Helena Frye
Kobe Bryant was one of the most influential forces in the history of basketball sneakers. Throughout his 20-year career, he wore a variety of iconic shoes, from his early designs with Adidas to his later signature line with Nike. Kobe's silhouettes generally prioritized function over form, with shoes geared for performance. His first signature shoe with Nike, the Zoom Kobe I, debuted in 2005, and his line has been one of the most popular signature shoe offerings since.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First signature shoe | Adidas KOBE TWO |
| First shoe with Nike | Zoom Kobe I |
| Shoe during his first scoring title | Kobe 1 |
| Shoe worn when he won his second All-Star MVP | Kobe II |
| Shoe worn when he won his lone NBA MVP | Kobe III |
| Shoe during his farewell season | Kobe XI |
| Shoe with velcro strap | Kobe II |
| Shoe with moon-boot design | KOBE TWO |
| Shoe worn during his rookie season | Nike Air Huarache sneakers |
| Shoe worn during his first All-Star game | Crazy 8 |
| Shoe with Flyknit, Flywire, and Lunarlon | Kobe 9 |
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What You'll Learn
Kobe Bryant's Adidas shoes
Kobe Bryant, one of the most successful NBA players of all time, has had a significant impact on basketball sneakers. Before signing with Nike in 2003, Bryant was with Adidas, who signed him at the young age of 17, fresh out of high school, for a six-year, $48 million deal. Adidas was the first to offer Bryant a sneaker deal, and the partnership produced several notable shoes.
The first Adidas shoe Bryant wore was the Crazy 8, which he laced up for the 1998 All-Star Game, making him the youngest All-Star in history. The Crazy 8 is still a favourite on NBA hardwoods today.
The KB8 III, also known as the EQT Responsive, was another Adidas shoe worn by Bryant. This shoe had the same "'Feet You Wear' technology" as its predecessor but with a more wavy design.
The KOBE, with its futuristic, Audi-inspired silhouette, was released during Bryant's second signature run with Adidas. The Lakers won the NBA Finals, and Bryant's star rose even higher with this slick new shoe. The original KOBE design was so successful that it was kept for another year, during which the Lakers won another championship.
The KOBE TWO, with its moon-boot look, was the last shoe Bryant made with Adidas before switching to Nike. Despite its controversial design, the KOBE TWO featured an American flag colourway that was "absolute, Shaq-approved fire".
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Kobe's switch from Adidas to Nike
Kobe Bryant wore several basketball shoes during his career, including those from Adidas and Nike.
Kobe Bryant signed an endorsement deal with Adidas in 1998, before he was drafted into the NBA. The six-year deal was reportedly worth $48 million. His first signature shoe, the Adidas KB8, was released in 1998. During his time with Adidas, Bryant wore the Kobe 2s and the Kobe 1s.
However, in 2002, after winning his third consecutive NBA championship, Bryant decided to break his contract with Adidas. He reportedly bought himself out of his contract, and his decision to leave changed the course of sneaker history.
Following a year without a contract, during which he wore a variety of basketball shoes, Bryant signed a five-year deal with Nike worth a reported $40 million. His first signature shoe with Nike, the Zoom Kobe I, made its debut in 2005, and his line has been one of the most popular signature shoe offerings since then. The Nike Kobes 4-11 became lighter and revolutionized performance basketball footwear, with the low-top resolution being a notable feature.
Bryant's switch from Adidas to Nike demonstrated his confidence and self-assurance in making decisions that he felt were right. His partnership with Nike served him well throughout his career, and his line of signature shoes with the brand is remembered as one of the most successful in sneaker history.
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The Kobe 9 shoe
Kobe Bryant was one of the most influential forces in the history of basketball sneakers. He signed an endorsement deal with Adidas for six years, reportedly worth $48 million, before switching to Nike in 2003. Since then, Nike has made Bryant's shoes, and his signature sneakers are extremely popular.
The Kobe 9 was an innovative design, incorporating Flyknit, Flywire, and Lunarlon technologies to create a super-high top shoe that remained lightweight. The shoe also featured a carbon fibre heel counter and Dynamic Flywire cables to optimise stability. The midsole was made with Lunarlon foam, which was later replaced with React, a material that offers higher energy return and responsiveness. The outsole was designed based on the pressure-map traction pattern of Bryant's foot, reducing slippage.
The Kobe 9 Protro, a performance retro or Protro, was released in 2024. This version added performance benefits to the original silhouette while keeping the original Flyknit upper. The traction pattern was upgraded with an additional line of traction on the medial part of the shoe, allowing players to cut on their inside foot without slipping. The midsole traction was also updated with pressure mapping on the rubber outsole, mimicking the foot's natural contours to give players a competitive advantage.
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$359.99
The Nike Zoom Kobe I
Kobe Bryant wore several basketball shoes throughout his career, including the Nike Zoom Kobe I, which was his first signature sneaker as a Nike athlete. The shoe made its debut after Kobe switched from Adidas to Nike in 2003, following the end of his contract with Adidas in 2002.
The Kobe I utilised forefoot and heel zoom air, providing good cushioning and bounce. The shoe was also known for its durability, with some users going through multiple pairs without experiencing any ripping or tearing. However, the cushioning tended to lose its bounce over time, and the toe box and extended midsole were prone to separation due to hard cuts and stops, particularly with leather shoes.
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The Nike Kobe AD
Kobe Bryant wore several basketball shoes throughout his career, including designs from Adidas and Nike. The Nike Kobe AD was his first signature shoe after his retirement from basketball in 2016. The shoe honours his Mamba Mentality, which lives on through players who are committed to pushing their limits.
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Frequently asked questions
Kobe Bryant signed an endorsement deal with Adidas straight out of high school. During his early career with Adidas, he wore the purple PEs when he became the youngest player to ever win the Dunk Contest. He also wore the Crazy 8 shoe in the 1998 All-Star game, the KB8 III aka EQT Responsive, and the KOBE TWO.
Kobe Bryant switched to Nike in 2003, after his contract with Adidas ended. Nike offered him a lucrative four-year, $40 million deal.
Kobe Bryant's first signature shoe with Nike was the Zoom Kobe I. He also wore the Nike Zoom Kobe VI "All-Star", the Kobe 9, the Kobe X, the Kobe XI, and the Nike Kobe 8 "Extraterrestrial".
Kobe Bryant's silhouettes generally prioritized function over form. His shoes were geared for performance.
