*Just posted my review*
Well, well, well
KD finally got some respect and the kicks to go with it
I got these early off eBay for retail because I was so curious about the shoe that basically killed the KD 8 before it even stopped its sales cycle (nice job Nike). Just wanted to share my initial thoughts on these. And no, they don’t look like the Lillard 2
Other upcoming reviews: Way of Wade 4, and Curry 2.5
Sizing:
I went true to size with my normal 11 and I think think the run about the same length as the Rose 6 so I could probably go down half a size as well. Width wise these are perfect for me.
Traction:
I only shot around and ran drills in these tonight and these worked well overall. The rubber is super soft and pliable and sticks like glue. However it picked up a lot of dust and required some wiping while the Curry Two (my standard) didn’t need any. We will see if it gets any better after break in.
Cushioning:
If you read my Lebron X Review, you read all the issues I had with the 360 Zoom.
This time it feels like the fixed them all.
These sit a lower than the Lebron X and actually feel a little softer (no pillars like the X and a thinner midsole). They feel a lot like Ultra Boosts to me so less Zoom feeling than the Lebron X. I’m really liking the feel thus far.
Fully articulated forefoot.
Fit:
No major break in necessary although I felt a little heel slip. They improved a lot after shooting around so I expect them to improved a lot more. The Achilles is cut very high and the foam where is where it should be (unlike the Curry Two Low)
No bunchiness or weird folding on this one piece upper. Very nicely done.
Materials:
Flyknit all the way around. Nike did it right this time. The back of the Flyknit is nylon so that adds another comfortable layer to the shoe without adding stiffness.
Support and stability:
Support is minimal. Heel counter is on the soft side.
Heel is very stable and the tippiness I had with the Lebron X is gone. The simplicity of the heel is so simple that I wonder why it didn’t happen earlier.
Containment
Haven’t played in them yet but if they carried over the KD 8 containment, I’ll be happy. But given my Issues with knit and woven uppers we will have to see.
I’m super excited about these. Worst case scenario I end up with one super comfy shoe.
I may put these in play over the weekend during Chinese Nationals, so if you see the shoes, stop by and say hi!
schwollo.com 
Great review as always, looking forward to maybe buying these. How do these compare to the xx8 se, d rose6, and soldier 6 in cushioning (as in, could you please rank the 4 in terms of impact protection). Thanks for doing these reviews!
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Based on my shoot around session
KD by a hair over Rose 6 then Xx8 and soldier.
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thanks for the info! def picking up a pair
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No problem
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One piece upper? THAT IS REAL FLYKNIT? ✔ Fully articulated 360 zoom? ✔ *Down half a size for that 100% containment?*✔ *Spiritual successor to Lebron 10?*✔ Only retail for 150? ✔✔✔ BASED LEO CHANG. who knows if kd will win a ring as ATM he’s wearing it in playoffs, and totally killing the dubs. This is an amazing shoe from Nike for a great price, can’t wait for the performance review and my own pair!!!
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Well we know he won’t win it in these lol although he played great .
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Great review as always!
Quick question: how do these compare to d rose 6, xx8 se, and soldier 6 in terms of cushioning (could you please rank the 4 with regards to impact protection).
Thanks for doing these reviews. Hows the ligament injury btw?
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Fully recovered thanks ! Still regaining forearm muscles but full range of motion again !
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so on your first impression on seizing is it necessary to go half size down? do you play at the end in drose 6 in 11 or half size down?
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I went with an 11 in the Rose 6. With the KD it is going to come down to preference as to how much toe space you want and how narrow your foot is. Narrow feet will want to go half a size down bc your foot won’t fill out the shoe properly. My wide foot fills it out but I could go down half a size since it is flyknit. I’ll know more once I get more time in them.
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thanks , i also finished on 11 , true to size with drose, at the end.. i am very excited about kd 9 , it seems like a good option for people with bad knees…
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Haha it is. I wore the curry two and the KD on the other foot to compare traction. Cushioning set ups are total opposites. And definitely a good option for bad knees .
