Quick Facts
- The ANTA Kai 3 will debut in a Chinese New Year colorway that speaks to the themes of renewal and transition
- The heel of the shoe features a zig-zag support panel in red that tracks down to the gold midsole and continues across the base of the shoe in a jagged pattern
- The ANTA Kai 3 Chinese New Year will be released January 17, 2026
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Kyrie Irving is at an interesting point in his career. After more than a decade as one of the league’s premier point guards, Kyrie has moved around the league a bit and struggled with injuries, currently rehabbing for a return to the Dallas Mavericks lineup. As he pushes to join Cooper Flagg and Klay Thompson on the court, though, Kyrie’s latest signature ANTA silhouette is built as a reminder to take new beginnings as they come, not rushing or forcing the path.
The ANTA Kai 3 will debut in a Chinese New Year colorway that speaks to the themes of renewal and transition, starting with a beige color on the tough one-piece mesh upper that turns into a red, purple, and blue gradient as it moves towards the heel. The heel of the shoe features a zig-zag support panel in red that tracks down to the gold midsole and continues across the base of the shoe in a jagged pattern.
White and gold complete the colorway, with clean white paneling on the tongue and heel, and gold hits on the lace panel, midsole, and Kyrie tongue logo. “Celebrated as the transition from winter to spring on the lunisolar calendar, the holiday represents sweeping away past misfortune and welcoming good fortune ahead,” ANTA says about the synchronization between the Lunar New Year and Kyrie’s new shoe.
The ANTA Kai 3 Chinese New Year will be released January 17, 2026, through ANTA and select retailers in-store and online. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $135. For all the latest ANTA Kyrie news and drop info, download the Sole Retriever mobile app.
Is ANTA Buying Into Puma?
While ANTA continues to support Kyrie, Klay, and more, the Chinese sportswear giant is also looking to expand its footprint in the sneaker space. According to Reuters, rumors are swirling that ANTA has reached out to Puma with an offer to buy the 29% of the brand currently owned by the Pinault family, adding more fuel to the rumors that Puma, or at least parts of Puma, will be sold soon.
As for what that means for NBA stars like Kyrie or Puma hoopers like LaMelo and Tyrese Haliburton, well, likely not much, but with major corporate moves like that, you never know what could happen. As always, we’ll keep you posted on all the latest industry updates on the Sole Retriever mobile app.
Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com
