The Kyrie 4 is the most well-rounded Kyrie to date.
Traction on the Kyrie 4 is comprised of multi-directional herringbone — a favorite of mine. I love when traction patterns are aggressive yet traditional; this one mixes a little bit of the old with a little bit of the new.
This type of coverage worked really well on a variety of courts and conditions. Although the outsoles started off a bit slick the first couple of nights — I think there’s some residue on the soles to start — they consistently got better with each wear. That made wiping the outsoles something that wasn’t required very often.
I still feel that the the past two Kyrie models offered a bit more bite than the Kyrie 4, but I don’t think that that’s a bad thing. This traction pattern worked really nicely without feeling like you could break your own ankles at a moment’s notice.
Cushion is the best it’s ever been in any Kyrie model with the Kyrie 4.
The heel still features a Zoom Air unit, that I felt was unnecessary for the most part as I tend to stay off my heels. However, if you happen to use your heel then coverage from the Zoom unit is there.
What I loved about the shoe is that the design team brought Cushlon back into the fold — something that I’ve been waiting on for a very long time. Not only is Cushlon used, but it makes up the entire midsole. Usually Cushlon is implemented with a Phylon carrier to the softer/bouncier foam mixture, but not this time around.
The midsole is still on the thin side (at the forefoot) so the bounce-back that Cushlon usually offers is minimized, but much like adidas’ Bounce, this setup proved to be a well balanced offering of cushioning and court feel.
If Cushlon is used on the Kyrie line from here on out then the line may go from being one of my least anticipated models of the year to one of my most anticipated models.
Like the outsole, the materials along the upper are a mix of the old and new. Engineered mesh is featured at the forefoot and that provides you with a lightweight material that requires hardly any break-in time. Nylon is glued to the underside which restricts all of the air flow, but in turn it strengthens the material.
Meanwhile, the heel panel is a suede material that, while not premium, doesn’t feel cheap at all. In fact, it only makes me scratch my head at the materials used on the Kobe AD Mid even more than I already had. For $120, the Kyrie 4 feels like it could’ve been priced at the Kobe AD Mid’s $150 (I’m glad it wasn’t though).
Prices on these shoes are still ridiculous even with basketball market sales dropping over the past couple of years. Having some of the best performers of the year being priced under $150 is great for consumers and a head scratching moment for brands because some of the $150 and up models are not as well rounded.
I suppose it can be compared a bit to the movie industry. Films with smaller budgets tend to have greater impact and story telling even though they have to stretch a limited budget. That forces creatives to be, well, creative. Nowadays, the films with massive budgets often are lackluster and filled with eye candy but not much payoff.
Durability of the rear panel has been great thus far and the durability of the mesh should be okay with the nylon glued to it. Without it I think it’d likely rip over time time as it had on the Kobe 8 after extensive use.
The shoe fits snug but true to size. Wide footers may want to consider going up 1/2 size. If you’ve worn any of the past Kyrie models, I’d highly recommend you stick with the same size you wore comfortably in those because they feel like they’re all built on the same last.
Lockdown was solid up and down. The lacing is traditional so there’s little room for error there. As stated above, the forefoot is snug, which is something I personally enjoy. I always felt secure in the shoe and never felt my foot sliding around at any time — much like my experiences in the Kyrie 1-3.
Support on the Kyrie 4 was something I had no issues with. The midsole doesn’t cradle you in the way that I personally prefer (like a Dame 4 or Curry 4) but the rubber outsole’s exaggerated “teeth” offer a similar feel. The teeth wrap up and around the forefoot to stabilize the Cushlon a bit while also slightly caging the forefoot.
You can’t see it, but the Kyrie 4 has an internal heel counter at the rear. It isn’t quite as strong as something like external TPU or carbon fiber, but it more than gets the job done and ensures your heel remains atop the footbed without sliding over.
There isn’t a traditional outrigger in place, but the midsole up front is wide and sits low. The way it’s sculpted also acts as like an outrigger, which is a huge bonus.
Overall, the Nike Kyrie 4 is Nike’s best performer this year. Its very well-rounded on all fronts in a way that makes the Kyrie 4 more like a Hyperdunk. There’s just enough cushion for most, solid traction, fantastic fit and adequate support — and all of comes at a “team” friendly price point of $120.
I’m not a huge fan of the Kyrie line overall but if this is the direction Nike plans on going with the line then may change. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved aspects of the past models, especially the traction, but the brick-like Phylon has been anything but forgiving. Even the Curry 4’s foam midsole is more forgiving than the Phylon used on past Kyries, so the return of Cushlon was a great choice to bring a bit more balance to the low profile tooling.
I don’t believe I’ve said this all year, because it hadn’t been deserved, but great job Nike Basketball. This is the kind of shoe that I’ve been waiting for all year.
If you had to buy one to ball in…Lebron 15 or Kyrie 4?
That’s up to the person and what they want/need in a shoe. If you’re asking me personally then that info is within each shoes respective performance reviews.
Those are 2 different types of shoes and you know this…. MAN!!!
