I’ll be honest, I’m a Kobe III guy myself. Regardless though, this Kobe will -at the very least- be remembered for its clean modern beauty and at the most be remembered as a great basketball shoe. They will also be a big test (one of many to come) of Kobe’s sustainability as a one man brand like Michael Jordan. Kobe Bryant’s first post-retirement signature silhouette, the Nike Kobe A.D., continues the legacy of lightweight, low-profile on-court kicks. Combining a Zoom Air unit in the heel, Lunarlon foam in the midsole, a minimal rubber outsole (with micro-tread traction) and breathable mesh upper with incorporated Dynamic Flywire this latest shoe provides responsive, flexible cushioning with a signature low profile court feel. In the end only time will tell whether or not players and fans alike will gravitate towards the shoe and any additional footwear and apparel down the line but given Kobe’s legacy it would be hard to believe a slow down in demand for one of basketball’s GOATS – despite a decrease in overall sales of basketball shoes as a whole.
The Nike Kobe A.D., with a suggested retail price of $160, releases November 22 at nike.com and select retailers.
