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The Nike Hyperdunk 2008 Is Set To Return In More Colors This Summer
By SoleInsider
Following the release of the limited edition Nike Hyperdunk 2008 Black Mamba last month, the infamous silhouette that Kobe Bryant wore during his early tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers is scheduled to arrive in new colorways soon.
Set to debut sometime in July, the basketball silhouette will be offered in three tonal colorways, consisting of Photo Blue, Black and Solar Red. Comprised of a flywire-reinforced upper, premium leather overlays are utilized across its toe box, eye stays, collar and heel panel, while breathable mesh is implemented on the tongue.
Stay tuned in to KicksOnFire for an official release date in the coming weeks or months ahead.
I like bball shoes in general, but I’m not that much of a fan of this design. I do adore it in tonal colorways and these should receive some attention once again since it was popularized by Kobe.
Sneakers In 4K: An Early Look At The Air Jordan 10 NYC
#MambaDay: Nike Offers Complete Black Mamba Pack Signed By Kobe Bryant For Charity
By SoleInsider
Are you like me and have totally missed out on the entire Nike Black Mamba pack that is a career retrospective on Kobe Bryant’s career? Wouldn’t you like the opportunity to make up for it by being able to purchase the complete pack in one sitting? And wouldn’t it be cool if they were all signed by Kobe and the proceeds went to charity? Does that sounds like something that interest you? Well, Nike has the eBay listing just for you.
Featuring the complete Black Mamba pack, each pair is signed by Kobe Bryant and authenticated by Panini Authentic, who has an exclusive autograph deal with Mamba and just recently launched their own Kobe tribute as well. What makes them even better is that each shoe is signed in gold.
If you’re itching to blow some cash for some amazing kicks and a good cause, head over to this listing page right now. Just be warned that you need pre-qualify first before you place a bid.
Nike To Auction Off Autographed Black Mamba Pack For Charity
By SoleInsider
Miss out on all or most of Nike’s Black Mamba collection? Here’s your chance to own every. single. pair.?and all signed by Kobe Bryant himself. The most epic Kobe sneaker collection ever auctioned, Nike is auctioning off all 13 pairs (not including the Hyperdunk, apparently) of the “Fade to Black” Kobe sneaker collection to benefit the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation. Bidding will last for three days, and just began at 12:00 PM EST.
Kobes Shoes Post-Retirement Nike Confirms Signature Shoes and Remastered Retros
By SoleInsider
Nike PR director Heidi Burgett just gave us a glimpse of what’s in store for Kobe Bryant’s Nike shoes once the clock strikes (approximately) midnight, and she confirms that not only will his signature line continue, but that the Retro category will surely blossom – some in “remastered” form. We’ve already been fortunate enough to receive the Prelude and Black Mamba Pack, so what else could be in store? Stay tuned for more updates on the post-retirement front and let us know what you think about this latest development.
Following a recent overview, the black/blue colorway of the Nike Air Force 1 Low J Pack has now arrived at retailers nationwide.
As its moniker suggests, the silhouette’s particular palette is essentially inspired by some of the most iconic finishes on the Air Jordan 1. Comprised of premium leather across its upper, black is utilized for inner lining, tongue, laces, portions of its side panels and along the forefoot, while the defining tone is implemented on the toe box, tongue tab, rear section, Swoosh branding and outsole.
Finished off with a clean white full-length midsole unit and perforations on the toe box for breathability, you can purchase this latest pair at select Nike stockists now for a retail price tag of $90.
You can’t go wrong with this silhouette. Especially in these Jordan-inspired colorways. I’m a fan of the colorway in general and these should be sought after.
Sneakers In 4K: An Early Look At The Air Jordan 10 NYC
The Nike Air Force 1 Low J Pack Shadow Is Also Available
By SoleInsider
In addition to the Royal Blue offering, this Black/Wolf Grey colorway from the Nike Air Force 1 Low J Pack has also arrived at retailers.
Essentially inspired by the original Air Jordan 1 Shadow, the model’s understated tone is prevalent across its premium leather upper. Black covers along its toe cap, side panels, tongue, laces and inner lining, while grey is implemented on the toe box, Swoosh branding, heel tab, rear section and outsole.
Finished off with a crisp white midsole unit and perforations on the toe to allow sufficient breathability, you can purchase a pair at select Nike accounts now for $90.
