Nike will release the KD19 Candy Apple on July 21 for $155. The University Red edition gives Kevin Durant‘s 19th signature basketball shoe a glossy finish that draws from the model’s wider connection to candy coating and slab car culture.
SNEAKERS
The KD19 uses three main performance components to support speed, cushioning and stability during play. A full-length Air Zoom Strobel unit runs directly under the foot and supplies responsive energy during drives and takeoffs. Nike first introduced full-length Zoom Strobel technology through the KD12, and the KD19 brings it back as the foundation of its cushioning system.
Cushlon 3.0 foam adds a springy sensation underfoot and aims to keep players comfortable through the fourth quarter. A lightweight midfoot plate works with the cushioning setup and gives the shoe added stability during fast cuts, sudden stops and rapid changes of direction. Nike combines these elements into a layered system that addresses Durant’s scoring style and his constant search for efficiency on the court.
An aggressive multidirectional traction pattern supports quick cuts and changes of pace. Nike embeds the numbers 7 and 35 throughout the outsole as references to Durant’s career jersey numbers. The pattern gives the sole a personal connection to the athlete while supplying hardwood grip during acceleration, deceleration and lateral action.
The exterior TPU element provides another direct reference to Durant. Nike shapes the component like a dagger, recalling his “Slim Reaper” nickname. The structure extends around the midfoot and heel to secure the foot during play. Nike uses a dual-injection process to form the distinctive exterior design, giving the KD19 a visual identity linked to Durant’s persona and the containment required for high-speed basketball.
Nike also draws from slab car culture for the KD19’s construction. The company uses a production method common within the automotive industry and gives the shoe a double-injection molded upper that wraps around its underlying structure like a candy coating. That reference gains extra relevance on the Candy Apple edition, where the glossy University Red finish directly suits the theme.
The colorway presents the technical design through a saturated red treatment. Its polished surface emphasizes the sculpted TPU element and the layered upper, while the number-coded outsole keeps Durant’s career references underfoot. The shoe retains the KD19’s snug fit, responsive platform and low-to-the-ground setup.
The KD19 Candy Apple continues Durant’s signature series with a design that links cushioning, traction and containment to personal details. Air Zoom Strobel supplies immediate response, Cushlon 3.0 softens landings, the midfoot plate adds stability and the dagger-shaped TPU structure secures the foot. Nike will launch the University Red pair on July 21 through SNKRS and Nike.com.
Name: Nike KD19 Candy Apple
Colorway: University Red
SKU: IH1117-600
Price: 155 USD
Release Date: July 21
Available at: Nike and select retailers
