Log in or sign up for the full sneakerfeature experience.
Nike · 2021
KD 14
No playstyle summary available yet.
4.0
By dimension
Cushioning feel
4.0
Court feel
2.0
Bounce
4.5
Stability
4.5
Traction
4.0
Fit
3.5
Analysis
Performance profile
Performance scores
Cushioning Feel
84 / 100 · Very Good
Court Feel
64 / 100 · Solid
Bounce
75 / 100 · Very Good
Stability
92 / 100 · Excellent
Traction
88 / 100 · Excellent
Fit
86 / 100 · Excellent
Cushioning Feel
84Very Good
Court Feel
64Solid
Bounce
75Very Good
Stability
92Excellent
Traction
88Excellent
Fit
86Excellent
Is it for you?
If you like plush yet low full-length Zoom Strobel ride that stays comfy even on outdoor concrete, and can live with unremarkable upper materials that aren't very durable for the price, then this shoe is for you.
plush yet low full-length Zoom Strobel ride that stays comfy even on outdoor concrete
unremarkable upper materials that aren't very durable for the price
Forefoot midsole tech
full-length Cushlon carrier with forefoot Zoom Strobel feel
Heel midsole tech
heel Cushlon carrier
Outsole tech
solid rubber; excellent traction
Upper tech
multi-layer mesh + midfoot strap
Cushioning feel
soft but controlled
Court feel
moderate
Bounce
good
Stability
high
Traction
very good
Fit
secure, strap helps a lot
Pro reviews
Paraphrased highlights from sneaker reviewers — not verbatim quotes.
YouTube1 / 3
WearTesters
The KD 14 is an excellent performance basketball shoe with outstanding traction and cushioning that rivals its predecessor, successfully maintaining performance standards despite material and design changes
Exceptional traction both indoors and outdoors with excellent grip and reliability on any court surface
Outstanding cushioning with a perfect balance between Cushlon and full-length Zoom Air strobel, creating a springy marshmallow-like feel with excellent responsiveness
Upper materials are primarily synthetic, lacking the premium feel of traditional leather, suede, or nubuck construction
Removal of the double-stacked Zoom unit from the KD 13, which some may view as a step down despite solid cushioning performance
The KD 14 is an excellent all-around basketball shoe featuring lightweight construction, exceptional traction, and comfort. The reviewer gave it a perfect 10/10 rating, priced around $160, making it a worthwhile purchase for basketball players
Excellent traction that feels like one of the best the reviewer has experienced on a basketball shoe, providing great grip for all types of movements and directional changes
Lightweight and comfortable with great ankle support and stability, doesn't feel heavy when jumping and can be worn as an everyday casual shoe
Designed primarily as an indoor basketball shoe, not ideal for outdoor court use
The KD 14 is an excellent performance basketball shoe with outstanding traction and cushioning that rivals its predecessor, successfully maintaining performance standards despite material and design changes
Exceptional traction both indoors and outdoors with excellent grip and reliability on any court surface
Outstanding cushioning with a perfect balance between Cushlon and full-length Zoom Air strobel, creating a springy marshmallow-like feel with excellent responsiveness
Upper materials are primarily synthetic, lacking the premium feel of traditional leather, suede, or nubuck construction
Removal of the double-stacked Zoom unit from the KD 13, which some may view as a step down despite solid cushioning performance
The KD 14 is an excellent all-around basketball shoe featuring lightweight construction, exceptional traction, and comfort. The reviewer gave it a perfect 10/10 rating, priced around $160, making it a worthwhile purchase for basketball players
Excellent traction that feels like one of the best the reviewer has experienced on a basketball shoe, providing great grip for all types of movements and directional changes
Lightweight and comfortable with great ankle support and stability, doesn't feel heavy when jumping and can be worn as an everyday casual shoe
Designed primarily as an indoor basketball shoe, not ideal for outdoor court use
KD 14 released in 2021 as the strap-return KD that won over a lot of skeptics. Nike built it around combining a forgiving foam ride with outstanding traction and a surprisingly stable chassis, which says a lot about where the line and the player were at that moment. In community memory, the pair is usually discussed for its all-around excellence and status as one of the safest recommendations in the whole line. That makes it important beyond simple specs: it captures a specific phase of Nike Basketball thinking about cushioning, containment, weight, durability and visual identity. Collectors still bring it up when later models move in a different direction, and performance-minded hoopers still use it as a reference point for how a simple support feature can unlock a premium cushioning setup.
