Kobe Bryant will not play for the Los Angeles Lakers in their remaining games this season due to a shoulder injury, but the 17-time All-Star is about to make headlines this weekend.
Bryant is expected to make noise as Nike releases his 10th signature shoe - the Kobe 10. The new signature shoe will be released in Blue Lagoon/Black-Vapor Green colorway, which is named as the "5AM Flight" edition.
The first edition of the Kobe 10 sports a blue-based upper part combined with black Nike Swoosh on the side panel and four red linings at the back panel, which likely symbolizes Bryant's suture when he underwent Achilles tendon surgery in 2013.
The shoe is finished off with blue laces and translucent green outsole where a gold "X" logo can be found - the Roman numeral representation of the Kobe 10. According to Nike, the overall design and look of the first Kobe 10 shoe was inspired by one of Bryant's activities when he was recovering from surgery that repaired his torn Achilles.
"The lead colorway, 5 AM Flight, takes inspiration from Bryant's 40-foot, early morning leap from a diving platform in August 2013 as he recovered from surgery on his Achilles," Nike said in a statement. "The dive is symbolic of Bryant's perseverance to overcome the odds and face fear head-on. The shoe's blue palette represents the pool water of Bryant's 5 AM flight."
What to expect from Kobe Bryant's 10th Nike signature shoe?
The Kobe 10 signature shoe features hybrid cushioning as it combines Lunarlon with Nike's Free-inspired sipping that promotes natural movement with superb support because of the much-improve Zoom Air unit in the heel.
This highly-anticipated signature shoe also provides advanced traction system as Nike used hundreds of "nodules" for better grip on the hardcourt. Nike compares it to treads used in racecar tires that provides maximum grip even at high speeds and momentum.
Aside from hybrid cushioning and advanced traction system, the Kobe 10 boasts a seamless textile upper to provide superb breathability without sacrificing durability. By combining the three features, Nike was able to produce a high-quality signature shoe that is expected to be among the hottest models this year.
"Superior functionality is often driven by a less-is-more design philosophy where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts," Nike added in a statement. "The Kobe 10 blends three essential performance elements crafted into a clean, minimalist form."
The Kobe 10 "5AM Flight" be released on Saturday with retail price set at $180 for men's sizes. It will also be available in gradeschool sizes for $135, preschool sizes for $85 and toddler sizes for $60 each. Official photos of the new signature shoe are available on this link.
