Ayrton Oneill
The Nike Kobe 11 is the final signature sneaker of Kobe Bryant's playing career. It is a low-top silhouette, with TPU threads woven throughout the Flyknit upper for maximum durability without adding excess weight. The Nike Kobe 11 has received mixed reviews, with some praising its comfort and support, while others criticise its traction and cushioning. Some reviewers have also noted that the shoe is not very lightweight and that its traction pattern can be clogged by dust, affecting performance. Overall, the Nike Kobe 11 is considered by some to be the last great Kobe shoe, with subsequent releases from the brand not living up to its standards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shoe Type | Low-top silhouette |
| Weight | Not lightweight |
| Traction | Inconsistent |
| Cushioning | Comfortable, improved from Kobe 10 |
| Heel | Sinks in |
| Durability | TPU threads woven throughout the Flyknit upper for maximum durability |
| Support | No midfoot support |
| Sizing | True to size |
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Nike Kobe 11's design and function
The Nike Kobe 11 is the final signature sneaker of Kobe Bryant's playing career. It is a low-top silhouette, a significant departure from the traditional high-cut ankle collar that defined basketball footwear in the 1980s. The shoe is almost entirely fabricated from a single layer of engineered Flyknit, with TPU threads woven throughout the upper for maximum durability without adding excess weight.
The Nike Kobe 11 features a removable midsole insert with full-length Lunarlon cushioning and Zoom in the heel, providing excellent court feel and mobility. The large volume heel Zoom Air unit protects against ground impact. However, some reviewers note that the heel "sinks in," indicating insufficient cushioning and potential stress on the Achilles tendon.
The outsole of the Nike Kobe 11 is flat and features two prominent outriggers for stability. While the shoe provides good support, its traction has been criticised as inconsistent, particularly on dusty floors where dust clogs up the grooves of the traction pattern.
The Nike Kobe 11 is considered by some to be the last great Kobe shoe, with subsequent releases not living up to its design and performance.
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Traction
The Nike Kobe 11 is the final signature sneaker of Kobe Bryant's playing career. It is a low-top shoe, tailored to the player's rigorous specifications. The shoe features a flat outsole with two prominent outriggers to help maintain balance.
While the Nike Kobe 11 has received praise for its cushioning and comfort, its traction has received mixed reviews. Some users have reported that the traction is inconsistent and performs poorly on dusty floors. The super-tight traction pattern means that dust can easily clog up the grooves, reducing the shoe's grip. This issue was not present in the Kobe 9, which featured an underfoot pressure map-inspired outsole design that delivered excellent grip while also contributing to a superior court feel and lightweight performance.
The Kobe 11's traction issues may be due to the shoe's low-top design, which differs significantly from the high-cut ankle collar that defined basketball footwear in the past. Despite this, the Kobe 11 is still considered a high point in signature basketball shoes, and its unique design represents a fundamental break from traditional basketball shoe concepts.
While the traction of the Kobe 11 may not be ideal for all court conditions, it is important to note that traction can vary depending on the floor type and the amount of dust or debris present. Some users have reported that the shoe's traction performs adequately on cleaner surfaces. Therefore, the Kobe 11's traction may be suitable for certain players or court conditions, but it may require more frequent cleaning or maintenance to maintain optimal performance.
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Cushioning
The Kobe 11 is the final signature sneaker of Kobe Bryant's playing career. It is a low-top shoe, tailored to the player's rigorous specifications. The cushioning of the Kobe 11 has been praised as very comfortable and much improved from the Kobe 10. The shoe features a drop-in midsole, with full-length Lunarlon and Zoom in the heel, which protects against grounded impact while providing excellent court feel and mobility.
However, some reviewers have criticised the cushioning setup, particularly the bottom-loaded heel Zoom, which has been described as not doing its job. The heel "sinking in" can cause stress on the Achilles tendon, which is not ideal for bigger players.
The Kobe 11 also offers the option to customise the cushioning through the NIKEiD program, allowing users to choose their own cushioning setup, such as full-length zoom. This feature may appeal to those who are picky about cushioning or desire something exclusive.