I’m a fan of the silhouette in general. This execution is pretty solid and should garner the attention it deserves. This colorway is the most versatile since it’s monochromatic.
Sneakers In 4K: An Early Look At The Air Jordan 10 NYC
The Nike Air Foamposite Pro University Red Arrives This Weekend
By SoleInsider
In only a few more days, fans will be able to purchase the classic Nike Air Foamposite Pro in University Red once again.
Originally making its debut in this colorway back in 2002, the popular basketball sneaker is essentially defined by its rugged and durable upper. Flaunting the eye-catching hue across the entire component, contrasting tonal black graces the laces, tongue, Swoosh branding, inner lining and outsole unit to cap off its respective palette.
Furthermore, the model is detailed with its signature carbon fiber shank and additional black/red accents on the pull tabs. Retailing for $230, you can purchase a pair at select Nike accounts starting April 16.
I haven?t purchased this silhouette in a while and this is tempting. I?ve always liked this model and especially in this colorway. I?m sure it?ll garner the attention it deserves.
Sneakers In 4K: An Early Look At The Air Jordan 10 NYC
Originally debuted in 2013, followed by a 2.0 release last year, the popular Nike Flyknit Racer Multicolor is scheduled to make another return this year, although with only a slight change to its appearance.
Essentially defined by its intricately knitted upper in vibrant shades of Blue Glow, Pink Flash, Volt and more, this 2016 version features a Grey-colored tongue, which was originally Black. Contrasting Black accents are applied on the Swoosh branding, laces, inner lining, midsole unit and outsole, while white is more prominent on the rear portion of its sole.
Although the silhouette has arrived at select Nike retailers nationwide, expect more availability in the coming days or weeks ahead. Stay tuned in to KicksOnFire for further updates.
The national 4/20 holiday is only about a week away and even though Nike will not officially call this the 4/20 Pack, we all know that this Nike SB Pack was created for the occasion.
Consisting of the Nike SB Dunk Low and the Nike SB GTS, both sneakers from this collection come with khaki uppers and black accents. In addition to the identical color schemes, both sneakers comes equipped with canvas uppers and white midsoles. Nike says that “the natural, un-dyed beauty of the textile is reminiscent of rugged burlap or the strong sustainable fibers of many a tough old mooring rope.” Yeah, ok.
You will be able to purchase the Nike SB Hemp Pack beginning on April 16th. The SB Dunk Low will retail for $100 and the SB GTS for $80. Which pair will you be going after?
I’ve always like the use of canvas on the Nike SB Dunk whether it be the Low or the High. The cool thing about this pack is that the colors are very neutral so you can easily wear them with anything.
Sneakers In 4K: An Early Look At The Air Jordan 10 NYC
Another Look At The Nike Air Force 1 High Oil Slick White
By SoleInsider
For those of you who aren’t aware, the Nike Air Force 1 High Oil Slick Pack recently dropped. Coming in a black or white colorway, the AF1 High gets a Oil Slick effect placed on areas such as the Nike Swoosh and heel tab region of the shoe. Today we get another look at the white version of the shoe.
The majority of the shoe appears to be your traditional all-white version of the Air Force 1 High, that includes white placed on the leather upper, sole unit, laces, lining and ankle strap. The shoe manages to distinguish itself by way of the Oil Slick/iridescent look placed on the Nike Swoosh, tongue and heel tab of the shoe. For the most part, the shoe is pretty subtle, the only part of the shoe that creates any sort of pop are the Oil Slick hits. Available now for $110, let us know what you think about the shoe.
Remember when Kevin Hart debuted his own signature sneaker with Nike dubbed the Nike Hustle Harts? it actually turns out that the shoe is actually named the Nike Free Trainer Instinct and the pairs worn by Kevin Hart were special “Hustle Hart” colorways.
The Nike Free Trainer Instinct comes equipped with a lightweight, dynamic warp knit on the upper and is combined with a Nike Free midsole for ultra comfortability. At the moment there is three colorways available for purchase: Black/Dark Grey/White, White/Black and otal Crimson/Black/White/Hyper Pink. All three are available on nike.com now for a retail price of $130.
Will you be picking up either of these three colorways?
Kind of reminds me of the Nike Lunar Flyknit Chukka with a different materials. The cool thing about these is that you can wear them to work out and also casually. That’s always a plus.
