New Balance Kawhi 3
Released 3/2023, Mid Top, Kawhi Leonard,
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8.2
EXPERT RATING
4 reviews
8.4
USER RATING
1 ratings
The New Balance Kawhi 3 has a great court feel and responsive cushioning.
Best Suitable For:
A great pick for players looking for versatile cushioning on clean courts.
Price Comparison:
Available at 3 shops | Official Retail Price: $159.99
Category Performance Ratings:
Weight & Sizing:
Weight:
NA
Sizing:
small
large
Width:
narrow
wide
Comparison to Similar Shoes:
New Balance Kawhi 3 |  Nike Sabrina 2 |  Nike Lebron Witness 8 |  Nike GT Hustle 3 |  Nike G.T. Hustle 2 |  Under Armour Curry 4 FloTro | Add shoe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert Rating | 8.2 | 8.5(0.3) | 7.7(0.5) | 8.4(0.2) | 8.1(0.1) | 8.7(0.5) | |
| User Rating | 8.4 | 9.1(0.7) | 8.6(0.2) | NA | 8.7(0.3) | 8.9(0.5) | |
| Best Price | $159.99 | $100 $130 | $64.97 $110 | $190 | $70.97 $170 | $87.99 $140 | |
| Type of Cut | Mid Top | Mid Top | Mid Top | Mid Top | Mid Top | High Top | |
| Weight | NA | NA | NA | NA | 330g - 350g | 320g - 340g |
10 likes
from 3 Resellers
$79.00
22 likes
from 3 Resellers
$114.00
9 likes
from 2 Resellers
$140.00
New Balance Kawhi 3 Review
Pros:
FuelCell foam is soft
Glove-like fit
Cons:
The heel area can irritate your ankle
Traction doesn't handle dust well
Performance of the New Balance Kawhi 3:
New Balance's latest release in the Kawhi line has superb traction on clean courts but runs into issues on dirtier surfaces.
The FuelCell cushioning is responsive and soft enough to provide impact protection.
Most reviewers enjoyed the snug, 1-to-1 fit of the shoe but advised sizing up half a size if a glove-like fit isn't for you.
There were no complaints about support. However, the heel counter seems to cause minor discomfort for some.
The New Balance Kawhi 3 is a versatile but pricey shoe. It works well on clean courts, and the cushioning feels nice on foot.
See all 4 reviews
Expert Reviews of the New Balance Kawhi 3:
Expert Rating: 8.2 (ranks #222 of 330)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
1
8 - Good
3
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.6
March 12, 2023
I love playing in the New Balance Kawhi 3. The upper is supportive, the traction performs on clean courts, the fit is perfect, and the cushioning is versatile.
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8.2
March 7, 2023
The New Balance Kawhi 3 is a good performer but an overpriced shoe. The cushioning is responsive and low to the ground, and the traction plays well on clean courts.
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8.0
March 7, 2023
The New Balance Kawhi 3 has solid basketball features, but I advise wearing thicker socks because of the heel portion of the shoe. Impact protection and traction performed well.
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8.0
May 10, 2023
The New Balance Kawhi 3 is an optimal shoe for playing outdoors and for players who enjoy support. The FuelCell cushioning feels stiff, but the other features make it worthwhile.
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User Reviews of the New Balance Kawhi 3:
User Rating: 8.4 (ranks #216 of 330)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
0
8 - Good
1
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.4
August 1, 2023
User didn't add a summary.
More details
Traction of the New Balance Kawhi 3:
Expert Traction Rating: 8.3 (ranks #210 of 330)
User Traction Rating: 8.0 (ranks #242 of 330)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
1
8 - Good
4
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.0
March 12, 2023
On clean courts, the traction plays amazingly. The rubber seems too pliable to grip dirtier courts, though.
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8.0
March 7, 2023
The traction needs to break in before the performance improves on clean courts. It's not good on dusty courts.
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9.0
March 7, 2023
The traction performs nicely. I had no issues whatsoever.
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8.0
May 10, 2023
The traction works. You have to wipe on dusty courts, but you'll still be satisfied.
