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

[D_eezus]

How many of you guys only wear your Kobes on the court? I’m an older dude and don’t know how much longer I’ll be playing but from now until that day comes where I hang em up for good I’ll have a pair of Mambas on my feet.

My favorite part about the Protro line is once again being able to wear the shoes that my favorite player once wore on the court and reminisce about those moments. I’m a Zoom fan so the 1’s and 5’s are my go to kicks, although they don’t even seem like they were designed for the same player. So many great moments in the 1’s they will by far always be my fav Kobe model.

Been hooping in my grinches & chaos 5’s


plan to use the HOF’s

 

[truth2truth]

How many of you guys only wear your Kobes on the court? I’m an older dude and don’t know how much longer I’ll be playing but from now until that day comes where I hang em up for good I’ll have a pair of Mambas on my feet.

My favorite part about the Protro line is once again being able to wear the shoes that my favorite player once wore on the court and reminisce about those moments. I’m a Zoom fan so the 1’s and 5’s are my go to kicks, although they don’t even seem like they were designed for the same player. So many great moments in the 1’s they will by far always be my fav Kobe model.

Been balling in these 4s. Amazing on court for my style of play. I only play outdoors and these have lasted pretty well. I love the cushioning on these. Gonna have to retire these as the heel zoom popped on my last session. My fav is the 11 to ball in.

I have been collecting Kobes before his passing so I’ll have plenty to wear, so yes only KOBEs on court.

 

[skaterplayer808]

How many of you guys only wear your Kobes on the court? I’m an older dude and don’t know how much longer I’ll be playing but from now until that day comes where I hang em up for good I’ll have a pair of Mambas on my feet.

My favorite part about the Protro line is once again being able to wear the shoes that my favorite player once wore on the court and reminisce about those moments. I’m a Zoom fan so the 1’s and 5’s are my go to kicks, although they don’t even seem like they were designed for the same player. So many great moments in the 1’s they will by far always be my fav Kobe model.

I play basketball in my carpe diem 4's and 5 rings 5's. The carpe diems were being worn well before his passing and the 5 rings were a gift from a reddit user and he definitely would've wanted me to beat em up on the court. Very thankful for that gesture from a total stranger on the internet so I made sure to keep my word and use em strictly for hooping.

 

[grittyman]

Here’s a picture of all my Protros…I wear all of my 1’s, Wizenard 4’s and my Chaos 5’s. Have BL’s, 5 Rings and Grinches deadstock for now. Also not shown but have 4 pairs of AD models that are all in the hoop rotation as well. Definitely more than enough to rotate often enough that none of them should get completely trashed.

 

[brian blades]

Did someone say on court..?

Gyms are still closed by me but definitely wearing BLs and Grinches once they open back up (most likely for light runs). Carps were my go to before the pandemic, got lucky on some zebra Derozan’s and undftd suns so those will be my go to. Can’t. Wair. Outdoor ain’t it for these old legs lol

 

[tbrill11]

How many of you guys only wear your Kobes on the court? I’m an older dude and don’t know how much longer I’ll be playing ....

I’ll wear mine casually some of the time, depending what I’m wearing, and use them for ball literally 100% of the time. Indoor and outdoor.

Just finished my first week of CRNA schoolwork so I have time to reminisce on this

I wear my Kobes everywhere. They’ve been my favorite sneaker line since I was old enough to work & buy them for myself..not only are they amazing basketball shoes (IMO Kobe 9>6>8 are my favorites to ball in) but I was always so fascinated in the tech Kobe and Nike (especially the Eric Avar low top era) threw into their product. Couple that with amazingly detailed colorways...plus, I’m just partial to zoom and lunarlon tech. Got plenty other non Kobe shoes with the same tech.

I wore my Kobes while working in the ICU taking care of COVID patients on ventilators and all, and I wear them when I’m in school. I’ll put a pair on any time I need to remind myself to emulate that same drive and focus he put into his craft and do the same with mine. Might be corny but it helps me!

(sorry for the essay but I’m still in school mode and just a huge fan of Kobe as a player and his kicks )

I’ll make up for it with a few pics

 

[tbrill11]

Just some pics I have in my phone..I’ll start with some of my favorite non-9s:

Swear I’ll never wear these. I cherish the pairs Kobe actually wore himself on court and never got a double up to enjoy. Bad habit of mine is to love a shoe too much you don’t wear it! Only pair of 7s I was able to get because I just landed my first “real job” and was just starting to make money back then. Never got to enjoy that Nike ID option to swap and order different insoles *sigh*. Still looking fora DS pair of Christmas 7s


Everyone needs a pair of 8s.

