Nike Kobe AD
Released 11/2016, Low Top, Kobe Bryant,
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Performance Ratings
7.8
EXPERT RATING
6 reviews
8.9
USER RATING
4 ratings
Performance Summary
Kobe Bryants first signature sneaker after retirement
Pros
Nice aesthetics
Good traction
Cons
Very painful break-in period
Fake visible Nike Zoom
Best Suitable For: Best for guards who prefer firm cushioning setups
Category Performance Ratings
8.0
Traction
Multidirectional pattern with soft translucent rubber. Very sticky on clean courts but dust-sensitive and can be inconsistent.
6.8
Cushion
Lunarlon forefoot with caged Zoom heel. Feels firm and somewhat unresponsive, needs long break-in and gives mixed impact protection.
7.2
Materials
Ballistic mesh upper with synthetic overlays. Lightweight and supportive but very stiff out of box, slow to break in and not very breathable.
7.5
Support
Flywire and large heel counter with a tiny outrigger. Excellent lockdown and heel stability with occasional outrigger roll.
8.5
Fit
Runs true to size but narrow. Snug, glove-like lockdown after break-in; initial hotspots and tightness possible.
0%
Outdoor
Soft rubber outsole limits outdoor durability. Not recommended for regular outdoor play.
small
large
Sizing
Generally true to size for most players. Narrow footers may prefer a half size down; wide footers should try half size up.
narrow
wide
Width
Runs narrow and suits narrow to regular feet best. Wide footers may feel constricted and should size up.
Comparison to Similar Shoes:
 Nike Kobe AD |  Under Armour Curry 9 |  Li-Ning Way of Wade All City 13 Encore |  New Balance TWO WXY V3 |  Adidas D.O.N. Issue 7 |  ANTA Kai 2 | Add shoe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert Rating | 7.8 | 8.9(1.1) | 8.9(1.1) | 8.7(0.9) | 8.7(0.9) | 8.5(0.7) | |
| User Rating | 8.9 | 9.2(0.3) | NA | 8.9(0.0) | NA | 8.9(0.0) | |
| Best Price | $159.99 | $160 | $149 | $119.99 | $79.99 $120 | $99.99 $140 | |
| Type of Cut | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | |
| Weight | 340g - 350g | 320g - 330g | NA | 350g - 360g | 400g - 400g | NA |
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Expert Reviews of the Nike Kobe AD:
Expert Rating: 7.8 (ranks #343 of 385)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
2
8 - Good
2
7 - Average
2
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
January 1, 2017
I love everything about the Kobe AD except the painful break-in period. The overall aesthetics are great, the cushion is on point, the lockdown is there. The shoe is lightweight but still supportive and sturdy.
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8.6
January 1, 2017
Very good looking shoes for guards. I enjoy it, I really like the shoe. Unfortunately rather long break-in period.
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7.8
January 1, 2017
I enjoyed playing in the Kobe AD a lot even though it wasn’t perfect. Great traction and excellent fit with firmer than normal Kobe line cushioning that needs break in but feels decent after. When you see the price of $160, you’ll expect more since other comparative shoes out there under that price point are offering nicer materials than the mesh on the Kobe AD.
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7.6
December 27, 2017
For $160 there are much better options out there. Great lockdown, but painful break-in period, cheap materials and lacking cushioning.
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7.0
January 1, 2017
Utter disappointment. Was I duped? $160 spent and wasted. Those are my feelings when thinking about the Nike Kobe A.D. If you enjoy your pair then I am genuinely happy for you as that would mean you enjoy your purchase and don’t share the same sentiment that I do. Every once in a while a brand puts out a dud. This was a giant one.
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6.6
January 1, 2017
To put it bluntly, the Kobe A.D. has no innovation, no ambition, and nothing worthy enough to be associated with the five-time world champion, 18-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA, future Hall of Famer, Kobe Bryant. The visual appeal of Kobe’s first post-retirement sneaker is off the charts but this is a performance review, and in that regard, the Kobe A.D. is more than just a disappointment.
