This is my review of the Kyrie Flytrap 4. In my opinion, it is a lightweight but supportive basketball shoe that emphasizes speed and mobility at the cost of traction and toughness.
Read my detailed review below to learn more about its pros and cons, whether it fits you or not, and I’ll also list a few alternatives for you to consider.
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Quick Summary
Best for: Guards who dribble a lot or who navigate through traffic. Players who value lightweight models with solid support.
Pros: Zoom Air cushion. Special laces for enhanced lockdown. Lightweight. Wave outsole pattern. Supportive. Lightweight.
Cons: Traction wears out more quickly than other models. Weak impact protection. Durability could be better.
Alternatives: Kyrie 7, Adidas Crazy Explosive, Dame 7
Why Trust Me
I have more than two decades of experience playing basketball. That also means more than two decades of experience wearing shoes. I have worn every single style, model, and brand at some point during my long career.
Such firsthand knowledge, backed up by extensive additional research, enabled me to properly analyze both the Flytrap’s pros and cons.
Detailed Review of Kyrie Flytrap
The Flytrap 4 is a flexible, lightweight option that still offers a surprising amount of stability and balance. It’s not going to give you a lot of durability, especially if you’re someone who plays outside, but there’s a lot of responsiveness throughout the sole and advanced cushion system.
Where many shoes are too snug or create too much lockdown, the Flytrap allows for excellent lateral mobility. That makes it great for players who put a big focus on quick moves. If you play on the outside or wing, the Flytraps will give you a soft base with plenty of spring.
Performance
First and foremost, the Flytrap 4 is an explosive shoe. It doesn’t quite match up to the responsiveness you’ll see in pure guard options like the Curry 8 or Dame 7, but it still delivers a good amount of bounce when you need it. It’s especially nice when going for rebounds.
Unfortunately, the spring isn’t as noticeable when you’re running. Where some shoes allow you to really press into the court, these feel a bit flat. However, the responsiveness in the mobility and quick cuts is truly impressive.
Lockdown and Support
For a lightweight shoe, the Flytrap comes with a good amount of support. Many modern shoes immediately cut down on extra protection in order to get rid of weight. Here, the sneaker has a strong base and a decent amount of upper ankle protection. The sole is solid too.
That combination is then backed by a decent lockdown. It’s not the tightest fit on the market, but it’s more than enough to ensure you won’t twist or rub when moving around. That amounts to solid injury reduction, a factor that’s especially important if you value the shoe’s open design.
Comfort
Something else worth noting is the shoe’s impressive comfort. Nike equipped them with a special rectangular Zoom Air that runs throughout the base. That’s not only important when it comes to spring, it also cushions your foot during sprints or hard landings.
While the materials aren’t the best, the Flytrap feels great too. It’s a flexible shoe that, due to the reduced weight, blends into the background as you play. If you’re someone who doesn’t want to notice their gear during a game, the Flytrap will likely tick all of your boxes.
That being said, the shoes don’t have the best ventilation. The sleek design does a decent job of promoting airflow, but the solid lockdown means your feet will get stuffy from time to time. I wish the upper material was a little more porous on that end as well.
Durability
Strength is definitely the Flytraps’ biggest weak point. That’s to be expected when you’re dealing with a lightweight sneaker, but it’s still a bit of a bummer. Even when only worn inside a gym, the shoes won’t last as long as many other similarly priced shoes on the current market.
You also can’t reliably use them outside for extended periods of time. Not only will they scuff quite easily, but exposure to the elements will also cause the stitching to break down at an accelerated rate. I would have liked some extra power in that regard.
Traction
The grip is another no-so-great part of the Flytrap. While the shoe definitely has a solid amount of security and traction on clean hardwood, it suffers just about everywhere else. That makes it quite inconsistent, which can be a problem for pickup or more casual players.
Expect to see some sliding on dusty floors or outdoor courts. The shoes aren’t suited for the elements anyway, but even inside you won’t get great bite unless everything is in tip-top shape. Only league or school players will be able to truly experience the full grip.
What I Like
My favorite aspect of the Flytrap is how everything comes together in terms of fit. Not only are they light, but the interior band is wonderful when it comes to lockdown and feel. Where some shoes seem a bit disjointed, this pair has a focused design that both looks and feels great.
The performance is worthy of praise as well. These shoes definitely don’t skimp when it comes to energy return. They aren’t just responsive, they also provide you with plenty of characteristics that enhance agility and lateral movement. I always value such traits, especially for guards.
What I Dislike
The Flytrap’s biggest weak point is the durability. That’s not entirely surprising considering the shoe’s weight and emphasis on mobility, but I’m always bummed when a premium sneaker doesn’t have a ton of longevity. I would have liked to see a more solid construction.
In addition, while the cushion is solid, the impact protection isn’t the best. You’re going to experience some issues when landing, which isn’t the best in a responsive shoe that helps you jump. Those that play for long periods of time will also likely experience some soreness.
The Alternatives
These shoes have similar traits to the Kyrie Flytrap 4 but bring something slightly different to the table. They are great alternatives if you want something different. More options can be found on our best basketball shoes roundup review.
1. Kyrie 7
If you want a Kyrie shoe but aren’t feeling the Flytrap, the 7 is a great alternative. Equipped with a strong rubber sole, Air Zoom Turbo Unit, and a 360-degree traction pattern, the sneakers have a high focus on performance. They are lightweight and allow you to move.
On top of that, their design is quite protective. Where many lightweight shoes sacrifice protection for mobility, the 7s go the extra mile by giving you both ankle and achilles support. Just be aware that the traction, while useful, won’t hold up as long as the grip in other shoes.
You can read our detailed Kyrie 7 review to learn more.
If you’re in the market for a blend of traction and comfort, the Crazy Explosive (review) is a great alternative to the Flytrap. The sole is one of the most responsive on the market, and the prime knit upper works with the flexible construction to create an incredibly comfortable shoe.
Adding to that is the unique anatomical lace system. The feature completely locks down your foot and ensures it won’t slip or slide anywhere when you play the game. You may run a little hot due to the tighter fit, but that’s a small price to pay for amazing reliability and protection.
3. Dame 7
If you want a different guard shoe, the Dame 7 (review) is worth a long look. Not only do these agile sneakers have amazing court feel, they are balanced and quite responsive. You can spin, cut, jump, and sprint with these on and never lose your footing.
Of course, they aren’t perfect. They don’t hold up when used outside and their stitching could be better when it comes to longevity. Even so, the excellent impact protection, striking look, comfortable fit, and sleek design all add up to one incredibly useful shoe.
FAQs
Are These Shoes Heavy?
No. The Flytraps come in at 11.1 ounces, making them one of the lighter premium models on the current market.
Is the Kyrie Flytrap Durable?
While durability is not their strong suit, the shoes have what it takes to hold up in the gym. They aren’t the best outside model, however.
Final Verdict
The Flytrap 4 is a shoe that sits in the middle of two worlds. On one hand, you get a comfortable, lightweight model that stays out of your way due to its sleek design. On the other, you do lose some durability, traction, and impact protection when compared to other top models.
It all comes down to what you want. If you need a strong, reliable model with a tough base, you might want to look elsewhere. If you don’t mind losing some of that toughness for better performance, it’s a slam dunk.
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