No Rubber Shoes Allowed: ZOOM KOBE M.S.

A few months back, I was searching through the internet for a glimpse of the new ZOOM KOBE V. I stumbled across a few pictures of what appeared to be just that…and boy was I disappointed. Now don’t get me wrong, what I saw wasn’t bad but I felt more could have been done and I had high expectations for the ZKV after the phenomenon that was the ZOOM KOBE IV. A few weeks later, I saw official pictures of the ZKV and learned that what I initially saw was a ZKV spin-off called the ZOOM KOBE M.S. The M.S. stands for “Makes Sense” which ironically doesn’t make sense to me. Spin-off shoes are nothing new and we’ve been seeing quite a bit of them in recent years from the LEBRON SOLDIER to the KOBE DREAM SEASON X to all the different Jordan Brand spin-offs too many to mention. So I decided to buy myself a pair and after a good session on the court, there was very little to be disappointed about.

STYLE

The ZOOM KOBE M.S. isn’t as visually stunning as the ZKV but it has its good points (and bad). If I were to call the ZKV a supermodel, the MS would be the supermodel’s sister. Both come from the same genetic stock and are both attractive but the MS just lacks that supermodel flare. The MS doesn’t have too much “bling” in the form of shiny metallic uppers or patent leather toe covers to demand people’s attention but there’s enough detail to catch an onlooker’s eye. The upper is made out of high quality, durable leather and there is stitching on the sides to resemble the Flywire on the ZKV. After getting over my initial thoughts that it somewhat resembled a woman’s running shoe, the MS is indeed a good looking basketball shoe. Whether out on the court or out on the town, the MS in terms of style won’t embarrass its wearer and may even get a few appreciative glances. Just don’t expect to get the kind of attention its supermodel sister would get.
Rating: 3 out of 5

Just like the ZKV, the ZOOM KOBE M.S. comes in a variety of colorways. Shown here are the Bulls and Lakers inspired colorways.

PERFORMANCE

If the MS rates as average in terms of style, performance is where this shoe starts to rise above the competition. The obvious reason is because the MS shares the same outsole and molded “soccer style” heel as the ZKV. This provides excellent cushioning, stability, and traction. The MS is not as light as the ZKV since the MS uses a traditional leather upper instead of the synthetic one-piece upper used on the ZKV. Don’t get me wrong, the MS is still a very light shoe and I found myself playing at an active pace for longer stints since I didn’t have to carry such a heavy load on my feet. However, you may experience some foot movement in the MS compared to the ZKV. Wearing a single pair of socks during light scrimmages and shoot arounds is more than enough to protect your feet from blistering but doubling up the socks wouldn’t hurt when you lace up for league or tournament competition. I would recommend this shoe for players who are looking for a lightweight shoe with good cushioning and traction. Although lateral support is good due to the outsole, the MS “feels” like a low top shoe and post players may not feel comfortable “banging down low” without some added ankle support.
Rating: 4 out of 5

OVERALL

Being a spin-off shoe, it’s hard not to compare the ZOOM KOBE M.S. to the ZOOM KOBE V and from that perspective, the M.S. falls short. But if you were to look at the MS as a stand alone, it’s a great shoe that you would be proud to own. Even though the MS is priced considerably less than the ZKV by no means is it a cheap shoe in price or quality. So if you’re short on cash but still want a high quality sneaker with the latest technology that will help you play better basketball, then it "Makes Sense" to have the ZOOM KOBE M.S. be a part of your “Top 3” choices.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5