Our verdict

Get ready to reap not only souls but also hearts with Kevin Durant's new signature shoe, the KD 17. This Nike model offers incredible support thanks to its exoskeleton structure and TPU details. Additionally, its sole flare, Air Strobel (heel), and Zoom Air (forefoot) make sure the feet land safely and softly. We loved the way its wavy outsole bit the floor, winning the traction fight even against dusty courts. Last but not least, the KD 17's lateral guard for toe-dragging moves allows it to have a mesh upper that increases airflow, making it wonderful to play when temperatures go up. Nevertheless, its stable and foot-locking design is not the best for wide-foot hoopers, as their toes will most likely be cramped!

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Pros

  • Wonderful support and foot containment
  • Nike Court Vision Low EU 40 White University Red White
  • Very Pack and comfortable
  • Кросівки nike air max-720-818
  • Nike alpha huarache elt 3 turf white gold baseball shoes cv3560-106 mens 7.5-13
  • Okay to play streetball from time to time
  • Nice court feel
  • Toe-drag protection

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Cons

  • Dunk siguen su camino triunfal hacia el trofeo de silueta del año
  • Upper could be more durable
  • Opening might be too wide

Audience verdict

88
Great!

Who should buy

Kevin Durant is ready to give us not only wonderful basketball, but also pretty cool shoes if you're looking for:

  • A hooper with wonderful support and foot containment to go for risky moves.
  • Nike Zoom Rival Waffle 5 Track & Field Distance Spikes.
  • A model with lateral stability details (TPU piece) in a flexible structure.
  • A comfortable and breathable pal to play when it's hot (even streetball from time to time).

nike kd 17 outdoor 001 21793862 main

Who should NOT buy

When we put on this shoe during our wear tests, we felt its opening was pretty wide. This could've been solved with an extra eyelet, as we really don't recommend sizing up. Why? Well, because that would just make the opening wider, and the shoe itself might lose some of its wonderful support and stability. If you're looking for a hooper with great ankle support (and other stability features), we believe you should have a look at the most supportive pairs in our catalog.

If you have really wide feet, the KD 17 won't do. Also, as we've explained before, sizing up is not recommendable in this shoe (at least in our opinion). Instead, we believe you should have a look at basketball shoes with a more spacious toebox like the Nike Kobe 9 Low Em Bruce Lee which is also available in wide options.

nike kd 17 cut in pieces 21793860 main

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike | Cushioning

Heel stack

At 26.1 mm, the KD 17's heel stack is lower than average.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Heel stack_1

As we can see in the image, between the insole and the midsole there's an Air Strobel in the heel area. This technology improves the shoe's comfort levels and cushioning, making up for the thinner-than-average sole.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike_outdoor_0014

The KD 17's low profile made us feel the court closer to our feet, which translated into more controlled and stable moves. When you're a quick player, this comes in really handy, as you're able to perform more complicated steps or dribbles more easily. Trust us, we verified it in our wear tests!

Test results
KD 17 26.1 mm
Average 29.1 mm
Compared to 73 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
23.2 mm
Heel stack
38.4 mm

Forefoot stack

The forefoot stack follows the same path. At 20.5 mm, it's lower than average according to our caliper, yet includes one of Nike's coolest technologies.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Forefoot stack_1

After playing with this KD for hours, our feet still felt pretty comfortable. The 17 features a Zoom Air at the forefoot, which made our landings softer and less harsh for our ball of the foot. But the best part is the pop it gave to our ride, making us get away from our defender in no time thanks to its snappiness.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike_outdoor_0013

No matter what position you play, having technologies like this one in the forefoot is always helpful. Why? Well, in basketball, even though overall cushioning is important, just think about how many times you actually land using the ball of the foot. A lot, right? What's more, we would even say that this is the healthiest way to land for your knees!

nike kd 17 outdoor 008 21793869 main

Nevertheless, the brand also added a plastic piece underneath. Even though it was fine for us, we get how this might be uncomfortable for some players; especially those who need some extra cushioning in their shoes. The KD 17's forefoot stack is nothing close to a skyscraper... not even to an average city building! So adding this strong and stiff layer under the part of your foot that you use to land might not be beneficial for everyone.

Our piece of advice is that you try the shoe beforehand if you have any kind of knee issues!

