New Balance Kawhi 4
Released 4/2024, , Kawhi Leonard,
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8.5
EXPERT RATING
7 reviews
8.9
USER RATING
2 ratings
The Kawhi 4 is an improvement from any previous Kawhi shoe. The traction is reliable, and the cushioning is a standout feature.
Best Suitable For:
The New Balance Kawhi 4 is best for players who enjoy springy, plush cushioning setups.
Price Comparison:
Available at 3 shops | Official Retail Price: $169.99
Category Performance Ratings:
Weight & Sizing:
Weight:
NA
Sizing:
small
large
Width:
narrow
wide
Comparison to Similar Shoes:
New Balance Kawhi 4 |  New Balance TWO WXY V5 |  Nike G.T. Cut Academy |  Nike KD 17 |  Nike Ja 2 |  Nike Cosmic Unity 3 | Add shoe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert Rating | 8.5 | 8.7(0.2) | 8.2(0.3) | 8.1(0.4) | 8.1(0.4) | 8.0(0.5) | |
| User Rating | 8.9 | 9.4(0.5) | 8.8(0.1) | 8.8(0.1) | 8.8(0.1) | 7.9(1.0) | |
| Best Price | $77.97 $170 | $119.99 | $59.99 $95 | $110 $150 | $119.99 | $79.97 $170 | |
| Type of Cut | |||||||
| Weight | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
7 likes
from DICK's
$77.97
$170
5 likes
from DICK's
$78.97
$170
3 likes
from DICK's
$159.99
$170
0 likes
from DICK's
$159.99
$170
13 likes
from 2 Resellers
$150.00
New Balance Kawhi 4 Review
Pros:
Reliable traction
Dual-density FuelCell cushioning feels plush
Cons:
Fit feels slightly wide
Takes extra effort on the laces for lockdown
Performance of the New Balance Kawhi 4:
The New Balance Kawhi 4 is Kawhi Leonard's fourth signature shoe with the brand, and it's shaping up to be one of his best.
The traction is reliable. Reviewers say the performance is outstanding on clean courts and solid on dusty courts. Make sure to wipe.
New Balance updates the cushioning with a dual-density FuelCell foam. It feels plush and bouncy.
The upper is engineered mesh. It's not the most premium feeling, but it's comfortable and well-padded. It also does a solid job of providing containment.
Support and lockdown get the job done. The shank plate provides stability, and the upper keeps your foot contained nicely.
The Kawhi 4 is the best in the Kawhi lineup, with the most plush cushioning setup yet.
See all 7 reviews
Expert Reviews of the New Balance Kawhi 4:
Expert Rating: 8.5 (ranks #120 of 334)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
3
8 - Good
4
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
May 13, 2024
The New Balance Kawhi 4 sacrifices some ground feel for improved cushioning and nimbleness. I felt confident throughout all movements.
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8.6
May 13, 2024
I'm pleasantly surprised with the performance of the New Balance Kawhi 4. The traction and cushioning are impressive, and the materials are also solid.
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8.6
June 30, 2024
I love the aesthetics and the performance matches the looks. The traction is elite, and the cushioning is one of the best. My only gripe is the lateral containment for my flat feet.
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8.4
May 13, 2024
The New Balance Kawhi 4 performs better than expected. I like the FuelCell cushioning, and the traction is reliable.
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8.4
May 13, 2024
The New Balance Kawhi 4 is a bit pricey, but the traction and cushioning make this a solid performer.
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8.4
May 19, 2024
The Kawhi 4 is his best signature shoe so far. The bulk and weight are down, and I enjoy the updated FuelCell cushioning setup.
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8.2
July 15, 2024
I love the traction and cushioning setup in the New Balance Kawhi 4. The comfort is impressive. I'm not a fan of the shoe's fit, though.
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User Reviews of the New Balance Kawhi 4:
User Rating: 8.9 (ranks #88 of 334)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
2
8 - Good
0
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.2
September 11, 2024
User didn't add a summary.
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Traction of the New Balance Kawhi 4:
Expert Traction Rating: 9.1 (ranks #73 of 334)
User Traction Rating: 9.5 (ranks #32 of 334)
10 - Amazing
3
9 - Great
5
8 - Good
1
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
10.0
May 13, 2024
The traction does best when moving front to back. Dust can slightly hinder some side-to-side grip, but it's not a real issue. I love the versatility of the traction.
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9.0
May 13, 2024
The traction is impressive. It performs extremely well. The traction moves well with my foot movements.
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10.0
June 30, 2024
The traction is a banger. It's elite. I never had a moment where I slipped.
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8.0
May 13, 2024
The traction performance is solid on all courts. The grip is consistent. There's no sliding or slipping.
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9.0
May 13, 2024
The traction feels outstanding on clean courts and holds up decently on dustier courts.
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9.0
May 19, 2024
The traction is sticky and tacky. The performance feels really good. It also handles dust well.
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9.0
July 15, 2024
The traction performance is flat-out good. I was able to play with consistent traction on dusty courts as well. I was impressed.
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Cushion of the New Balance Kawhi 4:
Expert Cushion Rating: 9.1 (ranks #53 of 334)
User Cushion Rating: 9.5 (ranks #24 of 334)
10 - Amazing
2
9 - Great
7
8 - Good
0
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.5
May 13, 2024
The FuelCell is more plush and it feels lighter. Combined with the shank, it provides solid bounciness.
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9.0
May 13, 2024
The dual-density FuelCell midsole is soft, plush, and comfortable. It's one of my favourite features.
