THE OFFICIAL NIKE KOBE FOOTWEAR THREAD: RIP LEGEND 1978-2020. MAMBA FOREVER | 3 Releases 4/13

Just had a 2 hour run in these. The traction was very good for me (solid outsole). Fit, lockdown all incredible, snug but not too tight. Feels light, materials feel good but nothing to celebrate (no problems, but doesn't feel like a sock like some knits).

The cushion: you can feel the lunar in the forefoot, would've made it 5% thinner but my knees and back feel good so it's actually probably for the best. You can feel cushion in the heel but it's hard to tell if it's the soft lunar or zoom, either way feels good. This setup is probably perfect for an aging guard like myself, enough courtfeel with really good impact protection. It's not D Rose 7 level, but that was way too much for me, which is probably why NW et al don't like it much.

When Sole bros said impact protection was very close to the KD 9 I was thinking yea right... however I'll be letting go of my 2nd pair of KD 9s (PM me). These are now #1 in my rotation
 
Agree so far for me on semi-dirty courts traction has been very nice...not mind-blowing but easily gets the job done
 
dubnation said:
That good ??!!
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On like hour 3, I saw one kid wipe and thought about it but remembered I hadn't slid at all once. Outside of the games I also did about 30 minutes of on court drills with a lot of sharp cuts.

The little nubs aren't interested in connecting with dust all.

I'm really in love with these, and I'm super picky. I returned at least 3 pairs in 2016 (both the swoosh and the stripes). And I originally bought these mostly because I thought they looked good.
 
Was tempted to buy these 'white-outs' today, but naw.  Nike needs to kick it up.  Sorry, but I don't care about on court performance (although that is questionable based upon reviews).  It's about looks.  People buy sneakers based on looks.  There's a reason why this thread is only at 33 pages 3 releases in. 33 pages after 3 releases
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Nike, you need to kick it up a couple notches.   It seems like you mailed it in once Kobe retired.  Sad.   

Kobe isn't MJ, but this line deserves better.

If this is the best you got, please release retros.
 
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Little Mac said:
Was tempted to buy these 'white-outs' today, but naw.  Nike needs to kick it up.  Sorry, but I don't care about on court performance (although that is questionable based upon reviews).  It's about looks.  People buy sneakers based on looks.  There's a reason why this thread is only at 33 pages 3 releases in. 33 pages after 3 releases:rofl:

Nike, you need to kick it up a couple notches.   It seems like you mailed it in once Kobe retired.  Sad.   

Kobe isn't MJ, but this line deserves better.

If this is the best you got, please release retros.
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Just curious, which bball shoes from 2016 do you like the looks of?
 
Little Mac said:
 
Was tempted to buy these 'white-outs' today, but naw.  Nike needs to kick it up.  Sorry, but I don't care about on court performance (although that is questionable based upon reviews).  It's about looks.  People buy sneakers based on looks.  There's a reason why this thread is only at 33 pages 3 releases in. 33 pages after 3 releases
roll.gif


Nike, you need to kick it up a couple notches.   It seems like you mailed it in once Kobe retired.  Sad.   

Kobe isn't MJ, but this line deserves better.

If this is the best you got, please release retros.
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If you want a shoe based on looks, get some J's. If you want a shoe for the court, get the shoe & try it out for yourself or follow the opinions of others. That simple. 
 
Big B 33 said:
 
If you want a shoe based on looks, get some J's. If you want a shoe for the court, get the shoe & try it out for yourself or follow the opinions of others. That simple. 
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I don't ball that much anymore other than playing horse (honesty).  I'm a little older than most on here (I think).   I'm a Kobe fan (born and bred Philly).  Looks matter to me.  Bottom line.  I think it's what sells shoes.  It's also why Kobes have been so popular in my opinion.  They can be worn causally and on court.

As for their 'on-court' performance?  I purchased the release pair.  I used them to go Christmas shopping.  That was my 'on court' experience.  I had discomfort after one wear, then used them again a week later.   There was separation.  It's unacceptable for a $160 shoe.  

Someone on here also asked me, what is my favorite current b-ball shoe?  Tough question.  There's a reason why 'runners' are so popular.  They're more fashionble at the moment.  I do think the Kyrie line is kinda promising.   The release on Christmas day, that ninja release, that was something Nike would have done for Kobe back in the days of the Kobe 8.  They seem to be giving him (Kobe) less attention now that he's retired.

I'm not spending my $ on this current Kobe line.  They need to go retro.
 
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Little Mac said:
 
I'm a little older than most on here (I think).  Looks matter to me.  They can be worn causally and on court.

