Nike Air Force Max B

The Revolution Will Be Televised

1992 changed my life.That was the year I moved from Los Angeles to Seattle.Before I moved there the most I knew of Seattle was that they were beating my Golden State Warriors in the playoffs with Shawn Kemp giving out the "Lister Blister" and "Rattling Gatling" not only did I have to leave my friends and place I grew up,I had to move to a city that just knocked out my favorite team back in the day(well second favorite behind the Lakers).1992 was also the rise of grunge music which also came from Seattle.Safe to say I wasn't too happy when I got to the great northwest.Let me rewind back to 1991 for a bit.I remember watching a college basketball game,it was a big deal because the starters were all freshmen.I remember wondering what the big deal was.Fast forward to fall of 1992. I remember were 5 kids wearing really big yellow shorts and wearing black socks with white shoes.I was instantly hooked.Even the guy who came off the bench had shorts down to his ankles.The fab 5.Oh yeah and there was this bald guy who seemed to make everyone mad proclaiming "I'm not a role model" on his way to the NBA finals.

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Note the Max Air unit and plastic heel counter

Although released in 1992 the shoe still manages to perform as well as it's modern counterparts.While lacking zoom air or fancy uppers it just worked.Traction was good,cushioning and support were excellent.It manages to be current with the times back in the 90's but still perform 15 years after it's release.The shoe features a Dynamic fit sleeve for a seamless fit and has plenty of padding around the ankles for comfort and support.Also featured is a midfoot support strap that keeps the foot stable and locked down.The shoe feels very stable when you put it on and ankle support is good.

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Cushioning is provided by a Max Air heel and forefoot air units.The midsole is made of polyurethane to withstand the poundings that post players like Barkley inflict on their feet.I normally prefer a lower profile shoe but had no problems with the Air Force Max B.The base of the shoe is completely flat.It provides good surface area for traction as well as a stable landing pad when coming down from those big rebounds.While that type of base would not be good for players who do alot of lateral and quick change of direction I didn't really notice the shoe working against me when slashing to the basket or quick change of direction.

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Note the flat outsole for maximum surface area for optimum traction

The shoe has fairly good traction.I found that I had better heel traction rather than forefoot due to the white part of the outsole.I could actually feel that part of the outsole slipping when playing on my dirty tile floor.If kept clean and used only indoors the traction holds up but if you wear it casually on concrete for an extended period of time you will lose some traction.The pair used in this review was a 2001 retro and was used to play in as recently as a month ago.As you can see in figure3 the outsole holds up very well.

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note the midfoot strap

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Overall the shoe still performs well despite being 15 years old.It was a well designed shoe back in 1992 and has a place in the hearts of many basketball fans.Cushioning and support was excellent and I have hardly any gripes .

Comfort and Fit-4.5/5
Cushioning-4.5/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-3.5/5
Overall-4/5

The shoe scored well in almost all categories but traction was above average and while it is still top 5 in my rotation it is beginning to show it's age.Again with many of the reviews of older shoes versus newer shoes had this review been done even in 2001 the shoe would have received higher scores.One more thing-

Adidas The Kobe/Crazy 1

Never Follow

Adidas decided to retro the Adidas The Kobe that originally released in 2000.The shoe was a departure from Adidas' normal designs and was actually inspired by the Audi TT.With it's simplistic yet performance driven design does it drive like a dream?Or is it junkyard bound.

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note the Audi TT inspired design as well as the low profile heel counter

When you first pick up the shoe the upper isn't made out of leather but rather a synthetic material.Under the synthetic upper is padding that conforms to your foot.On the first couple of wears the shoe can be a little uncomfortable in the forefoot area due to the padding and the shoe being cut a bit on the narrow side.After my 4th wearing much of the discomfort was gone and the shoe had a custom feel to it.There is plenty of padding on the ankle area for support and comfort.

