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3. Nike Zoom Kobe II
The Good: With Nike’s Free principles setting the foundation for the shoe’s outsole configuration, the Kobe II sat lower to the ground and offered up more court feel than any shoe before it. Combined with two full-volume Zoom Air units in both the heel and the forefoot, the cushioning was substantially responsive. The upper, while weighty by today’s standards, featured a series of support overlays and a lockdown strap, all contained over the shoe’s footbucket construction, meaning you were locked in all game long.
The Bad: For some people, the heel counter was just a tad too firm, and rubbed against the wearer’s Achilles tendon. This forced some to wear a thicker sock than preferred to reduce any irritation. Of course, the shoe is also slightly heavy as it aged, as they were constructed with a multi-overlay thick leather upper throughout.
