Basketball Shoe Review | Kyrie 8 Passes the Test

In the genre of chaotic communication plan, Nike had probably never seen that before. The brand with the comma thought it had already experienced everything with Kyrie Irving. But on the court and off, the Nets point guard remains elusive.

While his rating had risen with the general public since his arrival at the Nets alongside Kevin Durant and he was building on a Kyrie 7 that had worked rather well, Kyrie Irving has all messed up in July.

The star went completely off the rails by posting a message on his social networks in which he criticized Nike and the Kyrie 8. For me, they are to throw away! ” he had launched before finally calming the game a few days later.

To make matters worse, the promotion of the Kyrie 8 was torpedoed by the player’s decision not to get a shot and therefore miss the start of the season with Brooklyn. The model planned for the fall has finally invested the market in the middle of the season in a context clearly not ideal.

Several months after its release, Basket USA had the opportunity to test what remains a reference model among the current signature shoes. And even if the design obviously did not please everyone, the Kyrie 8, also called “Infinity” (the elongated 8 being a sign of infinity) is clearly worth the detour with a model intended for small sizes like him, followers of the crossover and looking for response on the most demanding support.

GENERAL COMFORT

You get used to it very quickly and that’s a good sign. The model is already distinguished by a well-padded tongue that makes it comfortable to put on. The comfort is there, with the support at the heel and forefoot that secure the whole. The same goes for the comfort of the sole, as the front and rear cushioning quickly provides good feedback.

The overall feeling is therefore quite good even if it does not impose itself as a reference in the field.

Score : 8,5/10

AMORTI

Without being the main quality of this model, the cushioning is rather effective, with a real feeling of rebound on the forefoot, characterized by its proximity to the Air Zoom unit, palpable under the insole.

The soft foam midsole, more imposing in the center of the pair, plays its role as a complement to offer a correct cushioning. The heel return is also good.

Score:8/10

TRACTION

With Kyrie’s strength being in directional changes, support and acceleration, the Kyrie 8 couldn’t miss this point.

The “multi-directional” rubber outsole is like the best on the market today. In practice, it meets the standard traction requirements perfectly, with good grip and a real sense of control on big presses and direction changes.

Score: 9/10

SUPPORT AND STABILITY

The fit is pretty good, especially on the forefoot with the two side stripes that reinforce the lacing and feel good. As Nike promised, the heel also seems particularly contained. The ankle is however much less, which is perhaps partly due to the imposing side of the tongue.

In any case, this aspect offers a greater range of motion, an element sought by players with a confusing style like Kyrie Irving and which is well present on this Kyrie 8.

The stability is also more than correct, for this model Low which is well made body with the ground and whose light reinforcement at the level of the sole on the external side part makes it possible to answer the most risky supports.

Score : 9/10

FINISH AND DURABILITY

In terms of design, the pair seems to be split in two between the rear part on which appears the “Swoosh” and the front of the model. This is perhaps what put Kyrie Irving off at first sight.

In terms of finishes, the back, collar and mesh tongue are complemented by a translucent woven upper to accentuate a breathable side. The bands ensuring the support are generally distinguished level colors. The tongue content varies by theme, though Kyrie Irving’s signature often appears on at least one of them. The logo of the player also stands out on the top of the heel. Also note the presence of the “8” on the insole and under the outsole.

We would tend to give it a good life, both in terms of the resistance of the sole and its contribution over time as the upper.

Score : 8/10

VERDICT

The Kyrie 8 will have known an eventful debut, to say the least, between the criticism of its main stakeholder, a delayed release and a post-Covid context that did not facilitate its promotion. This is the difficulty for the equipment manufacturers to face the requirements of their protégés and the need to always produce better models.

Beyond the purely technical aspect, and technological advances that allow to create shoes always more sophisticated and adapted to the practice of basketball, the big brands also get away with offering different models from one year to another.

The Kyrie 8 is not necessarily worse than the 7 in terms of performance. It is however different in design, with a rather… Kyrie 6 inspiration. It is the implacable argument behind which Kyrie Irving had to agree, and it is clear that the Kyrie 8 has quickly found its audience, especially on the European market. The “Uncle Drew” touch is still alive and well.

Score: 17/20

Shoe weight (size 44): 380 grams
Price: 130 euros on Basket4Ballers

Grading scale

• – less than 10/20: not recommended
• – between 10 and 15: defects which can stop some but qualities which will charm others
• – above 15 : approved and recommended pair !

The last tests Basket USA
– Air Jordan XXXV- 18,6/20

– Zoom Freak 3 17,6/20
– Jordan Zion 1 – 17/20
– Air Zoom BB NXT – 17/20
– Nike LeBron 18 – 17/20

– Curry Flow 8 – 16,8/20
– Layup REVO – 16,6/20
– Nike Kyrie 7- 16,6/20

– Curry Flow 9 – 16,6/20

– Zoom Freak 2 – 16,2/20
– Peak Lou Williams 3 – 15,8/20
– Jordan Why Not? Zer0.4 – 15,6/20
– Crossover Cutlure Kayo LP2 – 15/20
– Peak Lou Williams 2 – 15/20
– Peak Lou Williams 1 – 14,6/20

–

Order on basket4ballers.com the Nike Lebron 19 Low Safari shoe, the “Animal Pack” version of the LeBron 19 low combines a leopard print front and zebra back. Free shipping and returns.