Nike designer and longtime collaborator Eric Avar worked with Bryant to develop the new Nike Kobe A.D. NXT, Kobe Bryant’s second post-retirement sneaker.
Defined by a new lacing structure, the design was achieved by integrating the lacing with the Flyknit upper. Pulling the laces up and out of the lace lock draws the structure together, creating a fluid system with the drop-in insole (combining Lunarlon with a Zoom Air bag, and siped in the forefoot for flexibility).
In addition, the sneaker’s flyknit upper incorporates a subtle circular pattern that was inspired by a lotus flower and represents rebirth. Other details on the shoe include secret Kobe codes. On the laterial side, the code translates to “unhinge” (defined here as disrupting the normal operation), whereas on the medial side the code relays the thought, “end and begin.”
Overall, the code symbols and lotus flower pattern reaffirm Bryant and Avar’s reawakening of the KOBE line.