Happy Kobe Bryant day guys! Today marks the celebration of one of the greatest basketball players of all time and to pay homage to this special day in basketball history, we thought that we would go the extra mile! Searching deep into the b-ball archives to handpick some of our favourite Kobe kicks of all time.
So sit back and champion your own mamba mentality as we countdown 10 Kobe sneakers that have left a mark on the basketball floors and your sneaker collection.
10. adidas Crazy 97’ Kobe Bryant -1997
Where to buy: Kickscrew
Resale Price: starting at £135.64
1997 marked a year of renowned beginnings for the GOAT. No college detours – he dove right into the NBA draft at the tender age of 19. The LA Lakers embraced him as their youthful shooting guard, adding a fresh twist to the league dominated by elder statesmen. Yet adidas recognised his potential early on and seized every opportunity to collaborate.
Launching his first-ever signature shoe the Crazy ‘97 ‘Kobe Bryant’ - the silhouette was one that was brewing with vibrancy, fun, and energy - just like his explosive performance on the courts. In a flash, adidas had him front and centre for their iconic 'Feet You Wear' campaign, sharing the spotlight with none other than tennis champ Steffi Graf. It was a slam dunk of a partnership that set the stage for greatness.
9. Nike Air Zoom Kobe 4 'Bred' - 2009
Where to buy: GOAT
Resale Price: Starting at £87 ($110.24)
The ‘Bred’ and butter to any sneakerhead collection. Now unless you’re living under a rock, you should know about the worldwide phenomenon that is the ‘Bred’ colourway. This time, the fame-ridden amalgamation of black and red on a sneaker just happened to land in the laps of designers Eric Avar and Tom Luedecke in 2008 and wallah - the Nike Air Zoom Kobe 4 was born.
This Nike Air Zoom Kobe 4 was the first ever Kobe silhouette to be released in low form. Kobe first debuted the 4’s on the court playing against the Miami Heat and continued to wear the fit throughout the 2009 NBA finals where he secured his first ever championship after signing with Nike six years prior in 2003.
8. Zoom Kobe 6 ‘Wolf Grey’ - 2011
Where to buy: GOAT
Resale Price: Starting from £425 ($538.56)
One year that will certainly go down in history for Kobe releases is 2011. Treating us with some of the coldest performance creps Nike has to offer including the ‘Black Mambas’, ‘BHM’, ‘Dark Knights’ (we’ll get to that one later) and our in-house favourite - the ‘Wolf Grey’ colourway.
This rendition was special for many reasons, one being its serpentine textured body which adds extra depth to its pre-existing metallic grey canvas. Crisp white Swooshes, Kobe’s signature Shozoku logos and subtle branding on the heels are also added into the mix for the extra touch of boldness. The incorporation of Flywire technology also provided optimal comfort throughout wear, reducing slippage and enhancing seamless movement on those courts.
7. Nike Kobe 9 ‘Elite Team’ - 2014
Where to buy: GOAT
Resale Price: Starting at £774 ($980.97)
The ultimate homage to Kobe’s illustrious basketball career, the Nike Kobe 9 ‘Elite Team’ was one that not only celebrated 20 years of securing MVP, slam dunk titles and championships, but also the team that supported him through his seminal reign - the LA Lakers.
Adopting the synonymous team colourings of purple and yellow, the Nike Kobe 9 signalled a new era of design; Flyknit offered a weightless feel to its extravagantly bold high-rise fit, offering extra ankle protection and advanced foot-hugging qualities on the court. Front lace fastening ensures things are well-secured up top, grey Swoosh overlays reinstated Beaverton heritage and carbon fibre is incorporated throughout for improved running retention.
6. Nike Kobe AD NXT 360 FastFit ‘Vast Grey Blue’ - 2019
Where to buy: GOAT
Resale Price: Starting at £149.24 ($192)
Introduced to Kobe’s extensive roster of performance-induced designs, the Nike Kobe AD NXT 360 FastFit ‘Vast Grey Blue’ took innovation to new heights. Although this silhouette is evidently more lower-lying, comfort had never been compromised; employing a plush Cushlon system in the midsole for optimum support on those courts.
