Nike Kyrie 5 review

Nike Kyrie 5 review

A few runs to break in the Kyrie 5

It needs a few runs to break in the sole, maybe 10- to 15-minute of warm-up running back and forth on the court could loosen up the initial stiffness.

Even so, you get to feel the initial traction it gives on the court. If you have already worn them in a game, wiping the outsoles before playing again creates a better court feel.

The grip is great, and I don’t have any complaints about the laterals and cuts going to the basket. However, this needs wiping every end of a quarter on dusty courts. 

Satisfying performance overall

The Zoom Turbo bag gives the knees the cushion that they need. Since I am 5’8 and 180lbs, a cushion that helps my knees absorb impact is a big plus.

As said, the outstanding position of the Zoom unit makes the shoe perfectly knee-friendly. Because of the responsive Zoom system, you can feel the support for every jump during rebounds or as you hustle at the loose ball. The Zoom is also good even in quick changes in pace and lateral cuts. 

As for court feel, the Kyrie 5 is low to the ground. It transitions well from toe to heel.

The shoe also provides very wonderful Impact protection especially to late 30s ballers like me. It’s kinda Bouncy but not like a spring; should I use a sponge as a visual aid?

Zoom Air forefoot is a big plus and a bonus for flat-footed players like me. The added push compliments the underfoot feel, making you a little more agile especially when age is already catching up. Overall cushion, The Kyrie 5 Gets the job done.

Great details on its upper

Engineered mesh is easy to break-in, it's light and easy to clean after use. Great details on the upper, I love the play of materials and colors.

There are a lot of things happening in every part of the shoe, you would feel like a kid turning it around for the first time. It looks like a collage composed of circles that make you want to count them all.

The only downfall of the Kyrie 5 is its light color; dust and dirt are easily visible on the shoe.

Nice level of support in the Kyrie 5

Good fit and lockdown. It hugs the heel, so you won’t feel any slip and slide as if your foot is going out of the Kyrie 5.

The Flytrap on the midfoot is just right: not too wide to be a distraction, not too narrow that it can’t anymore give the midfoot the support it needs.

Quite Nice ankle support. I cannot say anything less about this. The wide base of the shoe makes a wide-foot guy like me wear the shoe more often in a game. A solid game kicks with secure footbed. It's so easy to see why everyone loves Uncle Drew! 

Kinda snug

At first, the Kyrie 5 is kinda snug and a little hard to put on; what you can do is properly loosen the lace and you are good. Once it has been broken in, the fit and comfort that it delivers is solid.

The shoe also locks the foot down ready for a game, be it competitive or just a lighthearted evening with friends.

Yes for outdoors

Yes, I definitely recommend it outdoors since the sole is engineered for performance. However, I recommend that players apply shoe protectant spray first.

The Kyrie 5 is not wide-feet friendly

These Kyrie Irving basketball shoes are true to size, but not wide-feet friendly. One can wear thick socks to remedy this.

Slightly narrow, but a half or full-size up would do for wide-footed players.