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Nike Kobe Shoes: The Legacy of a Legend

Aug 6, 2024

Kobe Bryant left behind a legacy that can compete with any athlete in history: five NBA championship rings, two Finals MVP awards, 18 All-Star selections — you get the point.

But the spirit of the Black Mamba also lives on in the Nike Kobe basketball shoe, a sought-after court classic known for delivering incredible traction and support. Of course, they also look super-clean with your favorite pair of jeans.

How did Nike Kobes gain their reputation as a signature shoe and a true GOAT sneaker? Take a peek into the history of this fearsomely cool court shoe. 

The History of Nike Kobe Shoes

The legendary partnership between Nike and Kobe Bryant started with the Zoom Kobe 1 in 2006. This stylish high-top featured a carbon fiber spring plate that helped players emulate the Mamba’s aggressive attack — as well as the now-legendary “sword and sheath” Kobe shoe logo.

From there, it was game on, with new shoes by Kobe arriving every year. Nike dropped a total of 11 signature on-court Kobe models during Kobe’s playing years. Many models featured Nike’s newest and most exciting technologies, from Flywire (a high-tensile thread inspired by suspension bridges) to Lunarlon (a foam-core cushioning technology).When Kobe hung up his jersey in 2016, it wasn’t the end of the Nike Kobe — just the start of a new era. In addition to launching the Nike Kobe A.D. line in celebration of his storied career, Nike made an even more consequential decision: the beginning of the Nike Kobe Protro series, which reissued some of the nicest Kobe shoe designs with updated technology and new colorways. (Protro — “pro” plus “retro.” Get it?)

What Makes Nike Kobe Shoes So Great for Basketball?

What Makes Nike Kobe Shoes So Great for Basketball?

One look at any Kobe Protro model will tell you that these shoes are designed for full-on hardwood warfare. Peer a little closer, and you’ll see all kinds of court-centric features, including:

  • Low-top silhouette: Many Kobe Protros feature a low-cut design that’s perfect for lightning-fast cuts and jukes. 
  • Lightweight materials: Kobe Protro models make extensive use of ultra-light materials like Nike Flyknit, a tough but feather-light woven fabric that sits as naturally as a second skin.
  • Traction patterns: Precision-tooled outsole patterns help players keep a firm grip on the court and execute split-second directional changes.
  • Kobe Bryant signature: Every pair of Kobe Protros is adorned with the signature of the man himself — a little reminder to unleash your inner Mamba Mentality. 

Most of all, you’ll feel the presence of the Mamba himself in every pair of Kobes. Sneakerheads know that Bryant was unusually involved in the nitty-gritty details of his signature sneakers, working closely with Nike’s designers to tweak performance features as his game evolved. It’s why the best Kobe shoes are some of the most popular on-court models among NBA players — an honor Bryant himself would no doubt be proud of.

Are There Kobe Shoe Releases in 2024?

Like Kobe’s legacy, the Nike Kobe carries on powerfully into the future, with multiple Kobe drops coming in the second half of 2024 and into 2025. Here are some Kobe drop dates that sneakerheads (and anyone who loves great shoes) should keep an eye out for:

  • Nike Zoom Kobe 4 Protro “Gold Medal” (August 5): Just in time for the Paris Olympics: a pair of mid-rise Kobe 4s for those with the guts to go for gold. 
  • Nike Kobe 9 Protro Halo (August 23): Since 2023, Nike has dropped a new “Halo” Kobe model every year on the legend’s birthday, with this year’s edition featuring a crisp black-and-white scheme.
  • Nike Kobe 9 Elite Protro Masterpiece (Spring 2025): Kobe turned the game into an art, and the colorful paint-splatter design of these high-tops will help you do the same whenever you step onto the court.

Of course, you know where you’re going to find the latest Nike Kobe drops, plus a complete selection of new and retro Nikes: Hibbett. Find your local Hibbett store for an in-person try-on, or shop our full lineup online. Looking for some outfit inspiration for that pair of Kobes you’re eyeing? Check out some of Kobe Bryant’s crispest fits over the course of his career.

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