Purpose-built for Kawhi Leonard's flat-footed morphology, the New Balance Kawhi IV delivers exceptional stability through its dual-density FuelCell midsole, carbon fiber plate, and one of the widest performance lasts available in basketball footwear. While the stiff construction demands a lengthy break-in period, the shoe's biomechanical features - including a firm midfoot shank to prevent arch collapse and a deep heel cup for rearfoot security - make it a standout choice for players requiring maximum overpronation control. The 2025 model comes in multiple width options including 2E, though the trade-off for its superior support is a notably heavy build.
New Balance Kawhi IV was ranked by 3 out of 19 AI models consulted. It achieved a consensus rank of #20 with a 40% AI agreement score. The average position given by the AIs was #6.0.
Points = base position score × AI weight. Higher-weighted AIs contribute more points per position.
| AI Model | Rank Given | Weighted Points |
|---|---|---|
| DeepSeek R1(1.41x) | #4 | 11 pts |
| Gemini 3.1 Pro(1.65x) | #6 | 8 pts |
| Mini Max M2.1(1.55x) | #8 | 5 pts |