Honestly, sneaker history is full of weird pairings. We've seen shoes inspired by luxury cars, space shuttles, and even cartoons. But in 2016, Nike decided to lean into the literal "sweetness" of Kyrie Irving’s game. They didn't just drop a new colorway; they drove a customized truck across the country. The Kyrie 2 shoes Krispy Kreme edition—officially known as the "Ky-Rispy Kreme"—is basically the peak of "if you know, you know" sneaker lore.
It wasn't just a marketing gimmick. Well, it was, but it was a brilliant one.
Kyrie has this thing for doughnuts. Specifically, during his rookie year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he had a tradition of bringing dozens of Krispy Kremes into the locker room for his teammates. It’s a classic rookie move. Fast forward a few years, and Nike Basketball designer Leo Chang decided to turn that locker room hazing ritual into a piece of wearable art.
Why the Ky-Rispy Kreme Truck Was Such a Big Deal
Back in May 2016, if you wanted these, you couldn’t just refresh a webpage and hope for the best. You had to physically find a truck. Nike sent a co-branded "Ky-rispy Kreme" delivery truck from their headquarters in Beaverton all the way to Cleveland, Baltimore, Harlem, and Brooklyn.
It was a hunt.
If you were lucky enough to catch the truck at the House of Hoops in Harlem or the Nike Community Store in Brooklyn, you didn’t just get a pair of sneakers. You got the experience. The shoes were sold out of the back of the truck, and the packaging was arguably better than the shoes themselves. Instead of the standard orange Nike box, these came in a legit, oversized Krispy Kreme doughnut box. Some versions even had a "window" on the top so you could see the "treats" inside.
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Breaking Down the Design
The Kyrie 2 shoes Krispy Kreme aren't exactly subtle. They use the iconic white, green, and red palette that has signaled "Hot Now" to hungry drivers for decades.
- The Upper: It’s a clean white Hyperfuse base, but the heel is where things get interesting. A bright "Gym Red" hits the rear, mimicking the glaze or the box's primary accent color.
- The Midsole: You’ve got a speckled pattern here. It looks like strawberry sprinkles.
- The Branding: The Swoosh is "Lucky Green," matching the Krispy Kreme logo perfectly.
- The Tech: Underneath the sugary exterior, it’s still a performance beast. The Kyrie 2 was famous for its curved outsole, designed specifically for players who bank at extreme angles.
You’ve probably seen some pairs online that look a little different. That’s because Nike also released this as a customizable option on NIKEiD (now Nike By You). While you could recreate the colors, the "official" limited editions from the truck are the ones that collectors hunt for because of that specific special-edition box.
The Price of Sugar (and Hype)
When these dropped, the retail price was around $160 for the special box versions. Today? Good luck.
If you’re looking for a deadstock pair in the original "window" box in 2026, you’re looking at anywhere from $600 to over $1,000 depending on the size. Small sizes or pairs without the special box (the ones people built on NIKEiD) go for significantly less, usually in the $200-$350 range.
It’s a weird market. Most people who bought these to wear have long since beaten them into the ground. Finding a "clean" pair is getting harder every year because the white mesh tends to yellow if it isn't stored in a climate-controlled spot.
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Is It Still a Good Basketball Shoe?
Basically, yes—but with caveats. The Kyrie 2 is legendary for its traction. If you play on a dusty court, the herringbone-like pattern on these is basically a vacuum. You will stop on a dime.
But it’s firm.
If you have bad knees or you're a "big" who needs a lot of impact protection, the Zoom Air unit in the heel is pretty minimal. This shoe was built for a shifty point guard who wants to feel the floor, not someone looking for a cloud-like ride. Most people buying the Kyrie 2 shoes Krispy Kreme today are doing it for the shelf, not the blacktop.
What Collectors Get Wrong
A common misconception is that every red and green Kyrie 2 is a "Krispy Kreme" collab. It’s not. Because of the NIKEiD release, thousands of people made "close enough" versions.
If you’re buying on the secondary market, look for the SKU. The official "Ky-rispy Kreme" premium pairs usually carry specific codes like 914295-163. If the box is a standard Nike box, it's almost certainly a custom ID pair, not the "truck" exclusive.
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How to Style Them Without Looking Like a Mascot
Look, wearing bright green and red shoes with white mesh is a choice. If you overdo it with a matching jersey, you’re going to look like you’re working a shift at the bakery.
The move is to keep the rest of the outfit muted. Black joggers or simple grey sweats let the shoes do the talking. It’s a high-energy sneaker, so let it be the centerpiece.
Actionable Tips for Sneakerheads
If you’re actually trying to track down a pair of Kyrie 2 shoes Krispy Kreme right now, here is how you should handle it:
- Verify the Box: If the seller doesn't have the doughnut-style box, the value drops by at least 40%. Don't pay premium prices for a NIKEiD pair.
- Check the Mesh: The white Hyperfuse is a magnet for dirt. Ask for high-res photos of the toe box to check for "ghosting" or yellowing.
- Smell Test: This sounds weird, but older Kyries from this era can suffer from glue oxidation. If they smell like sour chemicals, the soles might be prone to separating soon.
- Resale Trends: Prices for 2016-era Kyries have stabilized. Don't FOMO into a $900 purchase; these pop up on sites like GOAT and eBay fairly regularly if you're patient.
The "Ky-rispy Kreme" remains one of the most creative moments in Nike’s modern era. It was a time when sneaker releases felt like events—when a truck pulling up to a mall in Baltimore could cause a literal frenzy. Even as Kyrie has moved on to other brands and new chapters, this specific collab stays in the "hall of fame" for anyone who appreciates a good story (and a glazed doughnut).