Nike Officially Unveils the Koston 3

Eric Koston's latest signature Nike SB has been unveiled.

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Complex Original

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Nike has officially unveiled Eric Koston's latest signature SB model, the Koston 3.

In the Koston 3, Nike - for the first time in SB's history - makes use of its Flyknit technology and teams it with Hyperfeel to create a model that is a potential game changer in the skateboard industry. Koston was first drawn to the Flyknit tech when it debuted in 2012 and the idea for the collar was inspired by the Magista release in 2014. According to Koston, the disruptive Flyknit collar is "all about fit and sensory. You feel your shoe connected from your ankle all the way down. Subconsciously, you feel the shoe doing what you want it to do."

In additon to the Flyknit collar, suede is utilized on the Koston 3s upper along with a thin, textured rubber sidewall. This sidewall was developed and strategically placed using data gathered from studies on Koston's previous models which focused on wear patterns. Both the suede and the sidewall are intended to perform better as the shoes gets broken in.

In utilizing Hypefeel, Koston and Nike SB Footwear Design Director Shawn Crosby addressed the issue of board feel. Carboy stated, "“In skate, your feet are your hands. The more feel you have for your board, the better positioned you are to pull off a trick. With Nike Hyperfeel, we’ve focused on ways to create a symbiotic relationship between your feet and your board." The Hyperfeel tech makes use of a drop-in Lunarlon midsole that is thinner in the toes to provide more feel and thicker in the heel to provide additional cushioning and couples it with a Zoom Air to help riders land softer after attempting big tricks. Koston would go on to state, "You can make the most cushioned shoe ever, but if you can’t feel your board, then what’s the point? The Koston 3 is designed to be an extension of your foot. You’re trying to get as close to that barefoot feeling as possible.”

Skaters and Koston fans will be able to cop the Koston 3 beginning on Tuesday, March 1 when the shoe officially releases on Nike.com/skateboarding and select Nike SB retailers.