I still don’t see what is Elite about these.
So, do the Flywire cables actually work?
They do… but it’s not something that is noticeable. Maybe if there were Dynamic Flywire across the entire midfoot then the lockdown would have been increased slightly but all these two areas do is ensure your forefoot stays attached to the midsole, something that the Kobe 8 already did a pretty good job at… these are just more costly.
Traction performs exactly the same as the Kobe 8. I was asked if the translucent rubber was better or worse and after playing in both, they’re pretty much the same. Both are equally pliable and the pattern is the same. If one version was a bit more firm than the other then there would likely be a small change in grip but overall, it’s the same as before… just more costly.
I still don’t like the cushion. I’ve been trying to get them to break in but it just isn’t happening. What I’d like to do is remove the Zoom midsole and replace it with the Lunarlon midsole… but guess what that does? It turns the Kobe 8 Elite into the Kobe 8… just more costly.
The only thing that is greater in the Kobe 8 Elite is the Carbon Fiber heel counter. By greater I just mean more durable and it does add some additional support but other than that they are literally the same shoe – give or take a few things – just more costly…
Just for your own piece of mind, I am being slightly more critical on these Elite models because of the price. The original versions of each shoe were great on-court performance models and for the most part, the same is true for these. What I am looking for in something “Elite” is a significant change for the better… that is something I just don’t see.
My point is this; Why should I pay $200 for the Kobe 8 Elite when I can pay $140 for the regular Kobe 8 and get the same performance?
You nailed it Nightwing! You can tell from looking at both models and no disappoint at that part. Nike needs to step up their way since it was also same with the Kobe 7.
I don’t why but I’m afraid to buy K8 beceause I rolled my ankle with thé CP 6
Perfectly logical.
I was in a car crash once. Now I’m too scared to fly.
Just a heads up for anyone that wants it, the Kobe 8 insoles are back on sale at nike id. I’m gonna stock up on insoles it’s basically like getting a new shoe!
gotham7 that’s only in terms of the cushion. At some point you will wear out the pliable tread of the traction before you make it through your insole stash. I thought about get a regular pair of lunarlon insoles because my two Kobe 8 ids are both Nike+ ones.
Could you give me the link for those? I still can’t find them on there…
maybe i’m stupid but how do I order just insoles?
Not stupid at all, you just need some information. Well I just tried looking on Nike.com to provide a link, but it looks like they have been taken off at the moment.
so that pretty much sums the elite series “just more costly” lol i miss the lebron 7, 8 ps series they where actually innovative and worth buying because they actually made significant changes from the original version.
Couldn’t agree more. Even if they didn’t perform ‘greater’ they at least were different.
Very disappointed that the zoom air cushion is not noticeable. I know you said that the midsole is phylon and not cushlon. How could they have made the zoom air more responsive?
They should have had the Zoom top loaded. Full length Zoom would have been nice as well. If they insist on a bottom loaded setup then Cushlon would have been the way to go with the midsole foam IMO.
NW, I think it would have also been better if the zoom air was in the actual sole of the shoe a la the KD V. Sorry for another question, but how do you make a top loaded zoom air insole? Thanks for responding so quickly as well!
By top loaded I mean placed under foot the way Zoom is usually installed. Directly under the insole.
NW did you see Leo Changs interview about the elite series? He should run for office, because he did his best to spin the greater performance attributes of the elites over the regular version. And After reading your teaser I am very shocked to say the least and honestly disappointed about them. Hopefully they can a better effort next time to justify the price.
elite shoes suck unless there is a new design, they got away with it last year because the lebron 9 sucked so bad that any improvement made it better
Where did u find the insoles?
I think you should title the review “Just More Costly” because that line seems to nail the topic in the head. Thank you for the reviews by the way! I’m a big fan and I dont usually buy shoes till I’ve checked out your review.
bummer, regular kobe 8’s cost $200 a pair where i come from..
Do you think the reason that this years elites are virtually not different at all, is due to the fact that the actual signature athletes that wear them, loved their shoes to much, and didn’t want much change to them?? And the things that we find minimal and not really noticeable, are actually vast improvements to them?? Or is it simply just a ploy from Nike to get more money from the consumer??
Hey Nightwing, why did you go half size up in these? Was it because the upper is tighter or is the whole shoe smaller? In other words, is a 9.5 insole in the reg. Kobe 8 the same size as a 9.5 in the Elite Kobe 8. Or should I go half size up in the Elite if I wanna be able to switch insloles between the two?
I did change the insole