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Visible is the low profile heel counter that provides excellent comfort for the Achilles tendon

Cushioning is provided by Adiprene+ which is more than adequate.Although not responsive like zoom air it provides good low profile cushioning.The overall feel of the shoe is fairly low to the ground.It also features Torsion technology which provides midfoot support.Traction is where the shoe really shines.Like it's Audi TT inspiration taking corners is no problem for this shoe with it's herringbone pattern and soft rubber compound.I don't think I can say enough about how great the traction is.When I took the shoe to the dirty tile floor, I had absolutely no problems on quick change of direction or speeds.

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Here's a look at the outsole which provides excellent traction

Overall The Kobe is an excellent performance shoe.The combination of traction and support make it top of the line.It's low profile heel counter gives you a feeling of freedom while giving you ankle support.One problem that is purely cosmetic is how the synthetic material creases easily but that doesn't take away form the performance of the shoe.

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Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-5/5
Overall-4/5

The shoe lost points for the discomfort felt during initial wearings.After that the fit was excellent and coupled with the traction and cushioning make it an excellent performer.Not bad for a shoe that was originally released 6 years ago.Although Kobe is no longer an Adidas endorser I'm glad Adidas saw it fit to give people a chance to try out this excellent shoe(even though it was at the same time as the release of the Nike Zoom Kobe 1).

Jordan Retro IX

Lost Ones

The Jordan IX has never been one of those shoes that "brought it out" in people.I'm guessing because on it's initial release Jordan was busy striking out.So no real memories to attach to the shoe until the 2002 retro and even that was a bit foggy.So people tend to overlook the IX's. You had Pippen pointing at the sole of his shoe telling Mike to come back with the X's and we don't really need to get into the XI's and their place in the overall landscape of Air Jordans.So I decided to bring this shoe back out and give it a couple runs to see if it was a good thing that Mike took a year off.

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If you look closely on the button on the heel you will notice the jumpman logo and the globe signifying Jordan's international appeal.

At first glance the shoe looks extremely simple compared to previous years.The simple lines of the shoe were inspired by european dress shoes.Although it is cut a bit higher compared to most basketball shoes it doesn't have an overly restrictive feel to it.It is lined with padding to prevent discomfort on the ankle bones.Although the cut is a bit higher than normal it provides above average ankle support.You would expect it to be a bit more due to the cut but it does the job.Inside there is a dynamic fit sleeve made of lycra and mesh which helps with moisture management and support.

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Note the simplistic design of the shoe and the speed lacing system.

To support the forefoot there are phylon supports on the medial and lateral side to prevent your foot from sliding off the footbed.Unfortunately while it prevents your foot from sliding off the footbed it does nothing to prevent your foot from sliding within the shoe.The speed lacing system allows you to really synch in your laces with one pull and adds to total support.Cushioning is provided by heel and forefoot Air.While not responsive like Zoom Air it provides average impact protection.

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the outsole features words in different languages which represent Jordan

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Another look at the outsole

The outsole is interesting it feature words in different languages that describe Jordan.See air-jordans.com for translations of the words on the soles.Traction is good on clean courts.I found myself constantly wiping my soles for optimum traction.

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a look at the speed lacing system

Overall the shoe was solid.Compared to today's standards it holds it's own.I'm sure there are other "sexier" choices out there when it comes to picking a year for Jordans.While the IX doesn't really have too many memories behind it,the shoe performs well enough not to be forgotten.

Comfort and Fit-3.5/5
Cushioning-3.5/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-3/5
Overall-3.5/5


The shoe lost points in the comfort/fit department because my forefoot kept on sliding back and forth.If the review had been done in 1993 it would have received top marks but still the shoe didn't embarrass itself on the court.On a side note Jordan never wore the shoe in a Bulls uniform but the statue outside the United Center has Jordan wearing IX's

Nike Flightposite

We Fly High

The Nike Flightposite is a shoe that was ahead of it's time.Released in 1999 it pushed the limits of design and performance.It was Nike's second application of Foamposite technology and made improvements on the previous Foamposite One/Pro.Many considered the design a work of art while others thought it was plain ugly.In the end what matters the most on this blog is will it perform like art or be thrown out with the rest of the trash.

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the beautiful profile and lines of the flightposite

The design of the shoe was meant to be an extension of the wearer's foot.The upper is made out of a single piece of Foamposite material.If you are unfamiliar with Foamposite material please refer to the Nike Lebron IV review.Unlike the previous Foamposite One/Pro it doesn't suffer from any weight issues normally associated with Foamposite based shoes.