The basketball fit also consists of a textile build shrouded in a mesh overlay, while Nike Fast Fit technology replaces the lacing system for a seamless pull-on-pull-off fit. Speed-enhancing REACT tech and foot-hugging Quad Fit further provide a snug, more responsive fit for powering those explosive manoeuvres on the courts.
5. Zoom Kobe 6 ‘Dark Knight’ - 2011
Where to buy: KLEKT
Resale Price: Starting from £858 ($1,087.86)
Inspired by the 2008 Batman Blockbuster ‘The Dark Knight’, the Zoom Kobe 6 continues to follow its bold, reptile-inspired design. This time opting for a stealthy black palette that decorates its textural serpentine uppers with a fresh, minimalist look. Shades of aqua blue on the Swoosh, lower heel and a red trademarked Shozoku logo on the tongues add a pop of colour, while below, Zoom Air units equip the midsole with some long-lasting cushioning.
4. Undefeated x Nike Zoom Protro ‘Hall of Fame’ - 2021
Where to buy: Kicks Crew
Resale Price: Starting from £406.04 ($515)
In 2021, Japanese streetwear brand Undefeated linked up with Nike once again on the Kobe Zoom 5 Protro ‘Hall of Fame’, one that narrates the journey of Kobe Bryant’s long-lasting accomplishments on the NBA courts.
Building on from the lauded ‘What if’ pack that was first issued by the duo in 2020, the silhouette takes a more celebratory approach to design. This one opts for a gold textured body, coupled with mesh-induced toe boxes and sides that offer a ventilated feel throughout. Other features include alternating red-side and purple-side Swoosh with the latter calling out Kobe Bryant’s Jersey numbers, and engraved insoles nod to many of his most iconic moments throughout his 20-year career.
3. Nike Zoom Kobe 4 Final MVP ‘Home’ - 2009
Where to buy: KLEKT
Resale Price: Starting from £2,247.52 ($2,852)
A fit well-deservingly etched into the Nike-Kobe history books, the Nike Zoom Kobe 4 Final MVP ‘Home’ was worn by Kobe during the 2009 NBA finals, which led Black Mamba to his 4th NBA championship with the LA Lakers.
Design-wise, Nike brings it home with its complimentary grey and purple colour scheme, accentuated by its gold-painted wordmark on the collar and toe box which highlights some of his most notable stats of the season. Signature sign-offs are placed on the lower heel and Nike Air Zoom-supported insoles round off this celebratory design with some top-tier cushioning.
2. Nike Kobe 6 Protro ‘Grinch’ - 2010 / 2020
Where to buy: KLEKT
Resale Price: Starting from £704 ($939.01)
Back in 2020, the Nike Kobe 6 Grinch made a grand return, featuring the iconic 2010 colourway. Fans eagerly anticipated the drop, drawn to the green apple, volt, crimson, and black combo. Intricate mamba snake-like patterns on the upper paid tribute to Kobe's court prowess. Red laces were included to match the Mamba logo, while a Nike Zoom sole provided explosive cushioning. The Swoosh marked its presence on the sides, completing the legendary silhouette.
1. Kobe 6 Protro 'Mambacita Sweet Sixteen’
Where to buy: KLEKT
Resale Price: Starting from £1,507 ($1,911.85)
It’s only right that we finish our Kobe countdown with a wholesome ending. The Nike Kobe 6 Protro 'Mambacita Sweet Sixteen' pays homage to Kobe and his daughter, Gigi.
Black snake scales nod to Kobe's Black Mamba identity. Touches of white grace the Swoosh, tongue logo, and leather panels. The heel features Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation crest, with "Kobe" and "Gigi" on each shoe. A gold "2" on the side represents Gigi's AAU number. Insoles carry angel wings, halo, "Mambacita," and "2." GOAT donates proceeds to support underprivileged communities.
What's your favourite Kobe Kick of all time?
Let us know in the comments!
Make sure you check out our Top Basketball Kicks of 2023 (So Far) blog here
