Achilles was considered an invulnerable character, but his heel became his ultimate demise after an arrow strike during the Trojan War. From that event came the term “Achilles heel,” as well as the inspiration behind the new “Achilles Heel” Kobe 11. A graphic depicting the hero can be seen on the right heel of the shoe, while the left features four stitches representing the four feet of thread used in Bryant’s 2013 Achilles surgery. Similar in appearance to past models, the Kobe 11 features a Flyknit first thanks to the addition of thermoplastic polyurethane threads. The strength-providing yarns act like metal rebar in large structures, adding reinforcement in key zones of the Kobe 11’s upper. Proven to perform, reengineered for excellence.