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User Reviews of the Nike Kobe AD:
User Rating: 8.9 (ranks #121 of 385)
10 - Amazing
2
9 - Great
0
8 - Good
1
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
10.0
December 13, 2022
User didn't add a summary.
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7.2
August 4, 2025
User didn't add a summary.
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Traction of the Nike Kobe AD:
Expert Traction Rating: 8.0 (ranks #312 of 385)
User Traction Rating: 9.5 (ranks #46 of 385)
10 - Amazing
2
9 - Great
4
8 - Good
2
7 - Average
2
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
January 1, 2017
The traction of the Kobe AD is really, really good, especially on clean courts. Some wiping may be needed on dustier courts, but is still really solid.
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9.0
January 1, 2017
Soft rubber offers good traction even on dusty courts. Not the best but pretty damn good!
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8.0
January 1, 2017
These are not quite top tier traction due to the flat parts of the outsole but they are great overall
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8.0
December 27, 2017
The traction pattern on the front of the shoe works well on clean and dusty courts, but the traction on the heel has problems on dusty courts.
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7.0
January 1, 2017
...when it was good it was awesome. When it wasn’t…well, it wasn’t. If you want consistency within the traction then solid rubber should be a much better option [than translucent rubber].
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7.0
January 1, 2017
The overall performance of the outsole was pretty solid but the rubber compound that is used here is an absolute dust magnet and will require frequent wiping on floors where the conditions are less than ideal.
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Cushion of the Nike Kobe AD:
Expert Cushion Rating: 6.8 (ranks #379 of 385)
User Cushion Rating: 9.5 (ranks #36 of 385)
10 - Amazing
2
9 - Great
3
8 - Good
1
7 - Average
2
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
2
9.0
January 1, 2017
Lunarlon in the front is very flexible, in the back Nike zoom provides "GOAT cushioning". This cushioning setup is just awesome.
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8.0
January 1, 2017
Heel Zoom unit is caged and barely noticable. Lunarlon did a good job with impact protection.
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7.0
January 1, 2017
If you thought the cushioning of the Kobe X was too stiff, you’ll hate these. Overall, the cushioning isn’t the greatest in terms of pure comfort but it is a good blend of impact protection and responsiveness.
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7.0
December 27, 2017
Impact protection isn't really there and you can barely feel the Zoom unit.
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5.0
January 1, 2017
The setup is very lackluster and required more break-in time than one expects to put up with nowadays. Pain at the arch of the foot, unresponsive Zoom, and Lunlarlon that has similar properties to Phylon. Not a good look.
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5.0
January 1, 2017
To sum things up; no impact protection, mediocre court feel, and a long break-in period. Yes, it’s as bad as it sounds.
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Materials of the Nike Kobe AD:
Expert Materials Rating: 7.2 (ranks #372 of 385)
User Materials Rating: 8.3 (ranks #200 of 385)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
1
8 - Good
2
7 - Average
5
6 - Subpar
1
5 - Poor
0
7.0
January 1, 2017
The materials of the shoe are really stiff in the beginning, especially the huge tongue. After a significant break-in period it feels good. Not very breathable.
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8.0
January 1, 2017
Very uncomfortable in the beginning, needs a few days of breaking in.
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7.0
January 1, 2017
The mesh on the AD looks and feels cheap and starts off stiff but broke in within a few hours which is more than acceptable.
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7.0
December 27, 2017
Really stiff mesh that takes an eternity to break in. Comfort is not bad, but breathability is a huge problem.
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7.0
January 1, 2017
[Materials] are great for those that require more support and want to keep things as light as possible. However, the materials also require more break-in time than one would expect today. My pair still hasn’t broken-in and I’ve been trying to get them used to my foot for about a month now.
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7.0
January 1, 2017
Materials: Straight out of the box, the ballistic mesh-like upper feels extremely stiff, but after a standard break-in period the materials end up being slightly above average.
