pattern on the sole.
Some other shoes in the Kyrie line include the Kyrie 2, Kyrie 4, Kyrie Low, Kyrie 5, Kyrie Low 2, and Kyrie 6.
Kyrie shoes can be purchased from Foot Locker, Nike, Flight Club, and Amazon.
