NIKE KOBE X – kobe bryant's 10th signature shoe

NIKE KOBE X, kobe bryant’s tenth signature shoe

today NIKE lifted the lid on the NIKE KOBE X, kobe bryant’s tenth signature shoe – once again designed by eric avar, NIKE creative director and VP of innovation. the new shoe features hybrid cushioning, an advanced traction system and a seamless textile upper. 

each KOBE X colorway will reveal something new about bryant’s drive and determination.  the lead colorway ‘5 AM flight’ takes inspiration from bryant’s 40-foot, early morning leap from a diving platform in august 2013 as he recovered from his ACL surgery. the shoe’s blue palette represents the pool water of bryant’s 5 AM flight.

‘the kobe signature line allows us to think bold with provocative concepts that spark conversation. kobe’s tenth shoe is a super light, responsive and purposeful look at high performance, high design and high style.  the work is exciting and the collective teamwork around the project is contagious.’ – eric avar

kobe bryant and eric avar on the design features of the NIKE KOBE X

seamless textile upper offers lightweight strength and breathability
advanced textiles offer lightweight breathability and are more durable and strong than traditional mesh.  the KOBE X introduces a new open-weave textile that is inspired by the pattern and strength of sharkskin. inside the shoe a mesh bootie enhances ventilation and provides a comfortable, snug fit.  nubuck fabric on the shoe’s tongue features a mamba-inspired snake scale pattern, while the tongue’s underside features unique graphic prints symbolic of each colorway storyline. the left heel in each pair features four red lines representing bryant’s resilient return from injuring his left achilles tendon. to repair the tendon, doctors used four feet of stitching thread in surgery.  the kobe sheath logo adorns the right heel of each shoe.

detail of the new open-weave textile that is inspired by the pattern and strength of sharkskin

hybrid cushioning enhances natural movement
the KOBE X hybrid cushioning combines lunarlon with NIKE FREE-inspired siping grooves to enhance natural movement, along with a new zoom air unit in the heel.  this trio leads to a responsive ride that is a great combination of firm, soft and flexible. both the midsole and outsole are encapsulated in a translucent rubber casing to visually showcase the inner-technology.  this transparent approach was also inspired by bryant’s recent willingness to personally open up and reveal more of himself at deeper levels without reservation.

the NIKE KOBE X has a zoom air unit in the heel

advanced traction system for maximum grip
the outsole traction and grip of a basketball shoe can make or break its on-court performance. the KOBE X was developed under NIKE’s four-part formula to evaluate the effectiveness of traction: surface type (indoor, outdoor or both), design pattern, surface ratio and rubber composition. the KOBE X features what could be considered the most effective traction system in the 43-year history of NIKE’s basketball shoes. the outsole features hundreds of ‘nodules’ that grip the court, similar to the intricacy of the treads on performance racecar tires, which grip and splay at high speeds.  this new traction system works in tandem with the midsole cushioning to splay, flex and grip the court for zero distractions and maximum grip, similar to tires on a racetrack. the outsole is finished off with a gold roman numeral X a hand-drawn design detail from avar, embedded beneath the zoom unit; it’s another example of the detailed design obsession brought to each kobe shoe.

the outsole is finished off with a gold roman numeral X a hand-drawn design detail from avar, embedded beneath the zoom unit

heel view

inside view

toe view

the KOBE X hybrid cushioning combines lunarlon with NIKE free-inspired siping grooves to enhance natural movement, along with a new zoom air unit in the heel.

both the midsole and outsole are encapsulated in a translucent rubber casing to visually showcase the inner-technology

sketch of the KOBE X shoe by eric avar

kobe bryant and eric avar

the KOBE X 5 AM flight and coordinated apparel is available globally at NIKE.com and select retail locations on feb. 7.  the remaining four colorways of the KOBE X will be introduced over the coming weeks.

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read our interviews with NIKE designers:

mark parker »
eric avar »
martin lotti »
tinker hatfield »
tobie hatfield »
paul francis »
nathan vanhook »
matt nurse »
andrew oldknow »
david franklin »