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Verdict from 7 hours of research from the internet
9 reasons to buy
- Majority of the testers declare that the traction of the Nike Kobe AD Mid is just beastly. It sticks to the floor incredibly well.
- Nearly all reviewers claim that the cushioning is super comfortable. It’s lightweight and responsive, offering the right amount of court feel and impact protection. The same can be said about the 2018 version of the Kobe AD.
- Despite having basic support features, these Kobe Bryant basketball shoes provide solid support and stability according to most players.
- Some users are satisfied with the lockdown and containment. They are saying that there is no internal movement of any kind.
- A few buyers are happy with the Kobe AD Mid’s fit.
- The materials feel good and are relatively durable, a handful of users comment.
- Like the the third Nike PG, more than a handful of wearers notice that the Nike Kobe AD Mid feels light in hand and on feet.
- One purchaser is very satisfied with these Nike basketball shoes that he uses it for running. He claims that these basketball sneakers are very comfortable and allows him to sprint for an extended amount of time.
- More than a handful of buyers appreciate the rich hues and detailing of these Kobe basketball shoes.
5 reasons not to buy
- Many testers do not recommend the Nike Kobe AD Mid for outdoor use. The rubber outsole is super soft and will wear down quickly.
- A good number of wearers are disappointed with the shoe’s lack of ventilation.
- Because of the non-existent ventilation, most users are complaining that it gets really wet inside the shoe.
- Several are complaining that the moisture causes awful blisters and calluses.
- According to a significant number of players, the traction does not hold up well on dusty courts. Frequent wiping is recommended.
Bottom line
The Nike Kobe AD Mid is a great performance basketball shoe if you can get it at a discount. It presents a great deal of improvement from the previous Nike Kobe A.D. model, but its negatives just don’t make it a must-cop at its full retail price.
Tip: see the best basketball shoes.
Expert reviews:
- 88/100 by BBallEquips
- 80/100 by BasketballDiagnostics
- 80/100 by LiveforBball
- 79/100 by Schwollo
- 76/100 by WearTesters
- 80/100 by HoopJordan
- 80/100 by newjordans2018
- 80/100 by WearTesters
User reviews:
SportsShoes, Zappos and 21 other shops don't have user reviews
Video reviews
The Nike Kobe AD is back and better than ever. These Nike basketball shoes will help propel your game to a whole new level. Whether you are playing lockdown defense or sprinting for a fast break, these basketball shoes provide the agility and speed that you need to dominate your competition.
The Nike Kobe AD Mid features a multi-layer upper and a Lunarlon foam midsole embedded with a Zoom Air unit to provide you with lightweight support and responsive cushioning. Push past your potential and channel Kobe Bryant’s killer instinct with the Nike Kobe AD Mid.
Cushion. To keep you comfortable on the court, the Nike Kobe AD Mid is built on a full-length Lunarlon midsole with an embedded Nike Zoom Air unit in the heel.
The Lunarlon foam offers a plush and responsive feel underfoot. It is also equipped with micro flex grooves to enhance overall flexibility, allowing your foot to move more naturally.
Embedded in the heel is a soft and responsive Zoom Air unit that provides impact protection as it cushions hard landings.
Traction. The rubber outsole of the Nike Kobe AD Mid has a micro-blade traction pattern that delivers excellent multidirectional grip.
The engineered tread is designed to provide ultimate traction to help you cut and move quickly in any direction.
Length and Width. The Nike Kobe AD Mid runs true to size. However, these basketball shoes are a bit narrow according to most testers. Wide-footers are advised to try these sneakers in-store if they can; if they can’t, going up half a size is their best option.
Lockdown. The Nike Kobe AD Mid has a forefoot cleatie construction that is designed to offer a comfortable one-to-one fit.
Inserted in the upper are Flywire cables for increased support and containment. These cables also help lock the foot in place.
As an added support feature, these Nike basketball shoes also have a midfoot shank for torsional rigidity.
The Nike Kobe AD Mid is made with a multi-layer mesh upper for lightweight durability. The breathable mesh upper is reinforced with Flywire cables for support. The upper also has molded foam details that adds cushioning.
Nike and Kobe Bryant released the Kobe A.D. to signify a year of transformation and growth after his retirement in 2016. The Nike Kobe AD Mid continues his legacy with a refreshed design that is dedicated to his post-basketball supremacy.
The all-new Nike Kobe AD Mid launches in a five-sneaker collection that illuminates the origins and depths of his Mamba Mentality. The five colorways show his interest in the psychology of colors. It expresses the correlation between attitude, color, and emotion.
Releasing in blue, red, purple, yellow, and grey, each colorway has its unique detail and meaning. Blue for trust and dependability, red for passion, purple for overcoming challenges, yellow for positivity, and grey for calm neutrality.
Aside from the launch colorways, Nike released several other color combinations as well as seven team hues.
- Black/Anthracite/White/Metallic Gold
- Black/Gum Light Brown/Sail ‘Black Gum’
- Black (Team)
- Chrome/Habanero Red-Circuit Orange ‘Grey Snake’
- Green (Team)
- Grey (Team)
- Navy (Team)
- Obsidian/White-Mega Blue ‘Rise’
- Port Wine
- Pure Platinum
- Red (Team)
- Royal (Team)
- White/Black/Court Purple ‘Baseline’
- White/Gum
- White/Ice/Metallic Silver
- White (Team)
Nike Kobe AD Mid ‘Black Mamba’
This Lakers-inspired colorway is dressed in predominantly black with university gold accents. A unique “Black” and “Mamba” branding is seen on each tongue.
Nike Kobe AD Mid ‘DeRozan’ PE
Nike rewarded the current face of the Kobe line with his very own colorway. The Nike Kobe AD Mid ‘DeRozan’ PE is dressed in shades of light and dark blue. This PE colorway features a snake-like pattern that pays tribute to the Black Mamba.
Another highlight of this shoe is a unique graphic printed on the insoles. The insoles show the image of Kobe Bryant wearing his Olympic jersey next to DeMar DeRozan in his Raptors jersey. This graphic is meant to explain the “10/10” mark seen on the heel counter.
A white midsole and translucent outsole complete the silhouette.
Nike Kobe AD Mid ‘Mamba Mentality’ Pack
The Nike Kobe AD Mid “Mamba Mentality” pack comes in five different hues. Each colorway is finished off with special detailing and has its own meaning. Blue for trust and dependability, red for passion, purple for overcoming challenges, yellow for positivity, and grey for calm neutrality.
- Blue ‘Honesty’
- Grey ‘Detached’
- Purple ‘Fearless’
- Red ‘Passion’
- Yellow ‘Optimism’
Nike Kobe AD Mid ‘March Madness’
In honor of the yearly NCAA tournament, Nike dropped a special collection that includes the Nike Kobe AD Mid. The ‘March Madness’ colorway features a black nubuck upper finished off with iridescent Swooshes. Completing the theme is a multicolored outsole. The colorful speckling represents the confetti being dropped from the rafters after a champion is crowned.
Size and fit
How Kobe AD Mid compares
