Review: Nike Kobe IV (4)

Hi ALL!!!! This is my first shoe review and I chose the Zoom Kobe IV (ZKIV) as my subject since this shoe started me in my current hobby. When I first put this on I was like “WOW!”, this shoe felt so light and comfy at the same time that the only shoe I remember having this combination was the Nike Penny 1. At the time I was using Jordan XXII & a Nike Flight shoe for my basketball games but the ZKIV made me become a believer that there was more than the traditional basketball shoes, it made me believe that this was just the beginning of a whole new wave of revolutionary designs Nike was cooking up (see Hyperfuse). Many declared that the ZKIV revolutionized the basketball shoe as we know it even if there were light shoes before like the Nike HyperFlight & Nike Air Zoom “Glove” (Both of which I owned) this shoe still was superior overall than those mentioned.

The combination of Flywire & leather upper gives it a versatile characteristic that appeals to people on the court & off it. Although not all ZKIV are created equal as some models sport a suede, nubuck, 3M and/or a Patent Leather finish to the shoes’ upper. So to start the actual review I will break it down in parts that in the future can expand but for now lets go with Traction, Cushioning, & Fit. To start off:

TRACTION

The ZKIV traction is phenomenal, as you can see in the picture the herringbone pattern goes in different directions that wherever you want to go there will be the right amount of traction to support you along the way.

The traction of the shoe goes all the way to the edges of the sole which is good for cuts if you’re a guard & quick post moves if you’re a power player. In the front the traction is flat since most wing positions normally use the inside or middle part of your foot when playing. As for the back the traction rolls a little to the back of the heel for those times when you make you quick step move which should help you explode quickly when running or driving to the basket.

CUSHIONING

The ZKIV cushioning is excellent as the frontal portion is lunar foam which is great for keeping your feet from hurting while jumping around but does not last you very long unlike Phylon. While the heel of the shoe sports a Zoom bag which is a great technology for wing players like myself as compared to the Air bag which is more suited to heavier or power players.

The Outsole of the shoe has a Carbon Fiber plate that help protect your foot when you run around (See pic above). This is because the longer your foot is used the more the bottom part flattens and the carbon fiber helps with that to prevent any foot injuries. The insole has enough padding so your feet can stay comfy inside for a long while plus its got many different designs to match the outside of the shoe.

FIT

The ZKIV is a low to mid cut shoe depending on the type of foot you have & how you deal with sizing. For me it’s a low cut but I have come across a few people who think it’s not, just to appease them lets call it a “loid”. But seriously, I for one don’t care with the saying that low cuts cause sprains is a MYTH and what really causes sprains is the incorrect shoe sizes people get, the outrigger of the forefoot, and not tying your laces all the way up.

The collar of the upper is fairly well padded and is soft enough not to cut your ankles even when wearing short socks. The Flywire & whatever material that is with it (It varies per Colorway Version) is nice enough to form to your feet after breaking it in a couple of times so eventually it will feel like your ZBIV & your feet are one. The tongue is well padded just in case someone kicks you in that part. The Heel Cap/Guard is good enough so that your heel won’t be moving around inside and might cause an injury or a missed opportunity. That is why it is important to get the right size so you can loose your opponent in your dust.

The shoe though runs small for most initially as the shoe has yet to form to your foot, but I would suggest you get your normal size and bear the tightness for a while.

CONCLUSION

The ZKIV is one of the best if not the best performing shoe overall, let me make it clear OVERALL as this shoe doesn’t have too many drawbacks except for the Lunar Foam. Unlike the Kobe V which in the long run can cause Shin Splints to some & lack of traction which is in some Jordan Brand Retros (Some actually play ball in them) plus many more shortcomings by other models which can cause minor to major injuries over a certain period of time.

The ZKIV has traction, lightweight, balance, style (matter of opinion of course), comfort, & support in its corner that its hard to argue that it can be better than most current & future releases. Some players in the Pros have stuck with the ZKIV even after the ZKV came out, even if the ZKV is hailed by most as the best BBall shoe at the moment. Either way you look at it, the IV or the V whichever you choose you will be the winner in the end. Next: NIKE ZOOM KOBE V (5)

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