Kyrie Irving’s Anta line is quickly growing, as a new lifestyle sneaker has been revealed just over a week after the Dallas Mavericks star debuted a prototype basketball shoe in the NBA Playoffs.
The Anta Kai Tribe will release this fall, according to Boardroom‘s Nick DePaula, who revealed images of the sneaker in two colorways on Twitter. The low-top and relatively low-profile shoe features marks for Irving throughout, including “Kai” beneath the laces, a metal badge at midfoot with hieroglyphs and his Anta logo on the mustache.
A black and white colorway features an upper with a base that looks to be ballistic nylon or mesh with suede overlays. The white and purple variant is predominantly constructed out of leather and features a lone suede panel connecting the eyestay with the toe tip and midfoot. Both colorways host a spiral ribbed texture, which may bring to mind the Air Jordan 12 and its “Rising Sun” flag inspiration, although the effect is more pronounced on the leather edition. An arrowed tread pattern for the outsole then climbs up the side of the midsole.
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After signing with the Chinese footwear brand last summer, Irving’s first signature sneaker came astonishingly quick with its March launch. Each of the six colorways of the Anta Kai 1 released in so far have sold out, and the prototype Irving wore for a series-clinching win against the Oklahoma City Thunder could very well be his second signature sneaker. To begin the Western Conference Finals matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the star guard wore a suede moccasin-style “Chief Hélà” edition that has yet to be released to the public.
The Anta Kai Tribe sneaker will release this fall, but no further details have been announced. Footwear News will keep you abreast of any updates.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
