ANTA Kai 2
Released 3/2025, Low Top, Kyrie Irving,
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Performance Ratings
8.5
EXPERT RATING
7 reviews
8.9
USER RATING
2 ratings
Performance Summary
The Anta KAI 2 is a well-balanced performer with solid traction and cushioning.
Pros
Excellent traction
Responsive and bouncy cushioning
Cons
Low foam stack
Best Suitable For: The KAI 2 is best for shifty guards who want a fast, responsive shoe.
Category Performance Ratings
9.2
Traction
Multidirectional sticky rubber outsole with solid compound. Excellent grip on clean courts, slightly dust-sensitive so wiping helps.
8.2
Cushion
Low-stack foam with a caged, top-loaded shank. Bouncy and responsive with plush heel feel but modest forefoot padding.
8.1
Materials
Durable engineered upper with soft panels and hefty heel padding. Breaks in comfortably and feels rugged yet soft.
8.4
Support
Midfoot shank and firm heel counter with molded heel cup. Provides stable lateral support and secure lockdown for quick movement.
8.4
Fit
Snug, glove-like fit that runs a touch narrow. No heel slip for most; half size up for extra room.
50%
Outdoor
Durable solid rubber compound on the outsole. Holds up well outdoors but peak grip and stickiness favor indoor courts.
small
large
Sizing
Runs true to size for most players. Consider half size up for a roomier fit if you have wider feet.
narrow
wide
Width
Best for narrow to average widths. Wider feet may need a half size up or a wide option for comfort.
Comparison to Similar Shoes:
 ANTA Kai 2 |  Li-Ning Way of Wade All City 13 Encore |  ANTA KAI 1 Speed |  New Balance TWO WXY V3 |  Adidas D.O.N. Issue 7 |  Adidas D.O.N. Issue 6 | Add shoe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert Rating | 8.5 | 8.9(0.4) | 8.9(0.4) | 8.7(0.2) | 8.7(0.2) | 8.3(0.2) | |
| User Rating | 8.9 | NA | 8.9(0.0) | 8.9(0.0) | NA | 9.2(0.3) | |
| Best Price | $125 $140 | $149 | $54.73 $125 | $119.99 | $71.98 $120 | $129.99 | |
| Type of Cut | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | |
| Weight | NA | NA | NA | 350g - 360g | 400g - 400g | 360g - 370g |
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$125.00
$140
32 likes
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23 likes
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Expert Reviews of the ANTA Kai 2:
Expert Rating: 8.5 (ranks #129 of 381)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
3
8 - Good
4
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
September 25, 2025
The Anta KAI 2 is a great bang for your buck. I love what the brand is doing with Kyrie's shoes. The materials are outstanding, and the traction performance is fantastic.
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8.9
April 12, 2025
The Anta KAI 2 is a well-balanced shoe with very few faults. I always felt confident with the traction, and the cushioning is very bouncy.
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8.8
April 12, 2025
The Anta KAI 2 is one of my favourite shoes of the year. The cushioning is impressive, the materials work well, and I like the support.
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8.3
November 16, 2025
The Anta KAI 2 takes a step back in key areas like fit and cushioning, but it's still a good basketball shoe for the price.
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8.2
April 12, 2025
I enjoy playing in the Anta KAI 2. I like the traction, cushioning, and fit.
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8.2
October 11, 2025
I would recommend the Anta KAI 2. It feels like an upgrade, thanks to the improved traction performance.
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8.0
April 12, 2025
The Anta KAI 2 truly feels like a Kyrie shoe. It's responsive and has impressive cushioning, but lacks cushioning.
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User Reviews of the ANTA Kai 2:
User Rating: 8.9 (ranks #90 of 381)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
2
8 - Good
0
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.6
August 11, 2025
User didn't add a summary.
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9.2
November 7, 2025
User didn't add a summary.
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Traction of the ANTA Kai 2:
Expert Traction Rating: 9.2 (ranks #69 of 381)
User Traction Rating: 9.5 (ranks #31 of 381)
10 - Amazing
3
9 - Great
6
8 - Good
0
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.5
September 25, 2025
The traction performance is fantastic. It performs well on all court conditions.
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10.0
April 12, 2025
I never slipped out of this traction, and I always felt confident.
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9.0
April 12, 2025
The traction feels freaking nice. It performs well right out of the box. Make sure to wipe to avoid potential slippage.
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9.0
November 16, 2025
This is a perfect traction setup for quick and shifty guards who play on their forefoot.
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9.0
April 12, 2025
The traction pattern performs well and moves with you.
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9.0
October 11, 2025
I didn't have many issues with the traction performance.
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9.0
April 12, 2025
The traction performance was surprisingly effective.
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Cushion of the ANTA Kai 2:
Expert Cushion Rating: 8.2 (ranks #235 of 381)
User Cushion Rating: 9.0 (ranks #84 of 381)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
4
8 - Good
3
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.5
September 25, 2025
The cushioning feels plush and bouncy under the heel, and the court feel is also fantastic under the forefoot.
