Official Images of Kyrie Irving's ANTA KAI 1
Irving’s first signature shoe since his time with the Swoosh is set to release next month.
Update: After Kyrie Irving took the court in his first signature shoe with ANTA earlier this month, the brand has now unveiled and officially announced the launch of the ANTA KAI 1. Designed in collaboration with footwear design director Jared Subawon, the KAI 1 blends modern performance with heritage. Its aerodynamic shape is backed by a carbon fiber midfoot plate, responsive midsole cushioning and a TPU sidewall at the lateral. Its debut colorway carries hieroglyphic-inspired detailing — tapping into themes of inspiration and encouragement. As for its color arrangement, “it draws inspiration from the beliefs of Native peoples, integrating the symbolism of the four directions with the psychological and physical impacts that colors exert on the body and mind.” The ANTA KAI 1 is set to make its debut on March 6 via ANTA and select retailers at a price of $125 USD.
Original Story: Kyrie Irving is coming off of a statement night in his return to Brooklyn. While fans were impressed by the Dallas Mavericks guard dropping a game-high 36 points against the Brooklyn Nets, the sneaker world had its attention on the kicks he wore. Inking a five-year deal with Chinese brand ANTA last July, the duo has now officially unveiled Irving’s first signature shoe since he parted ways with Nike in December of 2022.
With Irving appointed as the chief creative officer of ANTA last year, it was only a matter of time for his first design to surface. Now, a first look at the ANTA KAI 1 has been provided via Irving himself. Its synthetic upper seems to utilize a knit construction at both the toe box and midfoot window, while a strap stretches across the lacing system for extra lockdown. Premiering first in this “Artist on Court” colorway, purple and pink hues are joined by hits of neon green and gold while the sole unit favors an off-white finish.
At the time of writing, neither Kyrie Irving nor ANTA have disclosed when his first signature shoe will make its retail debut. Stay tuned for updates as the ANTA KAI 1 is likely to arrive in this “Artist on Court” colorway later this year at a currently-unknown price point.
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