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Cushion of the New Balance Kawhi 3:
Expert Cushion Rating: 8.3 (ranks #186 of 330)
User Cushion Rating: 9.0 (ranks #85 of 330)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
3
8 - Good
1
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
March 12, 2023
The midsole takes some time to soften up. Once it's broken in, it feels like the best of the Kawhi line of shoes. The impact protection and the court feel great.
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8.0
March 7, 2023
The FuelCell midsole is soft in the heel, and the foam offers a subtle bounceback.
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9.0
March 7, 2023
The softness of the FuelCell foam was my favourite part of the shoe.
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7.0
May 10, 2023
The FuelCell midsole is stiff. It's not plush, either. It offers stability and some snappiness.
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Materials of the New Balance Kawhi 3:
Expert Materials Rating: 7.8 (ranks #259 of 330)
User Materials Rating: 8.0 (ranks #215 of 330)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
0
8 - Good
4
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.0
March 12, 2023
All the materials are synthetic, but I enjoy how comfortable the shoe feels when I play.
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8.0
March 7, 2023
The materials feel cheap and synthetic, but the performance feels comfortable.
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7.0
March 7, 2023
The padding around the heel is lackadaisical. The rest of the materials are comfortable, but the shoe isn't too breathable.
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8.0
May 10, 2023
The combination of mesh and synthetic materials is soft, and they break in nicely. It's also well-padded.
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Support of the New Balance Kawhi 3:
Expert Support Rating: 8.3 (ranks #191 of 330)
User Support Rating: 8.0 (ranks #249 of 330)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
1
8 - Good
4
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.0
March 12, 2023
The stiffer internal heel counter and contour provide solid stability and support. The shoe is stable overall, but I wanted some extra lateral stability.
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8.0
March 7, 2023
The heel lockdown is not the best, but I was good to go for lateral containment and stability.
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8.0
March 7, 2023
There is no heel slippage, and I didn't have support issues.
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9.0
May 10, 2023
The support and stability feel like a tank without being too stiff.
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Fit of the New Balance Kawhi 3:
Expert Fit Rating: 8.5 (ranks #83 of 330)
User Fit Rating: 9.0 (ranks #58 of 330)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
2
8 - Good
1
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
10.0
March 12, 2023
The length of the shoe is perfect, and with cushioned socks, the shoe has a 1-to-1 fit.
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9.0
March 7, 2023
The shoe fits me like a glove. I enjoy how snug it is.
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7.0
March 7, 2023
The back of the heel area bothered my foot during play, but other than that, the fit was fine.
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8.0
May 10, 2023
The heel and midfoot feel awesome, but I had extra room in the forefoot.
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Durability of the New Balance Kawhi 3:
User Durability Rating: 10.0 (ranks #6 of 330)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
0
8 - Good
0
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
Outdoor of the New Balance Kawhi 3:
Expert Outdoor Rating: 75.0 (ranks #61 of 330)
User Outdoor Rating: NA
Good (100%)
2
Fair (50%)
2
Bad (0%)
0
fair
March 12, 2023
The outsole is thick.
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good
March 7, 2023
The durability is solid because of the thick grooves and rubber on the outsole.
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fair
March 7, 2023
The rubber and grooves are thick enough to take outdoors.
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good
May 10, 2023
The outsole has a lot of rubber, and the compound is hard enough for outdoor use.
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Width of the New Balance Kawhi 3:
very narrow
0
slightly narrow
2
regular
3
slightly wide
0
very wide
0
slightly narrow
March 12, 2023
I advise going up half a size if you have a wide foot.
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slightly narrow
March 7, 2023
The toe box is snug.
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regularly wide
March 7, 2023
The shoe seems wide-foot friendly.
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regularly wide
May 10, 2023
The base is average.
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Size of the New Balance Kawhi 3:
very small
0
slightly small
0
true to size
5
slightly long
0
very long
0
true to size
March 12, 2023
I went true to size.
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true to size
March 7, 2023
I went true to size, but I enjoy the snugness.
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true to size
March 7, 2023
I could have gone down half a size for a snug fit, but I went true to size.
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true to size
May 10, 2023
Go true to size
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