Nike and Kyrie Irving Officially Reveal the Kyrie 6
Combining Kyrie’s past, present and future for a brand-new style.
The last few months have served as the start of a new chapter for all-world point guard Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets, and the latest piece is his brand-new Nike Kyrie 6, a shoe that aims to encapsulate both his game and his story. Designed by Benjamin Nethongkome — who’s been working on Irving’s line since the Kyrie 3 — the Kyrie 6 both provides performance that’s fit for a unique style of play and details that tell the ever-captivating floor general’s story.
Now that they’re four shoes deep, Nethongkome knows exactly what Kyrie likes, stating “We’ve built a lot of trust over the last three shoes. I know what Kyrie wants from an overall feel. There is a certain formula: An extra-padded tongue, almost Nike SB style, and a cushy collar, combined with support in the midfoot.” This is achieved by way of new performance features like a Traction 360 grip pattern, a last that’s dropped 5mm closer to the ground for better court feel, and a new midfoot strap in place of the Kyrie 5‘s Venus Flytrap-inspired shroud for increased lockdown. Recognizable pieces return as well, like the banked traction provided by the curved outsole and the responsive articulated Air Zoom Turbo unit loaded in the forefoot.
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
From a looks standpoint, the silhouette offers a style that’s intentionally cross-generational, blending a heritage basketball foootwear ethos with details and flourishes unique to Kyrie himself. “The Zoom Airbag, 360 traction and the strap — the technology defines the functionality of the shoe.” said Kyrie. He then added “But it’s evolved into a beautiful design that incorporates different inspirations from past Nike shoes. What’s history without utilizing it and implementing it into your own style and your own swag?”
The aforementioned strap nods to classic Nike Basketball silhouettes from the ’90s, with a premium leather and mesh construction promoting off-court wear as well. The most noticeable feature of all however, might be the sharply-molded heel counter — an embellishment that, when combined with the strap and cut, calls to mind images of Kanye West‘s legendary Nike Air Yeezy 2. There’s also familiar Kyrie-centric motifs like a healer’s hand and all-seeing eye, his “hungry and humble” mantra, and his #11 jersey.
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
The Nike Kyrie 6 will make its debut on Nike.com November 22 in the “Jet Black” colorway. Several more in-line and special styles are slated to follow in the months afterwards.
Elsewhere in the world of Nike footwear, Supreme debuted its ultra-luxe Air Max 95 collaboration, constructed of Italian leather and priced at $500 USD.