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The outsole mimics the lines on the upper

In figure2 you can see the flex grooves on the outsole that allow greater flexibility and better court performance for high speed cuts.The outsole performs reasonably well on most courts.I found I was slipping at times on the dirty tile floor but for the most part the traction was solid.The shoe doesn't have the typical upper/midsole/outsole setup.The Foamposite upper is glued directly onto the outsole with a phylon/zoom air insole above the outsole.This creates low to the ground responsive cushioning.A TPU shank provides extra midfoot support.

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note the organic design of the shoe

Another way the shoe performs as an extension of the wearers foot is through the fit.Foamposite material has properties that allow it to mold to the wearer's foot creating a custom fit.It is a single piece of material that doesn't stretch so from a total foot support standpoint it is excellent.Aside from the Foamposite upper it also features a dynamic fit sleeve which forms the the foot's contours.To lock the whole package down is a full length zipper/velcro enclosure that forms to the player's foot.Mind you it takes a number of wearings before the shoe conforms to the wearer's foot and those with feet a little bit on the wide side(myself included) will feel a bit of discomfort during the first few wearings.After the 3rd or 4th wearing though it is extremely comfortable.

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Overall the shoe stands up well to time despite being released eight years ago.Even at a time where designers push the limits this eight year old design still manages to surpass.Performance wise the shoe is solid.Traction is good and support is excellent.

Comfort and Fit-4.5/5
Cushioning-4.5/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-4.5/5
Overall-4.5/5

The shoe loses points for break in period.Everything else was solid down the line.The design is what really pushes the shoe.While other shoes have done certain aspects of the Flightposite better,there's no denying 8 years ago this shoe was on top of the game.Even today this shoe remains in my regular rotation of basketball shoes I play in on a weekly basis and haven't run into a shoe that will retire it yet.

Nike Air Force 25

Second Coming

Back in 1982 one shoe changed the landscape of basketball shoes forever.The Nike Air Force One.It made numerous leaps in the design and technology in shoes.It was the first basketball shoe to feature Nike Air,concentric circle outsole and Propioceptus strap(ankle strap).While this blog deals mainly with performance of a particular shoe,the impact of the Air Force One as a cultural icon cannot be bypassed.25 years later we received an update to a classic.While purists may complain that Nike is "bastardizing" their classic Air Force One lets see if the shoe truly does honor to a classic.

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the profile of the original Nike Air Force One has for the most part stayed true except for some smoothing out of the hard angles and making the shoe sleeker for this generation.

Initially when I heard this shoe was going to come out what intrigued me the most was how Nike was going to combine a full length zoom air bag on top of an air max bag in the heel.It promised to be one of Nike's most well cushioned shoes.The combination performs well on court.The original Air Force 1 was initially designed for post players but true to the evolution of today's game the shoe caters to all positions even big men who now run the court like guards.Big landings are nothing to this shoe and performance is at a premium with the zoom air providing responsive cushioning and the max air in the heel providing impact protection for the space eaters.

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the shoe stays true to it's roots even down to the outsole with the concentric circles and stars.

Another innovation of the Air force 1 was the unique concentric circle traction.It provided that no matter what angle the player was at it provides 360 degree contact with the court.The Air Force 25 improves on this by adding herringbone traction throughout the outsole.The outsole is also made of a soft translucent rubber compound that provides additional grip.The midfoot is reinforced with a carbon fiber midsole shank where the original had a steel spring moderator.

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visible here is the Max Air unit as well as the reinforced heel counter and ankle strap

The shoe is extremely comfortable to wear with a full length inner fit sleeve and Nike DRI FIT Sphere lining for moisture management.The speed lacing offers a decent lockdown feel when coupled with the ankle strap.While the lockdown feel isn't that of the Zoom Kobe 2 it is sufficient enough to prevent the player's foot from any sliding around in the shoe.The overall design of the AF1 was very stable and the tradition is carried on with this version.