Overall, while the cushioning of the Kobe 11 is a significant improvement over its predecessor, there are still some mixed opinions regarding the effectiveness of the heel cushioning, which may be a concern for certain players.
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Support
The Nike Kobe 11 is a good basketball shoe for several reasons. Firstly, it offers maximum durability without adding excess weight, thanks to the TPU threads woven throughout the Flyknit upper. This makes the shoe lightweight and comfortable to wear during a game.
Secondly, the Nike Kobe 11 provides excellent cushioning, which is crucial for protecting the feet and joints during play. The drop-in midsole is comfortable, and the Lunarlon cushioning protects against ground impact while providing a great court feel and mobility. The heel "sinking in" issue, which was present in older models, seems to have been addressed in the Kobe 11, providing better support for the Achilles tendon.
Additionally, the Nike Kobe 11 has a flat outsole with two prominent outriggers, which help to maintain balance and prevent tipping over. This feature enhances stability and reduces the risk of injuries caused by loss of balance.
The Nike Kobe 11 also offers a high level of customisation. The shoe is built on a removable midsole insert that can be customised via NIKEiD, allowing players to personalise their shoes according to their preferences and needs. This level of customisation is unique and sets the Kobe 11 apart from other basketball shoes on the market.
Finally, the Nike Kobe 11 is a significant shoe in the history of basketball footwear. As Kobe Bryant's final signature sneaker, it represents a fundamental break from traditional basketball shoe designs. The low-top silhouette, in particular, challenges the convention of high-cut ankle collars that defined basketball footwear in the past. This new design showcases the evolution of basketball shoes and the shift towards lower-cut, more agile styles.
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Durability
The durability of the Nike Kobe 11 has been a topic of discussion among reviewers. Some reviewers have praised the durability of the shoe, attributing it to the use of TPU threads woven throughout the Flyknit upper, which provides maximum durability without adding excess weight. This design feature, combined with the removable midsole insert, represents a significant departure from traditional basketball shoe construction and showcases Nike's innovation in the Kobe line.
However, other reviewers have expressed concerns about the durability of the Nike Kobe 11. One reviewer mentioned that some parts of the shoe started to separate slightly, although this could be due to individual factors such as the wearer's movement and usage patterns. Additionally, the Kobe 11's traction has been criticised for being inconsistent, with dust and debris affecting the shoe's grip on certain surfaces. This issue may impact the overall durability of the shoe, as inconsistent traction can lead to increased wear and tear over time.
In terms of cushioning, the Nike Kobe 11 has received mixed reviews. While some reviewers appreciate the improved cushioning compared to its predecessor, the Kobe 10, others have noted an issue with the heel "sinking in," indicating inadequate cushioning. This can cause discomfort and potentially lead to over-stressing the Achilles tendon during play. The drop-in insoles, while providing customisation options, have also been criticised for lacking adequate support, especially for larger players.
The Nike Kobe 11's durability is further impacted by its compatibility with certain floors. The shoe's traction pattern, while providing a super-tight grip, is prone to clogging from dust and debris, which can affect its performance and longevity. This issue is particularly noticeable on dusty floors, where the grooves of the traction pattern quickly become filled, reducing the shoe's grip and stability.
Overall, while the Nike Kobe 11 offers some innovative features and improvements over previous models, there are concerns about its durability. The issues with traction, cushioning, and compatibility with certain floors may impact the shoe's longevity and performance over extended use. However, it's important to note that individual factors, such as playing style and court conditions, can also influence the durability of the shoe.
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Frequently asked questions
The Kobe 11 is considered by some to be the last great Kobe Bryant shoe. It is a low-top shoe with a flat outsole and two prominent outriggers to prevent players from tipping over. The cushioning has been praised as comfortable, but the heel "sinking in" has been criticised as it can cause stress on the Achilles tendon.
The Kobe 11 is durable, comfortable, and provides excellent support. The shoe is also lightweight, with TPU threads woven throughout the Flyknit upper to maximise durability without adding excess weight.
The traction of the Kobe 11 has been criticised as inconsistent, especially on dusty floors. The shoe also lacks midfoot support and containment, and some have found the material to be of poor quality.
The Kobe 11 is available from Nike and select retailers.
