The latest colorway in the Kobe 9 Elite series is set to launch on October 18.
The new colorway, dubbed "Brave Blue," will be available at a retail price of $225. Sizes will be available from 7 to 15. Selected Nike retail outlets, Foot Locker, House of Hoops by Foot Locker, Eastbay.com and Nike.com will be releasing the pair at 8:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday. Sneakerheads can start following @footlocker and @nikestore to get updates on the release.
The label reads "Brave Blue/Metallic Silver-Military Blue-Dark Obsidian". The Kobe 9 Elite "Brave Blue" is inspired by a legendary team owner, Dr. Jerry Buss, and his unique appearance while playing poker. According to Footlocker.com, the pair will be the first in the line to release in the fall season. The shoes are a tribute to the late Los Angeles Lakers owner. The colorway was influenced by Dr. Buss's poker jacket. Buss was the owner of the team over 10 championships and was an inductee to the 2010 Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The pair features a full formfitting Flyknit upper which presents a dramatic shade of Brave Blue. The ankle support, heel support and other shoelaces are dark obsidian and the outsole is white, based on a report by Sole Collector. The Swoosh logos are featured in metallic silver, which give the shoes the distinct look that only an Elite release has. The black carbon fiber is also visible along the midsole, which provides solid support while allowing your foot to move naturally. Other colors that buyers can find include the teal lace loops, which provide superior lockdown when cutting or making sudden stops and the red ribbed accents on the heel.
The Kobe 9 Elite "Brave Blue" is a great basketball shoe, featuring great cushioning, traction and support while allowing flexibility to make quick cuts and jump shots. The pair features full length Lunarlon midsole and the best traction among Nike signature lines. The outsole was particularly patterned after Kobe's own foot. The very high support is also the first of its kind among Nike creations and effectively provides great fit along the midfoot and heel.
Players can rely on the carbon fiber heel panels to prevent slippage and make lateral movements efficiently. The hyperfuse and flyknit upper is made to withstand frequent court pounding and ensure that your foot does not shift within the shoe throughout the game.