Kyrie Irving, one of the biggest stars in the NBA, had a highly successful signature sneaker deal with Nike. Signing with the brand in 2011, Kyrie received his first signature sneaker, the Nike Kyrie 1, in 2014. This partnership marked a significant milestone in his career and Nike's lineup of basketball shoes. The Kyrie line quickly became known for its unique designs, high performance, and cultural impact, resonating with basketball players and sneakerheads alike.
Despite the initial success, Irving's relationship with Nike became strained. Rumors began circulating that Nike would not renew Irving's contract, which was set to expire in 2023. This speculation became a reality when Nike ended their deal with Kyrie in late 2022. The termination followed Irving sharing a controversial movie on his social media and defending his actions despite backlash. This incident was among several that led Nike to distance themselves from the star, including his controversial flat earth beliefs and his public criticism of Nike over the design of the Kyrie 8, which eventually debuted as the Kyrie Infinity.
Throughout his tenure with Nike, Irving released nine signature shoes, each offering a wide array of colorways that remain highly sought after by collectors. Each sneaker in the Kyrie line was known for its innovative design, featuring advanced technology and unique aesthetic elements that reflected Irving's personality and style of play. The shoes were celebrated for their traction, support, and responsiveness, making them a favorite among basketball players at all levels.
The Nike Kyrie 1 introduced several key technologies that made it impactful on the basketball court. The shoe featured a Hyperfuse construction for lightweight durability and breathability, and a Nike Zoom Air unit in the forefoot for responsive cushioning. Its unique design elements included a 360-degree dynamic traction pattern, which provided exceptional grip and control during quick cuts and fast movements.
Building upon its predecessor with an even more aggressive traction pattern and a curved outsole, the Kyrie 2 had smoother transitions and a better court feel. The shoe also featured a strap across the midfoot for enhanced lockdown and stability, crucial for a player like Irving, who relies on quick, multidirectional movements. The Kyrie 3 maintained the focus on traction and support, introducing independent traction pods for enhanced grip. The shoe's Flywire technology provided a secure fit, while the Zoom Air unit in the heel ensured responsive cushioning.
The Kyrie 4 marked a significant evolution by introducing Cushlon foam in the midsole, offering a balance of cushioning and responsiveness. The shoe also featured an engineered mesh upper for improved flexibility and breathability and a modified herringbone outsole for multidirectional traction.
Kyrie's 5th sneaker introduced the innovative Air Zoom Turbo unit, designed to provide responsive cushioning across the entire forefoot. The shoe's Flytrap overlay offered enhanced midfoot support and lockdown, while the advanced traction pattern ensured reliable grip on various court surfaces. Continuing the trend of advanced cushioning and support, the Kyrie 6 featured a full-length Air Zoom Strobel unit and a padded collar for additional ankle support. The shoe's midfoot strap and adjustable lacing system provided a customizable fit, making it one of the most versatile models in the line.
The Kyrie 7 focused on lightweight performance with a mesh upper and TPU overlays for durability. The shoe featured a 360-degree traction pattern and a Zoom Air unit in the forefoot for responsive cushioning. The design catered to quick, agile movements, reflecting Irving's playing style. Irving’s final sneaker, the Kyrie Infinity, featured a forefoot Zoom Strobel unit for enhanced cushioning and energy return. The shoe's traction pattern was optimized for grip, and the layered mesh upper provided breathability and support. Irving criticized the design despite its technical advancements, leading to a public dispute with Nike.
Following his departure from Nike, Kyrie signed a new deal with Chinese sportswear brand ANTA. This partnership began a new era for Irving, who now has his signature sneaker with the brand, the ANTA Kai 1. Embracing this new chapter, Irving has already launched several colorways of the Kai 1, with designs celebrating his heritage and energy in the NBA Playoffs. Additionally, Kyrie recently signed his father to a signature sneaker deal with ANTA, further expanding his influence in the basketball and sneaker worlds.
With a breakdown of Kyrie Irving’s signature sneaker lines, let's go ahead and rank his best colorways released thus far. This exploration will delve into the most iconic designs, performance features, and the cultural impact of each shoe, highlighting why Kyrie Irving shoes continue to captivate fans and collectors worldwide.
ANTA Kai 1 Playoff Pack
The ANTA KAI 1 Playoffs Pack is inspired by his African American and Indigenous ancestry, highlighting the physical, mental, and spiritual journey he embodies in basketball. The pack features two colorways: Playoff White and Playoff Navy.