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Support of the Nike Kobe AD:
Expert Support Rating: 7.5 (ranks #358 of 385)
User Support Rating: 8.8 (ranks #144 of 385)
10 - Amazing
2
9 - Great
3
8 - Good
1
7 - Average
2
6 - Subpar
1
5 - Poor
1
8.0
January 1, 2017
Flywire and heel counter do a great job keeping you foot in place.
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9.0
January 1, 2017
Lockdown and support was really good.
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7.0
January 1, 2017
I didn’t worry about turning my ankle in these because overall they felt stable. Can’t say I enjoyed the rolling outrigger but it didn’t ruin my day or my game since it doesn’t occur constantly.
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9.0
December 27, 2017
Support is excellent thanks to the huge heel counter. There is no heel slippage or side-to-side movement.
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7.0
January 1, 2017
There is a tiny outrigger in place, and it gets in the way (somehow) more often than not. However, the heel containment and support is excellent.
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5.0
January 1, 2017
If you get a pair, support is just fine and will provide the necessary features that you need to feel secure on-court, but you are taking a huge risk counting on the durability of the Kobe A.D.
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Fit of the Nike Kobe AD:
Expert Fit Rating: 8.5 (ranks #116 of 385)
User Fit Rating: 8.3 (ranks #250 of 385)
10 - Amazing
3
9 - Great
3
8 - Good
0
7 - Average
3
6 - Subpar
1
5 - Poor
0
7.0
January 1, 2017
Hurt badly in the beginning but after they break in they fit pretty well and feel good.
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9.0
January 1, 2017
Fit was good, very little dead space in the toe box.
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10.0
January 1, 2017
Side to side movement was non existent and there is virtually no deadspace on top of the forefoot either. The AD fit makes the shoe feel like an extension of your foot especially after break in.
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7.0
December 27, 2017
I went up half a size but my feet are still hanging over the side of the shoe.
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9.0
January 1, 2017
Containment and support from the fit are well balanced. The heel is the best aspect since the forefoot — even though it fits and contains — caused a ton of pain due to the materials used.
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9.0
January 1, 2017
When you first step into the Kobe A.D. you might feel like they’re too tight but after the materials break-in the overall fit is pretty fantastic.
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Durability of the Nike Kobe AD:
User Durability Rating: 9.3 (ranks #41 of 385)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
2
8 - Good
0
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
Outdoor of the Nike Kobe AD:
Expert Outdoor Rating: 0.0 (ranks #376 of 385)
User Outdoor Rating: 50.0 (ranks #233 of 385)
Good (100%)
2
Fair (50%)
0
Bad (0%)
3
no
January 1, 2017
The rubber is soft, therefore, outdoor use is not recommended.
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Width of the Nike Kobe AD:
very narrow
2
slightly narrow
2
regular
2
slightly wide
0
very wide
1
very narrow
January 1, 2017
So f-ing narrow!
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very narrow
December 27, 2017
These run narrow as hell.
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slightly narrow
January 1, 2017
Wide footers might want to go up 1/2 size, but trying them on is always the best way to measure what may or may not work for you.
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Size of the Nike Kobe AD:
very small
0
slightly small
0
true to size
6
slightly long
2
very long
1
true to size
January 1, 2017
Kind of snug in the beginning but fits true to size
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½ size large
January 1, 2017
Felt almost a little long, but very narrow. If you have narrow feet go a half size down, otherwise go true to size.
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true to size
January 1, 2017
Nike is very consistent with their fit and the Kobe AD is no different as it runs true to size.
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true to size
January 1, 2017
The Kobe A.D. fits true to size and this is the one aspect of the shoe that is pretty solid.
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true to size
January 1, 2017
Over the years the Kobe signature line has been pretty consistent with fit. If you got the Kobe 6 in a 10.5, you most likely got the same size in the Kobe 7, 8, 9, etc.
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