A few days after an ankle injury in 2020, Morant made a proclamation: high-tops only for the rest of the 2020-21 season.
high top kobes the rest of the year .
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) January 4, 2021
Ja delivered with the Nike Kobe 9 Elite, followed by this Nike Kobe 10 Elite high-top.
Both sneakers have a proprioceptive feel for the high-top, meaning you feel the Flyknit collar while still retaining the weight and feel of a low-top. This feeling makes you more aware of your ankles, which in turn more aware of landing correctly.
The outsole was designed with a lot of small nodules that mimicked performance race cars, providing the traction needed for guards. The biggest change was in the cushioning set-up. Nike’s signature Zoom Air returned to the Kobe line after a short absence, providing responsiveness in the heel. The forefoot featured Lunarlon that was altered with grooves to mimic barefoot running much like the Nike Free running technology.
You can find the Nike Kobe 10 at StockX, GOAT, Stadium Goods, and Flight Club.
Cover image via Slam Kicks