Kobe had his jerseys retired last night so I thought oday would be a good day to post my review of the Kobe AD Mid. I remember watching him as a rookie thinking “This is one cocky mf, he better be good”. I guess he turned out okay.
I’ll admit it, Kobe has never been my favorite player but his shoes have been tops in my rotation since the 2K5 and the Kobe I, and continue to be despite being almost twelve years old. Here are links to my reviews of the 2K4 through Kobe V. I’m trying to go in order so I’ll finish the rest eventually. Same with Lebrons.
2K4 vs 2K5, Kobe I, Kobe II, Kobe III, Kobe IV, Kobe V
The Kobe ADM continues on with the Mamba lineage and does an excellent job on court despite a few minor annoyances. It also threw a wrench in my end of the year rankings and awards.
Pros: traction, cushioning, fit, stability, containment
Cons: sits higher than previous models, white upper gets dirty ultra fast, upper needs some break in and starts stiffish, no ventilation
Sizing: true to size, wide footers can try half a size up but not necessary
Best for: guards but I think bigs might like these
Buying advice: wait, these are generic looking and are just sitting. $100 is fair but I think they will go as low as $65-50
Weight
13.5 ounces which is about average for a low. Oh wait this is called a mid. If you say so Nike
Traction
I’m rarely let down by a Kobe traction set up and these are great but still not as good managing dust as the Kobe IV or IX. Per usual I put these to the test against the IV and the IV chugged along with no problems while the AD Mid needed very occasional wiping on dusty floors. I think it’s main weakness is how tightly spaced and how flat the grooves are so dust can just sit but the rubber is soft enough so the grooves brush most of the dust away.
The pattern is very tightly spaced like the Dame 2 but I give the ADM the nod because it seems to require a lot less wiping and still hold its grip for longer.
Don’t get me wrong traction is still excellent and just outside the elite group. If you don’t have the Kobe IV, the ADM will easily suffice.
Cushioning
The Lunarlon in the ADM feels great from heel toe with a nice Zoom bag in the heel. I had no issues with last year’s AD but these feel a little softer and springier when moving walking yet feel just as firm when actually playing. If you tried the NXT, you have a good idea of how these feel but just imagine a strobel muting the cushioning a little more.
Compared to the Kobe IV and most Kobes in general, these sit a little higher tby 3-5 mm and measure approximately 25 mm at the forefoot. average, most shoes play around the same range so it isn’t really noticeable unless you’re used to playing in lower to the ground shoes. This set up is a nice balance of court feel, impact protection and bounce that I think everyone will enjoy. Under Armour, are you listening?
Nice job overall Nike!
The Cut
I just had to throw this in. Check out the “Mid” compared to the Kobe IV and AJ XXXI. Are these really a mid ? I’m going to call them a high low.
The Aj XXXI low is called a low despite being a little higher than the Kobe ADM. Hey Nike, you of all companies know that lows are more popular than mids so why the misnomer? This just comes to show you that you shouldn’t pay attention to labels and marketing. I have full range of motion with the ADM so if you’re worried about the shoe restricting your movements, don’t worry because it’s just a label.
Fit
True to size simple as that. Wide footers can go up half a size but expect some extra length.
Initially, I thought I needed half a size up and I ordered an 11.5 but there was too much space in the toe box because ..well, they fit like a 11.5. Even half a size up, the fit was still good with no heel slip or movement side to side but there was just more space than I wanted. After dropping back down true to size the fit got even better.
The one issue I had with the fit was the top eyelet. Even though I was locked in, I just felt like it was a little lower and further forward than normal.
Putting the top eyelet this far forward made it slightly more difficult to get the proper lockdown. I had some heel slip until I was able to get the slight nuances correct and get locked in. I’d still like it moved back though.
Another thing I need to note is how thin the tongue is especially compared to the IV.
It doesnt have Curry 4 cut inducing lace pressure (I still have scars) but there is some pressure at the top eyelet. A thicker tongue would have made the shoe feel more comfortable, more premium and would have made the fit even better.
Overall though, I had no movement side to side and no heel slip from the get go. Some of the best fitting shoes I’ve ever worn are not one size fits one but are able accommodate different feet and sizes just like these ADM’s. I probably could have gone a full size up and been just fine. Adidas and UA, are you listening ?
Materials
If you’re into materials you’ll probably be disappointed with this part. The materials Nike chose just look and feel unfinished. Faux suede is what they are trying to achieve but it feels and looks like a white chalk board eraser died to make the upper. And boy does it pick up dirt like one too.
