The KD18 ‘DMV Drive’ sneaker is a big commemorative tribute to the basketball culture of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Well, in short, the name “DMV” really represents all that. These shoes, in their own distinctive fashion, blend vintage style with new technology, with inspiration coming from the ’97 ‘Air Bakin’ as they stride forward with Cushion 3.0 foam and Heel Dot-Weld Air bounce on the courts. Definitely hitting stores today.
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Announced by Boardroom, Durant’s media company, the hype began with some jokes in the comments. Some people were already feeling the urge to empty their wallets. “Think I’m adding these to the shoe closet,” tweeted Weezus Dangerously. Others could not stop themselves from roasting the colorway. Heatjon said, “Ronald McDonald ahh shoes,” which… okay, fine, very loud red and yellow combo, but Durant has never been one to play it safe in that regard.
This brought some nostalgic feelings. Valac a.k.a FatrikElias reminisced about how he had convinced his mom to get him the original ‘Air Bakin’ back in the day—he had to switch out the yellow laces for the red and black on his own. “Going to have to pick these up.” That perhaps signifies that Durant’s design really hits with those who remember the ’90s sneaker scene.
The replies did not, unsurprisingly, stay sober for too long. Stan (yourfriendsam) took the DMV theme a little too literally, joking, “Who tf likes the DMV? Just a bunch of jabronis tryin to figure out how to get people Real IDs in 2025?” And Khalil took this opportunity to pitch Durant’s comeback to the Washington Wizards. “He should join Washington wizards,” as if sneaker launches were free agency recruiting pitches.
Was it in fact, real heads who were onto the nitty-gritty? Ellison was stating Kevin Durant is paying big props to the ’90s classics with this recent design. He writes, “KD 17 = air max plus and talaria. KD 16 = penny 2.” Meanwhile, Kutdown on Gaming took it a notch higher and threw in some sneakerhead conspiracy by asking, “Are you previewing your next team colorway the ‘miami heat’?”
Love them or hate them; Durant’s latest drop sure has made a buzz. Whether it’s the throwbacks, the tech, or just the sheer madness of the colorway, KD18 ‘DMV Drive’ is making waves and reminding everyone that Kevin Durant is beyond the hardwood. That dude is a whole new sneaker legacy getting brewed.
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So, are you going to get a pair, or will you be too busy giving side-eyes to the Ronald McDonald comparison? Whichever way you go, Kevin Durant is keeping it 100, one loud bouncy pair at a time.