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10.0
June 30, 2024
The cushioning feels delicious. The foam absorbs impact well. The setup is one of the best on the market.
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9.0
May 13, 2024
The cushioning is my favourite feature. You can feel the FuelCell immediately. It's bouncy and reactive, but you do lose some court feel.
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9.0
May 13, 2024
The dual-density FuelCell setup is extremely comfortable. It feels plush and slightly bouncy.
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9.0
May 19, 2024
The FuelCell feels softer and bouncier than the previous Kawhi model shoes. There's a springy propulsion feeling throughout the forefoot, too. However, the court feel is average.
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9.0
July 15, 2024
I was impressed with the cushioning too. The forefoot feels great. It's soft and balanced.
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Materials of the New Balance Kawhi 4:
Expert Materials Rating: 8.4 (ranks #105 of 334)
User Materials Rating: 9.0 (ranks #41 of 334)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
3
8 - Good
5
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
May 13, 2024
The materials feel like a bear hug around your foot. It feels plush, padded, and comfortable. Breathability can be better.
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9.0
May 13, 2024
I like the thin engineered mesh. It's comfortable and supportive. The quality feels good, too.
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8.0
June 30, 2024
The materials are lightweight and breathable.
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9.0
May 13, 2024
The engineered mesh conforms to your foot nicely. It exceeded my expectations.
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8.0
May 13, 2024
The upper is all engineered mesh. It doesn't feel premium but it gets the job done.
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8.0
May 19, 2024
The materials are comfortable and flexible.
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8.0
July 15, 2024
The materials aren't the most durable, but do feel comfortable.
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Support of the New Balance Kawhi 4:
Expert Support Rating: 8.1 (ranks #228 of 334)
User Support Rating: 9.5 (ranks #14 of 334)
10 - Amazing
2
9 - Great
1
8 - Good
5
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.5
May 13, 2024
The lockdown is impressive once you break the shoe in. I love the containment from the upper as well.
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8.0
May 13, 2024
I had zero issues with the support and lockdown.
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7.0
June 30, 2024
Lateral containment isn't the best. The toe box folded toward the middle. This issue might be my flat feet.
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8.0
May 13, 2024
The heel cup is A1. The shank plate is stable but the midfoot feels a bit stiff.
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8.0
May 13, 2024
I had minimal heel slippage, but the rest of the support features feel good. I never had any instances of lateral instability.
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8.0
May 19, 2024
I didn't experience any lateral containment issues. It took some extra work with my lacing to get good heel lockdown.
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8.0
July 15, 2024
I had no issues with the support. The base is stable and I like the heel counter.
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Fit of the New Balance Kawhi 4:
Expert Fit Rating: 7.9 (ranks #267 of 334)
User Fit Rating: 8.0 (ranks #244 of 334)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
0
8 - Good
8
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.0
May 13, 2024
The fit feels generous.
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8.0
May 13, 2024
I had some extra length and space above my toes, but I like the fit with thicker socks on.
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8.0
June 30, 2024
The fit feels snug and there's no discomfort.
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8.0
May 13, 2024
The fit is a bit roomy width-wise.
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8.0
May 13, 2024
I felt good with the fit of the shoe.
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8.0
May 19, 2024
The fit is slightly long. I didn't have any serious issues with fit, but I wish there were an extra eyelet.
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7.0
July 15, 2024
The fit is the worst category for me. It feels spacious without being too big. The shoe fits weirdly and needs a break-in period to feel better.
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Durability of the New Balance Kawhi 4:
User Durability Rating: 9.5 (ranks #23 of 334)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
1
8 - Good
0
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
Outdoor of the New Balance Kawhi 4:
Expert Outdoor Rating: 16.7 (ranks #240 of 334)
User Outdoor Rating: 75.0 (ranks #92 of 334)
Good (100%)
1
Fair (50%)
3
Bad (0%)
4
fair
May 13, 2024
The tread is too thin for outdoor use, but the rubber is tough. Sliding can be a real issue.
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no
May 13, 2024
The grooves are deep but the rubber is too soft for outdoor use.
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fair
June 30, 2024
I can't be sure about outdoor durability.
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no
May 13, 2024
I would not take this pair outside.
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no
May 19, 2024
The rubber is too soft and pliable for outdoor use.
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no
July 15, 2024
The grooves are too malleable for outdoors.
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Width of the New Balance Kawhi 4:
very narrow
0
slightly narrow
0
regular
4
slightly wide
4
very wide
0
slightly wide
May 13, 2024
Narrow feet can go down half a size, and 4E feet can go true to size.
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regularly wide
May 13, 2024
The width is normal.
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regularly wide
June 30, 2024
The width feels average.
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slightly wide
May 13, 2024
The shoe is slightly wide. People with narrow feet might be able to go down half a size.
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regularly wide
May 13, 2024
My feet are slightly wide and I had no issues with the width.
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slightly wide
May 19, 2024
I could've gone down half a size because I have narrow feet.
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Size of the New Balance Kawhi 4:
very small
0
slightly small
0
true to size
7
slightly long
2
very long
0
true to size
May 13, 2024
Medium and wide feet can go true to size. The rearfoot is stable and the shank is supportive.
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true to size
May 13, 2024
I went up half a size. Go true to size for a more snug fit.
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½ size large
June 30, 2024
I went down half a size.
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true to size
May 13, 2024
I recommend trying these on in-store. I went true to size.
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true to size
May 13, 2024
The sizing is true to size.
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true to size
May 19, 2024
I got my true size.
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true to size
July 15, 2024
I recommend going true to size.
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