Kyrie Irving and Anta are invoking his home state of New Jersey with an-all green colorway for his Kai 1 signature sneaker.
The Anta Kai 1 “Garden State” will release next week with an all-green makeup taking after New Jersey’s lush landscape. Jade makes up the majority of the sneaker from the upper to the sole unit, while a darker shade of green is used for the overlays and branding. Earlier this summer, the “Garden State” sneaker made its debut in China.
Irving’s first signature sneaker since moving to Anta has been a hit for the Chinese shoe brand, selling out in the majority of colorways released so far. “When it comes to Kai product, it’s absolutely electric right now,” Anta Sports head of U.S. marketing Christian Laursen told Footwear News in June. “What we like to call his tribe [or fan groups] have been supporting him through and through. They’ve shown up. We don’t have enough pairs in the United States and could probably do 10 times the amount to what we’re [currently] putting in the marketplace.”
Anta launched the Kai 1 in March, just eight months after it had announced a new deal with Irving after he had been dropped by Nike. The shoe maker has continued to trot out new models quickly, including a forthcoming Kai 1 Speed that goes without a strap and the Tribe lifestyle sneaker expected to release with two colorways in the fall.
A number of colorways for the Kai 1 also released throughout Irving’s run to the NBA Finals with the Dallas Mavericks, including another green variant dubbed “Green Grails.”
The Anta Kai 1 “Garden State” will release July 20 through Anta’s website, as well as select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $125.
Ian Servantes is a Senior 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.
