Nike KD 8 VIII Performance Review
Written by schwollo
Do you ever feel like a paper bag drifting through the wind, wanting to start again 🎶…I guess KD took these words to heart
Last year’s KD7 was so close to being a great shoe that all it really needed was a tweak to the heel for better lockdown and a slightly lower profile or more pressure, or caged unit on the 180 Zoom and the shoe would have been golden. But instead Leo Chang and Nike decided to blow it all up and start over with new…Well everything.
I felt like I was wearing Air Max 95’s when I put these on . Is that a good thing ?
Pros: traction, full length Zoom, support and stability, containment is excellent, hidden effective protective features
Cons: sole width is disproportionately wide,Zoom feels good but expected more response, protective features took some fun away, pricey
Traction
Traction was great on the VII so I had my hopes up for the 8. Nike used little nodules to create a herringbone pattern
I found the traction to work well overall but not as bite as hard as the top performers like the Rose 5, Clutchfit and Kobe IX. They still worked great though with no major slippage at all even in dusty floors. Very consistent across all surfaces. I thought the VII traction was better while these blew away VI traction.
Cushioning
Nike replaced the forefoot Zoom and 180 heel Max Zoom with a full length articulated unit. One of the “problems” with a normal full length unit is flexibility since your basically flexing a bag of air when you’re playing on full length Zoom. By articulating/segmenting the unit you increase flexibility
I couldn’t really tell it was articulated but I could feel the Zoom which is good enough for me. It isn’t as big of a Zoom unit as the KD 7 180 Max or Lebron X and it doesn’t feel as plush or bouncy as the full length Hyperrev 2014 but the Zoom feel is there but not in spades. If the Hyperrev feel is an ideal 10, these are an 8.5
Above: Little plastic nodules stabilize the lateral side at the forefoot. The rear is stabilized with this below. Less flexing is better for cutting and less pressure on outer foot where KD had surgery.
I’m guessing KD likes a more stable ride so Nike made his shoe the way he likes it. It’s also probably why you never saw KD wear the VII or Elite VI much; The max Zoom felt great running straight but it compressed too much on cuts where you put lots of pressure on the outside of your foot and make it tough to cut quickly (one of my gripes with the Lebron X). I’d like a little more plush feel but these are KD’s shoes not mine. Compared to the Hd15 these are like pillows.
Transition is very smooth since the cushioning is full length. One thing I wanted to note is the toe spring and the extended heel and why it’s on the KD 8
See how the toe pulls up on these ? It’s called toe spring and is very common in running shoes to help create a rocker effect to promote a heel strike which makes sense since KD is coming off surgery for his Jones fracture . Promoting a heel strike would be a great way to help alleviate pressure on his toes.It isn’t as pronounced as a running shoe’s but more than a normal hoop shoes.
I found the toe spring awkward at first bc of the large gap from the articulation but it felt natural after playing in them.
I also liked the extended heel because I’m a heavy heel striker and it helps me transition from heel to toe more fluidly. The only bad thing is that it gets stepped on more easily.
Fit
I bought my normal sz 11 and they ran narrow and about 1/2 size short length wise so I went up to 11.5 and the fit was much better width and perfect length wise. I have wide flat feet and I didn’t want to deal with narrow shoes.
The upper of the 8 is composed of Flyweave which is the same woven upper that the TW 15 used sans the waterproof lining. It’s Nike’s version of Jordan Brand’s Performance Woven upper.
It isn’t as soft and pliable all over the shoe as the upper on the Aj XX9 but I think that’s a good thing. The entire toe box as well as both the medial and lateral sides are reinforced with an extra layer of Flyweave (I think that’s what it is)
Looking at the upper it is any part of the upper that has the longer red line
The darker portions from the toe box to the longer red lines are all backed with an extra layer . It isn’t stiff like typical fuse so I think it just extra layers of Flightweave. It feels about 2 to 2.5x thicker than the one layered parts.
Here is an inside shot:
Regardless, the upper provides a very snug one to one fit.
Below: nice plush tongue no lace pressure 
Above: shot of the upper and Flywire
Below: reinforced toe box for toe draggers like me.
I felt no movement side to side and no deadspace in the toe box . I’m sure glad I went up half a size.
