Nike KD 9 Elite

Released 3/2017, High Top, Kevin Durant, 
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8.5
EXPERT RATING
4 reviews
9.6
USER RATING
1 ratings
Improved lacing system compared to the original KD9

Best Suitable For:

Works best for players with narrow feet looking for soft cushioning

Price Comparison:

Available at 3 shops | Official Retail Price: $149.99
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Category Performance Ratings:

Expert Ratings (4)
User Ratings (1)
Traction
8.5
Cushion
9.3
Materials
9.0
Support
7.5
Fit
7.5
Outdoor
0%

Weight & Sizing:

Weight:
light
heavy
Sizing:
small
large
Width:
narrow
wide

Comparison to Similar Shoes:

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Add shoe
Expert Rating8.58.6(0.1)8.6(0.1)8.7(0.2)8.3(0.2)8.4(0.1)
User Rating9.68.8(0.8)9.0(0.6)9.1(0.5)8.9(0.7)8.5(1.1)
Best Price$149.99
$134.97
$180
$84.97
$200
$130
$140
$159.99
$130
Type of CutHigh TopHigh TopHigh TopHigh TopHigh TopHigh Top
Weight360g - 380gNA390g - 410g320g - 340g360g - 380gNA
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Nike KD 9 Elite Review

Pros:
Great Impact Protection
Cons:
Won't fit wide feet

Performance of the Nike KD 9 Elite:

The KD9 Elite is very similar to the original KD9. The only difference is the new upper material and lacing setup. Opinions on these changes vary: Some feel like the new lacing system is an improvement that provides better fit and more lockdown. Others feel like it makes the shoe even narrower and almost impossible to wear for wide-footers.
See all 4 reviews

Expert Reviews of the Nike KD 9 Elite:

Expert Rating: 8.5 (ranks #146 of 334)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
3
8 - Good
1
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
When it comes to performance the KD9 Elite is very similar to the original KD9. The most notable difference is the strong lacing cables which slightly enhance support and lockdown. However, this new lacing setup also makes the shoe even narrower which led to some pain on the side of my feet.
 More details
8.8
January 1, 2017
A great shoe with slight improvements over the original KD9. The upper material is softer and more comfortable and the new lacing system provides more lockdown and support.
 More details
8.5
January 1, 2017
It's a very specific shoe. Great if you have narrow feet and you are looking for a shoe with a lot of cushion and impact protection. If you are a shifty guard who does a lot of crossovers and cuts then the lacking support of the upper and the slightly unstable platform are not ideal. Not recommended if you have wide feet.
 More details
The traction, cushion, and materials all bring out the best of Nike’s technology, unfortunately, the KD 9 Elite doesn't perform as well when it comes to support and fit.
 More details
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User Reviews of the Nike KD 9 Elite:

User Rating: 9.6 (ranks #6 of 334)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
0
8 - Good
0
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.6
May 31, 2022
User didn't add a summary.
 More details

Traction of the Nike KD 9 Elite:

Expert Traction Rating: 8.5 (ranks #190 of 334)
User Traction Rating: 10.0 (ranks #14 of 334)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
2
8 - Good
2
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.0
The traction is really solid.
 More details
9.0
January 1, 2017
The honeycomb pattern is the same as in the KD9 and works very well.
 More details
8.0
January 1, 2017
On clean courts, it's really nice, but on dusty courts, you are screwed.
 More details
The overall traction experience is pretty consistent and has you covered in all directions.
 More details

Cushion of the Nike KD 9 Elite:

Expert Cushion Rating: 9.3 (ranks #48 of 334)
User Cushion Rating: 10.0 (ranks #15 of 334)
10 - Amazing
2
9 - Great
3
8 - Good
0
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
A springy light cushioning setup. A lot of impact protection but I would have preferred more court feel.
 More details
9.0
January 1, 2017
Full length-zoom remains unchanged.
 More details
10.0
January 1, 2017
The full-length Nike Zoom cushioning is close to an ideal cushion.
 More details
Unchanged from the Original KD 9, and we're perfectly okay with that.
 More details

Materials of the Nike KD 9 Elite:

Expert Materials Rating: 9.0 (ranks #36 of 334)
User Materials Rating: 10.0 (ranks #8 of 334)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
4
8 - Good
0
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
The materials are lightweight, flexible and wrap around your feet really nicely.
 More details
9.0
January 1, 2017
The Flyknit is less tightly knit and allows for more ventilation.
 More details
9.0
January 1, 2017
The Flyknit is soft and looks a little better than in the original.
 More details
The Flyknit Upper is very comfortable.
 More details

Support of the Nike KD 9 Elite:

Expert Support Rating: 7.5 (ranks #308 of 334)
User Support Rating: 9.0 (ranks #99 of 334)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
3
8 - Good
0
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
1
9.0
I really, really, really like this new setup of the KD9 elite. It really locks in your feet and I felt it offered a little more support than the regular KD9.
 More details
9.0
January 1, 2017
Adding a sleeve in the ankle area helps to improve lockdown and support which makes you feel a little more secure.
 More details
7.0
January 1, 2017
I wish there was a little more support.
 More details
My foot was sliding in every direction within the shoe with minimal effort and I just didn’t feel secure.
 More details

Fit of the Nike KD 9 Elite:

Expert Fit Rating: 7.5 (ranks #311 of 334)
User Fit Rating: 10.0 (ranks #6 of 334)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
0
8 - Good
1
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.0
January 1, 2017
The fit is more customizable but this shoe is still not made for wide-footers.
 More details
If you don’t have a long, narrow foot like Durant himself, you’re going to have some issues with the fit.
 More details

Durability of the Nike KD 9 Elite:

User Durability Rating: 9.0 (ranks #80 of 334)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
1
8 - Good
0
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0

Outdoor of the Nike KD 9 Elite:

Expert Outdoor Rating: 0.0 (ranks #321 of 334)
User Outdoor Rating: 50.0 (ranks #212 of 334)
Good (100%)
0
Fair (50%)
1
Bad (0%)
2
no
January 1, 2017
The durability playing outdoors is probably not great since the rubber outsole is soft.
 More details
The rubber compound Nike uses isn’t very durable and the outsole started to wear off quickly outdoors.
 More details

Width of the Nike KD 9 Elite:

very narrow
3
slightly narrow
0
regular
1
slightly wide
0
very wide
1
very narrow
Even narrower than the original KD9.
 More details
very wide
January 1, 2017
Not suitable for wide-footers.
 More details
very narrow
January 1, 2017
The shoe is super narrow.
 More details
very narrow
Width is uncomfortably narrow.
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Size of the Nike KD 9 Elite:

very small
0
slightly small
0
true to size
1
slightly long
0
very long
2
runs large
January 1, 2017
I was able to go a full size down.
 More details
runs large
Runs extremely long.
 More details

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