The materials do take a few hours of break in to warm up and soften but there aren’t hot spots that pinch or flex painfully so just play on and you’ll be fine. You do have a little dead space in the toe box when you lace them tightly but it doesn’t affect anything.
Ventilation
Good thing these are lows so at least air can escape around your ankles. Nothing beats wearing a suede jacket on a hot summer day so the same goes for my feet and the ADM. Not a big deal to me but they do get warmer than most.
Support and Stability
I need to paint the heel counter, needs more yellow for contrast
This is a low mislabeled as a mid so the support comes from the fit and the large, fairly firm heel counter.
There is also a carbon fiber shank for midfoot support.
Aside from the Kobe name, his is probably how Nike justifies the $150 retail price. If the shank were plastic the shoe would cost $125.
Stability is excellent with a flat outsole and large outrigger.
Nike moved and enlarged the forefoot outrigger back to its normal position. You can see how much wider it is than my beloved Kobe IV.
Overall support and stability are great. Fairly low ride and the appropriate amount of support without being overbearing make me happy.
Containment
Despite only using this thick rand, containment was very good on the ADM. Obviously the stiffer synthetic upper plays a large part in containing the foot as well since it doesn’t stretch like knit or woven uppers. Stretching fabric is good when you’re getting fat after eating turkey, not when you’re trying to change directions. Cheap feeling materials do serve a purpose!
Which Kobe AD is for you?
Pick an AD, any AD. Here is a summary of my experiences with the Kobe AD’s.
Kobe AD: I had no issues with the material or the cushioning but the placement of the small forefoot outrigger was a small issue. Cushioning is a little firmer than the other two but still have enough bounce and feedback to make them fun. Traction was great.
Kobe AD NXT: I liked this set up even more than the AD since the outrigger was placed correctly and it was super stable. I’m not a big fan of drop in insoles but the NXT did a good job raising the insole sidewalls so no pinching. Midfoot support was not as poor as the Mamba Instinct but I’m still not a drop in insole.
Kobe AD “Mid”:
No issues at all with the ADM. Great midfoot support, no drop in insole, and great traction. It’s just a nice, balanced lightweight shoe that does everything well. Sounds right up my alley.
Conclusion
I’ve said this time and time again:
Materials do not make the shoe.. well literally they do but performance wise it makes very little difference as to how a shoe performs on court. I’d say most people are in agreement that the Kobe IV is the GOAT low top despite crispy leather and thick first generation fuse as an upper. Given all the so called “advancements” in materials, you think something would have surpassed a shoe nearly ten years old. Nike got everything right except the Lunar Foam on the Kobe IV and even that doesn’t keep my from wearing the IV. #thingsthatmakeyougohmmm
Once Kobe retired, I expected the Kobe line to take a step back (jumper?) like the Jordan line. However, aside from its use of cheapish materials and a more generic look, the Kobe line really hasn’t fallen off. I do feel like the Kobe AD line feels cheaper in hand but still performs great on court. The ADM reminds me a lot of the Kobe IV and could almost pass for it if I closed my eyes which is very good thing.
Despite a few ticky tack issues, I think the Kobe AD Mid is an excellent all around performer on court especially now that they are getting more heavily discounted. Not surprisingly, it’s one of my top five for the year due to its great all around performance. Like the Aj XXXI Low solid outsole, the ADM is a worthy replacement for my Kobe IV when my supply runs out.
If you’re looking to get a pair of the ADM, just wait since the Kobe 360 is around the corner and the ADM is just sitting. Eastbay has already cut prices so $100 or less is fair but I expect them to bottom out around $50-65. In the meantime I have to rejigger my 2017 awards list.
schwollo.com 
To be fair I think you can punch several holes on the tongues and heck toebox to improve the ventilation.
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Haha not that big a deal for me
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Hey there,
These are my all time favorite shoes to play in but now they are getting hard to find. What shoes would you say are similar to these in the way that they’re flat, relatively wide and that sweet spot of cushioning (not Lebrons but also not Kyrie 1 level)?
Thanks!
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Look on eBay goat stock x . You’ll find some . Plenty on eBay.
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Would you rank these as Nike’s best performance shoe of 2017?
