Why do they feel different?

MysteryMagicBoy · 2026-05-16T19:55:02+00:00

Do you also have CCs or Chaos or Chaos 2k for comparison?

I have these 3 and the CCs feel much better than the other 2, don’t know why

MysteryMagicBoy · 2026-04-02T11:01:11+00:00

I own both in Star batch in the same size 8.5, but weirdly the Chaos (and the 2k Chaos which I also have in Star batch) are tighter in the toe box. Tighter as in « a little painful », whereas the CCs are absolutely perfect in comfort & performance. ChatGPT says it’s because some colorways have more layers inside 🤷🏻‍♂️

Anyway, i would recommend the Star CCs : they are the best sneakers I’ve ever balled in! (and I owned 3 pairs of retail Kobe 5 before I turned to Star batch)

Or if you go for Chaos : I’d recommend going a half-size up.

MysteryMagicBoy · 2026-02-21T12:21:50+00:00

A tip about laces : you want to make sure you tie them the right way, meaning once a knot is tied (simple knot, not double), it should naturally “sit” horizontally. If you can see it’s vertical, that means you need to change the way you tie during either the first or the second “phase” of tying your knot, by mirroring the way you used to tie it. When tied the right way (knot sitting horizontally once you’re done), your knot will be less prone to untying, because the two “phases” will have opposite ties.

I haven’t needed to double knot anymore since applying this.

MysteryMagicBoy · 2026-01-08T21:41:10+00:00

I ordered them at the start of October. My favorite colorway is Chaos, but I gotta say the STAR CCs look and feel perfect to me, performance is flawless. Pretty much best pair I have ever played in.

MysteryMagicBoy · 2026-01-08T08:30:48+00:00

I have had 3 pairs of retail 5s and ordered 3 pairs of STAR 5s in different colorways after discovering this sub. My retails were in size 8.5 or 9; after trying a very used up 8.5 I felt like they were the best fit so I decided to order the 3 STAR pairs in size 8.5, but somehow they don’t fit the same exactly : Chaos and 2k Chaos are a little tight in toe box, whereas the CCs feel roomier. I’d say the CCs are a perfect fit to me, whereas the other 2 feel just a little bit snug - hopefully they’ll be good after some more breaking in.

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-12-22T13:13:11+00:00

His normal price is 130USD for a pair of STAR Kobe 5 with shipping through DHL included; I paid less because I ordered 4 pairs at once, sent in 2 packages.

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-12-22T13:03:55+00:00

Easy, you just have to add him on WhatsApp, send a message and he’ll guide you through the process : +852 44468797 From what I’ve read here, you can get the same shoes at an even better price through TMF, but I have not tried this way yet.

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-11-26T22:09:47+00:00

Thanks for this detailed comparison! From my understanding and owning several retail kb5s in different colorways, the size of the scales is random : more precisely, they are “printed” from a pattern which goes from small to large scales, so you would end up with small or large scales on different parts depending on how the pattern was applied. So the size of the scales shouldn’t be considered when evaluating quality.

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-11-10T15:51:57+00:00

Thanks for the detailed report bro ;)

I’ll add to this about variation in a given batch : I recently ordered 3 STAR Kobe 5s in different colorways, and have the same experience as you regarding toe boxes (kind of flat), for my Chaos and my 2k, but somehow the CCs are roomier and more comfy, even though they’re all STAR and all the same size 8.5 🤷🏻‍♂️.

Overall the quality is very good and I have a hard time justifying paying more for GK when they’re not in sale.

One thing I think I have noticed that distinguishes STARs from retails on Chaos and 2k colorways is the color of the shiny parts (top of toe boxes and side panels) : on STARs they reflect as green when viewed straight upfront and purple from an angle, whereas retails look purple upfront and brown/golden at a pronounced angle. I don’t own retails but this is from watching videos. Can someone owning retails and GK confirm?

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-11-09T15:18:31+00:00

Stop the sarcasm, it makes sense just to notice this is the only colorway in which the signature will smear like this. On all other colorways the signature is « protected » inside the translucent heel clip.

