Zoom Kobe Ⅷ System

The Year of the Snake Build

Nike launched the Zoom Kobe 8 System in December 2012 as the first basketball shoe to use Engineered Mesh, with a 9.6 ounce build that made it the lightest Kobe model at that point. The snakeskin print across the upper pulled from Kobe’s Black Mamba alter ego and the 2013 Chinese Year of the Snake. Eric Avar led the design with Kobe asking for a shoe that felt like an extension of his foot. Full-length Lunarlon midsole, 1mm rubber outsole combining herringbone with snake-scale traction, 3D anatomical heel counter. The “Black/Sulfur Away” colorway was the first to drop on December 20, 2012 at $150.

The retro stays faithful to the original spec. Engineered mesh runs 90% mesh for breathability with no-sew synthetic overlays on the toe and quarter. Standard Kobe 8 fit. Among the legacy Kobe reps in our store. More on the Kobe reps page. Full shoe replicas catalog at the homepage.

This model fits true to size. If you’re between sizes or have wide feet, we recommend going half a size up. Sizing shown as USA = UK = EU — message us if you need help converting.

Every order is inspected and photographed. You receive QC photos to approve before dispatch. Tracked shipping takes 9–16 days worldwide with full tracking and buyer protection included.

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