John Kim 
Where does the Nike Huarache 2k4 belong in the Nike Kobe timeline? Many consider the Nike Huarache 2k4 – regarded as one of the best performance basketball kicks ever created – as Kobe Bryant’s first unofficial signature shoe with Nike. Of course at that time, Nike was not yet ready to launch a marketing campaign with Kobe in light of the events that occurred one night in Denver, but the footwear giant remained loyal to Kobe during that darker period of his career. Kobe did, however, wear the Huarache 2k4 during his first full NBA season as a Nike employee – and also rocked ’em during the All-Star game, giving Kobe and Nike fans even more reason to make the H2K4 + Kobe connection.
Check out this new sample colorway of the Nike Huarache 2k4, constructed in a quasi-Lakers colorway with elephant print on the toe and heel. Kobe’s logo can be seen stitched on the inner toe, while the midsole houses a special graphic. The word ‘VIVO’ is stitched on the rear heel as a tribute to Kobe’s Vivo Foundation that was founded in August of 2006. The mission of Kobe’s Vivo Foundation is to send underprivileged youths on a nine-day excursion to Italy, giving them a chance to experience international travel – Kobe himself lived in Italy for a number of years. Check out the gallery of the Nike Huarache 2k4 Vivo Sample after the jump. via Kenlu.