The great fit on the upper would be all for not if the heel didn’t lock in and I’m glad to say the 8 does indeed lock the heel into place. The Elite V, VI, and VII all had serious heel slippage for me so I’m very pleased with how the 8 locks in my heel.
Support and Stability
A surprising strong point of then KD 8 is its support and stability. The entire sole is wide, especially at the forefoot since the Zoom bag actually extends outside of the upper.
By making the sole wider than the upper, it really promotes stability since you can’t lean on the edges of the Zoom unit and tip off the edge of the Zoom like the KD VII and Lebron X. I felt that the sole is a little too wide in proportion to the shoe; for such a skinny, slim shoe, the sole is wider than a chunkier shoe like the Lebron Solider IX. The wider sole helps with alleviating pressure on his repaired foot though; it gives the fifth metatarsal or pinky toe more surface area to rest on even on cuts. Just a theory of course.
It isn’t a big deal but the sole’s width doesn’t match up to the width of the upper. I understand why they made it so wide though
The heel is wide and flat and passed my heel test with no tendency to roll over even when pushed. The heel counter is made of a foam and is “inspired” by KD’s saber tooth tattoo (come on that’s a pretty stupid thing to be inspired by and a hell of a stretch). It works well though
Containment
Another woven shoe, more weak containment? Nope, the KD 8 gm has the best containment of any woven upper I have tried including the XX9, Crossover 2, CrazyLight Boost Primeknit. The extra layers Nike added really kept my foot in the footbed. Flywire, thanks for holding the laces in. Well done Nike !
Conclusion
At $180 these are more than double the cost of the KD I, II and III which is disappointing since KD wanted to make his shoes affordable. I guess Nike had to figure out a way to pay him his 300M contract and hiking up the price helps. I think by sticking his shoe release in the middle of summer Nike really hurt their chances to push and sell this shoe (plus disrespectful to the MVP). What other sig shoe comes out during the summer aside from team shoes ? There are no games on and seeing the sig player perform in the shoe is what sells the shoe. I guess they have to somehow even out sales forecasts from quarter to quarter for Wall Street. Expect these to hit $135 or less soon.
With the KD 8 you get full length Zoom and a Flyweave upper for a lot less than the Aj XX9. The KD 8 does everything exceptionally well and if the Zoom felt a little more plush it would be perfect. Don’t get me wrong the full length Zoom is great but it doesn’t feel exactly as we expected. I believe cushioning is what makes a shoe fun ; you can have all the other aspects of the shoe done perfectly but if it doesn’t feel right underfoot, it can change your view of a shoe . The KD 8 might be low cut but the design seems to be cater to KD’s pinky toe needs to help him transition back to MVP form. Flyweave and a wider sole results in less impact and pressure on his pinky toe.
All that being said , I did not like the shoe initially but as I played in it more, I loved it. It does everything a low top should but with subtle protective features that I love and need. I always wanted to love the Zoom in the Lebron X and KD 7 but couldn’t because it was too unstable at the heel and on cuts and guess what ? Nike fixed it with those little plastic nodules. A wider than normal sole really makes it impossible to turn your ankle despite being a little clunky feeling initially. If you always wanted a low but had the fear of turning your ankle, this is your shoe. I can’t wait for these to drop in price bc they will be slept on . Thanks for the summer release Nike.
I am super excited to see KD return to the court in a shoe designed specially to his needs. Novel concept for a sig shoe isn’t it ? #hookemKD
schwollo.com 
Great review! Been anticipating this. I love the way they made the woven upper on these very soft yet strong. Thought that what you said about containment in the 29’s was exaggerated so i finally tried a pair on and i damn near destroyed it. Abput the price hike at least you’re getting innovation in tech at least. Unlike the lebrons or kobe’s which reuse tech and up the price more.
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Yea Lebron Kobe’s Jordans
Most pricey bc of name not actual performance
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Yup i agree. With most sigsits usually hit or miss because brands focus mostly on design rather than performance. At least the sigs back in the day evolved the tech and always looked good. For example. The jordan legacy line, the penny line, the iversons, the alpha project shoes etc… knowing you you probably got a pair of each lol. I musg see your collection, hope you make a post bout it… not forcing you or anthing tho.
