A first in running, now a first in basketball, Nike Flyknit breaks the rules and brings superior lightweight strength to one of the game’s greatest players.A first in running, now a first in basketball, Nike Flyknit breaks the rules and brings superior lightweight strength to one of the game’s greatest players.
Nike, the world’s leading basketball brand, today unveiled the much-anticipated KOBE 9 Elite shoe at an event held at The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles. The KOBE 9 Elite redefines the aesthetics and performance of a basketball shoe and was designed using Nike Flyknit according to Nike’s “Nature Amplified” design ethos, an approach focused on designing for the body in motion and fueled by scientific data and athlete insights.
“We are just scratching the surface of the potential of Nike Flyknit to transform the way we design shoes to meet athletes’ needs,” said Mark Parker, President & CEO of NIKE, Inc. “The Kobe 9 redefines the basketball shoe by combining power, strength, and flexibility with lightweight materials and a whole new method of manufacturing.”
THE MASTERPIECE
Designed with Kobe’s tech insights and design inspirations, the KOBE 9 Elite features three key technologies: Nike Flyknit, Flywire and Lunarlon, giving the shoe superior lightweight performance. The innovative design enhances the foot’s natural movements while providing Kobe with strength, durability and speed, plus all the benefits of natural motion where he needs it most.
“I draw inspiration from where I am as a player, as a person, and where my career is at this moment. I’m trying to do something that the majority of people think is impossible to do,” Kobe reflected when asked about the inspiration for his latest shoes and about getting back into the game. “I let my emotions out when I step on the basketball floor, it’s always been my escape, and these shoes will touch a nerve on the court in the same way I do.”
Nike Flyknit – which was first used in Nike Running shoes in 2012 – defies conventional shoe manufacturing processes by creating a one-piece engineered upper made from single strands of yarns. Lightweight yet incredibly strong, it has redefined sports shoe technology and comes to basketball for the first time in the KOBE 9 Elite.
“Nike Flyknit acts as a second skin for Kobe, giving him engineered strength similar to the design of a spider web – tension and strength just where it’s needed,” said Eric Avar, Nike Creative Director and VP of Innovation, who has worked closely with Kobe on his shoe designs for a decade.”
Reverting back to a higher cut for the first time since his third signature shoe in 2007, Kobe’s ninth signature shoe features a knit collar for the proprioceptive feel of a low-top with the support of a mid-top.
With the lead colorway dubbed ‘Masterpiece,’ the KOBE 9 Elite uses the intriguing visual patterns allowed by Nike Flyknit to create a piece of art on the upper, nine red embroidered details on the heel give a nod to Kobe’s Achilles sutures. The design on the outsole is based on the pressure mapping of Kobe’s own foot, creating a beautiful pattern while providing traction on court.
DYNAMIC FIT
Nike Flyknit and Flywire technologies are a one-two punch, leading to a dynamic fit for Kobe’s intricate footwork.
The single layer Nike Flyknit creates a seamless engineered upper that is the ultimate in superior lightweight performance integrating areas of high breathability, stretch and support where it’s needed most.
Nike Flywire technology is strong yet dynamic for lockdown through the midfoot; its cables loosen and tighten with the natural motion of the foot.
The carbon fiber heel counter provides strong and lightweight lateral stability when moving from side to side, while the heel remains stable.
RESPONSIVE RIDE
Eliminating bulk and distraction was a focus for Avar. The idea of ‘simplifying without compromise’ helped shape the design of the KOBE 9 Elite.
Nike Lunarlon cushioning insert provides responsive cushioning that keeps the foot connected to the court.
The pressure mapping designed, minimal rubber outsole delivers durable traction and mimics the natural contours of the foot.
DESIGN WITH A PURPOSE
Nike Flyknit technology introduces a new way to construct a shoe upper by knitting strands of yarn. Nike Flyknit is better for the planet because it drastically reduces waste and materials from typical upper construction. The KOBE 9 Elite upper reduces waste by nearly 50% compared to traditional high-top basketball shoes that use multiple segments and cuts of material in the construction process.
The KOBE 9 Elite releases globally on Feb. 8, 2014, at Nike.com and select global retail locations.
I love how people are hating on it because their only concern is how it’s gonna look with shorts or jeans on. I love the innovation with the 9’s and unlike the Micro G Charge, which is sort of similar in design, I’d wear these because they actually look pretty sick from a performance and aesthetic standpoint.
Aestheticly, this cw looks like barf. A lakers and a sprite cw would look great though. And performance wise, they would be beast
ooh id like a sprite colorway… thats a good idea
These almost follow the silhouette of the XX8. But it is a welcom change made from previous models. I’ll be waiting for a performance review before deciding on it. Keep it up Nightwing2303!
Speaking of flynit every shoe that IV seen with flynit cost alot like the flynit lunarlon which are 160 why is that
NW,
so does this mean that a low cut version of Kobe 9 is no longer possible?
the high top version in the Kobe 9 Elite. They are releasing the elite version first this year, which is surprising. Im more than sure the version after that (which will probably release post season) will be low/mid cut.
ok…hopefully they would release one..thanks
*is
Now I wonder, will they release a non-elite version of the Kobe 9s earlier?
wow!
In my experience with the flyknit lunar and flyknit trainer is that flyknit stretches. A lot. and not in a good way. They provide great support and flexibility at first but eventually that flexibility turns into a material thats just too loose. Specially around the lacing and by the looks of these the flyknit half is exactly like the past 3 flyknit models. I hope if the flyknit on these is layered with a fuse like the kobe 8
Thanks for the tip. Was gonna get the flyknit lunar 1 but now ill just grab the lunarglide whew
Is there any kind of ankle support? It looks like the part from the top of heel counter up is just for protecting stitches. The rest looks really cool tho. Ty for the insights.
they are growing on me hella…lol…i will cop this pair….but i hope i dont get carried away buyin every colorway like i did the Kobe 8?..smh..dat wuz extremely hard on my wallet..lol….also from what i understand theres gunna be 2 diff versions of this shoe when released (flynit or EM) i believe?….or maybe the lowtop version will only be EM?..idk?…i know these are retailing at $225 tho….and the lowtop will be $180….PLEASE GOD DONT LET ME BUY EVERYCOLORWAY AGAIN….BE STRONG!..BE STRONG!…HAHA
ALSO..HEY NIGHTWING!…WHAT DO YA THINK?….1ST IMPRESSION?
$180 and $225? I hope Under Armour’s next shoe/s are awesome because those prices are a joke.
They just keep jacking them up higher and higher. No thanks, Nike. You can keep your shoes.
Unless these turn out to be one of the best performance shoes of all time, I won’t be going anywhere near them if they want to raise the prices even higher.
What color is that? Orange? I’ll think I wait for another colorway
NW you posted the first paragraph twice. just thought you should know. But man these things look cool but at the same time they look super high top and im not a huge fan of hightops. They look very creative thought, I bet the fit is going to be nuts!
these are gonna shake shit up, how an injury can change Culture and style at the same time. All the Hyphes gonna proclaim High Knit glory over that low cut fame.
UA charge volt all day! and less money!!!
need a clean white/gold elite colorway