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Nike · 2016
Kobe A.D.
No playstyle summary available yet.
3.5
By dimension
Cushioning feel
4.0
Court feel
4.0
Bounce
3.0
Stability
3.0
Traction
4.5
Fit
3.5
Analysis
Performance profile
Performance scores
Cushioning Feel
80 / 100 · Very Good
Court Feel
88 / 100 · Excellent
Bounce
58 / 100 · Solid
Stability
74 / 100 · Good
Traction
88 / 100 · Excellent
Fit
84 / 100 · Very Good
Cushioning Feel
80Very Good
Court Feel
88Excellent
Bounce
58Solid
Stability
74Good
Traction
88Excellent
Fit
84Very Good
Is it for you?
If you like the dialed, glove-like lockdown that feels like an extension of your foot once broken in, and can live with the long, genuinely painful break-in of the stiff upper, then this shoe is for you.
the dialed, glove-like lockdown that feels like an extension of your foot once broken in
the long, genuinely painful break-in of the stiff upper
Forefoot midsole tech
forefoot Zoom Air
Heel midsole tech
heel Lunarlon/foam carrier
Outsole tech
Mamba-style traction; dependable
Upper tech
mesh/textile upper
Cushioning feel
balanced, smooth, lower-profile than many retros
Court feel
very good
Bounce
moderate
Stability
good
Traction
very good
Fit
secure and familiar to Kobe line fans
Pro reviews
Paraphrased highlights from sneaker reviewers — not verbatim quotes.
Bilibili1 / 2
tubob
The Kobe A.D. is a thoughtfully designed high-performance basketball shoe with excellent lockdown and cushioning support, but suffers from longer sizing, average breathability, and limited durability, best suited for players prioritizing stability and support
Excellent lockdown and containment with substantial heel and ankle padding, providing exceptional foot stability
Superior midsole design featuring full-length Cushlon cushioning and forefoot Zoom Air unit, offering outstanding torsional rigidity and stability
Shoe runs long in length, limited breathability with ventilation only at the arch area, minimal airflow in other regions
Narrow tread pattern results in poor durability, losing 4 grams in 30-second abrasion test, not ideal for heavy long-term use
Kobe A.D. is the best basketball shoe after Kobe's signature line, even outperforming some signature models, offering excellent protection, wrapping, cushioning rebound and ankle stability suitable for any position; it remains a groundbreaking work worthy of being referenced even five years later despite rapid evolution in basketball shoe technology
Inherits the excellent neutral system from Kobe 11 with embedded midsole design providing low center of gravity and excellent court feel; more refined forefoot grooves create smoother movement transitions; full-length cushioning and responsive rebound are well-balanced, ideal for guards who love driving
Lace-less dual-layer upper provides exceptional wrapping and protection; adjustable clasp system ensures perfect foot conformity; rear-heel TPU wrapping locks ankles securely; hexagonal stud outsole offers maximum traction; surprising durability with minimal wear after five games; lightweight at around 360g for size 42.5
Full-length Luna Foam cushioning material has poor durability and is gradually being phased out, which is a limitation in long-term performance
Crystal-clear outsole lacks traction on dusty courts, causing slipping issues which is a notable practical drawback
Kobe A.D. delivers balanced performance with excellent traction and cushioning but lacks ventilation and uses budget materials, making it less suitable for those prioritizing breathability
Outstanding traction with strong floor grip and distinctive squeaking noise for court feedback
Comfortable cushioning with Lunarlon midsole and large volume heel Zoom Air unit providing balanced support and responsiveness
Occasional heel slipping issues where the traction pattern transitions from spiral to straight design
Extremely poor ventilation with cheap synthetic materials causing moisture buildup and blister problems
Kobe A.D. delivers balanced performance with excellent traction and cushioning but lacks ventilation and uses budget materials, making it less suitable for those prioritizing breathability
Outstanding traction with strong floor grip and distinctive squeaking noise for court feedback
Comfortable cushioning with Lunarlon midsole and large volume heel Zoom Air unit providing balanced support and responsiveness
Occasional heel slipping issues where the traction pattern transitions from spiral to straight design
Extremely poor ventilation with cheap synthetic materials causing moisture buildup and blister problems
Kobe A.D. released in 2016 as the post-retirement reset of the Kobe series. Nike built it around the name signaled 'after death' or after-dominance interpretations in fan discourse, but product-wise it kept the modern Kobe low-cut identity alive, which says a lot about where the line and the player were at that moment. In community memory, the pair is usually discussed for its continuation role more than a radical new story. That makes it important beyond simple specs: it captures a specific phase of Nike Basketball thinking about cushioning, containment, weight, durability and visual identity. Collectors still bring it up when later models move in a different direction, and performance-minded hoopers still use it as a reference point for how a line can preserve its performance DNA even after the athlete's playing chapter ends.
