As you all know, I love the game of basketball, and for the last seven months, I’ve been playing in the Nike Kobe 6 Reverse Grinch. I just wanted to give you my honest review of this shoe. Prior to the Kobes, I played in the Under Armour Spawn 4, and that was my favorite shoe until I started using the Kobes. Now, they’re still on the same level in terms of my preferences, the Spawn 4 was great—it served its time, and I loved it. I wore a size 13 in that shoe, and it performed exceptionally for me.
I was on my second pair of the Spawn 4s until I picked up the Kobe 6 Reverse Grinch. That’s when I put the Spawn 4 in the doghouse for now, and the Kobes became my go-to. I’m not going to talk much about the design, because the Kobe 6 silhouette is impeccable. That’s all I want to say about the design, so I won’t waste too much time there.
Now, I’m 43 years old, okay? I play about four or five times a week with guys who are mostly in their 20s. Some are 18, and there’s even one guy who’s 63, but everyone else is under 20. You all know how much I love the game of basketball, and now you’ll hear what I love about these Kobes. I’ll break it down by focusing on stability, ventilation, durability, traction, cushioning, and fit.
7 Months In: My Ultimate Review of the Nike Kobe 6 Reverse Grinch
Stability
When I first put these on, breaking them in wasn’t too bad. It took me about two games to get used to them. One thing I love about these shoes is how they feel like an extension of your body. When I wear these, it’s like the shoes aren’t even there—they just become part of me. That’s exactly what I want in a basketball shoe.
Now, stability is a big deal. A lot of people ask why I play in low-top shoes, especially since I’m a bigger guy. I like low-tops for the stability. At my heaviest, I was 256 lbs, but I’ve lost about 12–13 lbs and now weigh in the low 240s. These shoes are wide, and that width provides excellent stability. When you jump—and I’ll admit, I can’t jump very high, maybe over a quarter—you want to make sure your foot isn’t wobbling when you land. These shoes are rock solid. I never felt unstable or scared to make aggressive moves. Whether I’m slashing to the basket or posting up, I felt secure every time.
The low-top design doesn’t sacrifice ankle stability either. A lot of people assume low-tops mean ankle injuries, but that’s not the case here. The plate on the heel is sturdy and does a fantastic job of keeping your foot locked in. My ankle felt stable, and there was no wiggle room.
Ventilation
I play indoors during the winter, and the ventilation on these shoes is great. The mesh material allows your feet to breathe, so they won’t feel overheated, even during intense games. Inside the shoe, there’s also an inner booty that keeps your foot secure while still allowing it to stay cool. No complaints about ventilation at all!
Durability
I’ve been playing in these for seven months, and they’ve held up really well. I have wide feet, and I put a lot of strain on my shoes because I make sudden movements. The glue has held up, and there are no signs of tearing or damage. The toe area even has a kind of plastic overlay for protection, which is great for preventing abrasions.
Traction
Traction was fantastic both indoors and outdoors. I’ve worn these outside, and yes, the outsole does wear down faster on concrete, as you can see from my pair. But even with the reptilian scales on the outsole worn off, I still had good traction inside on dusty courts. I never felt like I was sliding all over the place. The grip is solid, and I’m still using these even after heavy outdoor use. Just keep in mind, if you primarily play outdoors, the outsole will wear down quicker.
Cushioning
The cushioning is amazing. Inside, there’s an insole with thick padding, and the EVA midsole provides great responsiveness. The shoe also features a Zoom Turbo unit, and it felt perfect for someone my size. Even with all my running and jumping, the cushioning didn’t deform or break down. You’ll see some wrinkles from use, but that’s just normal wear. Overall, the cushioning has been fantastic for impact absorption and comfort.
Fit
I wear a size 13, and these fit perfectly true to size. With my wide feet, I didn’t experience any pinching or discomfort. Like I mentioned earlier, it only took me two games to break them in, and after that, they felt like an extension of my foot. I never felt like I was wearing “just” a shoe; they felt like they were part of me.
Overall Thoughts
I absolutely love the Kobe 6s. If I were to grade them, I’d give them a 9.9 out of 10. These shoes are versatile and work for guards, big men, or players who switch between positions, like myself. I’ve played them hard, indoors and outdoors, and they’ve been exceptional in every aspect—stability, cushioning, traction, and durability. Even though I’ve worn down the outsole, I’ll still be using them. They’re that good.
If you were on the fence about buying these, I hope this review helps. You don’t have to get the Reverse Grinch colorway either; any Kobe 6 silhouette will perform just as well. These are some of my favorite shoes, and even though I loved the Spawn 4, the Kobes have brought me back to Nike, and I’m loving them.
If you’re interested in grabbing a pair, visit KW website and use the code: Bustakicks to get $10 off your order.
