Nike Kobe 9 KRM EXT Release Date & Price - Where To Buy?

The new Nike Kobe 9 KRM EXT "Challenge Red" is set to launch on December 19.

Kicks on Fire reported that the high-top basketball sneakers will feature the exciting bright red colorway beginning Friday, at a retail price of $275.

The sneaker was inspired by the venomous Red Viper. The outsole, midsole, and inner lining are all black and there are a couple of shiny chrome panels on the midsole too. The upper of the shoe is all red, featuring a scaly pattern on the front area of the shoe, made of compression molded TPU triangles, and bigger snakeskin pattern made of Premium Challenge Red leather on the rear part up to the ankle collar. Even the insoles feature a black scale-like pattern. The shoelaces, Flywire, stitching and tongue are all red too. The tips of the shoelaces are black. Kobe's logo in chrome appears on the leather tongue. There is another Kobe logo on the heel of the shoe in black as well as a red one on the outsole.

Nike.com reported that the Nike Kobe 9 KRM EXT is an imaginative and innovative version of Kobe's signature shoe, providing it with a lifestyle feel. The shoe was inspired by the attitude and beauty of the Red Viper, which explains the snake-like appearance of the whole shoe. The shoes are good on and off the court and matches the Christmas season because of its bright red colorway. A lot of sneaker collectors shared their enthusiasm over the all-red upper shoe, making it an ideal pick for casual wear. According to Sneaker News, the shoe was comparable to the popular Air Yeezy 2 "Red October".

Staying true to Kobe's tag as the Black Mamba, many of his signature shoes are inspired by various types of snakes, representing his aggression, speed and agility on the court. The outsole of the Kobe 9 KRM EXT was designed via pressure mapping to follow the natural contours of the foot and gives great traction. The Flywire technology and heel counter adds stability while the Lunarlon sole provides great cushioning. The high-top design made the Kobe 9 one of the most controversial shoes in Nike's history, but generally offers great support with style to boot.

Only one pair per customer will be released at Nike.com. The Nike Kobe 9 KRM EXT Challenge Red will also be available in selected Nike retail stores and Kixify.