THE OFFICIAL KOBE 9 THREAD ****** WHAT THE KOBE RELEASED ******** BHM RELEASE 1/19

Whats your favorite Kobe 9 Elite?

  • Masterpiece

    Votes: 13 39.4%
  • NRG Black

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • NRG White

    Votes: 2 6.1%
  • Devotion (All-Star)

    Votes: 4 12.1%
  • Inspiration

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Perspective

    Votes: 2 6.1%
  • Detail

    Votes: 1 3.0%
  • Showtime

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Superhero

    Votes: 1 3.0%
  • Fundamentals

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Influence

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Legacy

    Votes: 1 3.0%
  • Victory

    Votes: 1 3.0%
  • Strategy

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Christmas

    Votes: 2 6.1%
  • What the Kobe

    Votes: 2 6.1%
  • BHM

    Votes: 4 12.1%

  • Total voters
    33
20,167
4,151
Joined
Feb 22, 2007
Nike wants to redefine Basketball footwear with Kobe 9 Elite featuring Nike Flyknit

The Kobe 9 Elite

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The KOBE 9 Elite redefines the aesthetics and performance of a basketball shoe and was designed using Nike Flyknit according to Nike’s “Nature Amplified” design ethos, an approach focused on designing for the body in motion and fueled by scientific data and athlete insights.

“We are just scratching the surface of the potential of Nike Flyknit to transform the way we design shoes to meet athletes’ needs," said Mark Parker, President & CEO of NIKE, Inc. "The Kobe 9 redefines the basketball shoe by combining power, strength, and flexibility with lightweight materials and a whole new method of manufacturing.”

THE MASTERPIECE:

Designed with Kobe’s tech insights and design inspirations, the KOBE 9 Elite features three key technologies: Nike Flyknit, Flywire and Lunarlon, giving the shoe superior lightweight performance. The innovative design enhances the foot’s natural movements while providing Kobe with strength, durability and speed, plus all the benefits of natural motion where he needs it most.

"I draw inspiration from where I am as a player, as a person, and where my career is at this moment. I'm trying to do something that the majority of people think is impossible to do," Kobe reflected when asked about the inspiration for his latest shoes and about getting back into the game. "I let my emotions out when I step on the basketball floor, it’s always been my escape, and these shoes will touch a nerve on the court in the same way I do."

Nike Flyknit – which was first used in Nike Running shoes in 2012 – defies conventional shoe manufacturing processes by creating a one-piece engineered upper made from single strands of yarns. Lightweight yet incredibly strong, it has redefined sports shoe technology and comes to basketball for the first time in the KOBE 9 Elite.

“Nike Flyknit acts as a second skin for Kobe, giving him engineered strength similar to the design of a spider web – tension and strength just where it’s needed,” said Eric Avar, Nike Creative Director and VP of Innovation, who has worked closely with Kobe on his shoe designs for a decade."

Reverting back to a higher cut for the first time since his third signature shoe in 2007, Kobe’s ninth signature shoe features a knit collar for the proprioceptive feel of a low-top with the support of a mid-top. With the lead colorway dubbed ‘Masterpiece,’ the KOBE 9 Elite uses the intriguing visual patterns allowed by Nike Flyknit to create a piece of art on the upper, nine red embroidered details on the heel give a nod to Kobe’s Achilles sutures. The design on the outsole is based on the pressure mapping of Kobe’s own foot, creating a beautiful pattern while providing traction on court.


DYNAMIC FIT:

Nike Flyknit and Flywire technologies are a one-two punch, leading to a dynamic fit for Kobe’s intricate footwork.

-The single layer Nike Flyknit creates a seamless engineered upper that is the ultimate in superior lightweight performance integrating areas of high breathability, stretch and support where it’s needed most.

-Nike Flywire technology is strong yet dynamic for lockdown through the midfoot; its cables loosen and tighten with the natural motion of the foot.

-The carbon fiber heel counter provides strong and lightweight lateral stability when moving from side to side, while the heel remains stable.

RESPONSIVE RIDE:

Eliminating bulk and distraction was a focus for Avar. The idea of ‘simplifying without compromise’ helped shape the design of the KOBE 9 Elite.

-Nike Lunarlon cushioning insert provides responsive cushioning that keeps the foot connected to the court.

-The pressure mapping designed, minimal rubber outsole delivers durable traction and mimics the natural contours of the foot.