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Can’t wait for the full review. I haven’t been this excited for a shoe in a long time. I generally never pay retail for a shoe but this is probably gonna be the exception.
I wanted to pull the trigger on eBay as well but I’m a wide footer and wanted to try them on first in store because I have concerns about lockdown and width.
Crossing my fingers that this is everything I’m hyping it up to be.
Also, good to see you’re back playing at full strength!
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Ha yep me too I got super excited after I put them on. And thanks I’m glad to be playing!
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Hey man, glad you’re better from your injuries.
So, basically, this looks like a winner huh ? Read a previous comment where you stated it has better cushioning than the Rose 6. I am not a Rose 6 lover, just keeping it because my ankles/knees respond better when I am on tired days, so if there’s anything with comparable impact protection and weights less, I am all in. Btw, how is the KD9 for wide footers? I had major issues with the Hyperrev 16 for a while (until my feet got used with all that fuse) so I am a little worried to pull the trigger on a shoe line with a history of being narrow (and I am from a region on Brazil that rarely has signature shoes on stores).
Thanks for the great review, as always!
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Also, do they feel ‘light’ on the foot ? I mean, I have the Hyperrev 15, 16 and the Rose 6, and the Hyperrev 15 by FAR feels the quickest and lightest out of the three.
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I wouldn’t say it is hr15 light but it is lighter feeling than the Rose 6. I haven’t weighed it yet either
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Much better for wide footers . No tightness at the forefoot and very comfortable little break in time. Flyknit is very flexible not as crispy as the. 8
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Hey man, how is the traction breaking in?
I wanna pull the trigger on these but that is my only concern
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I’m using them in tourney play this weekend though . It’s good enough but not top tier thus far.
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So we all want to know….how were they for the weekend tourney?
Any quick thoughts?
Thanks
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Quick thoughts: courts were excellent, little to no dust good traction overall but not top tier (curry two AJ xx8 Kobe ix) . I had similar experiences just shooting around. Hoping it breaks in more . Cushioning is heavenly. Lower profile than the Lebron X but buttery smooth. I had friends try them on and they were impressed. Heel slippage gone and fits like a sock. Support is very minimal which I expected. I think 99% of ppl will love it.
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Great! Can’t wait for the full review
Thanks
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true to size ?
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Half size down if narrow foot, wide foot can go true to size like I did or half size down depending on tightness preference
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if you double sock , is it ok to go true to size? what is your choice at the end ? tts? i realized long time ago from your reviews that we have same foot shape 🙂
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Lol double sock then go true to size I went true to size and no issues with lockdown
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When’s the official performance review dropping?
I’m just super hyped about these
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In a week or two. I used them at a tourney this weekend and need some rest lol
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I have read carefully you initial thoughts i i find the KD 9 a very promising shoe. I will wait patiently for you final verdict.
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As with the others, I’m super excited for these as well! I wonder what changes they’ll implement for the Elite version of these, though lol.
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Haha I’ve pretty much given up on elites. No longer really adding improvements just material changes.
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How high is the shoe cut? More like a true low or a little bit higher like the D Lillard 2? And do they feel low to the ground (How would you compare that aspect to Clutch Fit Drives, Jordan XX9 lows, or Kobe XI’s? Shoe I have, haha)?
Love your reviews man, thanks.
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Cut is higher, similar to Hyperrev 2016/ Lillard 2. Feels way lower than Lebron X and slightly
Higher than Clutchfit. About the same as 29s I guess. Very good court feel for how good the cushioning is. And thanks for reading !!
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How long for the full review?
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Next few days almost done
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It’s up now btw
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I´m a forward (5´6 and 140L). wich better for me, kd9 or d.lillard 2??
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Comes down to your preferences. Better softer and bouncier cushioning in the kd9 traction is similar, Lillard feels more stable and supportive, lateral containment better on Lillard. That should help you with your decision I think
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