Nike has officially unveiled the Nike Zoom Kobe VI, Kobe Bryant’s sixth signature shoe with Nike, inspired by Bryant’s on-court alternate persona known as the Black Mamba. Touting a lightweight package of a mere 10.6 oz. per size 9 shoe, the Nike Zoom Kobe VI features a low-cut construction taken from the widely successful Zoom Kobe V while maintaining its role as a “character driven shoe”, as it features an upper “snakeskin” of miniature partitions of polyurethane that mimic a snake’s slithery skin. The upper is comprised of three primary layers – the outer snakeskin shell, an inner breathable mesh layer, and a Flywire skin sandwiched inbetween – while the inner is lined with a dual-layer memory foam for form-fitting adhesion. Additional construction elements include a modified herringbone pattern as well as an Extra Durable Rubber (XDR) outsole for maximum grip and durability. Finally, providing levity to an otherwise dark and serious package, is a play on Kobe Bryant’s Black Mamba persona, as ‘Venomenon’ is stamped proudly on the toe of the shoe. Simply put, the Nike Zoom Kobe VI is the perfect amalgam of scientific engineering and artistic expression.
Sneaker News has previewed the Nike Zoom Kobe VI many times before and although one can not put a stop to the relentless dissemination of information on the worldwide platform known as ‘The Internet’, Nike’s official unveiling marks the true debut of the shoe and acts as the pistol at the starting line of another race. With Kobe Bryant being Nike’s bonafide headlining endorsee based on his Championship-winning crest and an already established legacy, the Nike Zoom Kobe VI has its cunning eyes set on the prize of being the most successful Nike Basketball signature shoe ever created. The Kobe VI will hit retail stores this December 26th with a preview of the Kobe VI iD Options arriving on December 10th exclusively to Nike iD Facebook fans. Continue reading for a detailed gallery of the Nike Zoom Kobe VI and as Kobe Bryant goes for his sixth NBA Championship this season, let us know if you think this is the best Nike Kobe shoe to date.