Technical Description of the Nike Basketball Shoe Brand

Nike Kyrie 5

Joe Jorge

City College of New York

 

 

Author’s Note

This paper was prepared for the Writing for Engineers class taught by Professor Susan Delamare. Any questions concerning this paper should be addressed to [email protected].

Table of Contents

Abstract ……………………………………………………………………………………3

Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………4

Background ………………………………………………………………………………5

List of Parts ……………………………………………………………………………….6

Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………11

List of Figures ……………………………………………………………………………12

References ………………………………………………………………………………13

 

 

Abstract

This paper will dive into the design and components of one of the top basketball shoes available on the market, the Nike Kyrie 5. It will contain the history of the basketball shoe, as well as the Kyrie line, and specific new technology implemented into the Kyrie 5 that make it such a revolutionary shoe.

 

 

 Introduction

While playing basketball the feet and ankles constantly take a beating. Constant and consistent jumping, running, stopping and going can cause injuries in the form of an ankle sprain, etc. It is important to have a shoe that is specifically designed to absorb all the shock, provide even landings, stability, ankle support, and grip when on the basketball court. One of the top basketball shoes out in the market is the signature shoe from basketball superstar Kyrie Irving. The Kyrie 5 appeared as number four on the weartesters.com top basketball shoes of 2018 list despite being a late release. “Great fit, above-average traction and a low-riding … court feel and transition second to none.” (Best Basketball shoes, 2018). The Kyrie shoes are necessary for players that are constantly moving and need a shoe that will allow for fluid motion on the court. In this case, these late 2018 shoes can definitely make a case as one of best basketball shoes.

Figure 1: Nike Kyrie 5, Reprinted from “Kyrie 5”, by Nike.com, N.D.

 

 

Background

Basketball shoes began being manufactured for the sole purpose of playing basketball around the 1920’s. “Basketball shoes date back to the 1920s” (Basketball Shoe History, N.D.). The original basketball shoe came from Converse, called the Chuck Taylors. “The comfy, fashionable shoes we know today as “Chucks” can be traced all the way back to 1917 … were the first full blooded basketball shoes ever” (Harvey, 2019). Chuck Taylor basketball shoes dominated the market at the time and were simple in terms of materials and structure. Chuck Taylors classic canvas tennis with rubber soles were great at the time they were popular. “For more than 40 years the classic canvas tennis with rubber soles were the best-selling basketball shoe in the country, with sales topping 600 million pairs.” (Basketball Shoe History, N.D.). Overtime, as companies such as Nike and Puma started to become popular. Their leather sneakers, paired with their very distinct designs, and as of the 1980s new sneaker technology, allowed these companies to make themselves a top basketball shoe at the time. Eventually, athletes started to make their mark on the basketball shoe industry in the form of signature shoes. Adidas and NBA legend Patrick Ewing partnered for a shoe simply called “The Ewings”, and Michael Jordan started what would become the most successful signature shoe series. “Air Jordan kept its position at the top while other manufactures experimented with all sorts of trendy bells and whistles designs”(Basketball Shoe History, N.D.). Jordan and his brand inspired the many basketball stars of the future to want their own partnership and signature shoe. Nowadays, while Jordans are still extremely common and wanted, you have many other choices to choose from. Jordan created a platform and passed the torch to other shoes like the Lebron series, KD series, Curry series, Kyrie series, etc.

 

 

List Of Parts

All of the changing direction and constant motion paired with playing basketball needs to be met with a shoe that can handle all of the punishment while still keeping your feet locked in position. It needs to provide ultimate comfort while also providing support and traction. This is exactly what the Nike Kyrie 5’s provide when worn. Overall the shoe looks like your run of the mill basketball shoe, except that outsole (located at the bottommost part of the shoe) is curved which creates flexibility. Another new feature is the newly (at the time) implemented Nike Zoom Turbo Unit (the white cushion located in the middle of the shoe), which allows for a style of play similar to Kyrie, which is quick and constant. Also the Venus Flytrap (located that the top of the shoe where the laces are sitting) locks the foot into the turbo unit and improves the overall fit and feel of the shoe. All the different parts of the Kyrie 5 can be seen in the figure below.