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the patent leather provides a nice touch and adds to the lines of a beautifully designed shoe

Overall the shoe is an all around performer.The patent leather adds a nice touch but has a tendency to crack after some time.I wore mine 6-7 times before I started to notice small chips in the leather.With a multitude of colors and materials being used for the uppers I'm sure there's a color that will appeal to everyone especially since it is on Nike's ID service.I almost always keep this shoe in my bag just in case I have any problems with whatever I'm wearing that day.It makes an excellent alternative to those who cant decide between the Zoom Kobe 2 and Lebron IV.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-5/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-4/5
Overall-4/5

The shoe performs well and with prices coming down make it an even better value.The Air Force 25 is an excellent testament to the legend that is the Air Force 1.Even after 25 years of innovation and keeping with the basic principles of the original it manages to rise above the rest just as the original did back in 1982.

Nike Zoom Lebron IV

Down With The King

Simply speaking..Lebron James is a beast.At 6'8 250 pounds in terms of being a pure athlete he has few peers.Nike decided to go back to the future with the Zoom Lebron IV.The shoe was partly inspired by the Nike Foamposite One.It marked the return of Foamposite technology after being missing for a few years.For those who aren't versed in Foamposite technology it's a single piece of molded polyurethane that allows Nike to create an upper that offers total support and molds to your foot.Rather than sewing or gluing pieces of material together the single molded piece offers superior support against any other shoe upper on the market.Unfortunately to create a Foamposite based shoe requires molds to make the shoe making it expensive to produce which dramatically increases the retail price.The original Nike Foamposite One retailed for $180.00 which at the time was unheard of.The technology enjoys a small "cult" status in the eyes of many shoe collectors due to it's progressive and futuristic styling.Using Foamposite tech on Lebron's signature was an excellent pairing due to the fact that the material does not stretch.With the tremendous stress Lebron puts on his feet the foamposite material keeps his feet where they need to be and offers unparalleled support while fitting like a glove.

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you can see the similarities between the two shoes as well as how much design has progressed over nearly 10 years since the Foamposite One was released.

The shoe features a dynamic fit sleeve which provides seamless comfort and support as well as moisture management properties.Landings are softened by a full length zoom air which provide excellent cushioning but doesn't feel as low to the ground or as responsive as the Zoom Kobe 2 but nevertheless the cushioning is still excellent.That comparison would be like comparing the ride in a high performance sports car versus an SUV.

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here is the zoom air insole.It is thicker than any previous zoom air insole and may not be as thin as previous versions but provides excellent cushioning.

The outsole is Nike Free inspired for maximum flexibility.It is aided by a 3/4 length carbon fiber spring plate which allows for excellent heel-toe transition.The herringbone pattern is segmented to compliment the outsole for maximum flexibility.The composite rubber what makes up the outsole performs extremely well on all surfaces.Traction on the shoe is top notch due to the composite rubber as well as the surface area of the outsole.

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notice the beautiful flowing lines even on the outsole that is echoed throughout the shoe

To further add to the support of the foamposite upper the shoe also sports an ankle strap to further lock down the foot as well as 3 elastic straps that run down the front of the shoe.In previous versions of foamposite based shoes rather than three straps it has normally been a zipper enclosure of some sort to truly pull the single piece of foamposite together and keep it fitting like a glove.I like the application unfortunately it doesn't really allow you to get to the shoe laces.To ensure the shoe completely supports the wearer's foot,large phylon supports run along the lateral and medial sides of the shoe cradling the foot to ensure the foot stays in place during hard cuts or changes of direction.

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note the "witness" detailing on the heel as well as the large heel counter making the shoe extremely stable when coupled with the foamposite and carbon fiber spring plate.

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note the three elastic straps that pulls the shoe together to provide excellent support.

Overall from top to bottom the shoe is a dream to play in...well actually after about three times wearing the shoe it's a dream to play in.Foamposite material is extremely stiff.For those of us with feet that are a bit on the wider side,to put it bluntly,they hurt like hell the first couple of times you wear them to play in.My pinky toe literally felt like I had fractured a bone in my foot after the first time playing in the shoe.But the same can be said of all foamposite based shoes.It definitely isn't something you pull out the box straight from the store.The other complaint others will have is the weight.Aside from the flightposites all Foamposite based shoes have been heavy.For whatever reason its an issue to some but not to others.The overall design is also a little bulky for some people's tastes but the shoe was designed to support a man who is 6'8 250 pounds.

