Question on the Kobe Zoom 2's..

LakersTyler · Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 241

My dad works in a different province in Canada then where we live. (He works on the Oil Rigs in Alberta, works 3 weeks on, gets a week off.) Anyways, he calls me up last night cause he's buying Christmas presents at the mall in Calgary. He's in Foot Locker and he knows I'm a Laker fan, and he's talking to me about the Kobe Zoom 2's.

He puts the guy on the phone from Foot Locker, and the salesman tells me that he's played ball in them, and after 25 minutes or so of playing, your achilles tendon gets really sore.

And I wanted the black and Laker yellow color way, like when he first wore them against the Heat. They only have the Silver, Grey, White color way.

So.. for all the basketball players with the Kobe Zoom 2's.. how is the shoe? Now, give me something I can expect, because I'm in Grade 12, going to be going to a Canadian University next year and playing ball. And I play for my High School team right now. So I want something that's comfortable, and if the Kobe's are comfortable, then I'd want them. Just wanna check up about the problem the guy told me that makes your Achilles tendon sore.

My dad was also looking around, and the guy wrote down a list of some shoes he told me to check out on the Net, and I'm gonna do some research.

The Air Jordan 22's
Carmelo M4's
LeBron Zoom 5
LeBron Zoom 4
Nike Zoom BB

Any other shoes you ballers would recommend? I want something that looks good too.. not based solely on comfort.

Thanks to anyone who can help me.

- T
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two0one7 · Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 8528 Location: Laker Land

He's right, the ZK2s have been known to make you sore in the back of your ankle. Most people find them fine after you break them in. Do you wear ankle socks? You should wear mid length socks (or knee length ones) until you break them in.
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24/8Lakerfan · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 238 Location: IE

ZK2's are not that comfortable cuz it doesn't have that much padding below the feet, the soles are very hard, plus they're not flat on the ground. Kobe's ZK2 is custom made for him, it has all kinds of padding so comfort is not an issue. But if you really want to use those shoes for playing you can put Dr. Scholls inserts, it'll be good for you heels. http://www.drscholls.com/prodselect.aspx?pgid=7

Personally I like (used them for playing):
Huarache 2K5 (very light)
ZK1 (very light)
Shox UPS TB
Uptempo

Good luck jam2

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LakersTyler · Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 241

Thanks guys.
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Azn Pinoy · Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 2092

ZK2's main problem is that it hurts the Achilles tendon if you wear low-cut socks, but if you wear mid-cut socks and higher, it should be fine. Very comfortable. It might feel weird playing at first because the ZK2 is very low to the ground, only millimeters away since it doesn't have a mid-sole. They built the shoe with a different process stitching the top to the outsole, so it's very low to the ground. It also uses Nike Free Technology, so if you look at the bottom of the shoe there's pods (12 I think), so it moves just as your foot does.

The basketball shoes I wear now are LeBron Zoom Soldiers, just because they were made for outdoor and that's where I play most of the time. If I play indoors though, it would be ZKII or Zoom BB. Other LeBron shoes such as the ZLIV and ZLV are too heavy IMO...

Kent K25 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: St. George, UT

I just got the ZK2's a week ago. Actually was going to break them in today but wore my Lebron zoom 3's instead which I'd rate a 7/10. The huarache 2k4's are my favorite ever 10/10. One thing to remember is that all feet are different. Shoes that hurt one person might be great for another and vice versa. I actually really liked the Jordan XI's too 9/10.
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idk my BFF Jill?

kray28 · Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 5031 Location: Pittsburgh, PA

It took me a while to wear in the ZK2s....and I had the same issue with pressure on the Achilles....the choice of socks didn't matter. I just had to walk/run around in them for a while. The strap in the front is worthless, it keeps snapping off whenever I stretch/flex my ankle forward. I just strap them with minimum tension now so they at least stay stuck to the velcro....but it's annoying to have them flapping about when you're trying to run or play ball.

I much prefer the ZK1 knockoff (Air Zoom Legend) I got with the ZK2s. They are super light and super comfortable, and great for working out. They are basically my replacement pair for the excellent ZK1s I had....

The ZK2s on the other hand, are heavy (with good build quality no doubt), and built like a tank. And they are still tougher on the feet....

Azn Pinoy · Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 2092

two0one7 · Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 8528 Location: Laker Land

kray28 · Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 5031 Location: Pittsburgh, PA

two0one7 · Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 8528 Location: Laker Land

kray28 · Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 5031 Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Maybe I can't tell the difference as I'm not using a scale to measure the weights....I'm just giving subjective opinions.

The ZK2s feel:

1. Heavier
2. Stiffer
3. Less comfortable, but feel better now than when I first laced up.

Addtional niggle:

The lycra sockliner: tough to stick my heel into the shoe without the liner bunching up behind my Achilles tendon. Basically need a shoehorn (or finger) to make the fit snug. Makes taking the shoe off a bit of a pain too.