Get Kobes First Silhouette with Nike Huarache Zoom 2K4
The Nike Zoom Huarache 2K4 was released in 2004, one of the first seasons that basketball legend Kobe Bryant was under sponsorship by Nike. The Huarache 2K4 was first seen by the public during the 2004 matchup of the LA Lakers and the Houston Rockets as a shoe exclusively developed by Nike for Kobe Bryant. Nike used the Kobe Bryant sneakers as a model in its development of the Huarache 2K4.
The Huarache 2K4 and the subsequent years 2K5 model were Kobes go-to All Star basketball sneakers before his signature line emerged. Upon release, Nike made the shoe available for customization through NikeID, allowing customers to personalize the merchandise. This allowed teams to design their own colorways for these Kobe Basketball shoes, and the Huarache 2K4 soon became the basketball shoe to have. The Huarache 2K4 has been re-released by Nike in 2012 and 2016. A variety of colorways are available for the Lakers basketball shoes, and limited edition collaborations have been released, such as the 2016 re-issue of Kobe Bryants Olympics basketball shoes, which were a pair of Huarache 2K4s with a white upper featuring red and blue accents.
What is Huarache
technology?
technology?
Throughout the early '90s, Nike designer Tinker Hatfield was developing a new technology to tightly wrap the foot using lightweight, comfortable materials. He found inspiration from the neoprene fabric used by water skiers and combined it with Lycra to produce a tight, custom fit. Huarache technology was born and asked runners Have you hugged your foot today? Huarache technology made its debut with the 1991 release of the Nike Air Huarache and found immediate support from marathon runners.
Huarache technology crossed over to the court the next year with the Nike Air Flight Huarache which was a welcome departure from the bulky basketball sneakers being released at the time. A follow-up to the original Huarache basketball shoes was released in 2004 with the Huarache 2K4, a minimalist approach to the early '90s version using lighter materials and constructed with Zoom Air cushioning. A year later, Nike doubled down on the Huarache product line with the introduction of the Huarache 2K5.
Eric Avar designed the 2K4 and 2K5 Huarache shoes, drawing inspiration from over three decades of research, design, and technology, integrating elements of comfort, stability, support, and traction. A truly pioneering model, the 2K4 was the first basketball sneaker that used Nike Free technology to increase mobility and flexibility of the foot to mimic the free motion of the barefoot when running.
How does the Nike
Huarache 2K4 fit?
The design goal of the Huarache line of shoes was to snuggly wrap the foot. When laced tight with the velcro strap engaged, the tongue of the shoe is held neatly in place to give a close and snug fit around the foot. The fit is about a half size long lengthwise, with pressure felt down the middle of the foot, especially for those with wide feet. Although the ankle support strap can be adjusted to give the desired amount of pressure, the thin collar system makes the Huarache 2K4 feel like a low-cut shoe.
What features distinguish the Nike Huarache 2K4 from other shoes?
The Huarache 2K4s design focused on performance rather than aesthetics, which translated into a lightweight sneaker at just 14.4 ounces. The Huarache 2K4s anatomy offered the absolute best of Nike basketball technology available at the time, including:
- Phylon midsole and lateral outriggers for stability, especially when cutting directions
- A carbon fiber stability plate to prevent the shoe from folding over
- A simple and seamless synthetic leather upper, with neoprene bootie to wrap the foot
- A mid-ankle support strap for ankle support and stability
- Traction comes from a 3/4 herringbone pattern paired with a diamond pattern at the forefoot of the outsole
Nike Huarache 2K4 vs. Adidas Kobe One
| Nike Huarache 2K4 | adidas Kobe I | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Half-size long lengthwise | True to size or half-size down |
| Material | Leather with Synthetic Coat and Neoprene | All leather |
| Cushion | Nike Zoom Air | EVA midsole |
| Release Year | 2004 | 2000 |
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