Nike Kobe 8 Protro "Venice Beach"

"My body type: 5'10'', 165 lbs, I play more as a 1 or 2 guard. I have a normal foot shape and arch. I wear thin basketball socks and bought the shoes based on the insole length, which turned out to be a perfect fit. Appearance: Who can resist a signature shoe of your favorite player? The retro version of the original colorway looks a bit flashy, but I personally like this color scheme. The thin tongue is a great touch. The carbon plate in the sole provides good torsional rigidity. ✅ Performance: The fit after breaking in is really comfortable. The thin tongue doesn't create too much pressure. The pull-out foam insole is a bit thick, but for my normal weight, the cushioning is sufficient. The material of the upper is durable and breathable, without any cheap feel. The clear sole doesn't slip on rubber courts, though it's slightly less durable than previous colorways. There's no curling issue, but lateral support could be slightly better for big movements. The heel has a reinforced, harder TPU piece for improved protection. ❌ The only issue is the same as the original version: the drop between the front and back is quite significant. In summary: I recommend this shoe for non-cement courts. The retro Kobe 8 is quite durable, and the cushioning should be enough for medium to high body weights. The shoe last is really comfortable. If you like this colorway as much as I do, I'd recommend this retro Venice colorway of the Kobe 8."

"Super low to the ground, with a very low center of gravity, and the React insole is really bouncy—I love it! It's not as good as the original, but I'm buying it for nostalgia. When I first put these shoes on, my initial reaction was how light they felt. The cushioning is decent. Yes, they're closer to the ground, but the impact protection is enough to keep my knees from taking a hit. Since I have wide feet, I went half a size up. At first, it felt a bit loose on the sides, but after breaking them in, the fit is great. What's amazing is that now, the traction is one of the best I've ever experienced. It's like when I first tried the WOW 10. I feel very comfortable making more aggressive lateral movements and stopping instantly. The stability is excellent, and I feel like my heel is always locked and controlled. I feel great, and I feel like I have strong control over my movements. If there's one small downside to these shoes, it would be the cushioning. But honestly, the stability and foot control are so good that I don't feel like my ankles are being tested as much as they are with other shoes, and my knees aren't as sore after three games."