I think it deserves 5 “All Star” badges
Will it last outdoors?
It will, i have been playing with them outdoor and the traction do last for at least 9 months, that is you are playing 3 to 4 days a week.
Hi NightWing. I really need cushion in a shoe. What is your pick for soft cushion
Thanks Mike
Not sure what you mean by soft, but Boost is pretty plush.
If you can only pick one, this or the Dame 4?
I’m still trying to figure that out myself lol
I also want to know which you would pick, they have the same score based from the reviews. Cushion wise which is better?
Looks like a big step up – even the looks are starting to grow on me when I initially hated the “teeth” on the side.
I usually never even think about getting kyries, but now that they addressed the cushion issue I’ll give them a try on.
Nike should just let lunarlon and react go extinct. Cushlon is the best foam cushion they got going from my experience. Its comfy, has impact protection, and seems to be pretty versitile, being used in runners and ball shoes.
Not only is improved on the cushion, also the uppers are more comfy than past Kyries. I’m loving my pair since day 1 (Got them a little early, Sunday afternoon) and really is like NW said, hard to choose between these and the Dame 4.
I think they need to tweak the compounds if they want to keep using them in basketball. In the running category Lunar is nice. Hearing React is coming to running as well. We’ll have to see how that goes. I do agree about Cushlon though. Its my favorite foam Nike has under its belt.
Traction battle: Kyrie 1 or 4?
I’d go with the 4
Between this and the Dame 4, which cushion is more plush?
Kyrie 4. The forefoot feels a little thicker than the Dame’s did.
I tried the Dame 4 and the cushion setup was a bit to hard for myself. How does the Kyrie 4 cushion compare to the Dame 4. Best cushion so far I had was on the Crazy explosive 2016 low, and well the Jordan 32 Low are ok cushion wise, but they have a huge issue with dust pickup (hard to clean).
It’s a little bouncier than the Dame 4 IMO.
great review it seems lately nothing been good for outdoors though they need to make one model good for outdoors soon
Hey nightwing, I noticed that the Kyrie 4 traction only received a starting five rating, while the kt3 received an all-star rating. Does that mean the traction on the kt3 is better than the Kyrie 4?
Picked up a pair from FTL today. I have semi-wide feet and they’re definitely snug in a good way for me from a first try-on perspective. I tried half a size up just in case, but they felt sloppy underfoot.
Always wanted to try a Kyrie shoe but due to arch issues and based on your reviews I couldn’t risk getting my foot hurt again.. But this new Kyrie may change that.. looking forward to getting one.. awesome review as always.
Anyone else reminded of the Nike Air Flight VB by this design?
Best looking Kyrie model imo.
how about kyrie 4 and PG 1. which one you choose nightwing?
I just re-read the PG1 performance review. I’d recommend you also do that as it’s clear as to what the differences between the two models are. We do all the work for you already. All you have to do is inform yourself with the info we provide.
Cushlon or Bounce?
been waiting for this review coz the retro look of this model made me interested..i’ve been looking for Nike shoes that will match with Dame’s performance and now I am about to question my own existence upon reading your review.. deymn!
Im flat footed what shoe do you recomend the dame or the kyrie? Thanks
hey nightwing,
which shoe would you recomend for a bigman?
one that is still available please!
Is the kyrie 4 good for outdoors?,like sole durability and traction?
Excellent shoe that offers solid tech, at the right price point, for huge sales. Nike gets it right this time.
will it last outdoors?
I’ve been loving how these have been breaking in since picking them up on 12/20. It’s been a long while since I could trust a shoe on a dusty court, feels good man.
Can you do anything specific to get the residue off for the traction? My team got the obsidian colorway and people won’t wear them because the traction hasn’t been consistent. We’ve only had them for a week but with limited chances to wear them, i wonder if putting water on the soles or something would help.
break them in
I am a quick and shifty guard with knee problems. What should I get? Kd 10s or Kyrie 4s.
Kyrie 4’s or 3’s? A lot say the 3 is better, but I’m not sure.
I think the “teeth” are actually pyramids. If you look closely there are 3 large white and 3 upside down black on outside. Inside are 2 white and one upside down black. 3+3=6+3=9 which is also on the tongue on a pyramid. I’m not all about Kyrie and his different viewpoint on the world just noticed and thought it made sense..
I tried Kyrie 4 and the performance is great. indoors and outdoors the traction and snug fit doesn’t change. I have knee problems and I play as forward.
Will they last on cement courts??? Which are more durable: Kyrie 3 or Kyrie 4???
Im trying to decide, but I can’t. I play for my HS team, and I still have my PG1 from like 7 months ago… I think its time too change BBALL shoes. I can’t decide between the Kyrie 4 or the PG 2. Yeah Ik your prob gonna say read the thing and stuff like that, but I play mostly as a shooting guard and a small forward. I really don’t know… Can you help me out with a quick answer.
I’ve been running these 1 pair outdoor/1pair indoor since release. Outdoor pair are beat up badly and traction is about 15% left. What a good show to replace these with that are similar in cushion, support, traction, and fit?