As for their 'on-court' performance?  I purchased the release pair.  I used them to go Christmas shopping.  That was my 'on court' experience.  I had discomfort after one wear, then used them again a week later.   There was separation.  It's unacceptable for a $160 shoe.  

 There's a reason why 'runners' are so popular.  They're more fashionble at the moment. 

 I do think the Kyrie line is kinda promising. 

I'm not spending my $ on this current Kobe line.  They need to go retro.
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Edited your reply to break down what I'm replying to:

I'll be 40 this year so we're probably close in age. Looks definitely matter to me as well. One thing I like about the Kobes that I've had (5, 6, 8, 10, 11) is that with the exception of the 10, the technology of the shoe allowed you to be able to play in them yet the still looked wearable after playing in them, especially the 8.

I remember your comment awhile back. I wore mine on Christmas day & we were at the movies all day & then walked around the shopping plaza looking for a place to eat. They were very comfortable to me. I have a narrow foot so I don't know if that makes a difference with this particular shoe. 

By runners do you mean running shoes? 

I was halfway tempted to get the Kyrie 3 but I haven't played in a high top  shoe since January 2010 before I got the V-Days.

I do agree that this shoe is over priced. It should've been $130 tops but $120 would've been better. 
 
Big B 33 said:
Edited your reply to break down what I'm replying to:

I'll be 40 this year so we're probably close in age. Looks definitely matter to me as well. One thing I like about the Kobes that I've had (5, 6, 8, 10, 11) is that with the exception of the 10, the technology of the shoe allowed you to be able to play in them yet the still looked wearable after playing in them, especially the 8.

I remember your comment awhile back. I wore mine on Christmas day & we were at the movies all day & then walked around the shopping plaza looking for a place to eat. They were very comfortable to me. I have a narrow foot so I don't know if that makes a difference with this particular shoe. 

By runners do you mean running shoes? 
I was halfway tempted to get the Kyrie 3 but I haven't played in a high top  shoe since January 2010 before I got the V-Days.

I do agree that this shoe is over priced. It should've been $130 tops but $120 would've been better. 
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I do agree that they're way overpriced. It's tough for them though because you can't really price Kobes beneath KDs, and KDs are already pretty low (could be lower).

I can't really imagine where they go from here except full length zoom, though these may have converted me to forefoot lunar because of the responsiveness (until it bottoms out). But they're already working on the next Kobe so who knows?

Are retros confirmed to be coming back out?
 
ajny88 said:
I do agree that they're way overpriced. It's tough for them though because you can't really price Kobes beneath KDs, and KDs are already pretty low (could be lower).

I can't really imagine where they go from here except full length zoom, though these may have converted me to forefoot lunar because of the responsiveness (until it bottoms out). But they're already working on the next Kobe so who knows?

Are retros confirmed to be coming back out?
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The KD's were low but then a couple years ago they raised the price. I have no complaints with how these perform & getting more pairs will just make them last longer. I'm on the fence about iDing a pair to wear casually but that's not gonna happen unless they have a flyknit option. 
 
ajny88 said:
I do agree that they're way overpriced. It's tough for them though because you can't really price Kobes beneath KDs, and KDs are already pretty low (could be lower).
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KD9s are made out of flyknit uppers though so I think they could have definitely made the AD with EM uppers a little below that price-wise because if there is an elite/fllyknit versions of the AD then it'll likely retail ~$200.

I do think Nike is somewhat testing the waters with the price of Kobes sig after retirement. I wouldn't be surprised if the next one comes down in retail because these aren't moving/
 
RFX45 said:
KD9s are made out of flyknit uppers though so I think they could have definitely made the AD with EM uppers a little below that price-wise because if there is an elite/fllyknit versions of the AD then it'll likely retail ~$200.

I do think Nike is somewhat testing the waters with the price of Kobes sig after retirement. I wouldn't be surprised if the next one comes down in retail because these aren't moving/
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I've been assuming that this "breathable mesh" is supposed to be half way between EM and FK, making the 160 price point technically a price reduction. I wasn't really happy with the way they did FK for the Kobe 11 and actually prefer this material.

Not a huge Kickgenius fan but Tre mentioned the FK on the KD 9 is too thick/restrictive to deal with the lack of TPU yarn and I agree. The AD gives me a little pressure underneath the lateral swoosh, but the KD feels like my foot is in a tight ace bandage.

140 I think would've been the right price for the AD though without damaging the brand. Imo a $120 point, combined with the "AD" name and Kobe's retirement, would've destroyed the prestige of the line.

Adidas is making it tough though because at 160, the Dame 2 & 3 might be too close in performance to recommend the AD over them. Also Brand Black.
 
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