The Playoff White colorway showcases a papyrus white upper with neon lotus pink lace loops and green grass accents. The shoe features metallic gold branding for the ANTA logo and the KAI logo on the tongue, symbolizing the pursuit of the postseason trophy. The toe cap has a unique three-color weave design inspired by Native American art.
The Playoff Navy colorway has a deep sea blue upper and similar pink and green accents, maintaining thematic consistency. Both shoes incorporate a forefoot lockdown strap for enhanced protection and feature rubber threading, which reflects Kyrie's tribal roots and complements his dynamic play style. The heel graphics and hieroglyphic alphabets further emphasize Irving's connection to his heritage and "master your craft" philosophy.
Nike Kyrie 4 Uncle Drew
The Nike Kyrie 4 Uncle Drew was released with Kyrie Irving's film Uncle Drew. This colorway features a predominantly white knit upper contrasted with a royal blue Nike Swoosh and multi-colored speckling on the midsole. The shoe is completed with a gum outsole, giving it a clean yet vibrant look.
Nike Kyrie 6 USA
The Nike Kyrie 6 USA is a patriotic colorway designed to honor America. This version features a white mesh and leather upper, accented with contrasting blue and red details. The molded heel piece and adjustable midfoot strap, also in red, provide added support and a secure fit. The design is complemented by a Seeing Eye pattern on the tongue and inner lining, showcasing Kyrie's unique style and influences.
Sneaker Room x Nike Kyrie 7 Fire and Water
The Sneaker Room x Nike Kyrie 7 Fire and Water is a striking collaboration that celebrates the elements of fire and water through its vivid design. This special edition features a mismatched color scheme, with the left shoe predominantly showcasing magma red tones and the right shoe in cool blue shades, symbolizing the fiery and aquatic elements. Each pair also includes unique detailing, such as the MOM logo on the left tongue, honoring the mothers of Kyrie Irving and Sneaker Room founder Suraj Kaufman, with special In Honor of spaces on the heels for personalized tributes.
Kyrie Infinity 1 World 1 People
The Nike Kyrie Infinity 1 World, 1 People is a vibrant and symbolic sneaker emphasizing unity and diversity. Coming in Safety Orange, we see this shade with gorge green, sesame, and black accents. The shoe's design integrates a breathable mesh upper, ensuring comfort and flexibility. The cushioning is enhanced with Zoom Air technology, providing a responsive performance ideal for dynamic movements on the court.
Both versions of the Kyrie Infinity 1 World, 1 People highlight Kyrie Irving's commitment to promoting unity and diversity, merging performance technology with meaningful design.
Nike Kyrie 6 N7
The Nike Kyrie 6 N7 is a meaningful addition to Kyrie Irving's signature line, designed to celebrate and support Native American and Aboriginal communities. This shoe is part of Nike's N7 collection, which promotes physical activity and sport within Native American and Aboriginal communities in North America.
Two colorways were offered, one features a light cream and sail upper with electric green and flash crimson accents, giving it a vibrant yet earthy look. Another pair came in a black build with similar colors accenting. The design includes various symbolic graphics, such as a mountain on the lateral side, representing Kyrie’s Lakota name, Hela, or Little Mountain, highlighting his Indigenous roots and honoring his late mother, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.
Nike Kyrie 6 Bruce Lee Pack
The Nike Kyrie 6 Bruce Lee Pack is a tribute to the martial arts legend and draws inspiration from the Nike Zoom Kobe 5 Bruce Lee, which Kobe Bryant famously wore during the 2009-2010 NBA season. This edition of the Kyrie 6 came in two versions: Comet Red and Black.
The Comet Red version features an all-red upper with black and gold accents, including signature scratch marks reminiscent of the Kobe 5 Bruce Lee's iconic look. The shoe combines Kobe's and Kyrie's logos on the tongue, creating a unique and meaningful design. The black version of the Bruce Lee colorway features a black mesh and leather upper with white, del sol, and gym red accents. Like the red version, it includes distinctive scratch marks and a blend of both athletes' logos on the tongue.
Both Kyrie 6 Bruce Lee versions incorporate Nike's Air Zoom Turbo cushioning for enhanced court responsiveness, making them visually striking and high-performing basketball shoes.