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Yep I agree
I’m going to post some soon too much to dig through
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Did you change insiles in these? With the orthplite that these came with my heel was sliiping a bit but i changed it to the insoles from the crazylight boost, the first one, and lockdown became better and i could feel more of the zoom. Also made the shoe even lower to the ground. The stock ortholite i put into my clutchfit drives and you need to feel that. Made the cfd’s plusher and made lockdown better imo.
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I didn’t try that but I didn’t have any issues with lockdown . I’d try that swap into the CFD if I didn’t love them as is lol
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so are crazylight primeknit boost 2015 better or these for new low tops out now?
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Two totally different shoes . If you want runner like freedom go with the crazy light . If you want a low but want support and stability go with the KD 8. I swap out depending on how I feel or how injured I am loo
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how about trey 5 III. couldnt find a review on those. was wondering which pulled ahead.
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Hey important question: These KD 8’s or Clutchfit Drive 1 Low and Why? Which of the two is better? I’m kind of leaning towards the KD 8 but idk
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I still like the CFD low but the kd 8 does everything well. If the Zoom was a little more fun feeling I’d really enjoy the viii more though. It’s probably one of the most stable lows I’ve played in due to all the protective measures for kd .
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So the CFD Low is more responsive/bouncy than the KD 8? Also which has better fit/containment?
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CFD is a little lower softer and bouncier to me. Kd is firmer but still has some spring to it. Containment and fit are equal neither one is better then the other . I will say the kd does not feel as natural underfoot to me
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I know they’re basically very different but which you think better between these,M11 and Superfly 4?I play SF , jump a lot and I’m very light.As always great performance review.
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Superfly 4. Feels better overall ,better traction , lower to ground .
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Do you prefer the Kobe X or the KD VIII? Which one has better court feel between the two? Thanks and great review!
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I think the Kobe X feels more natural . Kd 8 has lots of protective feature that take away from th feel . However, lunarlon in Kobe X goes flat fast . What are you looking for in a shoe?
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Thank you for replying to me! Mainly I am looking for something that offers impact protection but is still very responsive. I have had a pair of the Kobe X in the past and I was not a big fan of the upper, but I still liked the shoe. I know the upper is better on the KD 8 with the knit. I guess I am wondering if the upper on the KD 8 makes it worth getting it over the Kobe.
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No problem! I love talking shoes lol
Why not get the elite Kobe X low? Upper def feels better than regular and if you like the rest of the shoe ..
Here is what differences I noticed btw the kd and Kobe non elite
Kd is more protective wider outsole and cushioning overall feels firmer heel to toe . Great fit overall, traction about the same .
I went half size up from Kobe X btw .
Hope that helps !
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Kd 8 vs Kobe 10? Which one would you go with and why? Thanks!
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Depends what you are looking for. The kd is more protective and supportive while the Kobe is more material feeling underfoot. Traction is about the same for both. What are you looking for out of a shoe
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Great site, I have enjoyed reading your reviews. After ten years off, I’m getting back into a hoops routine and playing with a rec team. I would like to find something that balances court feel with cushioning (OATS on my knee). How does the new D Rose stack up against the KD 8 in those terms?
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Rose 6 is perfect for bad knees bad back or aging bodies. Really softens the landing while
Not being overly mushy. kD 8 does a good job as well but they don’t feel as good on the knees as Boost imo. Rose 6 and kd 8 are 20% off on Eastbay right now so not bad deals either way.
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I can expand more if you like
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Thank you- D Rose it is. Keep up the good work.
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Thanks !
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Hey schwollo, i just recently bought a pair of Kd 8’s for 66 bucks and like you have a very wide and flat foot. So i was wondering if you had the same problem with the shoe being extremely tight in the forefoot area. I even went half a size up (12.5) and its still tight. Did you have that problem and if so did it go away with break in time? Just wondering because i love the look my feet are just dying in these.
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I did not have that problem but usually woven uppers fit right on top of your foot since they aren’t as constrictive or stiff as other materials . Hope that helps !
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How stiff is the midsole/cushion for the KD 8 compared to the KD 7s? I usually wear the Kobe 8s (zoom heel/forefoot inserts..lunar is crap for bball) and I guessing my feet are used to that flexibility. I bought the KD 7s for more cushion (impact protection) and I ended up getting shin splints in the middle of the games because of the stiffness in the shoe. Maybe, I need to break them in some more, although I’ve already played in them for about 3-4 gym sessions.
