Matt Varga ANTA, Kyrie Irving and their shared ANTA KAI 1 model have made great time. In the span from March to June, #11 and the Chinese brand have combined for 11 editions of one of the most promising new models on the market. However, its unconventional release strategy, eschewing major retailers like Foot Locker for a boutique approach can make it hard to keep track of every look. Below you’ll find a chronological breakdown of each of the ANTA KAI 1 that have officially hit the market, with further information on a handful of unreleased/region-exclusive pairs that you may have seen circulating on your timeline.
Every ANTA KAI 1 Colorway Released So Far
“Artist On Court”
The one that started it all. No doubt, the ANTA KAI 1 “Artist On Court” gets some additional juice considering it was our first look at Irving’s long-awaited ANTA signature. From the radial embroidery of the toe-box to the hieroglyphic branding that dots the entire profile, the vibrant purple & pink were far from the only eye-catching piece upon first look. Yet since that palette is so infrequently seen, it’s worth noting when it succeeds, especially in a non-GS application. On top of elucidating detail-heavy hardware, the release of the “Artist On Court” was illustrative for the nature of future drops; the instant sell-out status it achieved has been matched by most suceeding colorways.
“KAIVERSE”
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- ANTA KAI 1 “KAIVERSE” @shopankikt
Unless you are extremely tapped into Kyrie Irving shoes in 2024, there’s a high probability you’ve never seen this version. We won’t say it’s for lack of trying; the ANTA 1 “KAIVERSE” was exclusively released via ANTA’s first Shanghai flagship store, limited to just 323 pairs. However, there’s no denying the visual appeal of what fans got on that day. Coming a few weeks off the heels of the “Artist On Court,” the KAIVERSE flipped our expectations on their head, painting loud orange & purple on the midsole while leaving the upper in staid grey. Bright accenting on a neutral base is a recipe that continues to bring standout kicks to market, but doubly so in the realm of basketball shoes. Though few will get their hands on it, the ANTA KAI 1 “KAIVERSE” ensured it’d leave a lasting impression all the same.
“Enlightened Warrior”
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- ANTA KAI 1 @kyrieirving_kicks
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- ANTA KAI 1 @kyrieirving_kicks
The centerpiece of the “Enlightened Warrior” is a left vs. right contrast palette, a motif explored plenty in the basketball shoes canon via models like the Nike Ja 1. It jumps from warm pinks & oranges on the right to cooler purples & greens on the left, all of those vibrant colors pasted atop a checkerboard black & white pattern below. The Max Headroom-like arrangement deserves a ton of credit for just how much it stands out from the KAI 1 styles we’ve seen so far, and charts forward the sort of experimental looks we might receive in the future.
“Playoffs Pack”
Every signature shoe has to make a stop for a team-specific colorway. Irving’s take on the prompt was notable all the same, as he infused both shoes with the neon tonality that serves as a faux-calling card a dozen shoes in. For our money, the “Playoffs Away” is the real standout, relying on baby blue contrast tones in the same mold that “UNC” editions have succeeded in for decades now. However, that’s not to take away from the “Home” version. While it’s more conservative at first glance, pink embroidery on the toe-box and a gradient midsole help this shoe stand out from other comparable on-court kicks.
“Mother’s Day”
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Mother’s Day”@lwss_dbcm
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Mother’s Day”@lwss_dbcm
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Mother’s Day”@lwss_dbcm
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Mother’s Day”@lwss_dbcm
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Mother’s Day”@lwss_dbcm
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Mother’s Day”@lwss_dbcm
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Mother’s Day”@lwss_dbcm
It was only a matter of time before the “Mother’s Day” theme hit the ANTA KAI 1. Irving previously explored the loss of his mother with the “Mom” editions of the Kyrie 4 & 5, exclusively released via New Jersey’s Sneaker Room. Thus, it’s no surprise that the similar peripheral details remained for this shoe, with #11 revisiting the Jersey City retailer for its initial launch. The multi-color print that paints the sockliner and the graphic underlay panels is stellar, reflecting the colors of the Standing Rock tribe the elder Irving belongs to. The bead-like geometry that anchors the midfoot strap and printing “Mother” in the trademark KAI hieroglyphic typeface are the icing on the cake for a shoe that looks almost as good as the story it tells.
“Playoffs Energy”
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Playoffs Energy” @k11kicks
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Playoffs Energy” @k11kicks
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Playoffs Energy” @k11kicks
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Playoffs Energy” @k11kicks
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Playoffs Energy” @k11kicks
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Playoffs Energy” @k11kicks
Announced shortly after the Mavericks clinched an NBA Finals berth, the ANTA KAI 1 “Playoffs Energy” aimed to encapsulate the “illuminating” energy of both the postseason and Irving’s previous heroics during May, April & most famously, June. That manifests with an all-neon paint job for the pattern-heavy model, wearing a dominant yellow upper with radioactive green detailing poured throughout the profile. While some previous releases were distributed through retail partners (Extra Butter, Sneaker Politics & the aforementioned Sneaker Room among the limited few in the US to host KAI 1 releases), this colorway was exclusive to ANTA.com direct to consumer.
