Verdict from 8 experts and 43 user reviews
6 reasons to buy
- Most purchasers of the Kobe 5 love that the upper is lightweight, sock-like, and is able to give great support even if the material that it is made of is quite flexible.
- Support on the shoe is top-notch for almost all users, thanks to the huge external heel cup. The 5th Kyrie Irving Nike signature shoe has a support identical to the Kobe 5.
- A lot of players notice that they never experience heel slips when wearing the shoe.
- Most wearers consider the Kobe 5 as one of the prime examples of shoes that fit great. “The fit and lockdown on these are great no matter what your foot type is - order your true size,” says one tester. “No movement side to side and no real dead space on top of the forefoot,” shares another one.
- Even if the shoe has a low profile, a large number of people observe that they did not have any ankle problems when using the Nike sneakers for basketball. One user remarks, “I never felt like I’d turn my ankle in these and I never have.”
- Many purchasers agree that the shoe looks beautiful. A user comments, “despite not making my rotation I still love collecting these just on aesthetics alone.”
3 reasons not to buy
- For most of the users, one of the lowlights of the Kobe Vs is its traction. They say that the rubber is not very sticky and it doesn't grab the floor very well especially on dusty courts. The outsole fails like the tenth Nike Hyperdunk shoe model.
- Another common complaint is that the shoe does not last too long. A few see their uppers tearing or separating from the midsole too soon.
- Some wearers comment that they could not feel the forefoot Zoom Air unit because it’s too small.
Bottom line
Overall, the Nike Zoom Kobe 5 is well loved, not only due to its breathtaking performance on-court but also because of the nostalgia that it brings. Although traction and durability are issues for some players, many wearers do not think that these are deal breaker and continue to stock up on the Vs. For them, the Kobe V has the right balance of elements, making it amazing to wear.
Tip: see the best basketball shoes.
Good to know
The Kobe 5 is considered to be one of the pinnacles of Kobe Bryant’s signature line. Released in 2010 and created by footwear designers Eric Avar and Matthew Nurse, the shoe gathers inspiration from low-top soccer cleats–further cementing the use of low-profile sneakers for basketball. The shoe features Skinwire for the upper, the Nike Torch Technology for the tongue, and a combination of Zoom Air and Phylon foam in the midsole.
Cushion. Two Zoom Air units encased in a soft Phylon midsole make up the shoe’s cushioning system. A small unit is located at the ball of the foot, while a bigger unit is under the heel. The Phylon foam at the back of the heel is split and splays when landing, providing a soft bounce. However, the cushioning is also firm enough to let you feel the ground.
Traction. The Nike Kobe 5 is one of the first few basketball sneakers to implement a storytelling outsole. A heartbeat traction pattern is used on the shoe. Also called “flatline,” the tread pattern uses less rubber compared to the previous Kobe 4. Since the grooves are not very thick, the outsole will last longer indoors. Optimal performance will be achieved when used on clean courts.
Length and Width. The shoe runs true to size. It is recommended to go with your standard Nike basketball shoe size when purchasing the shoe.
Lockdown. The Kobe 5’s secure lockdown is attributed to the shoe’s conforming and second- skin upper. Sitting very closely to the foot, the Skinwire molds to its shape regardless of it being narrow or wide. Support is reinforced via an external heel counter.
An upgrade to the Kobe IV, the upper integrates Flywire into its synthetic material through a heat-bonding process, creating a lighter and more flexible yet very supportive upper called “Skinwire”. The heel counter of the upper uses ballistic mesh, while an extra layer of fuse is added to support the high-wear areas of the shoe. The upper provides a sock-like fit that makes the wearer feel like the shoe is specifically made for them.
The Nike Torch technology makes up the tongue, upping the shoe’s breathability and comfort. Perforations can also be found in the toe box and the sides.
A carbon fiber shank plate is placed in the midfoot, providing a stable base to stand on. Two Zoom Air units are housed within the Phylon cushioning and a huge TPU heel cup is built into the shoe to ensure zero slips.
The Kobe 5’s Skinwire upper mimics the look of synthetic tendons underneath a skin of muscle thereby magnifying the beauty of subtle strength. Modern touches are added to the shoe through the use of brightly colored fuse and mesh. The Nike swoosh is printed on both sides of the shoe while a Kobe logo is embossed on the tongue.
The Kobe V debuted in more than fourteen colorways. After almost a decade, the shoe continues to be released year after year in different colorways. The shoe is known to have started the trend of having more than ten colorways per shoe. Out of the many colorways, three stand out.
Nike Zoom Kobe 5 Chaos
Debuting on December 26, 2009, the Nike Zoom Kobe 5’s Chaos colorway was the opening act that brought the basketball sneaker into the limelight. Eric Avar’s take on the Joker from Batman features lime green outsole and Nike Swoosh logos, white and purple upper with black detailing, and red speckles on the midsole.
Nike Zoom Kobe 5 Dark Knight
Also inspired by the comic book Batman, the Kobe V Dark Knight comes in a black and blue upper with a metallic finish. The material on the heel features a snake-like textured material that adds personality to the stealthy and serious-looking upper.
Nike Zoom Kobe 5 Bruce Lee
Inspired by Kobe Bryant’s love for Kung Fu, a Kobe V colorway was released in 2010 in honor of Kung Fu master Bruce Lee. The shoe comes in a yellow and black upper that references the jumpsuit that Bruce Lee wore in the movie “The Game of Death.” Red detailing can be found on the lateral side of the forefoot; it alludes to the wounds that Bruce Lee sustained in “Enter the Dragon.”
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