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The lines on the shoe are beautiful and is well on it's way to being a classic

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-5/5
Ankle Support-4.5/5
Traction-5/5
Overall-4.5/5

The shoe receives top grades in all categories but lost points on comfort and fit for the discomfort felt during the break in period and being a tad bit on the heavy side.The shoe is an awesome performer and should at least be considered with the top performance shoes of this generation.

Nike Zoom Kobe 1

Lights Out

Kobe's first signature shoe made by Nike that bears his name but will it go for 81 or a bunch of bricks?

81 points.My best friend used to do that to me when we played NBA Live 05 jumpstopping me to death with Phoenix and Shawn Marion.I'll be honest I was never a big Kobe fan.I always knew he was gonna be a star even though he air balled those threes against Utah.But in the 2005/2006 season I had plenty of chances to watch Kobe in action after moving to Toronto.I remember the night of January 22nd 2006 I was watching the Lakers losing to the Toronto Raptors with Kobe having an ok first half but not really getting off I figured Kobe would score 40 and the Lakers would lose. So I let the wife take over the tv and we started to watch any number of reality shows after about 15 minutes I stole the remote back and changed it back to the game and my jaw literally dropped.Kobe scored 27 in the third quarter.I promptly said we can't change it back to the Apprentice were watching history.I think the wife was more upset that the Raptors couldn't seem to stop Kobe from shooting and resorting to yelling at future coach of the year Sam Mitchell for doing nothing but shaking his head.Jumpshots,reverse layups,dunks,deep three pointers not a jumpstop and dunk with a player with a 99 dunk rating.Whats cool is he did it wearing these..well not this color but he did something else pretty cool in this colorway.

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Note the phylon lateral teeth and outrigger which add support on those quick cuts to the basket.

At first glance the shoe looks extremely simple and hardly worthy of the status of a signature shoe.Taking cues from the Nike Zoom Huarache 2k4 and 2k5 the shoe manages to provide a handmade feel with the contrast stitching and excellent performance with heel and forefoot zoom air and a full length carbon fiber spring plate that cups your heel and provides excellent support.The lateral side of the shoe features Nike free inspired phylon "teeth" which also provide support for lateral movement.The heel and forefoot zoom air provide excellent a responsive "low to the ground" feel.

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multidirectional herringbone pattern

Figure2 shows off the Zoom Kobe 1's excellent rubber outsole which provides excellent traction on almost any type of court.I play on a court that is inside an elementary school which is tile and dirty from kids bringing mud and dirt in all day.It can be more described as ice skating than basketball.I have never once missed a beat whenever I brought out the Zoom Kobe 1's out to play.The herringbone traction is excellent and there is plenty of surface area for the outsole to come into contact with the floor.The outsole is very wide and also has an outrigger which provides extra stability when moving laterally.Also partially visible from the bottom is the carbon fiber support.

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Kobe's logo is visible on the tongue.Inspired by the "black mamba" sword in the movie "Kill Bill"

The shoe used a padded collar rather than the ankle straps used in the previous Zoom huarache 2k4 and 2k5.This in my opinion keeps the shoe from performing to it's full potential.The lacing system while solid is also part of the problem by not allowing the wearer to really sinch in the laces and lockdown their foot.This flaw will be really noticeable to those with feet on the narrow side as the shoe is cut a bit on the wide side.Some foot movement will happen even though the laces are tightened.the use of a strap rather than a padded collar possibly could have remedied the problem.While midfoot support is excellent the shoe lacks optimum ankle support.Decent but not outstanding.It has an internal lining for a seamless fit.

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Overall the Nike Zoom Kobe 1 is a dream to play in.Its simplistic design is beautiful and it is an excellent "first" Nike signature shoe for Kobe.I actually really enjoyed taking pictures of the shoe and has quickly become one of my all time favorites.While the shoe has some flaws it is an excellent performer and if anything is just simply beautiful to look at.

