Nike Release Dates 2014 Christmas Collection: Kobe 9 Elite Knit Stocking, KD 7 Egg Nog & LeBron 12 Akron Birch Launch Dec. 26
NBA superstars Kobe Bryant, Lebron James and Kevin Durant are preparing to hit the court once again on Christmas day -- this time featuring the special holiday editions of their signature Nike Basketball shoes.
The Hypebeast reported that Black Mamba will be wearing the Kobe 9 Elite "Knit Stocking", complete with a "Mamba's Greetings" embroidery when he and the Lakers meet the Bulls in Chicago.
Meanwhile, "King James" will be wearing Lebron 12 "Akron Birch", with "photorealistic birch tree camouflage upper inspired by Akron's winters." Kevin Durant will sport his KD 7 "Egg Nog" sneakers, which features a predominant red color.
The Nike Basketball Christmas collection 2014 will be debuted by the three NBA giants on Dec. 25, but will only hit select retailers and Nike.com the following day, Dec, 26, Friday. Nike announced that purchases are limited to two per customer.
Nike said on its website that the three special edition shoes are "festive kicks that tell unique holiday stories" as their signature athletes celebrate Christmas on the court.
Aside from its design and colorways celebrating the Holiday season, Nike also boasts of the collection's unique features and technology for the wearer's specific needs. The Kobe 9 Elite "Knit Stocking:, for instance, is "designed to the specifications of Bryant's fluid style of play" and is "the first basketball shoe to feature Nike Flyknit technology."
Kobe's signature shoe, in bright crimson, white and black, will retail for $225.
"Supple leather textures on the tongue and overlays give the shoe a premium feel, accented by a marbled outsole resembling candy canes. Inside, the shoe reads 'Mamba's Greetings,' a hidden detail from Bryant on the inner tongue," Nike noted.
The LeBron 12 "Akron Birch" features the Nike Zoom Air technology, developed "to meet James's performance needs based on research from the Nike Sports Research Lab." Lebron 12 holiday edition has an emerald green base that goes well with the shoe's photorealistic camouflage upper on the Hyperposite shell, camo pattern inspired by Akron and integrated with black and hyperpunch micro dots, and a birch tree pattern. The shoes also carries a snowflake formed by small hexagons on the tongue loop.
For the Christmas spin of Kevin Durant's KD 7 shoes, Nike still follows its design philosophy "to stay light and locked down during sharp cuts."
"KD 7 features dynamic Flywire technology, Hyperposite construction and Zoom Air cushioning," Nike said on its website.
The KD 7 "Egg Nog", named as such because of the "glossy flecks emulating the condensation on a glass of egg nog" integrated on the heel, is also a tribute to Durant's favorite holiday beverage that he enjoyed since childhood. "Fresh Since '88," in reference to Durant's birth year, also emblazons the shoe's sock liner.
KD 7 Egg Nog will be available in three colors: bright crimson, emerald green and ivory. The shoes will retail at $170 for normal sizing and at $115 for kids sizing.
"The shoe continues to bring Durant's personal stories to life - this time paying tribute to his favorite holiday beverage, egg nog. A red Hyperposite heel integrates glossy flecks emulating the condensation on a glass of egg nog. "Fresh Since '88," Durant's birth year, also emblazons the shoe's sock liner as a tribute to the holiday beverage Durant has enjoyed since childhood.