Sneakers In 4K: An Early Look At The Air Jordan 10 NYC
#MambaDay: The Kobe Bryant adidas And Nike Signature Shoe Rankings
By SoleInsider
There is no such thing as a performance basketball shoe that truly stands the test of time. A sneaker can hang on because they are easy on the eyes and great for casual wear, and fans of a particular model will swear by how they feel years later, but as an on-court performer, their shelf life lasts as long as their technology and design can withstand change. Some stave off obsolescence longer than others, but eventually time catches up to them. Mids becomes lows, bulky becomes sleek, leather becomes yarn, Air becomes Lunar.
No shoe is eternal, but go back to almost any time period over the past 20 years and you can bet that whatever Kobe Bryant was wearing at that moment was competing for the crown of “best basketball performance shoe”. Save for his rookie year and one amazing sneaker free agent season, Kobe had a shoe that was designed with his specifications in mind and a goal of being the best. There were times when you could say that Kobe’s shoe was the best and there were times when it failed to hit. But he didn’t stop competing and neither did his kicks. If nothing else, at least you know he tried. Here is how we ranked Kobe Bryant’s Nike and adidas signature shoes.
adidas KOBETWO
People that have worn the KOBETWO swear by their performance and that’s fine. The problem with the shoe is that it looks so half-baked compared to the excellent precursor that you get the feeling this shoe was rushed out to the market even though in reality Kobe and adidas held off on releasing the KOBETWO because The KOBE was so popular. When it did drop, Kobe eventually ditched them in a move not unlike what LeBron James had to make with the Nike LeBron 11. It’s a concept car on feet and even in 2015 it still looks ahead of its time. I just hope I won’t live long enough to see that future.
adidas KB8 III
sneakerreport
You might be forgiven for not knowing these existed, but seriously, there’s an adidas Kobe Bryant signature shoe between the adidas KB8 II and the adidas THEKOBE. Here’s a picture of Mamba wearing them to prove it actually happened.
kicksoncards
Now that we got that out of the way, the KB8 III is notable for being the final shoe tied to Kobe that used Feet You Wear technology. Like the KOBETWO, it’s another shoe that has its devout fans, but ultimately, the lackluster design and Kobe not wearing them for the Lakers’ 2000 championship run doomed this shoe to obscurity.
Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K5
Yes, we’re including the both Huaraches that Kobe wore during his pre-signature Nike days because of how revered they are and their connection to Mamba’s sneaker legacy. Designed by Eric Avar, the 2K5 was even lighter than the 2K4, made possible by the cut grooves on the midsole. Everything about the 2K5 was designed with performance in mind, so a little bit of the look was sacrificed in order to make a sneaker that was ostensibly better than the instantly classic 2K4.
Fun Fact: The Huarache 2K5 is the first shoe to feature Kobe’s Hattori Hanzo sword logo that isn’t totally jacked from Kill Bill at all.
Nike Kobe 7 System
Nike
Modularity was all the rage during early part of this decade as we saw kicks like the Air Jordan 2011 and 2012 come with interchangeable midsoles and booties. The Kobe 7 would attempt something similar with its “Attack Fast” (Zoom) and “Attack Strong” (Cushlon) Systems, but the result was a confusing mess that felt less like an attempt to really capture every type of baller and more like a way to get more money out of the consumer because there was no high-cut Kobe. At least not yet…
Nike Zoom Kobe 3
Nike
There’s something about the number 3 that just isn’t the cards for Kobe signature sneakers. Even though Kobe claims that this is one of his favorite shoes ever (his performance during the 2007-08 NBA season, which included his lone MVP nod and a trip the NBA Finals, might have something to do with that), it felt like a transitional shoe with its mesh upper and webbed design that looked less like something designed for a Black Mamba and more for a Black Widow. Thankfully a revolution was on the horizon.
adidas KB8 II
Packer
Worn by Kobe during the lockout-shortened 1998-99 NBA season, the KB8 II was another cult favorite from those who owned them when they first dropped. With Feet You Wear and a move to synthetic materials, the shoe was lighter than the bulky KB8 and played like it too. Sadly the retro that adidas now calls the Crazy 2 switched up from adiPRENE cushioning to EVA and the difference is noticeable. Great as a nostalgia piece, but maybe not for playing in them, I guess.
Nike Kobe 10
Nike
We’ll defend Kobe’s desire to chase the perfect low-cut shoe any day of the week, but only if we see marked improvements from one year to the next. While still a solid performing shoe that is worn by what seems like half of the NBA, it would be crazy to say that this made a dramatic jump over the Kobe 9. Still waiting on that pure Flyknit basketball shoe, Nike.