Comfort and Fit-4.5/5

Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-3.5/5
Traction-5/5
Overall-4.5/5

One more thing I mentioned above that Kobe did something pretty cool in this colorway and while yes Nash was voted MVP and yes the Suns won the series..but this was just cool.

Nike Zoom Kobe II

Seize The Day

Carpe Diem-Seize the day.So far all of Kobe Bryant's signature shoes from Nike have been solid on court performers.Will the Zoom Kobe 2 continue that tradition or fail to act.

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you can see that carpe diem is stitched onto the strap reminding you to seize the day

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You can see the beautiful profile of the shoe The diamond shaped cutouts on the upper provide excellent breathability and is also a homage to Kobe's daughter Diamante.It also illustrates the construction of the shoe with the phylon footbucket and the upper being stitched together eliminating the midsole.

The Construction of the shoe is revolutionary where It pushes the limits of shoe design by applying new ways to construct a shoe and how it performs.The shoe uses Nike Free technology which simulates being barefoot and allowing the foot to flex and move naturally.The use of Nike Free results in an excellent heel toe transition as well as a more natural feel when changing directions.The shoe also features Nike considered which is a process that Nike uses to diminish waste and be eco friendly by using different process' to construct the shoe.The construction of the shoe itself is revolutionary by the way it is constructed.A shoe normally consists of three parts.An outsole,midsole and upper.With the Zoom Kobe 2 the upper is directly stitched into the zoom air footbed and combined with the phylon footbucket which had the outsole Incorporated into it eliminates the midsole.Creating an extremely responsive ride being milimeters from the ground.

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Illustrates the Nike Free properties by segmenting the outsole to maximize flexibility and allow the foot to act naturally as well as the phylon footbucket and outsole combined to form one piece.

Figure3 demonstrates the combination of the outsole and Phylon footbucket to form one piece.The shoe also features a carbon fiber midfoot shank that guides the foot through it's natural motions.The shoe performed well on a dirty tiled floor and is excellent in normal indoor courts.Traction is provided by traditional herringbone pattern placed in 12 outsole "pods".Quick cuts and picking your way through a congested lane on the way to the basket was no problem for this shoe.

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provides a closer look at the upper as well as aTPU support that runs along the heel that features Kobe's logo-the shozoko

Figure4 provides an excellent look at the contrast stitching used to make the upper into one piece as well as the TPU support which provides stability and support but also contributes to the biggest flaw in the shoe.For those who wear "no show" socks will be sadly disappointed to hear that unless you value the skin on your Achilles tendon.You will have to wear quarter socks.For whatever reason The dynamic fit sleeve does not extend high enough and creates friction on the upper part of the heel wearing the skin away and leaving your skin extremely raw.It is easily remedied by simply wearing quarter socks. The Ankle strap also adds to the overall fit of the shoe by securing your foot in place and ankle support.For whatever reason it feels like the Zoom Kobe 2 (ultimate) supports your foot better than the Zoom Kobe 2 ST due to the rigid TPU support on the heel that is not present in the ST.While the ST features a forefoot strap with all the pieces put together it just feels like the ultimates provide more of that lockdown fit.On the flipside you don't have the TPU rubbing on your Achilles tendon with the ST's.

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Another look at the Zoom Kobe II and it's beautiful lines note the crocodile material on the toes.

Overall the shoe was built to perform and it does that beautifully.It keeps you low and an unprecedented court feel while providing excellent support.One can only be excited about what Nike rolls out for Kobe next year by improving what they learned from pushing the limits of shoe design this year.The shoe isn't perfect and has a number of flaws.The Achilles problem probably being the greatest.The ankle strap at times can feel tight at times but the discomfort went away for me after a number of wearings.Also if you have a narrow foot you may find your foot swimming around a bit but it should be minimal with the support given by the ankle strap to lockdown your foot.


Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-4.5/5
Traction-4.5/5
Overall-4.5/5

The shoe lost points for the Achilles problem but is an "ultimate" performance shoe.

