From the moment you lace up the Kobe IX Elite Low EM Protro, it’s clear these shoes are designed to abet speed and precision rather than drown you in gimmicks. I’ve had the opportunity to be given these shoes as a part of my high school basketball team, and they are an outstanding shoe, allowing me to perform at the next level. In a market full of flashy tech and marketing din, this model feels refreshingly focused on performance. On court, the fit is snug without being enervating. Even during long runs, the shoe doesn’t sap your legs or make your feet feel dead. The traction leaves an indelible impression—sharp cuts bite hard into the floor, refusing to slip even when the gym is loud with squeaks and chaos. There’s no hint of malevolence in the design; nothing feels like it’s working against you. That said, there is a paucity of plush cushioning. Players who prefer something more indulgent underfoot might be dissuaded by how low-to-the-ground the ride feels. The look is also somewhat prosaic compared to more aggressive silhouettes, but that simplicity helps keep the shoe quiescent and controlled during fast transitions. These are not shoes made for squalid outdoor courts—use them there, and you’ll quickly see the materials burgeon with wear. Complaining about that, though, would be fatuous. They’re clearly built for clean hardwood, not rough asphalt. What really stands out is how the shoe avoids design ineptness. Every part feels intentional. Still, an ingrate might nitpick the minimal padding or prattle on about the lack of bold aesthetics, but that misses the point. This shoe is about function first. While some brands inundate buyers with unnecessary tech or even borderline nefarious pricing tactics, the Kobe IX Elite Low EM Protro feels like a viable option for serious hoopers with a predilection for speed, control, and responsiveness. If your game values precision over flash, and you want a shoe that enhances movement rather than distracts from it, the Kobe IX Elite Low EM Protro delivers—quietly, efficiently, and with purpose.

Kobe IX Elite Low EM Protro
Basketball Shoes
Kobe's comeback from a torn Achilles inspired generations of past, present and future hoopers to keep fighting. This Kobe IX brings back the shoe that supported the Black Mamba during his triumphant return to the floor and gives it an upgrade. An engineered mesh upper complements a springy responsive React foam in Kobe's updated low-top masterpiece.
- Colour Shown: Purple Dynasty/Sanded Purple/Fierce Purple
- Style: IH1401-500
- Country/Region of Origin: China
Kobe IX Elite Low EM Protro
Kobe's comeback from a torn Achilles inspired generations of past, present and future hoopers to keep fighting. This Kobe IX brings back the shoe that supported the Black Mamba during his triumphant return to the floor and gives it an upgrade. An engineered mesh upper complements a springy responsive React foam in Kobe's updated low-top masterpiece.
Engineered mesh upper
The engineered mesh provides breathability.
Secure fit
Cables at the laces provide a secure fit around the midfoot when you lace up.
Soft responsiveness
A Nike React foam removable sockliner offers responsive cushioning that helps your foot feel connected to the court.
Durable Traction
The pressure mapping-designed, minimal-rubber outsole delivers durable traction and mimics the natural contours of the foot.
Product details
- Colour Shown: Purple Dynasty/Sanded Purple/Fierce Purple
- Style: IH1401-500
- Country/Region of Origin: China
Free Delivery and Returns
Nike Members enjoy free returns (exclusions apply).
Reviews (112)
Reviews (112)
4.7 stars
BrazilM61314832 - 23 Jan 2026
Kobe!!!:)🏀🏀🏀
SherryT825977901 - 20 Jan 2026
I love these shoes. I bought two pair. One for myself and one for my son. My favorite colors.:)💜💜💜🏀🏀🏀
Kobe 9 Low EM ‘Purple Dyansty’ review
Andreifa7a6ccbd5e54faaaf9fec63fbafbecc - 17 Jan 2026
Absolutely LOVE the Protro treatment on these pair of Kobe’s. The color blocking is perfect and the extra set of laces is a big fat cherry on top! The ‘Purple Dynasty’ color way feels like a call back to the Kobe 5 ‘Ink’ which I’ve always loved. Thank you so much Nike!

Kobe IX Elite Low EM Protro