Nike Zoom Kobe 6
Nike
More than any other sneaker line (including Jordans), the Kobes always seems to spark debate as to which shoe is actually the best in performance. As somebody who loved most everything about the Nike Zoom Kobe 4 and Kobe 5, the Kobe 6 (and as you probably noticed in these rankings, the Kobe 7) was a letdown in terms of aesthetics and playability. But again, there are people who will swear by the 6 as the best of the early low-cut Kobes. My complaints were with the scaled upper that might have made sense from a signature storytelling standpoint, but was terrible for breathability.
Nike Zoom Kobe 1
NBA
It was bulky and very much unlike the Huarache 2K4 and 2K5 in a variety of ways, but the Kobe 1 will always be remembered for being the shoe Mamba wore when he scored 81 points, the second highest-scoring performance in NBA history. Damn, there’s that word “performance” again.
Nike Zoom Kobe 2
Nike
It’s crazy how similar the LeBron 2 and Kobe 2 are viewed in terms of perception. They were derided early on for their unconventional look, but as the years have passed, the desire and praise for them has only grown louder. And if the Nike Kobe 2 Prelude proved anything, it’s that when some thought is put into the style part, it can hang with its low-cut little brothers.
adidas The KOBE
Packer
It’s a work of art that was never meant to be touched. The brushed metal look and a style that was the brainchild of adidas and Audi gave us maybe the most futuristic shoe not named the Nike Air Foamposite One. The only difference is that when you put on a pair of Foams, you felt they were indestructible, but when you put on these Kobes, they crease like a (expletive) from the moment you take your first step. Unlike the KOBETWO, Kobe enjoyed a successful (it was the shoe he wore for each of his first three championships) run with these. Imagine how different things would have been had adidas not screwed things up with the KOBETWO.
Nike Kobe 9
Nike
How can a shoe that’s so disappointing still be so good? When word started to hit the internets that the Nike Kobe 9 was going to use Flyknit, my mind was instantly blow away by the possibilities for colorways, not to mention I really thought Nike had figured out how to make the material survive a basketball game. Turns out that the Flyknit was nothing more than smoke and mirrors, especially on the bootlike high-cut models that were seemingly created to placate the haters who refused to buy a low-cut Kobe. The shoe still turned out great as it was heavily used by many NBA players and both the Flyknit and EM versions produced spectacular colorways, but you get the feeling a lot of potential is still there to get better. And based on our ranking of the Nike Kobe 10, they still have a ways to go before they fulfill that potential.
Nike Kobe 11
Nike
It’s what we hoped the Kobe 9 and Kobe 10 would become – a pure Flyknit shoe. The TPU threads (ok, it’s not really “pure Flyknit” but it’s as close it’s ever going to get) allows the 11 to retain the strength of its predecessor while becoming a more lighter model. The drop-in midsole that mixes Lunar and Zoom Air is unobtrusive in the way that the Kobe 7 wasn’t. The sleek upper design that literally blends into the sole does away with a lot of the bulk that hampered the look of both 9 and 10. A fitting finale for Mamba to get Flyknit right just as he’s about to say goodbye.
adidas KB8
Examiner
The adidas KB8 – now known as the adidas Crazy 8 – could have been the Air Jordan 1 of that generation had Kobe stayed with adidas. Imagine if Mamba never left the three stripes and he was conducting his retirement tour in some signature adidas Kobes with Primeknit and Boost. People would be nostalgic for the old days when a Young Mamba faced Michael Jordan during the 1998 NBA All-Star Game even more than they already fetishize that era.
Nike Zoom Kobe 5
EUKicks
Big Stage. Dark Knight. Chaos. Bruce Lee. Aston Martin. There might not be a better top five colorways of any Kobe shoe than that and quite frankly, that’s a damn good top five that could stand toe-to-toe with any shoe. The Kobe 5 improved on the Kobe 4 in a variety of ways, most notably with the return of bonafide Zoom Air, but this was also the shoe that really showed off what sneakerheads can do on NIKEiD. When the worst thing you can say about the shoe’s reputation is that Shannon Brown kinda tarnished his dope PE with a lame duck Slam Dunk Contest performance (again with that word), you did something great.
Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4
Modern Notoriety
Kobe has said that the Huarache 2K4 was first time he felt like a shoe was like an extension of his feet. Now that could be just him talking that s**t because of his bad feelings towards adidas, but there is no denying what Avar, Mamba and Nike created with the 2K4 as a bar setter. Don’t be surprised to see somebody in their late 20s or early 30s still balling in the latest reissues of these classics because they managed to combine the best of all worlds for the time: a lightweight and sleek silhouette that evoked memories of classic ’80s and ’90s design. They are that good and yes, I’m still trying to find a good price on a pair of laser cut Kobe PEs.
Nike Zoom Kobe 4
Sneakerfiles
Ankle Insurance? It sounded like a bizarre way to promote a basketball shoe, but Nike and Kobe were practically daring you to play in these low-cut kicks. Of course, there have been several low-cut basketball sneakers before the Kobe 4, but a combination of Kobe’s endorsement, rave reviews, dope colorways and success on the court (Kobe would get his first post-Shaq ring wearing the Kobe 4) was the game-changer that the sneaker world needed.
Nike Kobe 8
Nike
This is rarefied air. Engineered mesh made every Kobe that came before it obsolete in terms of comfort, breathability and flexibility. Lunarlon is always going to be considered “not Zoom Air so booooo” by those who prefer Zoom Air for their basketball kicks, but the cushioning was good enough for both on and off the court. The colorways were striking and set a standard that the Nike Kobe 9 and Nike Kobe 10 never surpassed. If there was such a thing as the perfect basketball shoe in 2012, it was the Nike Kobe 8. If Tinker Hatfield really is mind behind the Nike Kobe 11, I hope Eric Avar sent him a pair of these along with a broken microphone.
Los Angeles Based Artist Geoff McFetridge Creates A Nike SB Stefan Janoski Max
By SoleInsider
Some of the last few colorways that we’ve seen of the Nike SB Stefan Janoski Max have been of the tonal variety with the exception of the Cherry Blossom pair that dropped back in January.
Switching things up a bit is this new pair that was designed by Los Angeles based artist Geoff McFetridge. This pair of Janoski Maxes comes with a Black mesh upper and a white graphic of figures that have been placed on the entire upper of the shoe. The inner liner and laces have been done in Black while the Swoosh and Max midsole have been done in contrasting White.
The Geoff McFetridge x Nike SB Stefan Janoski Max can be purchased now directly from nike.com as well as other Nike SB retailers for $110. What are your thoughts on this collaborative colorway of the Janoski Max?
When you look at this shoe from far away it looks like it has some random white lines on the upper, but when you get up close you notice the tiny figures. I’m sure fans of the Janoski will appreciate this colorway.
Sneakers In 4K: An Early Look At The Air Jordan 10 NYC
Pick Up The Nike Air Force 1 Ultra Flyknit Low Black/Dark Grey Today
By SoleInsider
If the Nike Air Force 1 Ultra Flyknit Low in the Multicolor colorway wasn’t really your thing, perhaps this toned down version of the model better suits your style. Today we get a closer look at the readily available Black and Dark Grey version of the shoe.
The Air Force 1 Ultra Flyknit Low comes in a black and dark grey Flyknit upper accompanied by the leather hits placed on the tongue, heel tab and Nike Swoosh of the shoe. The tonal look of the upper is nicely contrasted by the white corked-out sole unit to give the shoe a nice balance and make it an ideal option for the Spring. Up for grabs now, pick up pair of your own for $160.
First previewed here on Kicks On Fire over the weekend, we are now beginning to see better and better pictures of the upcoming Nike Air Foamposite created for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
This pair of Foamposites takes on the traditional Olympic/USA color scheme and is dressed in a combination of red, white, blue and gold. White covers the foam shell upper while blue landing on the tongue, eyestay, inner bootie and heel. Red can then be seen on the inner liner. Finishing off the Olympic theme are hits of gold on the One Cent branding on the heel, the Swoosh by the toe, the aglets, and on the stripe running down the tongue. An icy blue translucent outsole has also been added for good measure.
At the moment the Nike Air Foamposite One Olympic is expected to release on July 22nd for a retail price of $250. Do you like what you see or will these be a pass for you?
I’m not a fan of Foamposites, but I feel like Nike did a pretty good job executing the Olympic theme on this sneaker. My favorite parts would have to be the gold detailing.
Sneakers In 4K: An Early Look At The Air Jordan 10 NYC
