Nike KD 12
Released 4/2019, Mid Top, Kevin Durant,
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8.8
EXPERT RATING
7 reviews
9.2
USER RATING
25 ratings
Great overall-performer with awesome full-length Zoom cushioning
Best Suitable For:
A well-balanced shoe that works for a wide array of basketball players
Price Comparison:
Available at 3 shops | Official Retail Price: $149.99
Category Performance Ratings:
Weight & Sizing:
Weight:
light
heavy
Sizing:
small
large
Width:
narrow
wide
Comparison to Similar Shoes:
Nike KD 12 |  Adidas AE 1 |  Adidas Harden Volume 7 |  Nike G.T. Hustle 2 |  New Balance Kawhi 3 |  Adidas D.O.N Issue #4 | Add shoe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert Rating | 8.8 | 8.7(0.1) | 8.7(0.1) | 8.1(0.7) | 8.2(0.6) | 7.9(0.9) | |
| User Rating | 9.2 | 9.3(0.1) | 9.0(0.2) | 9.3(0.1) | 8.4(0.8) | 8.4(0.8) | |
| Best Price | $149.99 | $120 | $159.99 | $102.97 $170 | $159.99 | $59.99 $120 | |
| Type of Cut | Mid Top | Mid Top | Mid Top | Mid Top | Mid Top | Mid Top | |
| Weight | 370g - 390g | NA | 450g - 460g | 330g - 350g | NA | 360g - 380g |
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Nike KD 12 Review
Pros:
Full-length Zoom cushioning
Much more stable than previous KD models
Cons:
Materials could feel more premium
Performance of the Nike KD 12:
The KD12 is a huge step up from the disappointing predecessors.
The full-length Zoom sits directly beneath the feet and provides a ton of response and bounce.
The cushioning is a bit divisive, some reviewers are raving about it, others found it to be a bit too inconsistent on dusty courts.
The look and feel of the materials aren't very premium, but the performance of the flywire upper is top-notch.
The fit should work for most basketball players as it isn't as long and narrow as we are used too from the KD line.
Overall, the KD12 is a great performer with outstanding cushioning and no real weaknesses!
See all 7 reviews
Expert Reviews of the Nike KD 12:
Expert Rating: 8.8 (ranks #46 of 304)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
5
8 - Good
2
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.2
May 8, 2019
The Nike KD 12 is just an all-around good shoe that should cater to most players needs.
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9.2
May 8, 2019
When they’re this nice, you might want to buy ’em twice. I can't stop playing in my KD 12's!
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9.0
April 18, 2019
This is the best performer of this year so far! A huge step up from the disappointing previous KD models.
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9.0
May 8, 2019
The cushioning alone is worth the $150! But I would have preferred a little more premium materials.
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8.6
April 18, 2019
The directly-underfoot Zoom set up makes the KD 12 feel fun and exciting. Other than that, this shoe does everything well from A-Z.
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8.4
April 18, 2019
They fixed a lot of things that I didn't like in the predecessor KD11. The cushioning is amazing, materials are solid, fit and support are great! The only downside is the inconsistent traction of the translucent rubber on dusty courts.
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8.4
June 11, 2019
This shoe is not a joke! You never felt anything like this full-length Zoom cushioning system and there is finally solid support in a KD shoe.
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User Reviews of the Nike KD 12:
User Rating: 9.2 (ranks #41 of 304)
10 - Amazing
9
9 - Great
14
8 - Good
2
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
January 23, 2022
The KD 12 is a very good all around performer! The traction picked up dust pretty fast, but if anything it got the job done well. The cushion with the Full Length Zoom Stroble is absolutely amazing! It provides both a plush and responsive feel which is perfect for all players. I definitely recommend this shoe to all players!
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9.0
October 25, 2022
I just upgraded from these to the KD15s, I have played in the 15s for months and the 12 is a better shoe in my opinion. They feel much more bouncier and the cushion seems more present during wears. Your feet feel locked down much more than in the 15s. The more I wore this shoe the better it got.
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9.8
December 14, 2022
KD 12 is one of the best KDs ever made, the traction is great, especially the cushion and support, these two will add more points to this KD. So I think its fair to give it a 9.8, lost 0.2 on durability.
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8.5
September 2, 2022
More of a narrow shoe, go up half a size if you have a wider foot. Traction is there, but is susceptible to dust. Cushion is great, can't ask for a better setup.
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9.4
November 26, 2022
Other than the fact that it does pick up some dust, it’s a very overall shoe with no significant weaknesses other than maybe the durability
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Traction of the Nike KD 12:
Expert Traction Rating: 9.0 (ranks #93 of 304)
User Traction Rating: 9.1 (ranks #94 of 304)
10 - Amazing
9
9 - Great
16
8 - Good
7
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
May 8, 2019
The rubber compound used has been nothing short of consistent!
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9.0
May 8, 2019
The traction on the KD 12 was super solid. I did have to wipe a bit when dust was present.
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10.0
April 18, 2019
The multidirectional lines remind me of fingerprints. This is probably the best performing traction so far this year for me!
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9.0
May 8, 2019
I'm a big fan of the traction pattern and the soft rubber.
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9.0
April 18, 2019
The microgrooves do a good job and it's really easy to brush off dirt and dust. Not the best traction, but far better than average.
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8.0
April 18, 2019
On a clean court, the traction is super nice. On a dusty court, I slipped out a few times.
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9.0
June 11, 2019
The "razorblade" traction pattern was an absolute joy to play in.