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9.5
April 12, 2025
There is a low stack of foam underfoot with a top-loaded shank. It's bouncy and makes it easy to transition.
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9.0
April 12, 2025
I like how the foam feels. Impact protection is phenomenal, and the heel is soft and comfortable.
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7.5
November 16, 2025
The cushioning setup is a bit of a disappointment. The setup is caged and feels more minimal.
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8.0
April 12, 2025
I like the cushioning. It feels consistent and balanced.
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8.0
October 11, 2025
The cushioning feels nice. The heel is soft and plush, and I like the overall comfort.
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7.0
April 12, 2025
Cushioning feels like a slight downgrade. It's not as soft, but it is still responsive.
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Materials of the ANTA Kai 2:
Expert Materials Rating: 8.1 (ranks #191 of 381)
User Materials Rating: 9.0 (ranks #47 of 381)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
1
8 - Good
7
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
September 25, 2025
The materials are one of my favourite features. I love the usage of raw materials. They break in comfortably.
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8.0
April 12, 2025
I love the body of the uppers. It feels tough and rugged, while breaking in nicely. There's also a massive amount of padding around the heel.
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8.0
April 12, 2025
I like the material. It feels comfortable yet durable.
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8.0
November 16, 2025
The materials are soft and break in nicely. This shoe is more minimalistic and less comfortable than the KAI 1.
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8.0
April 12, 2025
The materials are soft after an initial break-in period. My only complaint is the weight, but it's not a major issue.
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8.0
October 11, 2025
The materials are decent. I like the quality and the performance.
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8.0
April 12, 2025
Materials get a pass.
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Support of the ANTA Kai 2:
Expert Support Rating: 8.4 (ranks #197 of 381)
User Support Rating: 8.5 (ranks #199 of 381)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
4
8 - Good
5
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
September 25, 2025
This is a very supportive basketball shoe. I didn't have to think about my movements. The shoe held me down.
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8.0
April 12, 2025
I like how the shank performs, and the heel lockdown is only mild.
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9.0
April 12, 2025
I was good to go with the support and lockdown, and I didn't have any issues with the containment, either.
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9.0
November 16, 2025
The support features are top-tier yet again. You get a lot of performance for your money.
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8.0
April 12, 2025
Most of the lockdown comes from the sizing and heel counter.
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8.0
October 11, 2025
I had zero issues with the support in this shoe. The heel is locked in, and I have no side-to-side movement.
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8.0
April 12, 2025
Lockdown is improved, and I enjoyed the fit.
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Fit of the ANTA Kai 2:
Expert Fit Rating: 8.4 (ranks #118 of 381)
User Fit Rating: 8.0 (ranks #268 of 381)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
4
8 - Good
4
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
September 25, 2025
This is a snug and secure-fitting shoe. I had no movement, and the upper hugs my feet nicely.
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9.0
April 12, 2025
The fit is fairly generous.
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9.0
April 12, 2025
The upper construction helps provide a 1-to-1 fit. It feels like a glove.
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8.0
November 16, 2025
The fit feels snug. The shoe is not as wide as Kyrie's previous Anta shoes.
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8.0
April 12, 2025
I like the snug fit.
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8.0
October 11, 2025
The fit feels snug. There's no dead space in the toe box either.
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8.0
April 12, 2025
There's no heel slippage, and the fit feels better.
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Durability of the ANTA Kai 2:
User Durability Rating: 9.5 (ranks #21 of 381)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
1
8 - Good
0
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
Outdoor of the ANTA Kai 2:
Expert Outdoor Rating: 50.0 (ranks #120 of 381)
User Outdoor Rating: 75.0 (ranks #98 of 381)
Good (100%)
2
Fair (50%)
4
Bad (0%)
1
fair
September 25, 2025
The solid rubber outsole is adequate for outdoor play.
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fair
April 12, 2025
The shoe will be decent on outdoor courts.
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fair
April 12, 2025
The durability feels okay.
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good
November 16, 2025
The outsole rubber compound feels extremely durable.
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no
April 12, 2025
I would stay inside with this pair.
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Width of the ANTA Kai 2:
very narrow
0
slightly narrow
2
regular
5
slightly wide
0
very wide
0
regularly wide
September 25, 2025
The width is friendly to wide feet.
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regularly wide
April 12, 2025
People with 2E feet can go true to size for a performance fit or up half a size for a roomier fit.
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slightly narrow
November 16, 2025
The width is a bit narrower.
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slightly narrow
October 11, 2025
If you have wider feet, consider going up half a size.
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regularly wide
April 12, 2025
The width is average.
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Size of the ANTA Kai 2:
very small
0
slightly small
0
true to size
7
slightly long
1
very long
0
true to size
September 25, 2025
I went true to size.
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true to size
April 12, 2025
Narrow feet can go true to size. Medium feet can go true to size for a glove-like fit or up half a size for a roomier fit.
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true to size
April 12, 2025
I recommend going true to size.
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true to size
April 12, 2025
I went true to size and was comfortable.
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true to size
October 11, 2025
I went true to size.
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true to size
April 12, 2025
The best option is to go true to size.
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