Test results
KD 17 20.5 mm
Average 21.6 mm
Compared to 73 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
15.5 mm
Forefoot stack
26.8 mm

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike | Drop

At 5.6 mm, this shoe's drop is among the average. This means there's not a big difference between the forefoot and heel heights.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Drop_1

You can see it clearly in this picture! As we cut every shoe in half to measure different parameters, we also get access to every secret its inner structure might be hiding from us. In this case, we can see:

  1. A full-length EVA bed, which is the bright white material.
  2. As we mentioned before, an Air Strobel in the rearfoot and a Zoom Air in the forefoot.
  3. nike roshe print sketches doodling.
  4. A shank, which is the dark blue piece right under the midsole (the white layer of foam).
  5. And last but not least, a way thicker heel counter if we compare it with the one of the KD 16.

Overall, this shoe's interiors are pretty Pack. We really appreciated this, as it made us feel safe during our playtests thanks to the support it offered. Additionally, the KD 17's high score in breathability wasn't affected by this. Which makes it even better!

Test results
KD 17 5.6 mm
Average 7.5 mm
Compared to 73 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
3.9 mm
Drop
13.7 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

During our wear tests, we felt a big difference between the KD 17 and the 16. Both models are really comfortable, that's for sure, yet this new iteration felt way softer on foot.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Midsole softness_1

At 23.1 HA, it's even softer than average. And our feet noticed that! This shoe felt just right, and we really liked the mix between the plush midsole and the stability features (such as the midfoot shank). We never felt that this pair's base was too much, or way too plush for us to be stable. We can summarise our experience during the wear tests with just one sentence: the KD 17 gave us the best of both worlds!

Test results
KD 17 23.1 HA
Average 25.1 HA
Вінтажна куртка nike athletic since 1971 стан нової речі м.
Compared to 73 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
11.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
38.6 HA

Insole thickness

Our durometer returned 4.2 mm when we measured this shoe's insole thickness.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Insole thickness_1

This is pretty much average. We understand the brand's decision, as a more Pack insole is not specifically necessary when this Nike is overall on the softer side. In other words, there's no need to add extra weight when we already have what we need from the shoe itself: comfort and stability!

nike kd 17 outdoor 002 21793863 main

If you're not a fan of "there's nothing special around" insoles, just let us spill the tea for you: this one is removable!

Test results
KD 17 4.2 mm
Average 4.8 mm
Compared to 73 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Insole thickness
8.6 mm

Size and fit

Size

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike is true to size (103 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 72 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

In addition to the Air Max 90 and Air Max 95

The KD 17 offers a less spacious, more one-to-one fit in a D medium width.

Having created a gel mold of its interiors, we measured the widest part of the shoe's toebox at 91.1 mm. Only a tad narrower than average but still within the average range.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike In addition to the Air Max 90 and Air Max 95
Test results
KD 17 91.1 mm
Average 92.8 mm
Compared to 28 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
88.9 mm
In addition to the Air Max 90 and Air Max 95
96.6 mm

Toebox width - big toe

The difference becomes apparent in the tip of the shoe's toebox where it gets notably narrower than the average basketball shoe. This taper angle reflected in a below-average width of 65.3 mm near the big toe.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Toebox width - big toe
Test results
KD 17 65.3 mm
Average 69.3 mm
Compared to 28 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
64.2 mm
Toebox width - big toe
72.6 mm

Toebox height

Gladly, the shoe's toebox height came out as expected at 23.5 mm. There is an ample amount of vertical space in this Nike shoe.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Toebox height
Test results
KD 17 23.5 mm
Average 23.4 mm
Compared to 28 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
20.1 mm
Toebox height
27.4 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

There's a feature that basketball shoes don't play around with: stability!

You know, you can prefer a more or less Pack model; one that lets you feel the court underfoot or one that is extra cushioned to ensure impact protection; or one with a low-top or high-top structure. Those are all different possibilities that depend on your playstyle, position, and taste. Nevertheless, each and every basketball shoe needs to be stable.

We can see it clearly in the video: the Nike 17 makes sure our heels don't overextend themselves! We loved the contentment its overall Pack structure offered us. And hey, talking about structure, have a look at this:

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike_outdoor_004

The KD 17's design is different from the one featured in older iterations. If you follow its midfoot plastic lines closely, you'll see all of them end in an eyelet. This worked as some kind of ribcage that embraced the shoe's upper, enveloping it in a nice hug that made our feet feel comfortable and safe during our playtests.