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Cushion of the Nike KD 12:
Expert Cushion Rating: 9.9 (ranks #4 of 304)
User Cushion Rating: 9.5 (ranks #28 of 304)
10 - Amazing
21
9 - Great
9
8 - Good
1
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
10.0
May 8, 2019
This is not only Zoom Air done right, but it’s probably my favorite iteration of the cushion and only solidified my stance on Zoom Air being my favorite cushion of all time.
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10.0
May 8, 2019
The only thing between you and the Air unit is an insole - it's amazing!
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10.0
April 18, 2019
The KD 12 takes full-length Zoom to the next level!
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10.0
May 8, 2019
Your feet have never been so close to Zoom Air! This is one of the best cushioning setups I ever played in. They are super bouncy - I was able to dunk with a partially torn hamstring in these!
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10.0
April 18, 2019
The cushioning feels like full-length Zoom should feel. Well, well, well, done Nike!
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9.0
April 18, 2019
Your feet sit directly on the segmented Zoom unit which feels great. Court feel is medium, impact protection is great, and you get a lot of bounce.
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10.0
June 11, 2019
This is the best Zoom cushioning I have ever felt under my foot!
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Materials of the Nike KD 12:
Expert Materials Rating: 8.1 (ranks #167 of 304)
User Materials Rating: 8.8 (ranks #82 of 304)
10 - Amazing
5
9 - Great
13
8 - Good
12
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
1
5 - Poor
0
9.0
May 8, 2019
Textiles, screen mesh, and Fuse. Nothing to write home about, but gets the job done!
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9.0
May 8, 2019
The mesh upper with some fuse overlays feels nice and padded.
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8.0
April 18, 2019
The materials don't feel the most premium but they get the job done!
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8.0
May 8, 2019
The materials don't look premium, but they do perform well.
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8.0
April 18, 2019
The quad-axial Flywire is a nice blend of strength and flexibility. If you want your material to look and feel expensive then you might be a bit disappointed.
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8.0
April 18, 2019
The materials are nothing special but get the job done.
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7.0
June 11, 2019
I got really used to the Flyknit of previous KD models - I am a bit disappointed by the textile Mesh used in this version of the KD.
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Support of the Nike KD 12:
Expert Support Rating: 8.4 (ranks #167 of 304)
User Support Rating: 9.2 (ranks #43 of 304)
10 - Amazing
10
9 - Great
13
8 - Good
8
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
May 8, 2019
Overall, the support for the KD 12 is very good but I would have preferred a slightly wider base.
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9.0
May 8, 2019
Support gets an A+ in my book.
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8.0
April 18, 2019
No side-to-side movements on the footbed, no heel slippage, and no instabilities.
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8.0
May 8, 2019
The support features feel pretty standard and do a solid job!
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8.0
April 18, 2019
No issues at all with support and stability.
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9.0
April 18, 2019
The foam comes up on the sides to really cage you in and there is no heel slippage thanks to the internal heel counter.
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8.0
June 11, 2019
The quad-axial Flywire provides a ton of lockdown and support. Much better than previous KD's!
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Fit of the Nike KD 12:
Expert Fit Rating: 8.4 (ranks #125 of 304)
User Fit Rating: 9.1 (ranks #44 of 304)
10 - Amazing
10
9 - Great
13
8 - Good
5
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
1
5 - Poor
0
9.0
May 8, 2019
I felt snug and secure when playing in the KD 12 at all times.
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9.0
May 8, 2019
The fit is rather snug, but it won't cut off your circulation.
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8.0
April 18, 2019
The simple semi-traditional set up just works.
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8.0
April 18, 2019
The fit felt really good.
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8.0
June 11, 2019
The Flywire is comfortable and the lacing system works really well.
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Durability of the Nike KD 12:
User Durability Rating: 8.3 (ranks #190 of 304)
10 - Amazing
3
9 - Great
7
8 - Good
7
7 - Average
3
6 - Subpar
2
5 - Poor
0
Outdoor of the Nike KD 12:
Expert Outdoor Rating: 20.0 (ranks #215 of 304)
User Outdoor Rating: 43.8 (ranks #205 of 304)
Good (100%)
4
Fair (50%)
8
Bad (0%)
9
no
May 8, 2019
I wouldn't use the KD 12 as my primary outdoor shoe, as I'm seeing some minor chipping and fraying already.
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no
May 8, 2019
I wouldn’t recommend it.
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fair
May 8, 2019
I have been hooping outdoors in them and they did rip a little bit but held up nicely overall.
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fair
April 18, 2019
The rubber is pretty hard and the grooves are deep - outdoor use should be okay.
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no
June 11, 2019
The traction pattern is wearing away quickly - don't play them outdoors!
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Width of the Nike KD 12:
very narrow
4
slightly narrow
13
regular
14
slightly wide
1
very wide
0
slightly narrow
May 8, 2019
A bit snug at the forefoot.
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slightly narrow
May 8, 2019
Slightly snug, but it's a good snug.
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regularly wide
April 18, 2019
I have a semi-wide foot and I didn't have any problems.
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very narrow
May 8, 2019
This shoe feels narrow. Wide-footers might have to go up a half or full size.
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slightly narrow
April 18, 2019
Wide footers will want to go up half a size.
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slightly narrow
April 18, 2019
Slightly narrow in the toe area.
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slightly narrow
June 11, 2019
Regular to narrow-fitting
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Size of the Nike KD 12:
very small
0
slightly small
5
true to size
24
slightly long
2
very long
0
true to size
May 8, 2019
Fits true to size.
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true to size
April 18, 2019
The KD 12 runs true to size.
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true to size
May 8, 2019
Runs true to size.
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true to size
April 18, 2019
Length is true to size.
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true to size
April 18, 2019
Runs true to size, unlike previous KD models.
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true to size
June 11, 2019
Stay true-to-size.
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