Matt Varga depeche23mode, one of the most storied sneaker collectors and sellers, continues to serve Holiday goodies for sneaker historians. After the Jordan 3 “Tinker UNC” and Kobe 5 “All-Star” sample hit the ‘net, he’s uncovering another one-of-a-kind look at the Kobe 5, showcasing how Bryant and Beaverton designers were already thinking of a later tweak far in advance.
As promised in the headline, the main intrigue with the shoe at hand is the heightened shroud at the ankle, a textured textile strap for enhanced lockdown. Inset and sown into the shoe rather a removable unit, this addendum harkened back to the mid-cut of the Kobe 4, momentarily pausing the low-cut streak that Kobe’s signature shoes would go on until the release of the Kobe 9.
While the “Blackout” colorway would eventually grace a public release Kobe 5, we can’t entirely jump to conclusions that this is an alteration of that shoe; footwear samples in general utilize all-black treatments as a default, leaving the door open that this was more of a one-off affair.
Of course, no Kobe 5 Supreme would hit the market, taking two years for the retooled composition to grace the model via the Kobe 7 Supreme. Once unveiled and released, Nike capitalized on a “Play Fast” vs. “Play Strong” framing for the different ankle attachments, with the extended unit intended for down-low power play rather than speedy footwork on the perimeter.
Though our recent articles on what Simon Voltaire Tan, aka depeche23mode, has showcased sadly came for shoes already off the market or not intended for sale, we’ve luckily caught this sample while it’s live. If you’re so inclined, check out the listing here, but naturally you won’t be able to own this piece of footwear history without paying the price — its “Buy It Now” value is just below $8,000, but the auction runs through Saturday, December 28th. If you’re more interested in window shopping, catch a detailed gallery of this shoe below.