“Green Grails”
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Green Grails” ANTA
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Green Grails” ANTA
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Green Grails” ANTA
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Green Grails” ANTA
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Green Grails” ANTA
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Green Grails” ANTA
Conceptually, the “Green Grails” are among the best in the KAI line, conveying the idea of an ancient heirloom, passed down through the generations. While more heady ideas are the target here, the SB-esque gum sole plays particularly well for us as a reflection of #11’s sneakerhead history. Nonetheless, it’s more or less an inversion of the “Playoffs Energy” palette, giving consumers their choice of which layout of the ultra-bright palette they prefer.
Unreleased/Upcoming ANTA KAI 1 Colorways
“Chief Hela”
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Chief Hélà” Photo via @nbakicks
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Chief Hélà” Photo via @nbakicks
Though it hasn’t hit the market anywhere, there’s a strong argument that the ANTA KAI 1 “Chief Hela” is the defining look for the shoe so far. Partially rocketed by just how unconventional a colorway it is, the shoe immediately broke out of just the sneaker internet and garnered buzz throughout the basketball world and even select mainstream outlets. In terms of color selection, it’s one of the more reserved in the canon, relying entirely on a two-tone arrangement of brown & yellow. However, as you’ve certainly noted in the above image, the basketball model is transformed into a bonafide moccasin style, replete with leather tassels at the collar. ANTA has already confirmed that the KAI 1 “Chief Hela” will see a wide release sometime during 2024, and there aren’t many Kyrie Irving shoes in recent memory that commanded the sort of anticipation this one is sure to capture.
“Triple Black”
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Triple Black” @lwss_dbcm
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Triple Black” @lwss_dbcm
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Triple Black” @lwss_dbcm
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Triple Black” @lwss_dbcm
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Triple Black” @lwss_dbcm
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Triple Black” @lwss_dbcm
“Triple Black” is one of, if not the surest bet in footwear, so it should come as no surprise that the ANTA KAI 1’s attempt at it was one of the more highly-regarded amongst our readers and the sneaker public at large. As a chiefly monochromatic look, you essentially know what you’re getting on the tin, but the slight silver detailing on the midfoot strap and on branding across the profile are perfectly placed. The shoes launched in China on on June 3rd in China, and at the time of writing, global ANTA channels are in the midst of releases for the ANTA KAI 1 “Triple Black” in staggered fashion. All that to say, a stateside release remains very much in the cards.
“Garden State”
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Garden State” ANTA
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Garden State” @amanda_y05
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Garden State” @amanda_y05
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Garden State” @amanda_y05
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- ANTA KAI 1 “Garden State” @amanda_y05
The “Garden State” colorway takes New Jersey’s moniker literally. This design slides naturalistic print underneath mesh lower panels, allowing them to peek through slightly for those with a keen eye. This shoe represents the best of both worlds for the KAI 1; the gem green tonality plays into the energetic side of both Irving’s personality and his game, but it’s simplistic in application, allowing the heavy details in the hardware to take the reigns narratively. Given the narrative importance of New Jersey on this shoe, it seems unlikely that it’ll evade a US drop for too long, but as of right now, it’s remains solely limited to Chinese retailers.
Spinoff Models of the ANTA KAI 1
ANTA KAI 1 “Speed”
Sported by Kyrie during Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, the ANTA KAI 1 Speed is ostensibly a retooling of the base model, but goes much, much further in that reimagining that typical athlete takedowns. Transforming the upper, traction and midsole, official word is that Drederick Irving had a not-insignificant role in designing the shoe. Our first look at the silhouette came just days after news broke of Dred signing an exclusive deal under ANTA KAI; thus, it remains unclear whether this is the elder Irving’s signature shoe, or if that’s still yet to be unveiled. Release information is also unconfirmed.However, nearly every PE sneaker that Irving sported during this past year eventually made its way to market, so a public launch is surely not too far out.
ANTA KAI Tribe
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- ANTA KAI Tribe “White/Purple” @NickDePaula
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- ANTA KAI Tribe “White/Purple” @NickDePaula
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- ANTA KAI Tribe “White/Purple” @NickDePaula
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- ANTA KAI Tribe “White/Purple” @NickDePaula
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- ANTA KAI Tribe “Black” @NickDePaula
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- ANTA KAI Tribe “Black” @NickDePaula
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- ANTA KAI Tribe “Black” @NickDePaula
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- ANTA KAI Tribe “Black” @NickDePaula
The final addition to the KAI family is the ANTA KAI Tribe. A true lifestyle shoe, the design language of the ANTA KAI 1 proper remains, refracted as raised, plushstripes on the toebox. The midsole’s overall geometry stays intact, but crops up here closer to a cupsole. In introductory images, two colorways were offered up, one in white & purple and one in black & cream. Much like the KAI 1 Speed, release information is a mystery, but initial reporting has this model pegged for a Fall ’24 launch.
