with a lot new shoes, not everyone will like them initially, especially the kobe line. the NXT doesn't appeal to many of us (here at least) because it isn't aesthetically pleasing and the first two colorways are bland af. i wouldn't call nike a "solid reputable brand" with the way they handle their retros and how the AD turned out, which is a shoe that: kobe doesn't play in (obviously), and is a below average performer compared to previous models (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 anyone?)
since most of us haven't gotten or tried them first-hand yet, we can't speak on its comfort or its quality but we can get an idea of how it might feel based on what we've seen and heard so far. the NXT has the same drop-in midsole as the XI elite (lunar with bottom-loaded zoom air), and has the same traction as the AD's mid to forefoot, which is something they could've done with the AD all along right? so what's really new and innovative with the NXT that they had to charge an extra $40 above the AD? a shroud and a plastic lace toggle? i've never seen that before lol.
i think what bummed me out the most besides being an XI and AD hybrid, is that there was no marketing behind this shoe besides seeing pictures of nike and kobe gifting these to the oregon team. i kept hearing eric avar designed these but usually there's some cool, smooth video about the process of creating and unveiling the next kobe sig. also, i'm not a fan of bball kicks without a traditional tongue. the kobe line was the one of the last big sig shoes to keep it traditional but it seems like it's falling in line with what we've seen with the lebrons and KDs.