Review: adidas Kobe Bryant The KOBE

Now is where it gets really fun.  Adidas’ the KOBE basketball shoes hold a particularly special place in my heart.  I would love to refrain from getting all gushy about anything, but these kicks are the only pair that I’ve ever owned every single colorway of.

How can that look of the shoe not immediately capture your eyes?  It’s the most aesthetically unique basketball shoe perhaps ever created.  Collaboration between major automobile and athletic equipment developers is hardly an expected union, but Audi and Adidas truly took their games up a notch when it came to providing Kobe with a shoe that not only he, but everyone could love and marvel at.

The side profile shot of the sneaker really mimics that of the Audi TT Roadster, which was the model that spearheaded inspiration behind the design.

Adidas modified their famous grooved shell-toe (the signature mark of the Superstar series) and installed it at the front tip of the shoe, impeccably resembling the Audi TT’s front end grill.  Also like the TT, we can see a smooth continuous line along the midsole that runs through the arch, which also looks strikingly like the line that runs along the wheel arches and bottom side of the Roadster.  Both the car and shoe project a very clean, smooth image.

The collar and lowered heel counter were built with breaks to simultaneously provide ankle support and flexibility in movement.  The fit and comfort of the shoe were enhanced with the Torsion arch system preventing too much excess movement while running up and down the court.  The rubber outsole has a herringbone pattern for strong reliable traction as well, which is an absolute requisite of Kobe’s at all times.

I remember hearing about the collaboration between the two powerhouse companies in 2000 when the shoe was released and being absolutely mesmerized by the final product.

At the time, it was one of the most beautiful basketball shoes that I had ever seen (next to the Air Jordan XIII Black/Red colorway).  It was incredibly unique with its synthetic material upper and was as close to a work of art that a basketball sneaker could be.

I also recall watching a young and budding Kobe Bryant slash and tear through defenses with a style and grace that befitted these signature kicks.  I wanted them, bad.  So as I mentioned earlier, I kind of went above and beyond and at one point, owned all six original colorways that were released for public purchase.  Yeah, I was kind of a spoiled kid, sue me.

Going down the line, the available colorways were: White, Charcoal Black, Yellow (All-Star edition), Silver, Ice Blue, and Black Mesh.  I do believe my memory serves me correctly, but I am always open to correction!

Adidas has since re-released the KOBE as the Crazy and some of the colorways are available to buy through various Internet sellers (Click below).  Don't forget to check out a young Kobe showing off the entertainer side in him in a couple of his early Adidas tv spots!

source: undsed.blogspot.com

Tweet