Hey everyone, Vinny here from Sneakr Tweakr, and welcome back to another blog post! Today, I’m excited to share my performance review of the Anta Kai 1. I know we’ve already done the first impressions, but after some extensive testing, I’ve got the full scoop for you. Before we dive in, if you love content like this and want to support our channel, please hit that like and subscribe button, comment on our video, and ring that notification bell so you don’t miss any of our future reviews. Your engagement helps us keep the content flowing!
Now, let’s get into the performance review. The Anta Kai 1 is Kyrie Irving’s first signature shoe with Anta, marking his new chapter after leaving Nike. He did play in the Shock Wave 5 for a while, which was a great shoe, but now he’s back with a signature model. I’ve been playing in these for a while, and let me tell you, they’re no disappointment.
First up, let’s talk about the traction. The Kai 1 features a multi-directional traction pattern that’s a bit funky, with patterns within patterns. Despite the unique look, the traction is durable and performs exceptionally well. I’ve played in these a lot, and I believe they could even handle outdoor courts. The rubber is pliable, the grooves are deep, and the overall performance is solid. Just remember, it takes a bit of time to break in. Once you’ve put in the hours, the traction becomes elite, with dust not affecting it much.
Moving on to the cushion, the Kai 1 uses Anta’s Nitro Edge foam, which runs full length. It offers excellent impact protection without making you feel too high off the ground. While it’s not as bouncy as the GT Jump 2 or the Way of Wade 10, it’s still top-notch for a low-to-the-ground setup. The heel has nice compression, and the forefoot provides good impact protection once broken in.
For the fit, I went true to size, and it worked well for me. The forefoot is roomy, though I experienced some midfoot squeezing initially. After a few sessions, that discomfort disappeared. If you go up half a size, it might become too roomy, so I recommend sticking to your true size. It’s not a wide-fitting shoe but more of a standard fit. Despite having slightly wide feet and a high arch, I found the fit comfortable after breaking them in.
As for the materials and support, the Kai 1 features a mix of synthetic leathers, textiles, fuse overlays, and TPU. The shoe includes a TPU clip on the lateral side and an internal carbon fiber midfoot shank for rigidity and bounce. The heel counter provides excellent lockdown, with an external and internal component that resembles an Achilles pillow. The tongue is padded like neoprene, relieving lace pressure, and the strap is functional, enhancing support.
Overall, the Anta Kai 1 is a fantastic performer, packed with high-quality materials and technology for just $125. You get great cushioning, superb traction, a solid fit, and excellent support. Plus, it’s durable and responsive, making it one of my favorite performers this year.
A quick note on the weight: the Kai 1 weighs in at 14.3 ounces for a size 9. It’s a bit heavier than previous Kyrie models but packed with tech, which is impressive at this price point.
If you’ve already played in the Kai 1s, let us know your thoughts in the comments below. And if there are any other shoes you’d like us to review, drop a comment too. For more content like this, please like, subscribe, and follow. See you in the next one. Peace!
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