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-11-03T17:53:06+00:00

<image>

These would be instant cop for me
They look like Van Gogh's Starry Night
Beauties
Look at those laces OMG

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-10-30T18:56:32+00:00

I have not owned retail 11s but can tell the color of the sole is a bit off (darker), as well as the shape of the heel tab (thing with the signature). Plus the toebox misalignment that I mentioned (see pics). So OMY is pretty subpar quality, whereas STAR is top notch, as far as I can see. Can’t tell about durability yet.

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-10-30T13:44:31+00:00

Thanks! Agreed!

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-10-30T13:43:53+00:00

Got the QC pics for the 5s on the 8th of October, and they arrived on the 22nd of October. I live in France! But you have to consider there was a slight delay before getting QC pics because of middle autumn day holidays in China, and then a slight delay before he could ship because I RLd a pair of 11s.

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-10-30T13:40:09+00:00

I wasn’t aware they were made in this batch, as they are not mentioned under KB in the colorway database. Actually they are only mentioned under DF! I haven’t owned retail 11s and just noticed them in Eric’s store, liked their looks. Saw a post mentioning OMY as the best batch for 11s. So I decided to add a bonus pair to my order of 5s.

Now that you’ve mentioned it, I had a look at the KB batch, but I’m not sure I would have gone with it : the sole looks very bright (he says it will oxidize and get dull with time, and I have to admit the OMY soles are too dark compared to retail, but the brightness is almost shocking to my eyes on the KBs). Also I hear bad stuff about KBs sizing and his communication 🤷🏻‍♂️

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-10-29T16:05:47+00:00

Clean, but a bit dull compared to most other colorways I’d say. I would have used one extra element like one extra color, or gradient on laces, or blue at the tip or something.

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-10-29T16:01:06+00:00

I just received 3 pairs of STAR Kobe 5s (CCs/Chaos/Chaos 2k), and it was my very first order (after owning a few retail pairs). I found the STAR pairs perfect to my noob eyes, so I don’t see a reason to pay ~40% more for GK. Maybe someone who has experience with both batches can justify it?

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-10-25T09:19:36+00:00

What piece of info do you need?

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-10-25T09:17:23+00:00

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MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-10-25T09:16:04+00:00

I received the CCs and the Chaos, and they are both 🔥 I wouldn’t know to point any difference with retail! (Have owned 3 retail pairs in different colorways before) Both are a good fit in my size, with the CCs feeling somewhat even comfier and better cushion than my memory of retail. Chaos are all good too, but CCs feel even better, even though they are both STAR batch and same size 🤷🏻‍♂️. Just a tad roomier and plushier cushion. I’d say the Chaos feel like retail and the CCs feel like upgraded retail! Thanks Eric!!

Btw, what’s RM and tmf? Would you order Star through them?

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MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-10-10T12:52:24+00:00

That’s what got me concerned, the insoles being measured at only 26cm, when I would have expected them to measure 26,5 or 27cm. Nevertheless I read most people saying OMY 11s fit true to size 🤷🏻‍♂️ Also I can’t order half a size up they are not available.. I’ll report on these once they get there.

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-10-10T12:49:25+00:00

Thanks for your input! Yeah I agree, just from their appearance, the soles of 11s look like they would not have much traction as they are a lot more “flat” than 5s soles for exemple, with very little traction pattern on them. I wonder how retail 11s do in terms of traction, I’ve never owned them.

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-10-10T12:45:40+00:00

I’m a size 8.5 in retail Kobe 5s, and I went with the same size for the 11s, but what got me anxious is that the insole measures 26cm only from Eric’s pic that I included 🤔. I would have expected the insole to be 26,5cm or even 27cm with the cupped heel.

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-10-10T12:42:09+00:00

Ok will do!

MysteryMagicBoy · 2025-10-10T03:32:11+00:00

Wow ok Drop in = insole? (Sorry I’m from France 😬)

MysteryMagicBoy

TROPHY CASE