Also, everyone talks about how that extended heel gets stepped on and your shoes slip off. Does that happen often?
Thanks!
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The kd8 isn’t super flexible like the Kobe 8. About the same as the kd7 in terms of flexibility maybe a little more flexible. The articulated zoom doesn’t help that much with flexibility imo. I’m
Not sure about the extended heel since I’m usually way past the defender :). But seriously it isn’t a big deal it isn’t that easy to step on that piece it is only a few millimeters longer than a regular shoe. I liked the kd 7 all around but heel slip killed it for me .
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Thanks for the info. I have the same problem with the heel. I’m also thinking that might be part of the cause too…because of the slippage, the shoe isn’t flexing (forward motion) like it should.
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I’m not sure you might want to switch out shoes and see if the shin splints go away though
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yeah, i’m give that a test. thanks!
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Let me know how it goes
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so after a couple more wears on the KD7… no more shin splints. though, I still don’t know the true reason.. I noticed the foam molded a bit more and the heel was more locked in now (not a 100% but enough to not have major slippage like before). I also used a runners loop for the extra lock down. It also could have been my feet not being used to the shoe. Kobe 8 is like wearing sandals compared to a reg bball shoe and maybe it took some time to adjust. I was also doing a heavy load of “work outs” as I was just getting back into shape after a shoulder injury.
I tried on the KD8.. the KD8 is more flexible than the KD7…I guess you can say an inbetween the Kobe 8 and KD7. Really interested in the material of the KD9.. That traction pattern worries me a little bit.
Thanks for your site..I find it really useful compared to the others out there.
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Good to hear things working out. Sometime shin splints are just from
Not warming up properly. Kd9 looks like fun to me. Want to see what changed with the Zoom and how it feels more than anything else
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Hi, If I rocked on KD7 size 10.5… would you suggest that I try out the KD8 size 11s? I have wide, flat feet. Thanks!
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Yes I recommend half size up
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I ran across these shoes for 50 dollars new. I have to ask about traction, does it have “grip slip?” I hate that feeling in a shoes grip. I usually mop floor with wet towel before I play. The grip is only aspect i have worry about. Hate grip slip.
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Traction is great with the KD 8
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Do they compare to the Curry 2 or Kobe 9 on a clean court traction wise? I see in your review they don’t bite as hard – this concerns me.
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The KD 8 isn’t as good as the curry two Kobe ix AJ xx8 in terms of traction. It is on the second tier which is very good but not quite awesome
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Hi Schwollo!
Thank you for your very detailed reviews. I want to try the KD 8 out but I’m not sure how the cushion feels. I have bad knees and just got through an ankle surgery. So I want to ask how is the KD 8 cushion compared to Kobe 8? The only KD shoes I’ve ever had is KD 6 and they feel like bricks under my foot.
Hope to hear from you soon,
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KD vi was crappy I didn’t like them at all. KD 8 cushioning is much better but still firmer than Kobe 8. Have you looked at the KD Ix? Softer that all of the above
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I read you review on the KD9, superior cushioning. To be honest I kinda like the look and the upper of KD 8 more. I’m skeptical about which one to get first. And one more thing, I’m playing outdoor. Will the KD 9 traction last me a good amount of time (say 3 months)? They look so soft in the pictures.
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No the KD 9 won’t last long. KD 8 might last a bit longer but neither were made for outdoors. Those uppers will rip up outside esp the 9
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Hey schwollo,
wanted to ask since you really like this shoe and all but do you encounter any mid foot pain when hooping in these? I’m not sure what causes the pain in the mid foot but it’s only in my left foot. It’s weird cause I also experienced it in another full length setup like the Hyperdunk 2016 FKs, but not in the full length setup of the AJ12.
I’m not sure if it’s because of problems with the arch on my left foot and maybe I need a harder material in the mid foot (I don’t experience the pain when I hoop in the Lebron 11 or Lebron 13 Elite, or even the Curry 2.5)
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I never experienced any pain but it does sound like you need more support in the midfoot. Try using non full length zoom set up for a few weeks then go back and see if the pain is gone is my advice
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I’ll give it a shot. Guess I’ll have to keep the KD9 unused for a while though lol. Was looking forward to trying that out.
