Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen exclusively wears the Nike Kyrie 3, a signature basketball shoe originally released in late 2016.
While his peers often rotate through 60 pairs of sneakers per season, Allen has demonstrated legendary loyalty, wearing this single model for nearly every game of his nine-year NBA career.
Starting with a pair gifted during his rookie season, he has logged over 16,000 minutes in roughly seven total pairs. To maintain this habit, Allen scours the internet for rare deadstock pairs in size 17, ensuring he never has to compromise on the comfort he found as a rookie.
The Origin of the Jarrett Allen Sneaker Habit
The story of Jarrett Allen’s footwear is not one of commercial endorsements or high-fashion trends, but rather a tale of immediate comfort and an unwavering commitment to what works.
Most professional athletes seek the latest technology to gain a competitive edge, yet Allen has found his “holy grail” in a shoe that has been out of production for nearly a decade.
A Rookie Gift from Brooklyn
The journey began in 2017 during Allen’s rookie season with the Brooklyn Nets. At the time, equipment manager Joe Cuomo simply handed the young center a pair of Nike Kyrie 3s to try out.
Allen, who was drafted 22nd overall out of the University of Texas, was still finding his footing in the professional ranks.
This simple exchange between a staff member and a rookie created a bond between a player and a silhouette that would eventually become one of the most unique subplots in NBA equipment history.
Why the Kyrie 3 Stuck
Upon putting on the sneakers, Allen was immediately struck by the exceptional fit and out-of-the-box comfort. Unlike many performance shoes that require a “break-in” period, the Kyrie 3 felt ready for game action the moment he laced them up.
This “immediate comfort” is what Allen cites as the primary reason for his refusal to switch models. He locked into the silhouette and essentially decided he would never need another model for official competition, a decision he has upheld for over 620 games.
Why Does Jarrett Allen Only Wear One Shoe Model?
In a league where player-brand relationships are worth millions and new “colorways” drop weekly, Allen’s approach is a radical outlier. His loyalty to the Kyrie 3 is described as a “stubborn habit” that defies the standard logistics of the modern NBA.
The Pursuit of Immediate Comfort
For an NBA center standing 6’11” and weighing 243 pounds, the physical toll on footwear is immense. Most big men require heavy-duty cushioning or high-top support, yet Allen prefers the guard-oriented responsiveness of the Kyrie 3.
He values the consistency of the traction and the lockdown feel that allows him to anchor the Cavaliers’ defense without worrying about his equipment.
By sticking to one model, he eliminates the variable of “shoe feel” from his nightly preparation, allowing him to focus entirely on his performance in the paint.
Consistency Over Commercial Trends
While most NBA stars use 50 to 60 pairs of shoes per season to ensure maximum structural integrity, Allen has used only about 7 to 8 total pairs of his primary black colorway over nine years. This level of durability is almost unheard of at the professional level.
It suggests that Allen is not just loyal to the model, but he is also incredibly careful with his equipment, only retiring a pair when it has reached its absolute limit of performance.
Analyzing the Jarrett Allen Shoe Rotation
Despite his loyalty to a single model, Allen does maintain a specific rotation of colorways and styles within the Kyrie 3 family to suit different needs and preserve his limited stock.
| Timeline / Use Case | Shoe Model | Specific Colorway(s) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Official Games | Nike Kyrie 3 | “Tuxedo”, “PK80”, White TB | Worn for 620+ consecutive games. |
| Primary Game Pair | Nike Kyrie 3 TB | “Black White” | His favorite aesthetic; he says it “touches his soul”. |
| Alternative Rotation | Nike Kyrie 3 | “PK80” (All-Black) | Used to preserve the dwindling supply of Size 17s. |
| Practice & Training | Nike Kyrie 8 | Various | Used to avoid wear and tear on rare game-day pairs. |
| Brief Experiment | Nike Kyrie 7 | Various | A 7-game trial that ultimately saw him return to the 3s. |
The “Tuxedo” colorway (officially the Nike Kyrie 3 TB “Black White”) remains his absolute favorite. He has publicly noted that the clean, professional look of the shoe resonates with him on a personal level.
As his supply of these specific pairs has deteriorated, he has integrated the “PK80” special edition, an all-black variant originally created to honor Nike co-founder Phil Knight’s 80th birthday.
The Incredible Logistics of the Size 17 Scavenger Hunt
Because Nike ceased production of the Kyrie 3 in 2017 and Kyrie Irving is no longer a Nike athlete, Allen faces a significant logistical challenge in maintaining his streak.
