The Slim Reaper: Nike Officially Unveils the KD 19
After Kevin Durant debuted the latest silhouette in his signature line on the hardwood last night, Nike have officially unveiled the KD 19.
Durant's 'Slim Reaper' persona is captured perfectly through the dagger-shaped exterior TPU on the upper, while also assisting with heel and midfoot lockdown. Multilayer cushioning underfoot features the return of a full-length Zoom Strobel – pinnacle Nike Basketball technology that was first introduced in the KD 12. This tech is paired with a 3D-molded sock liner and Cushlon 3.0 midsole to deliver supreme comfort while KD glides across the court.
Complementing this cushioning system is a midfoot shank to ensure stability, and give the shoe a durable form to withstand four quarters of domination. Rounding out the design are his No. 35 and No. 7 jersey numbers on the outsole – highlighting the longevity of his superstar career.
Peruse the additional images below, and get ready for the debut 'University Red' colourway to release on June 13 exclusively through SNKRS, with a global launch slated for June 17.
Kevin Durant has officially taken to the court in his 19th signature – the Nike KD 19. Take a first IRL look below, and keep it locked for updates.
Nike Basketball have been moving differently of late, specifically by drawing inspiration from places other than Kobe silhouettes. The Nike KD 19 just leaked, and it is unlike anything we’ve seen from the Slim Reaper’s line. To Kevin Durant’s credit, his recent models have explored the archives – the KD 16 referenced the Air Penny 2, and the KD 18 took cues from the Air Terra Humara. With the 19, however, Durant wades into waters which have never yet been charted by his signature line.
The changes from the KD 4 to the 5 and then to the 6 are commonly considered the most significant design departures present in the KD line. After a string of low-top designs, the KD 5 introduced high-tops back into the line, before reversing course and opting for an ultra-lightweight, low cut in the KD 6.
The new KD 19 may dethrone these models as Most Divergent From Norm, as we can see from that it dons a TPU caged upper, overhauling the signature line with themes from the early 2000s – and even warranting comparison to silhouettes like the Hyperflight and Ultraflight. The most striking element is the zigzag panel that runs the length of the lateral side. The launch colourway is expected to be the orange ‘Bright Ceramic’ edition seen below.
Nike have found positive momentum by leaning into the early 2000s design language with their new performance models – namely the GT Future, which has yet to release but has been widely applauded.
The Nike KD 19 is poised to offer a low-top option of this revamped flavour, and is set to debut next summer. Stay tuned for more updates, as multiple colourways are planned.
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