BTW, great review. I was surprised how quickly my concerns after the materials went away after these broke in. The spot on top of my foot where you could feel the lace pressure was killing me at first! So glad I stuck with them
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I have hd17 and these at 1 and 2. Traction is great in both and I like both cushioning set ups . Kyrie 4 has its work cut out for it lol
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On the topic of the Kryie 4 – are you reviewing? Looks like the first Kyrie that has some cushion and also can crack into you top 2017 list, lol
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I got my pair yesterday so it will count for 2017 lol
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Thanks! I still want to try the HD 17 and the Explosive Bounce…and that should just about wrap up my shoe testing for the year lol.
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Haha guess what ..that’s 3/5 of my top 5 lol
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Hows cushion of kyrie on first impression?
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Played in them today and it’s definitely softer than 1-3 but nothing special. Traction was good on clean floor haven’t tried bad floors yet.
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Hi
your article can make me easy understood and I can made decision to buy many kicks.
Appreciated for your great review from THAILAND!!
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Thank you!
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which 3 shoes from the nike kobe line are best for quick players?
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Pretty much any aside from the 7 due to heel slip. 4-6 8-9 are the usual suspects
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even the 5s? with its horrible traction?
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I meant generally speaking. I didn’t rank them based on my experiences just general use for a quick guard
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oh, my bad lol
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The engineered mesh 11’s would be great for quick players. Solid rubber bottoms are a must, traction wise. The draft days and lower merion color ways are the best IMO. The rest of them have slightly different materials on the upper that are just a little stiffer. The draft days are still my go to’s. So light and minimal, fit me well, and very good traction.
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I agree, solid outsole of the Kobe XI is great.
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How is the traction compared to the kobe XI solid outsole?
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Very close maybe a slight edge to the XI solid but barely if at all
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The Kobe sig has always been a cop for me. All time favourites are the IV, V and IX elites. Just like you, I was never a big fan of Kobe, although I always have to tune in if he’s playing in a great game. However, I haven’t seen a need to go after the AD lines, until this one. The look reminds me of the IV although I wish they would go with a different material. I would love to see some synthetic leather, as a tribute to the IVs, but that’s just me. The previous release had the AD and NXT with some nice options. Hopefully Nike will give us that with the Mids, or maybe something nicer on the next release. Can’t wait for your review of the Kyrie 4 ! Merry Christmas from across the pond!!
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Thanks Fariz merry Christmas to you too!
The IV is just great even vs today’s shoes. The 360 sounds ok but we will see. Kyrie IV has been ok nothing bad about it nothing outstanding either. Cushioning is softer but still just ok
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First I’ve heard of the ‘360’! Most probably a line that will debut in the next NBA season as the mids look like they are sitting. I’d rather they do a proper retro for the line in the coming years. I would love to stock up on IVs and Vs since I didn’t in the past. Plus, they look good as off court shoes too!
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I read January 2018 lol. Mids are sitting and are finally on sale on Nike.com too !
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Do you have any info on 360?
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No I just saw a blurb about it .
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Great review. I’m going to pick these up just waiting on a great deal. I know you enjoyed the NXT version I was wondering did you ever try the Lebron 11 insole in these since it’s practically the same setup it’s just that the Lebron insole has zoom full length?
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I haven’t tried but that’s bc my Lebron Xi s are in storage lol
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Would you pick the ADM over th AJxxxi low? What do you think about the Kyrie 4 so far? I’m liking my pair.
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Also, do you prefer the ADM over the Kyrie 4 so far?
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And if you didn’t figure out off last reply I like the ADM more than the Kyrie so far. Lol
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Really close btwn the adm and xxxi low. I think traction is better w adm but cushioning is better w xxxi. Haven’t had enough time in Kyrie but i find it solid so far in every aspect not great but kind of what I expected too (heel zoom is nice though ! ) traction has been good too.
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Another nice review Schwollo.
Good to read that the Kobe line is still putting out solid shoes even though Mamba has retired. My only issue with the line is that almost every shoe since the IV has looked similar (except for a few exceptions – Kobe IX High, NXT’s, etc).
I guess there’s only so much you can do with the look of a low top (at least most of them perform well – except the 7 – I hated that shoe), but sometimes I feel that the line is a bit uninspired. This is probably why I haven’t rushed to get a Kobe signature shoe in a while. Some may disagree because some of the designs are a little out there, but I loved the look of the earlier Kobe’s (I-III)..This is probably why I really like the look of the Kobe AD NXT.
As always, thanks for the review and keep up the great work.
