What is the Kobe Protro?

Kobe Bryant's legacy is one of unparalleled dedication, showing us that greatness is achieved through relentless hard work and an unbreakable spirit. Nike continues to apply Kobe's constant pursuit of getting better to its Protro footwear and, in doing so, helps carry out the legacy of the late basketball superstar. The idea behind Protro is to constantly evolve and improve Kobe sneakers through innovation, giving hoopers an advantage on the court while staying true to the original designs.

With every Protro, the updates to the original designs are intentionally incremental while maintaining the external design from the original models. Just as Kobe was known for his strong attention to detail, Nike product designers are laser-focused in their approach, carefully upgrading the original shoe with modern-day technologies, including improvements in cushioning, traction, weight reduction and overall durability.

Yim added, "So we're doing as much innovation as we can on the inside rather than the outside and making sure that we're offering that same aesthetic and fit that the consumer once had".
The Protro approach is a blend of timeless design and modern-day performance technology that has allowed classic Kobe sneakers to stand the test of time—making them practical and functional for today's athletes and hoopers. To continue Kobe's standard for excellence, the Nike design team collects data and athlete feedback to make incremental adjustments to the original designs, enhancing performance in Protro models. By honouring the past while embracing the future, Protro exemplifies the ongoing innovation and commitment to Kobe's mindset, known as the Mamba Mentality.

Just like Mamba Mentality, Protro is the belief that Kobe sneakers should constantly evolve and improve with innovation, giving hoopers an advantage on the court. "We're always looking to build on things that we've done in the past and try to improve them", Kobe said. "Protro is about evolution and improving things that were".

Nike has released several Kobe Protros from 2018 to 2025. In 2018, the Kobe 1 Protro debuted, boasting a full-length Air Zoom unit. The Protro 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 have since been released to great anticipation and acclaim.

Inspired by the low profile of football boots and Kobe pushing Nike product teams to think differently at a time when everyone was wearing highs, the original Kobe 4 shoe was launched in 2009. It helped transition the Kobe product line—and the basketball industry—to low tops.

"The 4 being low, the 4 being inspired by football, inspired by being low cut, low to the ground, really gave consumers a new experience that changed basketball forever", Yim says.

The biggest upgrades to the Kobe 1, 4, 5, 6 and their Protro versions are to traction, as well as to Cushlon foam for cushioning and support. In August 2023, Nike continued to pursue perfection with its launch of the Kobe 8 Protro, which features React drop-in technology and updates to the tongue and upper. Realised in 2024, the Kobe 9 Protro received an upgrade from a Lunarlon to React drop-in insole for improved responsiveness.

"Knowing that the React gives you a little more energy efficiency and responsiveness—it really pushed us to make sure that we're finding the best foam packaging we can for this shoe", Yim says.

In summer 2025, Nike releases the Kobe 3 Protro. This future-forward silhouette features an updated tongue and upper to maximise breathability and comfort, as well as a grippier traction pattern. Innovations abound on the design side too, with an upper inspired by the basketball net and the outsole inspired by diamonds, in celebration of Kobe's oldest daughter, whose middle name is Diamanté.

"I feel like [Kobe is] definitely influencing us still, and he will continue to be the gold standard of how we operate", Yim says.