To test it even more, we performed some lateral movement drills to warm up before our games. This is a basic move in the sport, especially in defense. As you might already know, to shine as a defender you need to be quick, sharp, confident, and good at reading your opponent. Even though the KD 17 can't give you all of that, it will definitely offer you the support needed to be daring whilst feeling safe.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike_outdoor_005

We really appreciated this, as it boosted our confidence when we played ball. When you feel your feet are right where they should be, there's nothing that can stop you!

Torsional rigidity

As we were saying, we really enjoyed this shoe's overall stability. That wonderful feeling of safety also came directly from the high torsional rigidity level of the KD 17.

Our fingers were struggling a lot to bend this shoe! Despite our efforts, we could only make it move a little bit, so we rightfully gave the KD 17 a 4/5 on our torsional rigidity test. Apart from the ribcage-like structure that hugs the upper, there's another key piece in this puzzle.

Can you see the TPU blue part right above the midsole with some letters and Swoosh on it? We've talked about it before, remember? Well, we believe that exact detail is the one preventing us from twisting the shoe more than necessary.

nike kd 17 outdoor 007 21793868 main

Nike Phantom Vision Pro DF Men's Astro Turf Trainers!

Test results
KD 17 4
Average 4.4
Compared to 73 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

The extra Pack heel counter of this shoe also showed great stability. Not only during our wear tests, where it didn't let our heel slip or go for any weird moves, but also in the lab. When we tried to bend it and push it, it barely gave in!

We really liked this, as it let us go all in when we played ball. You know, if you don't feel safe in your shoes, there's no way you'll go for risky plays!

Test results
KD 17 4
Average 3.7
Compared to 73 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width - forefoot

The Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike's midsole width in the forefoot is average at 114.9 mm.

nike kd 17 midsole width in the forefoot 1 21793833 main

This gave us a solid base to land on, which we really appreciated! When we jumped from rebounds or went for layups, the fact that our feet could impact softly and safely on the ground (supported not only by this shoe's structure, but also by its technologies) made us want to keep playing.

Test results
KD 17 114.9 mm
Average 114.9 mm
Compared to 73 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
106.2 mm
Midsole width - forefoot
124.5 mm

NIKE AIR MAX BW PERSIAN VIOLET 29cm

The KD 17's midsole width in the heel is not as narrow as the KD 16's, but it's still narrower than average.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Midsole width in the heel_1

At 86.8 mm, this might mean that it might require a bit of a break-in for some people. Nevertheless, it fit our standard feet comfortably from the very first time we put it on.

Test results
KD 17 86.8 mm
Average 90.1 mm
Compared to 73 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
80.0 mm
NIKE AIR MAX BW PERSIAN VIOLET 29cm
105.1 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

We found another huge difference between the KD 16 and the 17 after we performed our flex test. The previous iteration scored 55.3N, which indicates it's a rather stiff shoe that might need some break-in before it gives you its full potential, at least comfort-wise. On the other hand, this newer version has a different story to tell.

At 39.1N, the force needed to make it bend is an incredible 29% less compared to the KD 16. This score is way closer to the average, and it translated into flexible and quick metatarsal moves for our pump fakes. This shoe gave in easily, so our toe-offs were really comfortable and easy too!

nike kd 17 outdoor 0015 21793876 main

We found this really convenient, as the KD 17 didn't give us and our foot a hard time at all; not even at the beginning!

Test results
KD 17 39.1N
Average 38.8N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 73 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
17.6N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
62.2N

Weight

During our wear tests playing games with this shoe, we didn't feel it was dragging our feet down or anything like that. But we didn't feel fast either!

We took it to the lab and put it on our scale. Honestly, we had quite high hopes, as the Nike KD was becoming lighter throughout the iterations. The 15's were 14.04 oz/398g, the 16's 13.9 oz/394.0g... and the 17's? 13.8 oz/390.0g! Yeah, these are small steps, but this Nike didn't stop taking them!

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Weight_1

Our scale returned 13.75 oz/389.8 g when we measured the left shoe.

nike kd 17 weight 2 21793846 main

And a little bit less, 13.6 oz/385.5 g, when we checked the right shoe's weight!

