Revisit Kobe Bryant’s Signature Adidas Sneaker: The Kobe
As an 17-year-old NBA rookie with the brightest of futures, Kobe Bryant landed a major signature shoe deal with Adidas. Kobe’s 2000 sneaker, the Adidas Kobe, featured a sleek, futuristic design not seen on any other sneaker, and its silhouette is etched into sneaker culture history.
Swipe forward to experience Adidas’ The Kobe, designed in part by the late Kobe Bryant.
Before The Kobe, Bryant actually had 3 signature shoe models — The KB8, KB8 II and KB8 III. In any highlights before the 2000 season, you’re likely to see Bryant playing in one of his signature shoes, or other models like the Top Ten 2000, Top Ten 2010 and EQT Elevation.
After three years of tearing through the NBA, Adidas and Kobe paired up for a monster signature shoe and apparel campaign focused on the new Adidas Kobe. The bold new design was inspired by the Audi TT Roadster and full of Adidas’s latest footwear tech.
The Adidas Kobe released with a line of merch, which included this Kobe action figure.
The Adidas Kobe was a very polarizing shoe — players and fans either loved the retro-futuristic look or absolutely hated it. After Kobe, Shaq and the Los Angeles Lakers brought home their first NBA championship together, the sneaker became part of history.
Adidas Kobe "Playoffs"
Long after buying himself out of his Adidas deal and signing with Nike, Adidas rebranded the iconic sneaker and released it as the Crazy 1. The white and black model’s release in 2014 kicked off a wave of releases in never-before-seen colorways of the sneaker.
Adidas Crazy 1 Florist City Collection
Worn by Damian Lillard
Adidas Crazy 1 Florist City Collection
Worn by John Wall
Star Wars x Adidas Crazy 1 "Darth Vader"
Adidas Kobe Gilbert Arenas PE
For most Kobe fans, sneakers from his Nike signature line are most closely linked to his success. However, the Adidas’ Kobe wore on the court have maintained popularity almost 30 years later through various re-releases. Whether you were a bigger fan of the younger, high-flying Kobe wearing #8 or the wiser, more intense Kobe wearing #24, everyone can appreciate the mark he left on the NBA, its players and most of all, its fans.