I played soccer a lot as a kid so mambacurials ended up being my favorite 8s.


Speaking of Grinches..words cannot describe how happy I was to hear these were getting the Protro treatment. Couldn’t believe I got my hands on these (won the online BAIT raffle). They were an absolute grail to me because I was broke and in college in 2010. I paid resale (before the Nike deal news and price jump) to get 2 more pairs: 1 to wear once these get thrashed over time, and 1 I’d like to display and keep DS forever. I’ll swap the laces to the crimson soon


Bruce Lee 5 protros were a must. Again, couldn’t get the OGs. At least these are newly manufactured and have plenty of life to enjoy them in (my dog is 12 and doesn’t have the energy to chew them up, won’t worry!)

 

[tbrill11]

Kobe 9s are my absolute favorite Nike shoe ever made. I was big into flyknit in 2014 and this shoe had it all to me. A wild traction pattern (which grips insanely well on court), a wild asymmetrical, flyknit pattern, a wild high top design and carbon fiber on the heel and lateral side (I’m a car guy so I like the aesthetic of the carbon fiber that can be seen without having to look at the soles)

The Masterpiece was a grail of mine for a long time and I have 2 pairs: 1 to wear until they fall apart and 1 to display. The random chaos themed color pattern had every pair looking slightly different than the next and I loved that. Plus that iridescent fuse

This was the golden era of Nike ID to me. HTM Milan 9s are the definition of a grail but I knew I’d never find or afford one, so this was the next best thing and 100% a mandatory cop


Idk who I thought I was trying to wear these with denim, lol. 2014 vibes. Another shoe with crazy detail. They gave it the perfect name

Some other random side by sides

How perfect is this high top/low top combo?

My all time favorite Kobes side by side. I’m so incredibly happy to be able to have and enjoy these. Made some sacrifices to be able to double up on them so I can wear one without feeling bad, and keep a pair forever. If I ever have a son who ends up being into shoes half as much as me, I swear I’m giving them to him.

Still looking for a couple pairs to add to my collection if anyone knows anyone..Christmas 7s, prelude 4s, and AS 8s. Size 9.5

 

[truth2truth]

Kobe 9s are my absolute favorite Nike shoe ever made. I was big into flyknit in 2014 and this shoe had it all to me. A wild traction pattern (which grips insanely well on court), a wild asymmetrical, flyknit pattern, a wild high top design and carbon fiber on the heel and lateral side (I’m a car guy so I like the aesthetic of the carbon fiber that can be seen without having to look at the soles)

The Masterpiece was a grail of mine for a long time and I have 2 pairs: 1 to wear until they fall apart and 1 to display. The random chaos themed color pattern had every pair looking slightly different than the next and I loved that. Plus that iridescent fuse

This was the golden era of Nike ID to me. HTM Milan 9s are the definition of a grail but I knew I’d never find or afford one, so this was the next best thing and 100% a mandatory cop


Idk who I thought I was trying to wear these with denim, lol. 2014 vibes. Another shoe with crazy detail. They gave it the perfect name

Some other random side by sides

How perfect is this high top/low top combo?

My all time favorite Kobes side by side. I’m so incredibly happy to be able to have and enjoy these. Made some sacrifices to be able to double up on them so I can wear one without feeling bad, and keep a pair forever. If I ever have a son who ends up being into shoes half as much as me, I swear I’m giving them to him.

Still looking for a couple pairs to add to my collection if anyone knows anyone..Christmas 7s, prelude 4s, and AS 8s. Size 9.5

Great post! I loved the 9s as well. I remember making those ids. Great photos as well. I’m on here because of this: I share the same love and passion for basketball, Kobe, and the shoes that he wore while playing the game that I love. These are more than just shoes to me, they are artwork!
I am blessed to have had the opportunity to get so many Kobe shoes before he passed.
I have a 3 year old son and he loves shoes as well. I hope they will last long enough for him to rock one day.

 

[vettez06]

Wear your shoes

 

[Boardman]

Still waiting to break out undefeated protro 4’s, Chaos 5’s, 11 Elites and Grinches on court. It’s been a long covid lockdown and indoor courts still aren’t open here

 

[Boardman]

Just some pics I have in my phone..I’ll start with some of my favorite non-9s:

Swear I’ll never wear these. I cherish the pairs Kobe actually wore himself on court and never got a double up to enjoy. Bad habit of mine is to love a shoe too much you don’t wear it! Only pair of 7s I was able to get because I just landed my first “real job” and was just starting to make money back then. Never got to enjoy that Nike ID option to swap and order different insoles *sigh*. Still looking fora DS pair of Christmas 7s


Everyone needs a pair of 8s.

