Check out Kobe Bryant's new Nike sneaker, the Kobe 8 System

Tis the season for new basketball shoes. Fresh of releasing Kevin Durant's KD V, Nike revealed the newest version of Kobe Bryant's signature sneaker, the Kobe 8 System. It is the lightest shoe the Black Mamba has ever worn on the court. A size 9 weighs just 9.6 ounces. The upper on the Kobe 8 is made of 90 percent Nike Engineered Mesh and this marks the first time the company has used the material on a basketball shoe. The mesh helps cut down on weight and also makes the shoes incredibly flexible.

Another feature of the mesh is that it has a scale-like pattern, which fits well with the Black Mamba and is also appropriate because 2013 is the Year of the Snake in the Chinese Zodiac.

The sneakers will be available starting on December 20. See more photos of the shoe and a video describing the design process after the jump.

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