Honestly, we can't complain. Even if it's not by a lot, Nike keeps working hard to reduce the KD's overall weight; and we want to appreciate that! We definitely hope the brand keeps it up for future iterations.

Test results
KD 17 13.76 oz (390g)
Average 13.79 oz (391g)
Compared to 73 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
11.29 oz (320g)
Weight
17.46 oz (495g)

Breathability

The KD 17 is already showing us how much of an improvement it is right in our very first test. We grabbed our smoke machine and started to pump up some smoke into the shoe.

Look at how incredibly well-ventilated the toebox is! It gets even more evident when we compare it with the Nike Air More Uptempo 2016 (1/5), which struggled a lot to let our feet breathe.

But when we put the KD 17 right in front of our light, we didn't see any ventilation university. So, how come it actually let all that smoke out? We were pretty curious, so we grabbed our microscope and checked what was going on with the upper material.

nike kd 17 breathability 3 21793807 main

Look at that! Its woven mesh upper has multiple layers with many gaps. We can clearly see Nike focused on breathability after the warm KD 16 (scored a 1/5 in this test), but the brand also made sure durability was a priority. That's why our light didn't actually go through the upper despite its ventilation university: there are just many layers!

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Breathability_4

We decided to give the KD 17 a fantastic 4/5 on our breathability test. This isn't only a great score overall, but also a wonderful improvement regarding the previous iteration. And our feet loved it!

Test results
KD 17 4
Average 2.6
Compared to 73 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

After the wonderful breathability levels this Nike showed, we didn't expect it to be crazy durable. We did have some faith in its toebox, though, as some of the threads used seemed to be on the thicker side.

estas Nike Air Max 1 Wheat Pack.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Toebox durability_3

Yet when we removed the tool from the crime scene, the damage wasn't that bad!

We could see the threads were a little bit of a mess up there, but it's not like the Dremel had completely destroyed the material or created a big hole. That's why we decided to give the KD 17 a 3/5 in durability.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Toebox durability_2

This is what we mean by "the damage wasn't that bad". On the left, the Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike after our toebox durability test. On the right, the Nike Precision 6 after this same test. Look at all the broken layers of material, that's what a 1/5 looks like!

Test results
KD 17 3
Average 3.8
Compared to 64 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Nike Training Czarny t-shirt sportowy Dri-FIT 2.0

Because of the results on the previous tests, we had our hopes up and expected the KD 17 to keep doing pretty well. Still, we knew that the heel area is the weak point of any shoe. Especially in basketball, with all the jumps, quick cuts, fakes, and post-play.

Once again, we could see some threads flying around during our 4-second test. But we had learned our lesson, so we didn't jump to conclusions until we lifted the tool and checked the damages ourselves.

nike kd 17 heel padding 002 21793848 main

We had to come closer to actually see it. The tool could barely fight the heel padding! This was great news for us, as the KD 17 showed as much resistance to abrasions as the previous iteration, getting a well-deserved 4/5 on our heel padding durability test.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Nike Training Czarny t-shirt sportowy Dri-FIT 2.0_2

On the right, with the white pulverized material, we've got the Reebok Answer DMX. That's what a 1/5 on this test looks like!

Test results
KD 17 4
Average 3.6
Compared to 61 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Nike Training Czarny t-shirt sportowy Dri-FIT 2.0
5

Outsole hardness

So far so good, KD 17. But we still have a lot of tests for you, don't worry!

It was time for our outsole hardness test. This time, we grabbed our durometer instead of our Dremel, and turned the shoe upside down. Carefully sticking the tool against the rubber, we saw it returned 87.1 HC.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Outsole hardness_1

This score is higher than average, which most likely means this shoe's outsole focuses a bit more on durability. In other words, the material should be slightly more long-lasting than average. Nevertheless, the score is not so high for the KD 17 to sacrifice its grip. Let us show you a quick video as proof...

Okay, okay, fine. There's a specific section for that, so no spoilers!

Test results
KD 17 87.1 HC
Average 81.5 HC
Вінтажна куртка nike athletic since 1971 стан нової речі м.
Compared to 73 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
61.3 HC
Outsole hardness
91.0 HC

Outsole durability

At 0.9 mm, our tread gauge indicated this shoe's outsole is slightly more resistant than average to abrasion.

