In a somewhat surprising move, Kyrie Irving left Nike to sign with the Chinese brand, Anta, last season. The deal not only made Kyrie an Anta signature athlete, but he also became the creative director of the company’s basketball division. Kai’s first flex as part of the brand’s management team was to sign his own father to a sneaker deal, and the Anta Kai 1 Speed is Drederick Irving‘s first signature shoe.

The Anta Kai 1 speed if a very similar performance model to last year’s Anta Kai 1, which bodes well for the shoe as the Kai 1 proved to be an awesome on-court model. There are, however, several key differences that might make the Anta Kai 1 a superior choice. Let’s jump into the reviews and see why.

Anta Kai 1 Speed Specs:

Anta Kai 1 Speed Traction

One of the standout features of the Kai 1 Speed is its traction, which offers excellent grip, especially after a brief break-in period. The outsole design features primarily herringbone, which feels ultra-tacky, and durable enough to handle outdoor surfaces easily. This feature provides the stability and stopping power necessary for players who make quick cuts and changes in direction.

The outsole rubber on the Kai 1 Speed also feels more aggressive than what’s found in the original Kai 1, giving it a slight edge in performance. The traction pattern is specifically designed to accommodate fast, shifty movements that Kyrie Irving is known for, ensuring that players can trust the grip during rapid accelerations, decelerations, and lateral movements. The outsole is also rounded, like many other Kyrie models, and there are portions of the outsole that wrap up the midsole, adding mobility and extra grip on those more exaggerated moves on the court. Players who focus on high-speed drives and sudden stops will find the shoe’s traction to be one of its best assets.

Anta Kai 1 Speed Cushion

The Kai 1 Speed retains Anta’s Nitro Edge foam, which is the same foam technology featured in the original Kai 1. However, the implementation of the foam cushioning is different. Nitro Edge, as the name indicates, is a nitro-infused foam, similar to what we see in Puma models with Nitro cushion, which makes for a more dense and durable cushioning setup.

In the Kai 1, since the cushioning system was heavily caged, the shoe felt low to the ground and very responsive, but it wasn’t the most plush feeling underfoot. On the other hand, the more exposed implementation of the midsole in the Kai 1 speed feels slightly more bouncy and soft, which is nice if you are looking for more impact protection and compression underfoot as you play. It is still a very “guard orientated” cushioning setup that helps to keep you nimble as you make your moves on the hardwood.

Anta Kai 1 Speed Materials

The upper of the Anta Kai 1 Speed is almost identical to the upper we saw on the Kai 1 as far as materials go. The body of the shoe features a lightweight mesh with an embroidered pattern, providing both durability and breathability. In the high-wear areas of the shoe, such as the toe box and the sides, Anta has reinforced the upper with a hot-melt / fuse-style material, that in some places looks liked textured leather, but it isn’t.

Though the materials used are not the most premium, they are functional and cater well to performance needs. The shoe’s upper is lightweight and thin, and takes no time to break in at all, and conforms well to your foot, which helps to enhance lockdown.

At the end of the day, the Kai 1 Speed retails for a very reasonable $125 so there isn’t much to complain about, but Anta might consider sprinkling in some more premium touches to make Kyrie’s signature line stand out even more among other similarly priced models.

Anta Kai 1 Speed Support

Support is most definitely an area where the Anta Kai 1 Speed excels, and stands head and shoulders above many sneakers currently on the market in a similar price range. The shoe features TPU panels on either side of the shoe that add containment and torsional rigidity, a substantial TPU shank plate at the midfoot, external and internal heel counters, and several portions of the outsole that wrap the upper for added containment.

The Achilles notches in the heel area are another small but effective addition that helps lock the foot in place, reducing slippage during play. This is particularly beneficial for players who want to feel secure while making sharp cuts or explosive movements.

These features work together to keep your foot locked in on any type of cut, stop, or change of direction you can throw at it, which is crucial for players like Kyrie Irving who rely on quick changes in direction. If you’re looking for a shoe that feels super secure, and that can handle even the hardest of cross-overs, this is the shoe for you.

Anta Kai 1 Speed Fit

Chinese brands are notorious for odd sizing. The Anta Kai 1 Speed fits true to size, but to be sure, go with your centimeter size or your euro size and you should be ok. Once you have your proper size, they fit great.

Anta Kai 1 Speed Overall

The Anta Kai 1 Speed is an excellent basketball shoe for players who prioritize speed, traction, and agility. The shoe’s traction is one of its strongest attributes, offering superior grip for fast, shifty movements on the court, and, as a bonus, is durable enough to handle outdoor surfaces without skipping a beat. The Nitro Edge foam provides a responsive ride with just enough cushioning and compression to handle impact without sacrificing court feel.

The materials are functional and durable if not particularly luxurious, and support and lockdown are elite. It would be nice to see Anta use more premium materials, especially on their signature models, but that is just a minor nitpick.

Now, if you are a bigger player looking for a basketball shoe that offers a nice, plush, cushy ride on court to protect your joints as much as possible, you may want to look elsewhere. But that is hardly a knock on the Anta Kai 1 Speed.