Culture

The Nike Zoom KD13 Brings Double-Stacked Zoom to the Fore

Featuring a full-length Air Zoom strobel and an additional Zoom unit in the forefoot, the Nike Zoom KD13 releases in its black/white colorway April 6 globally and April 17 in North America.
April 2, 2020

The kind of modern athleticism that Kevin Durant embodies is realized through the new Nike Zoom KD13, specifically in the shoe’s cushioning set-up: an additional kidney-shaped Zoom unit placed in the forefoot beneath the full-length Air Zoom strobel. That Zoom strobel returns from the KD12, merging two shoe components to bring the foot into closer proximity with the Zoom unit. Where the KD12 used double-stacked Zoom underneath the heel for a plush ride, the double-stacked forefoot Zoom of the KD13 encourages movement off the ball of the foot, whether it’s a hesitation dribble or a pivot into a turnaround jumper. The rebound between the adjacent Zoom units helps generate a responsiveness that’s greater than what the units could do alone.

Kevin Durant KD13 Official Images and Release Date 10
The KD13 Hype colorway launches April 10 in North America

Kevin Durant KD13 Official Images and Release Date 9
The KD13 Chill colorway launches April 24 in North America

Nike Zoom KD13 9
The KD13 Home Team colorway launches May 1 globally

Nike Zoom KD13 8
The KD13 Bred colorway launches June 1 globally

Nike Zoom KD13 6
Minimal materials in the upper add to the KD13's lightweight support. Per KD's preference, it can also be worn loosely for a more relaxed fit.

Nike Zoom KD13 3
Like the KD12, a full-length Nike Air Zoom unit acts as the shoe's strobel...

Nike Zoom KD13 1
...while an extra forefoot Air Zoom unit is located below the full-length Zoom unit for double-stacked responsiveness.

Nike Zoom KD13 9
The KD13 Planet of Hoops colorway launches April 6 in Greater China

“The intent behind a Zoom Bag is similar to that of a mechanical spring underfoot,” says Ross Klein, Senior Creative Director for Nike Basketball. “The essence of a spring is to return the amount of energy you put into it. In the KD13, we're doubling the spring in the form of the double-stacked forefoot Zoom, allowing you more travel in the system and more energy back.”

The mechanics of basketball make for broad requirements in energy return. Movement needs to follow a rough sequence of absorption, moderation and propulsion across all planes, whether it supports running, shuffling, cutting or jumping, all of which can look different depending on a player’s profile. Double-stacked forefoot Zoom is a tool for the kind of decisive playmaking that the modern player is known for.

The launch black/white colorway of the KD13 releases April 6 globally and April 17 in North America.