Nike Kobe VIII
August 20th, 2012 by Brendan Dunne | 29 comments
 |
Kobe’s not done. The Black Mamba made it abundantly clear at the end of the shortened 2011-12 NBA Playoffs, with the Lakers exiting contention at the hands of Oklahoma City, that his career was far from over. He definitely proved that out in London, skipping summer vacation and racking up some more hardware for his mantle in the form of an Olympic gold medal. And with the Lakers squad getting a huge boost in the form of both Dwight Howard and Steve Nash going into next season we’d say things are looking pretty good for Mr. Bryant.
So what will be on feet for him as this star studded LA squad tries to put together another championship bid? This, the Nike Kobe VIII. The sneaker will again be a ‘system’, with these early prototype shots showing off a similar sock like set up shooting out of the ankle area. Also of note is that the model will be the early home of the Engineered Mesh material, a treatment we’ve seen trickle out on Nike Sportswear models for a minute now. And while the sample shots shown give off a Hyperdunk air with the front end Swoosh placement the final version will indeed feature the insignia pushed back to its traditional orientation in the Nike Kobe line. Hit the jump with us to get the photos of this prototype version of the Nike Zoom Kobe VIII System and stay with Sneaker News to get a look at the final retail version and word on when it will release. Also, let us know in the comments below if you think the silhouette is looking like a worthy successor to the Kobe lineage.
via: CK
these are ugly as shit just like all kobes
definitely a shoe for performance.
The bootie looks to be an improvement but every thing else aesthetically looks to be a step back. But i said the same thing about the VI's and they performed great on court. havn't balled in VII's yet thought but i hope its improved from that.
Obviously Kobe don't care if y'all wear his shoes, did you see his Adidas line? All that matters to him is how they affect HIS performance IMO.
i think Kobe makes his shoes ugly on purpose. #jusssaying
These are dope Nike should make a shoe that will help Kobe run around and keep up with the young kids. like Jordan and the 11's.
Cant be any worse than the VII. I think the Kobe line peaked at the VI. As the Lebron line peaked at the IX.
@BlackAndBent I gotta disagree the VII was not that bad a model compared to this. If you have a sense of style you know how to make the VII's look dope these look like Track/Soccer Shoes like wtf?
Seriously???? I feel like Nike is making everybody else sig Shoe Trash Bags so Lebron can be hailed King of the Basketball Sneaker Collection This Fall/013'
@AkPifstar yea i agree wtf is up with nike they gave lebron and kobe elites and not durant wtf
What the kobe.
wow whats up with all the shoes now having the swoosh close to the toe now
@DreamChaser Kobe's shoes have never been to far from the hyperdunks... always look like the lows of that years hyperdunk
Looks like he is moving into a more soccer styled direction with his sneakers. I dont think they look bad at all. They are just different than any other basketball signature shoe. I would really like to know how they are gonna feel on-court
...wow.
wait til the Christmas colorway drops
WHAT DID YOU EXPECT FROM A KOBE??
@newsouth912 i know theyre all fucking ugly
everyone always hates on the early pics as soon as a crazy colorway comes out all the of you will start sayin how much yall love da shoes smh... but i lik these better then the 7 imo
Ehhhh these prototypes look like shit but then again so did the lebron 10 cork prototype and the actual sneaker there realesing for the LBJ 10 isnt all that bad so ill wait and see the final type before i give my opinion. I rly hope they dont look like shit thoe cuz i loved the kobe 6 & 7.
Not a surprise Kobe's are always ugly.
Damn it, Nike is really getting sloppy. And the fact that the Jordan Brand makes better shoes and uses their technology. -___-
maybe but nobody buys JB shit unless it's a retro. Partly because the shoes JB makes are for performance. Nike's shoes are performance based but they take apperance more seriously
The most hideous shoe I've ever seen. Air Carnivore's 2nd cousin.
Nike's getting really lazy with the Kobe's... Most people (even Kobe) stick with the low-top insole, and if this is really the silhouette, I can't picture a low-top looking good.
Move the nike swoosh towards the toe box and call it the VIII's?
I hope they change the replaceable insole system, the way it would slide around in the shoe completely undid all that Nike has been working towards in the foot security department.