As you can see, we grabbed our Dremel one last time and went all in for the KD 17's rubber. Despite the increase in speed (from 5K RPM to 10K RPM), the outsole put up a fight and bravely faced the tool.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Outsole durability_2

We were pretty happy with the results, as the Dremel didn't manage to completely obliterate the wavy texture of the outsole's pattern.

Nevertheless, we believe it's important to tell you that, if those waves disappear, this Nike will most likely lose its traction. That's why we can't recommend it to play streetball exclusively! You can use it from time to time, sure, it should withstand a couple of games. But a constant or exclusive use outdoors might make you have to change shoes sooner than you'd like.

Test results
KD 17 0.9 mm
Average 1.1 mm
Compared to 52 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

To measure the outsole thickness properly, we need to cut the shoe in half. But this is not something that we do only on basketball models, we cut every pair into two! If you want to know more about the way we do things here, in EdiconnectShops, you should have a look at our testing methodology.

nike kd 17 outsole thickness 1 21793822 main

At 4.0 mm, our caliper indicated the Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike's outsole is just as thick as average. Even though it's slightly harder than average, it's pretty much as durable. Taking all this into account, we believe the KD 16 is a much better option to play streetball.

Test results
KD 17 4.0 mm
Average 4.0 mm
Compared to 73 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
2.9 mm
Outsole thickness
6.9 mm

Misc

Grip / Traction

Even though the KD 17 doesn't feature the engine pattern of the KD 16, we really liked its outsole.

nike kd 17 outdoor 003 21793864 main

As you can see, it now has a wave pattern that looks very similar to the isobars we see in weather maps. We found it to be pretty grippy on every surface, but the best part is that it offered us consistent traction. In other words, even if the court was dusty, these kicks bit it like there was no tomorrow.

Reflective elements

Nike Air Force 1 Low Flyknit "Blue Tint".

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Reflective elements_1

It's true that we believe reflective elements are a nice and expensive touch in shoes, but it's not like we were gonna use them in this Nike specifically. You can use the KD 17 as if it were a pair of sneakers, that's for sure, but if you get it for its main purpose (which is playing some ball), then there will always be light around!

Test results
KD 17 No

Tongue padding

When our caliper returned 8.8 mm, we nodded in agreement. Even though it's not quite as much as the average, we really found it to be enough during our playtests. Let us explain why!

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Tongue padding_1

First, less padding means less weight, and we love that! Second, this model features an overall Pack structure and a stable design, apart from a gusseted tongue; in other words, the brand didn't need to go overboard with the tongue's padding. Third, the padding is strategically divided, saving weight and focusing on the key areas to avoid lace bite or any kind of uncomfortable rubbing.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike_outdoor_0010

Test results
KD 17 8.8 mm
Average 9.2 mm
Compared to 73 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1.3 mm
Tongue padding
15.9 mm

NIKE BUTY SPORTOWE N110 D MS X

The fully gusseted tongue of the KD 17 added some extra support and foot containment, which are two features that we really, really love.

nike kd 17 tongue gusset type 1 21793838 main

At the same time, we felt relieved when we saw this supportive structure. If you want to know why, just have a look at this shoe's collar. It's pretty big, isn't it? Despite being well-structured and fairly Pack, we felt safer knowing the tongue was also doing its best to keep our feet right where they should be.

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike_outdoor_006

We believe this could also be solved with an extra top eyelet. But ah well, maybe for the KD 18!

Test results
KD 17 Both sides (full)

Heel tab

No heel tab around! But it's not like we missed it anyway, to be honest.

We loved the fact that the brand added the player's name right at the back. It's a super stylish detail that substituted the heel tab. But as the KD 17's opening is pretty wide already, we didn't feel it was hard to put it on, even without any kind of pull tab!

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike_outdoor_009

The KDs just keep getting cooler and cooler, we already can't wait for the 18th version!

Test results
KD 17 None

Removable insole

Nike Air Jordan 1 Mid GS Shadow Red UK 4.5 US 5Y READY TO SHIP!

nike kd 17 removable insole 1 21793843 main

So, if you need to use your own orthotics or you want some extra cushioning or support underfoot, you'll have no problems here. Piece of cake!

Nike Pro Training T-shirt kaki con logo Nike Removable insole_2

Test results
KD 17 Yes