DESIGN WITH A PURPOSE:

Nike Flyknit technology introduces a new way to construct a shoe upper by knitting strands of yarn. Nike Flyknit is better for the planet because it drastically reduces waste and materials from typical upper construction. The KOBE 9 Elite upper reduces waste by nearly 50% compared to traditional high-top basketball shoes that use multiple segments and cuts of material in the construction process.

The KOBE 9 Elite releases globally on Feb. 8, 2014. The retail price is $225


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NRG White and Volt
February 1st
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February 1st
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Devotion Maestro
February 14th
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Inspiration

March 1

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Perspective

March 8

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Detail

March 22

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Showtime

April 11th

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Superhero

May 9th

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Gold

June 6th

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Influence

June 21st

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Legacy

October 18th

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Victory

October 31st

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Strategy

November 26th

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Christmas

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Engineered Mesh low

Kung Fu

March 29

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EM Premium

April 11th

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Easter

April 18th

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Black Crimson

May 3rd

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May 17th
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June 21st

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June 26th

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Metallic Silver/Grey

August 1st

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Peach Cream

August 28th

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CHINA

August 30th

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Game Royal

September 5th

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Dusty Cactus

October 3rd

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Gym Blues

November 21st

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Deep Garnet

December 13th

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Flyknit Lows

HTM

April 8th

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Michael Jackson

July 12th

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Beethoven

August 16th

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RED ELITE LOW

September 13th

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EXTS

Mid

August 26th

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Snakeskin

November 1st

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Rumoured colorways and release dates




Player Editions

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There will be a Flyknit high and low versions and a Engineered Mesh low version

Kobe 9 Elite Flyknit = $225
Kobe 9 Elite Flyknit Low = $200
Kobe 9 Engineered Mesh Low = $160

Here is the first leaked photo of the Kobe 9 Elite Flyknit


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Kobe 9 Low

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So it's a mid? Thats kinda disappointing, but Flyknit certainly makes up for it. Excited to see these now.
 
I'm excited about the possibilities these have. Been loving the flyknit runners that have come out so far, and they'll have a lot of possible directions to take the upper designs. I wonder about how durable/structured the upper can be, but seeing how they used a stiffer version of EM on the 8s compared to EM on runners, I think it's definitely doable. I'll take knit material any day over plastic though.
 
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:smokin

Can't wait to see what these look like... I'm scared on the price and availability on these tho. Flyknit isn't cheap.
 
Not so sure I'm gonna like fly knit...Kobe patterns are getting uglier by the day...I prefer solid patterns and MAYBE some of the occasional prints. Also Nike should move away from the animal theme altogether IMO. Its overdone on the past three models.
 
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The 8s were really light, even though this is a mid it should still be light with the flyknit :pimp:
 
WOW that flyknit is going to be DOPE! But even more expensive
mean.gif
 
Flyknit x Kobe's...gotta see what they have in store, love my chukka's & lunar 1's..late 2013 & 2014 is gonna be fun
 
So far so good with me and I'm really excited to see how the mid design will turn out! :nerd:
 
Seeing this teaser pic reminds me of the pics that first surfaced for the Flyknit Free model - not that the shoe will look anything like this but it has a little more upper ankle material than any other Flyknit released (excluding the Chukka)..... just goes to show what sorts of designs the 9 could look like.
 
I think the flyknit material will probably be selectively used on the upper like how the EM was used on the 8s. I can't ever see a bball shoe with an upper that's completely made of flyknit, like the runners, ever coming about cuz there'd be too much flexibility in the ankle. But I can see flyknit being the predominant material for the majority of the upper, minus the heel area where you'd have your usual heel cup + structure. Basically kind of swapping the EM material on the upper of the 8s with flyknit material. I could be completely wrong about that, but that'd be my guess.
 
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I think the flyknit material will probably be selectively used on the upper like how the EM was used on the 8s. I can't ever see a bball shoe with an upper that's completely made of flyknit, like the runners, ever coming about cuz there'd be too much flexibility in the ankle. But I can see flyknit being the predominant material for the majority of the upper, minus the heel area where you'd have your usual heel cup + structure. Basically kind of swapping the EM material on the upper of the 8s with flyknit material. I could be completely wrong about that, but that'd be my guess.
This.  I'm sure it will be heavily or at least well-reinforced with fuse or something.

I could be wrong with this though, I have yet to see a pair of flyknit shoes in person.
 
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