High-cut Kobe Bryant shoe ‘moves with you’

MANILA, Philippines – High-cut shoes tailor-made for the rough games on the hardwood have arrived.

Los Angeles Lakers star shooting guard Kobe Bryant revealed his brand new shoe, the Kobe 9 Elite from Nike, which boasts of a high-cut design and will be available globally in February 2014.

In an interview with CNBC, Bryant explained the shoe took 2 years to finish and is a product of a meticulous design process in an effort to ensure that every detail benefits the wearer.

“The challenge was to go high and have a shoe that is still light and responsive,” Bryant said in the interview. “‘Coz normally with high-top shoes, it gives you protection around the ankle but it’s not moving with you. It acts more as a barrier.“

He added, “So the challenge was can we keep the weight extremely light, and can we have a shoe that moves with you and have it be really high.”

According to Nike’s website, the Kobe 9 Elite “redefines the aesthetics and performance of a basketball shoe featuring leading technologies: Nike Flyknit, Flywire, and Lunarlon.”

Bryant also explained the inspiration behind the design came from the country’s own pride, Manny Pacquiao.

“Well, you know, the inspiration to go low really came from the background I had growing up in playing soccer,” Bryant explained. “This one actually came from an inspiration of a boxing boot, watching Manny Pacquiao train.” 

Bryant also shared his insights in a video from the Bleacher Report after he gave the shoe a test run during practice a few days ago.

“The thing that I was most impressed with was the responsiveness of the shoe. It’s very responsive,” the Lakers superstar said. “And generally, especially for a high-top, this is higher than the normal [basketball shoe]. But there’s no responsiveness to the high-top in general.”

Contrary to the high-cut’s reputation, the Kobe 9 Elite is not stiff.

“You also have a shoe that kind of gives, it changes directions, it moves with you, which I think is the genius behind the Flyknit,” Bryant said.

Mixed reactions

The Kobe 9’s different design received mixed reactions from basketball fans and sneaker heads on social media with some calling out the shoe’s high-cut design, while others expressing appreciation and excitement.

@SLAMonline The Kobe 9’s – a new kind of ugly … BLEK

— Matt Santerre (@thegreaterblue) December 5, 2013

@SLAMonline Going to be so comfortable

— Josh Aurdos (@fatkidleghetto) December 4, 2013

 

 

Kobe 9’s, the dopest hoop shoe ever. pic.twitter.com/Nw6IUw5Ojd

— Ronnie Drake. (@_CocaCota) December 4, 2013

I can’t wait till the Kobe 9 lows drop. The highs may be too high for me lol. Definitely a performance shoe.

— T. ΩΨΦ ASSASSIN (@NolaTreyDawg) December 4, 2013

@thisjustin90 @kobebryant yeah bro the Kobe 9 elites look super sick! It’s suppose the be Nikes most advanced shoe

— Artur (@irArtur) December 9, 2013

 

Rarely do hi-cut shoes get a nod from professional basketball players as a good design for game shoes. But this time around, it may just catch on. – Rappler.com