I played soccer a lot as a kid so mambacurials ended up being my favorite 8s.


Speaking of Grinches..words cannot describe how happy I was to hear these were getting the Protro treatment. Couldn’t believe I got my hands on these (won the online BAIT raffle). They were an absolute grail to me because I was broke and in college in 2010. I paid resale (before the Nike deal news and price jump) to get 2 more pairs: 1 to wear once these get thrashed over time, and 1 I’d like to display and keep DS forever. I’ll swap the laces to the crimson soon


Bruce Lee 5 protros were a must. Again, couldn’t get the OGs. At least these are newly manufactured and have plenty of life to enjoy them in (my dog is 12 and doesn’t have the energy to chew them up, won’t worry!)

Those Kobe 7 galaxy are so

 

[dannyarcher]

 

[blacklion23]

Wow!! How did they slip up like that?

Offers or advice on what to do with them!? Rock em dumbass!!!

 

[millzszn93]

Still need grinches and lees

 

[tbrill11]

He’s asking what to do with them lmaooooo

these the ppl who get blessed

 

[MambaForever]

I'd try to finesse him by selling it to me for retail

 

[solewoman]

Kobe 9s are my absolute favorite Nike shoe ever made. I was big into flyknit in 2014 and this shoe had it all to me. A wild traction pattern (which grips insanely well on court), a wild asymmetrical, flyknit pattern, a wild high top design and carbon fiber on the heel and lateral side (I’m a car guy so I like the aesthetic of the carbon fiber that can be seen without having to look at the soles)

The Masterpiece was a grail of mine for a long time and I have 2 pairs: 1 to wear until they fall apart and 1 to display. The random chaos themed color pattern had every pair looking slightly different than the next and I loved that. Plus that iridescent fuse

This was the golden era of Nike ID to me. HTM Milan 9s are the definition of a grail but I knew I’d never find or afford one, so this was the next best thing and 100% a mandatory cop


Idk who I thought I was trying to wear these with denim, lol. 2014 vibes. Another shoe with crazy detail. They gave it the perfect name

Some other random side by sides

How perfect is this high top/low top combo?

My all time favorite Kobes side by side. I’m so incredibly happy to be able to have and enjoy these. Made some sacrifices to be able to double up on them so I can wear one without feeling bad, and keep a pair forever. If I ever have a son who ends up being into shoes half as much as me, I swear I’m giving them to him.

Still looking for a couple pairs to add to my collection if anyone knows anyone..Christmas 7s, prelude 4s, and AS 8s. Size 9.5

Completely concur. Hero’s were my favorite color way. Rocked them to disney. Also have a few IDs and have seen boxers rock in matches.

 

[JoForumBlueGold]

2013-2014 was peak Nike basketball, period. Releases were fire (and obtainable! ) , performance was solid across all signature lines. 2015-2016 releases were still fire, but Nike couldn't figure out traction and translucent rubber to save their lives.

 

[urn0tlike]

2013-2014 was peak Nike basketball, period. Releases were fire (and obtainable! ) , performance was solid across all signature lines. 2015-2016 releases were still fire, but Nike couldn't figure out traction and translucent rubber to save their lives.

Peak of story telling translucent traction.

 

[JoForumBlueGold]

Peak of story telling translucent traction.

"If you look closely underneath the storytelling, there's this stick of gum shaped Zoom that you may or may not feel. "

 

[blastercombo]

Yeah that over story telling BS was trash. Nike bball was at its best in 08-11.

 

[JoForumBlueGold]

Yeah that over story telling BS was trash. Nike bball was at its best in 08-11.

The part I like most about the 08-11 era was the abundance of team-based color ways. Over half of the Kobes and Lebrons released were Lakers and Heat/Cavs colorways. No nonsense and focused on performance.
The only reason I put the 2012-2014 era above it is Nike reaching that breakthrough of innovation with textile/knit uppers to allow more freedom in storytelling. All the while putting out GOAT performers like the Kobe 8 and 9, KD7, and Jordan 28/29

 

[blastercombo]

The part I like most about the 08-11 era was the abundance of team-based color ways. Over half of the Kobes and Lebrons released were Lakers and Heat/Cavs colorways. No nonsense and focused on performance.
The only reason I put the 2012-2014 era above it is Nike reaching that breakthrough of innovation with textile/knit uppers to allow more freedom in storytelling. All the while putting out GOAT performers like the Kobe 8 and 9, KD7, and Jordan 28/29

Said it before and I’ll say if again, knit is overrated and destroyed shoe design

 

[Blue Mamba]

Said it before and I’ll say if again, knit is overrated and destroyed shoe design

This. It has destroyed the Lebron line especially