Nike Unveils The KD V, Kevin Durant'S Fifth/5th Nike Basketball Shoe

Ahh...October, post season baseball, the start of a new NBA season, falling leaves, weather turning mildly cooler and of course the unveiling of signature basketball sneakers by Nike. We saw the LeBron X at the beginning of the month, now the KD V, just waiting on the Kobe 8 and the set is complete. Of all three signature kicks, KD's kicks has been somewhat normal, they don't have any inspiration from DIAMONDS, they don't have any marketing 'SYSTEM' or interchangeable booty, they are just old school basketball shoes but made lighter and more durable says Nike. 

Supposedly designed with premium materials and incorporating Nike performance technologies in the Hyperfuse upper construction (molded plastic) and Zoom Air cushioning system in the forefoot and heel, the KD V represents the evolution of Kevin Durant and his style smooth and fluid style of play.   

The four main technological points of the KD V are: 

1) Nike Zoom unit in the forefoot.

2) Nike Air unit in the heel.

3) Unibody Hyperfuse upper construction for superior fit. 

4) External heel counter to allow the foot to move while still providing support.

So what does all of that mean? Well it means that this version of the KD V is basically a smoother version of the Nike Hyperfuse with Nike Max Air on the heel. In addition, like most recent Nike basketball shoes, there's a hidden story to tell and help sell. It revolves around the number FIVE, five players makes a team in a basketball game, five sides of a pentagon – a Washington D.C. landmark, five corners of a star, and Durant’s fifth Nike signature shoe. You can find all these things that are related to KD in someway all over the shoes, from the shoe’s outsole pattern, midsole texture, tongue quilting with V’s, and heel counter details.

Now, if you need a dumb down version of what I just explained, let me know.

The Maryland state flag inspires the color combination on the shoe’s Bright Crimson colorway – with the flag’s red, yellow and black remixed in bright and light tones – a fitting tribute to Durant’s home state.

The KD V launches globally on NIKEiD on November 6, then is fully available beginning December 8 in both the Bright Crimson colorway and Black/blue colorway.