Nike Kyrie 1 Duke
The Nike Kyrie 1 Duke, also known as the Brotherhood, pays tribute to Kyrie Irving's time at Duke University. This colorway features a primarily black upper with blue and white accents, reflecting the school's colors. The shoe showcases a Lyon Blue mesh upper with metallic silver and black details and a distinct anthracite outsole that adds to its durability and performance.
Nike Kyrie 5 BHM
The Nike Kyrie 5 BHM (Black History Month) is a special edition colorway released in February 2019 to celebrate African-American heritage. This sneaker features a white engineered mesh upper, accented with modernized African prints on the tongue and heel panel, reflecting the cultural significance of the design. The white upper is complemented by a metallic gold Nike Swoosh and a black outsole with multicolored accents.
Flywire cables enhance support, and a Venus flytrap-inspired lacing system helps with a secure fit. Performance-wise, the shoe includes an Air Zoom Turbo unit in the forefoot for responsive cushioning, making it suitable for dynamic on-court movements.
Nike Kyrie 7 Rayguns
The Nike Kyrie 7 Rayguns colorway continues the popular Roswell Rayguns theme first apperaing on the Kyrie 3. Inspired by the fictional 1970s ABA team featured in a 2002 Nike Basketball campaign and featured on the Nike SB Dunk, this colorway revisits the vibrant and playful aesthetics of the original design. The sneaker features a dual-layer mesh upper in a striking combination of black and orange, complemented by a University Gold synthetic leather heel overlay adorned with the Roswell Raygun logo.
ANTA Kai 1 Artist on Court
The ANTA KAI 1 Artist On Court is a vibrant and culturally rich colorway, marking Kyrie Irving's debut signature shoe with ANTA. This edition celebrates Kyrie's Native American heritage and his transcendent basketball philosophy. The sneaker features a purple mesh upper with tonal no-sew overlays, complemented by multicolor embroidery throughout the toe box and lateral quarter panel.
Key design elements include a metallic gold finish on Kyrie's logo on the tongue and hieroglyphic-inspired lettering spelling out his name on the adjustable forefoot strap. The pink TPU piece embedded in the lateral foam midsole blends on-court responsiveness and cushioning, supported by a carbon fiber shank plate for torsional rigidity.
The color palette and intricate design details reflect the symbolism of strength, agility, focus, and speed, drawing inspiration from Kyrie's Native beliefs. The ANTA logo integrates into the design, reflecting Kyrie's fluid playstyle and the overall narrative of ancestral strength and future aspirations.
ANTA Kai 1 Enlightened Warrior
The ANTA KAI 1 Enlightened Warrior is a compelling addition to Kyrie Irving's signature shoe line with ANTA, reflecting his African American and Indigenous heritage. The shoe features a predominantly black and white upper with intricate geometric and tribal patterns, symbolizing the duality and harmony in Kyrie's character. The vibrant use of purple, red, yellow, and green represents mysticism, strength, speed, and focus. These colors are not just for aesthetics but are deeply connected to Kyrie's journey and attributes on and off the court.
Design elements like the hieroglyphic alphabet, heel graphics, and war marks corresponding to Irving’s jersey number 11 add storytelling and cultural significance layers.
Nike Kyrie 7 Weatherman
The Nike Kyrie 7 Weatherman is a standout colorway inspired by the iconic KD 4 Weatherman from Kevin Durant's signature line. This sneaker features a bright green upper, paired with black Swooshes and a weather map pattern that wraps around the heel, giving it a distinctive and eye-catching look. The design elements pay homage to Durant’s childhood dream of becoming a meteorologist, incorporating multicolor heat-map graphics on the back heel, interior lining, and outsole.
ANTA Kai 1 Mother’s Day
The ANTA KAI 1 Mother's Day colorway is a heartfelt tribute to Kyrie Irving's late mother, Elizabeth Irving. This special edition sneaker features a predominantly white base with vibrant yellow, red, and blue accents inspired by Kyrie's Native American heritage and the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. The design incorporates symbolic elements, such as feathers representing wisdom and protection, reflecting the values instilled in Kyrie by his mother.
Key design features include the word Mother inscribed on the strap and heel pull tab, and Elizabeth Irving sketched on the forefoot outsole. The sneaker combines cultural significance with performance, featuring a full-length Nitro Edge foam cushioning for enhanced comfort on the court.
