Nike Basketball signature shoes have been donning “Elite” upgrades for years. This weekend, Nike Skateboarding’s biggest pro model franchise will follow suit.
The Nike SB P-Rod 9 Elite is a little different, in that it’s the first P-Rod 9 to actually hit stores, rather than a reinvented take on an existing shoe, but the game-changing tech and sleek design is certainly reminiscent of the Nike Basketball Elite series.
Aesthetically a clear descendant of the P-Rod 8, the P-Rod 9 Elite sports a slim lowtop build, utilizing no-sew taping and Hyperfuse construction for a fit that’s lightweight yet durable and stable. Flywire reinforcements double as eyelets, cradling the foot to support while allowing the freedom of natural motion, and Zoom Air cushioning provides a truly responsive, cushioned ride.
If this were just a list of technology employed by the shoe without a model name, you could easily assume it was the latest LeBron model, or a new Nike Running entry. Skate innovation really has come a long way over the last decade or so, and much of it is thanks to the Paul Rodriguez series. Grab the latest, most tech-savvy chapter on July 2 at spots like Premier.