Happy Holidays Everyone
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Yep I love looking at my Kobe’s 1-6 .as ugly as the 3 was to many it’s still a fav of mine to look at.
Thanks Don have a happy new year!
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How would you rank the traction of all recent kobe’s if you don’t mind? From my research, I was thinking this(all solid outsoles):
9>11>AD>AD mid>10
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Yea that’s about right. 11-ad mid are all very similar and none are bad at all
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quick qn… ADM or AD nxt?
the AD were a total no go for me, stiff as fuck all round.
I’m thinking nxt, but I could be wrong.
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Nxt is a natural extension of the XI so you’d probably
Like them. Read my 2017 review as to why I personally put it below the AD Mid
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thanks for the all the work you put into these reviews. any ideas on eliminating heel slippage with these ADM? bought these to compliment my dame 4 (loved the 2 and 3 as well) and i just can’t seem to get locked in without an uncomfortable amount of lace pressure. coincidentally my last pair of kobes was the much hated 7 which also had a heel issue for me. the kobe 3 was a great one but i wore those down hard. thanks again!
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I loved the Kobe iii except for the traction. I had a little heel slip to start but you just have to mess around with the top eyelets to get it locked in. Try working them with your hands to soften it up. Also make sure your heel and ankle are back all the way when You lace them up that helped me out. Let me know if that works out !
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Hey Schwollo just a question. Is the thin tongue a deal breaker for you? Want to make an ID but really worries on just two things the tongue and how the shoe is not well ventilated
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No neither is a deal breaker. I’d wait for an ID sale though which is what I’m waiting on too hahah
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My brother allowed me to use one of his Kobe AD mids (he has 3 hahaha) during one of our leagues when my Dame 2 finally gave up during the game. I was adequately surprised with how well the traction worked. The cushioning was also surprising because it was almost as comfortable as my lebron 14s. I felt that the upper is cheap and really prone to dirt, but I was wondering what you thought of both the upper in particular and how well it performed overall. Do you like them or do you not like them?
Thanks as always for being attentive to your followers Schwollo!
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Did you read my review ? 😂
I think the mid is great one of 2017’s best. Upper might feel cheap and is prone to dirt but doesn’t really affect anything after it breaks in. Everything you said is what I said haha except maybe the Lebron xiv part
Nobody really gave the Kobe mid love for some reason except me.
Also popping up at outlets for 50-60 bucks.
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I know! I was so afraid that it would’ve been similar to the ADs (which really sucked for me), but it was actually nice. It’s very hot to play in though. How’d you get past that?
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I grew up playing junior tennis in Texas heat for 5 hours daily so it isn’t a big deal. One thing I learned from overheating feet on the tennis court is to take the shoes off periodically to release the heat.
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Hi Schwollo, long time no see! I’m almost retired from the shoe game and the thought of buying this shoe hadn’t cross my mind at all but now that the future of my beloved Spurs are in the hands of one Demar DeRozan I fell into the hype/trap of (at least) checking it out. And now I want to get a new shoe just for the sake of it. For a over-reliant on speed (although aging) guard like me, with fit and traction being the main factors, which one do you feel its the best suited for me: AJ32 Low, Why Not 0.1 or Kobe AD Mid? Thanks and keep up being the best reviewer alive!
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No need to butter me up Dante! Why not and ADM will win hands down on traction . Fit is very good with both and I’d give the why not a slight edge. However the cushioning feels better in the ADM while the why not is muted (not sure how that factors in). Adm is also less restrictive feeling due to the cut and less bulky heel counter. Personally I like the adm more and they are on clearance here for 55 bucks or so. Why nots aren’t far behind I’m sure I’m sure . Hope that helps !
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No buttering up at all my man, just facts LOL! Might have to go with the ADM indeed since here in Brazil they are on the cheap as well. On the DeRozan side, I still have the complete FTB Pack but I haven’t talk myself into playing in any of them…
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Haha which Kobe ftb did you get ?
ADM very underrated by most everyone bc of materials but after short break in they play great.
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I have the complete set, all 13 of them. And all of them are still in DS form. So wearing even one of them kinda opens up pandora’s box, so I’m on the fence about it. Granted, it’s still a bunch o plastic and rubber and we shouldn’t be so attached to this kind of material (and quite frankly stupid) stuff. Yet, easier said than done…
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Lol it’s tough to unDS shoes you love to look at. I’d say 80-90% of shoes are still DS. Basically you depreciated your shoes value by 50% once you wear them (depending on the shoe of course )
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