Kobe Vault

Kobe I

Kobe Bryant and Nike unveiled the Zoom Kobe I in December of 2005. Christmas Day would mark the first time Kobe wore his own signature shoe with Nike on the court professionally, and the beginning of a footwear line grounded in superior performance, meticulous attention to detail, and intentional storytelling. The Kobe I featured a premium leather upper equipped with a padded, breathable ankle collar for support. Zoom Air units in the heel and forefoot were integrated within a lightweight Phylon midsole for balanced responsiveness and flexibility.

Kobe I Protro

The Kobe I returned in Protro form for the first time in February of 2018, led with the ‘Varsity Maize’ colorway. Coined by Kobe himself, Protro stands for performance retro and involves enhancing existing silhouettes for the current state of the game. After three-plus years of developing the concept, the Kobe I Protro featured a modified Zoom Air setup with a rocker for a smoother ride. Removing foam from the midsole led to a lighter weight, and the carbon fiber shank size was reduced which resulted in improved cushioning while preserving the original Kobe I aesthetic. Check back as more Kobe I colorways and stories will be added to the Vault.