Nike had previously been prohibiting new shoe releases in the wake of Kobe Bryant's death.
However, it appears the marquee brand just rolled out a new Kobe Bryant signature shoe called the “Mamba Fury” (via Pat Benson of Forbes):
In a time when everyone needs some good news, Laker Nation just received something to cheer them up. Nike quietly released the first new Kobe sneaker since January.
The Mamba Fury is a “takedown” model, essentially a budget-friendly hoop shoe. It has fewer technical investments than more expensive shoes (including other Kobe's).
It appears Nike went for a simpler, more classic look as an homage to Kobe, dismissing any gimmicky facets in favor of straightforward branding (via Benson):
The noticeable difference is a newly designed textile “upper” with a barely visible snakeskin pattern knitted in. The new-look upper will allow Nike to tinker with different colorways and patterns of the new shoe.
Although Nike played it very safe with this model, there are still several key elements you can count on from a Kobe shoe. It's a lightweight, low-cut shoe with a minimal setup that allows for maximum court feel. For a more in-depth review, you can find an excellent video by Weartesters on YouTube.
You can find a closer look at the new sneaker below:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-xUPbwDMZ2/?utm_source=ig_embed
The snakeskin pattern is very evident, as is the “Purple and Gold” style that so perfectly defines how synonymous Kobe is with the Lakers franchise.
Bryant will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this summer, and the commemorations are likely to continue as basketball fans pay tribute to one of the greatest hoopers in the game's history.
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