 

1. Venus Fly Trap Fig 3

The fly trap sits on the top of the shoe and is designed with flywire cables that support the foot with a light yet strong material. The flywire then locks the foot into place, in the Nike zoom unit.

Figure 3: Nike Venus Fly Trap, Reprinted from “Nike Unveils the Kyrie 5 for Kyrie Irving with Air Zoom Turbo Cushioning” By N Goldowitz, 2018

 

1. Air Zoom Turbo Unit Fig 4

This unit goes well with the fast paced play of basketball players like Kyrie Irving. Players that change direction, cut, and attack constantly will benefit from the zoom. It provides responsiveness and flexibility in all directions.

 

Figure 4: Nike Air Zoom Turbo, Reprinted from ” Nike Unveils the Kyrie 5 for Kyrie Irving with Air Zoom Turbo Cushioning” By N Goldowitz, 2018

 

III. Insole Fig 5

The insole of this shoe is made with eva foam, as a replacement for a rubber insole.

The eva insole is very durable, and resistant to things like water and corrosion. It also               is created to make sure that every step taken is absorbed.

Figure 5: Nike Kyrie 5 Insole, Reprinted from “Nike Kyrie 5 EP Deconstructed”, 2019

 

1. Outsole Fig 6

The Kyrie 5 outsole is special because it was designed with a rounded shape. This rounded shape allows from much better traction when on the court. The outsole hugs the rest of the shoe and the eye patterns all along the outsole help with traction in all directions.

Figure 6: Nike Kyrie 5 Outsole, Reprinted from “Nike Unveils the Kyrie 5 for Kyrie Irving with Air Zoom Turbo Cushioning” By N Goldowitz, 2018

 

1. Midsole Fig 7

The Kyrie 5 has your standard midsole for a basketball shoe. The purpose of the midsole is to provide cushioning and shock absorption. This paired with the air zoom turbo unit, creates an extremely comfortable fit and feel.

 

 

Figure 7: Nike Kyrie 5 Midsole, Reprinted from “Nike Kyrie 5 EP Deconstructed”, 2019

 

 

Conclusion

            To sum up, basketball shoes will always be necessary while playing basketball. They are designed to excel at their sport, the same way cleats are perfectly designed for football, and spikes are suited for tracks. The Kyrie basketball shoe line is a perfect example of a shoe that is specifically designed for a certain type of play style and sport. Basketball shoe technology is going to continue to develop and improve as time goes on and they will provide optimal comfort and movement for those who wear them.

 

 

Figure 1: Kyrie 5 Basketball Shoe……………………………………………………….4

Figure 2: Kyrie 5 Broken-down……………………………………………………………6

Figure 3: Venus Fly Trap …………………………………………………………………7

Figure 4: Nike Air Zoom Turbo Unit …………………………………………………….8

Figure 5: Kyrie 5 Insole……………………………………………………………………8

Figure 6: Kyrie 5 Outsole …………………………………………………………………9

Figure 7: Kyrie 5 Midsole ………………………………………………………………10

 

 

References

Basketball Shoe History, N.D., https://basketball.epicsports.com/basketball-shoe-history.html

Goldowitz Noah, 2018, “Nike Unveils the Kyrie 5 for Kyrie Irving with Air Zoom Turbo Cushioning”, https://weartesters.com/nike-unveils-kyrie-5-kyrie-irving-air-zoom-turbo/

Kyrie 5, N.D., https://www.nike.com/basketball/kyrie-5

Harvey, Lily, 2019, “Basketball Shoes History”, https://shoeadviser.com/articles/basketball-shoes-history/

Nike Kyrie 5 EP Deconstructed, 2019, https://www.sneakerdebut.com/2019/06/nike-kyrie-5-ep-deconstructed/