Nike Kyrie 4 Day of the Dead
The Nike Kyrie 4 Day of the Dead colorway pays homage to the traditional Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos. This special edition features a vibrant design with multicolor skeleton graphics across a black mesh vamp inspired by the 2006 Nike SB Dunk Day of the Dead. The shoe's design is accentuated with an orange leather quarter panel and contrasting purple trims, giving it a festive yet striking appearance. The midsole is black, and the outsole is a translucent dark orange, adding to the overall bold look of the sneaker.
Nike Kyrie 5 FRIENDS
The Nike Kyrie 5 Friends is a unique colorway that pays homage to Kyrie Irving's favorite TV sitcom, Friends. The sneaker features a black mesh upper with vibrant red, yellow, and blue accents reminiscent of the show's logo. The Flywire cables are designed in these bright colors, adding aesthetic appeal and structural support. Additionally, the shoe includes FRIENDS branding on one heel and KYRIE on the other, styled in the iconic font of the show’s title card. Performance-wise, the Kyrie 5 incorporates an Air Zoom Turbo unit in the forefoot, which provides responsive cushioning ideal for quick direction changes on the court.
Nike Kyrie 4 Cereal Pack
The Nike Kyrie 4 Cereal Pack is a fun and nostalgic collaboration with General Mills. It celebrates three beloved breakfast cereals: Lucky Charms, Kix, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Each sneaker in the pack captures the essence of its respective cereal with unique design elements and vibrant color schemes.
The Lucky Charms colorway features a bright red upper with debossed shapes representing the iconic marshmallows from the cereal. The design includes multicolor speckles on the midsole and a rainbow-colored outsole, symbolizing the vibrant nature of Lucky Charms. The iridescent Swoosh adds a magical touch reminiscent of the cereal's whimsical theme. The Kix edition showcases a more minimalist design with a yellow, blue, and white color scheme, reflecting the simplicity of the Kix cereal box. The shoe features a smooth yellow upper with blue accents and a white midsole, capturing the essence of this classic cereal.
Finally, the Cinnamon Toast Crunch colorway includes a golden, swirled upper inspired by the cereal's cinnamon-sugar coating. The design is complemented by milky white accents and multicolor hits on the Swoosh, midsole, and outsole, creating a visually appealing representation of Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
Nike Kyrie 3 Mamba Mentality Bruce Lee
The Nike Kyrie 3 Mamba Mentality Bruce Lee edition is a special colorway inspired by Kobe Bryant and martial arts legend Bruce Lee. This sneaker features a tour yellow upper with black and red accents, reminiscent of the Nike Kobe 5 Bruce Lee that Kyrie wore as a 17-year-old during the Nike Extravaganza in California.
The design includes:
- A snakeskin-inspired pattern on the medial side.
- Symbolizing Kobe's Black Mamba persona.
- A Samurai pattern on the lateral side.
Additionally, four red slash marks on the side panel nod to the iconic scratches Bruce Lee received in his film Enter the Dragon. The hybrid "Kyrobe" logo merges Kyrie's and Kobe's signature logos, emphasizing the tribute to Bryant as a mentor and friend.
Nike Kyrie Spongebob Pack
The Nike Kyrie x SpongeBob SquarePants pack is a vibrant and playful collection inspired by the beloved Nickelodeon series. Released on August 10, 2019, this collaboration includes six different colorways representing the main characters from the show, four on the Kyrie 5 and two on the Kyrie 2 Low.
The SpongeBob edition features a yellow mesh upper with a porous pattern, capturing the essence of SpongeBob himself. It includes a squiggly Swoosh, SpongeBob graphics on the insole, and a gum rubber outsole mimicking his outfit. Alongside this pair, another colorway represented SpongeBob’s pineapple house.
The Patrick Star version boasts a pink mesh upper with a red and brown sole, reflecting Patrick’s iconic look. The shoe also includes details like Patrick’s face on the insole and vibrant color accents. Squidward’s colorway showcases a frosted spruce and aluminum palette, with the upper resembling Squidward's teal complexion and his serious demeanor captured in the design elements.
The Sandy Cheeks Kyrie Low 2 features a white base with light blue and pink accents, symbolizing Sandy’s spacesuit. This colorway is designed to represent Sandy’s adventurous and athletic nature. Lastly, the Mr. Krabs Kyrie Low 2 displays a bright red upper with gold accents, reflecting Mr. Krabs' character and his love for money. This edition includes green and blue details, adding a touch of the underwater environment of Bikini Bottom.
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Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