Nike Zoom Kobe II ST

Free Kobe

Kobe Bryant's signature shoe that was built for the challenges of the playoffs.The shoe's design was inspired by killer whales.And their ability to teach the pod how to hunt.Is it truly the vaunted killer whale? Or just shark bait?

Kobe Bryant. Mention that name in any conversation and one of two things will happen.Love or hate. Another word should be associated with the man.Evolution. Kobe has been in the NBA for 10 years now going on 11 and every year it gets better like fine wine.From slam dunk champ to youngest all star to all NBA teams,all NBA defense teams to three championships in a row.After Shaq was traded the Lakers were now Kobe's team.After 2 years we have been treated by some of the most spectacular displays of offense in league history.In the 2006-2007 season he strung together 4 straight 50 point games and finished the year with 10 50 point games.And what was he wearing during those scoring binges?Take a look

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Built for strength and endurance the lines of the Zoom Kobe 2 St provide an excellent platform for court assassins

This year Nike did a number of thing different with Kobe's second signature shoe with the company.Not only is the tech on the shoe revolutionary but different designs for different game situations were introduced.The Zoom Kobe 2 nicknamed the "ultimate" was the first shoe introduced which is described as Kobe's every game shoe.Next came the Zoom Kobe 2 ST which was meant for the physicality of the playoffs and finally the Zoom Kobe 2 Lite which releases later on this year.But for now we will focus on the Zoom Kobe 2 ST's. The design was inspired by killer whales hence the nickname "orcas".Apparently Kobe has a fascination with killer whales where orcas actually teach their young how to hunt and kill for the pod.Apparently he sees himself and his young teammates as a pack of orcas where he literally teaches his teammates how to win.The shoe features the revolutionary use of Nike free technology and Nike considered tech.The shoe also features max heel and forefoot Zoom Air which keeps your foot literally millimeters from the ground for maximum court responsiveness.

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notice the lines and how they mirror the patterns of killer whales

The shoe also features two lock down straps for the ankle and forefoot for a lock down feel.Unfortunately during play I experienced some sliding back and forth in the shoe despite the ankle and forefoot straps.I feel that problem may possibly be resolved by moving down from a size 10 to a 9.5 as for whatever reason the Zoom Kobe ST's seem to run a tad bigger than the ultimates.

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note the segmented outsole for maximum flexibility and traction as well as a visible carbon fiber midfoot shank

The outsole features Nike Free technology which allows the foot to make heel toe transitions naturally.Midfoot support is provided by a carbon fiber midfoot shank which guides the foot through it's natural motion.Traction on a normal indoor court was excellent allowing for quick cuts and excellent court feel when making footsteps on drives to the basket.

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view of the heel and forefoot straps

The max volume heel and forefoot zoom air is encased in the footbed that is placed on top of a phylon footbed with a dynamic fit Lycra/spandex sleeve for a seamless fit.Which is all stitched directly to the upper of the shoe eliminating the midsole and putting the player's foot just above the outsole for maximum court responsiveness.

Overall the shoe is a solid on court performer with some sizing issues.Fortunately it does not have the same issues as the ultimates but presents it's own set of challenges due to the construction of the shoe.People with feet that are a bit on the narrow side will find their foot sliding around a bit inside the shoe.I feel that the shoe might have been possible without the forefoot strap but then again it simply be the Zoom Kobe 2 ultimate.

Comfort and Fit-3.5/5
Cushioning-4.5/5
Ankle Support-3.5/5
Traction-4.5/5
Overall-4/5

If comfort and fit scores were separated the comfort score would be higher but unfortunately due to the sliding issues the shoe loses points.The ankle strap doesn't really do much compared to the strap used on the ultimates mainly due to the difference in materials used for the uppers.But all that being said the overall performance of the shoe is still excellent and would be highly recommended as long as you try them on first to determine your true size in the shoe.

08/13/06

Update:
I was able to exchange my original size 10 for a 9.5 and it made a world of difference.My foot didn't move side to side as much and it felt like the midfoot strap actually made a difference.So with all that being said here goes my revised scores-

Comfort and Fit-4.5/5
Cushioning-4.5/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-4.5/5
Overall-4.5/5