Scouring the Secondary Markets
Finding “deadstock” (unworn) sneakers from 2017 is difficult for the average consumer, but finding them in a size 17 is nearly impossible.
Allen, his close friends, and the Cleveland Cavaliers equipment staff are constantly monitoring online marketplaces like eBay and other secondary platforms. They are essentially on a perpetual scavenger hunt to buy every available size 17 Kyrie 3 that appears online.
Preserving the Stash for the Playoffs
The scarcity of these shoes occasionally reaches a crisis point. In April 2026, media reports indicated that Allen was running dangerously low on game-ready pairs. This sparked a frantic search ahead of the NBA Playoffs.
Fortunately, it was confirmed that he successfully sourced a fresh deadstock pair just in time for the postseason, allowing the legendary streak to continue.
Jarrett Allen Career Statistics by Shoe Model
One of the most fascinating aspects of Allen’s career is that his statistical output is almost entirely tied to a single sneaker model.
Aside from a very brief seven-game stint where he experimented with the Kyrie 7, every point, rebound, and block of his career has been recorded in the Kyrie 3.
| Statistic | Nike Kyrie 3 Performance |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 624 Games |
| Career High Points | 40 (Recorded Jan 10, 2025) |
| Field Goal Percentage | 64.1% Career Average |
| High Efficiency Mark | 70.6% FG in 2024–25 Season |
| Career Rebounds | 9.2 RPG Average |
| All-Star Accolades | 1x All-Star (2022) |
In 2025, Allen recorded a career-high 40 points against the Portland Trail Blazers while wearing his trusted Kyrie 3s.
This performance underscored the fact that even as the shoes age, his ability to dominate the paint remains fully supported by their design.
To date, he has logged over 10,200 minutes in this specific model, showing zero statistical decline despite the aging technology.
How Does Jarrett Allen Maintain His Rare Sneakers?
To ensure that his rare game-day sneakers do not suffer unnecessary damage, Allen has developed a strict protocol for his daily routine on the court.
The Practice Floor Strategy
Allen avoids wearing his Kyrie 3s during team practices or individual training sessions. Instead, he uses more modern versions of the line, such as the Nike Kyrie 8.
By using these newer, readily available models for the grind of practice, he saves the structural integrity and traction of his “holy grail” pairs for the 48 minutes of an official NBA game.
The Brief Experiment with the Kyrie 7
There was a moment where it seemed the Kyrie 3 era might end. Records show that Allen played seven games in the Nike Kyrie 7. During these games, he maintained a respectable win percentage, winning five out of the seven contests.
However, the experiment was short-lived. Allen admitted that despite trying other signature models, he always returns to the Kyrie 3 due to his “stubborn habit” and the specific feel he has grown accustomed to over nearly a decade.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jarrett Allen’s Shoes
Does Jarrett Allen have a shoe contract?
While Allen wears Nike products, his specific commitment to a discontinued model like the Kyrie 3 is a personal choice rather than a traditional promotional deal for a new release.
What is Jarrett Allen’s shoe size?
Jarrett Allen wears a size 17, which makes his search for discontinued Nike Kyrie 3s significantly more difficult than it would be for someone with a more common foot size.
How many pairs of Kyrie 3s does he have left?
While the exact number is a closely guarded secret, reports in 2026 suggested he was “dangerously low” before sourcing a fresh pair for the playoffs. He typically uses only one or two pairs per full season.
Will he ever switch to a new shoe?
Allen has admitted to testing other models in practice, but he consistently returns to the Kyrie 3 for games. Unless his supply completely evaporates, it appears he will remain a Kyrie 3 purist for the remainder of his career.
The Legacy of the Kyrie 3 Purist
Jarrett Allen’s footwear choice is more than just a quirky trivia fact; it is a reflection of a professional athlete who prioritizes consistency, comfort, and personal preference over the fast-paced world of sneaker culture.
In an era of constant change, Allen’s nine-year journey with the Nike Kyrie 3 stands as a testament to the idea that once you find the perfect fit, there is no reason to look anywhere else.
As he continues to anchor the Cleveland Cavaliers, the “Size 17 Scavenger Hunt” remains one of the most compelling behind-the-scenes stories in the NBA.
Whether he is setting a career high or making an All-Star appearance, Allen does it all in a shoe from 2016. For fans and sneakerheads alike, watching Allen play is a nightly reminder that sometimes, the classics are simply unbeatable.