Do you think any of the Adidas full-length boost models are supportive enough if it really is my foot that is messed up? I can see they have visible shanks and I have tried on all 3 models in-store however I can’t really tell if my foot will be fine until I run and jump in them at game speed.
I wonder when I’ll find a full length setup I enjoy as much as the AJ12’s. People always ask me why I hoop in retros a lot but the 12s are still probably my go-to shoe for awesome full length zoom.
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The AJ xii zoom is great so it’s hard to beat. I’d take the xii over the xxxi even though the zoom is pretty good. zoom BB if you can find one.
I think the Adidas set ups are supportive enough especially the Rose and CLB since they are firmer than the CE.
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Just to update my situation. I’ve been playing in nothing but the Curry 2.5 and the Lebron 13 Elite recently, no midfoot pain in those.
Decided to try out my flyknit hyperdunks and the familiar midfoot pain was back when I took to the court. worth noting though that the pain doesn’t really last, it is mostly uncomfortable when I land from jumps (which I do a lot playing as a forward/center). When I rested on the bench, my foot was fine and I didn’t really feel any lingering effects of that pain I felt during play.
Interesting to note though, that when I tried out my KD9, I didn’t feel the pain and had an awesome experience. I felt so good playing in those that I ended up playing more than I usually do during a 2 hour session. No pain whatsoever. Really loved the KD9 experience.
Rather than the mid-foot support theory though, I’m starting to think it might be that my KD8 and FK HDs fit wrong?
I had to size up to 15 on the KD8 to be able to fit them comfortably. I’m normally a 14 but I couldn’t fit the 14 on my foot, and nobody sells a 14.5 so I tried on a 15, felt my foot was pretty secure, and didn’t seem like I had too much extra toe-room and decided to roll with it. Went true to size on my HDs, as the size 13 (again no 13.5) didn’t fit my foot nicely either (they fit my right foot fine, but my left foot was getting pinched near the ball of the foot in the size 13).
In the KD9, I went with my usual size 14, and found that as usual with the KD line, they fit pretty snug even if some reviewers recommended going half-size down. My foot aligned with the flex groove nicely, slid into the shoe nicely, the heel felt secure and it had just the right amount of free space at the toe box to my liking.
Could it be possible that I’m wearing a half size too big in the HDs and the KD8 which is why I experience that midfoot pain? But I don’t really see how the sizing can cause that.
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I don’t think it is a sizing issue either. Some shoes just don’t work for certain ppl I guess ? Kd8 was pretty damn narrow and had tight spots so maybe just rubbing you in the wrong spot
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It’s probably not rubbing as the pain is underneath my feet. Either way. I’m probably selling my KD8s given how much I like the 9 better and I do have other wearable pairs of basketball shoes I have no issues with.
I might give the HDs a few more tries. I really like the way the oreo FK ones look and am a bit hesitant on selling those.
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I like those Oreos too
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The traction pattern seems really tight around the mid foot, did you slip much there? I also have a 20% discount for anything on east bay expiring December 31st, what are your top 10 performance shoes by Jordan/Nike? My team is sponsored so I gotta rep those.
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No I don’t put much pressure on the midfoot and I don’t use it to stop or change direction . Does your list have to be this year?
Soldier ix, Hyperdunk 2016, Hyperrev 2016 or 2015. Superfly 3 and 4 all good all around
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Hi, im looking for a low to the ground, responsive shoe, I have a pair of the KD9 but y feel like I sink on the zoom, since this are cheap now, do you think these would cut it?
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You know what’s funny is I just took my pair out this week for a spin and it def feels lower but still has good Zoom feel. I still prefer the AJ XXXI Low but the kd 8 is pretty good although a bit stiffer feeling than the IX
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I think thats what Im looking for then, about the XXXI the thing that worries me is the fact that the zoom comes out a little bit form the rest of the outsole, same thing happened with my M10 and although I never had any real problems I feel unestable
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I got over that feeling quickly and I turned my ankle badly early this summer. It feels more unstable with walking than actual playing or running since it compresses.
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Schwollo, could you rank the top 4 shoes from the KD line, from best to worst?
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I skipped 1-2 . Honestly I don’t really love any of them. Best four for me: 3, 5, 8, 7 (don’t like the tippy soft heel due to zoom 180)
Worst ones for me were 6 elite, 6 and 4. 6 just didn’t fit my feet 6 elite was horribly designed and sloppy
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