Discover Nike Kobe
Nike Kobe 8: lightness and ultra-low profile
The Nike Kobe 8 was introduced in 2012 as the eighth signature shoe developed by Nike for Kobe Bryant. The model pushed the pursuit of a lightweight, low-to-the-ground basketball shoe to the extreme, introducing an even more essential construction than previous generations.
The engineered mesh upper represents one of the silhouette's most characteristic elements and helps create a design that is lightweight, flexible, and immediately recognizable.
Within the Nike Kobe family, the Kobe 8 occupies a special place precisely because of its balance between technical construction, extremely low profile, and the variety of colorways developed over the years.
Nike Kobe 8 Protro
The Kobe 8 returned in a Protro version in 2023, maintaining the aesthetic language of the original silhouette while updating its internal configuration.
One of the most significant changes involves the introduction of Nike React foam, used to offer a more modern response than the solution found in the original Kobe 8.
The mesh upper and low profile remain central elements of the design, allowing the Protro version to preserve the visual identity of the 2012 shoe.
Nike Kobe 8 Halo
The Kobe 8 Protro Halo marked the official return of the silhouette in Protro form in 2023.
The all-white colorway was created as part of the Halo project dedicated to the memory of Kobe Bryant and was presented on his birthday.
The monochromatic aesthetic highlights the structure of the upper and the lines of the Kobe 8 without relying on particularly stark color contrasts.
Halo has thus become one of the symbolic releases of the silhouette's new Protro generation.
Mambacita, Venice Beach and What The Kobe 8
The Kobe 8 is linked to some of the most recognizable colorways in the entire Kobe line.
Mambacita pays homage to Gianna Bryant through specific details and references, while Venice Beach uses a vibrant palette inspired by one of the most recognizable places in Los Angeles.
What The Kobe brings together colors, graphics, and elements from various releases of the silhouette, following the “What The” concept used by Nike on some of its most iconic models.
The all-white colorway introduces the Halo project, designed to celebrate Kobe Bryant on his birthday.
Nike Kobe 8 Mambacurial
Mambacurial represents one of the most interesting encounters between the world of Kobe and soccer.
The project takes inspiration from the Nike Mercurial and blends elements of Kobe's signature line with the aesthetic language of Nike soccer cleats.
The Kobe 8 Mambacurial uses colors, gradients, and details that recall this relationship, creating one of the most recognizable interpretations of the silhouette.
The Protro version maintains the same concept, updating it through the contemporary construction of the Kobe 8.
Kobe 8 and Kobe 6: two different ways of interpreting the low-top
The Kobe 8 and the Nike Kobe 6 share the low-profile setup that characterized much of Kobe Bryant's signature line, but they use very different designs.
The Kobe 6 is dominated by the scale-effect texture of the upper, while the Kobe 8 uses engineered mesh and a visually lighter structure.
Both have become important both on the court and in the sneaker market, but they represent two distinct phases in the evolution of the Kobe line.
Original and collectible Kobe 8s
The various generations of the Kobe 8 include historic colorways, new Protro versions, and releases developed in different quantities and periods.
Models from the initial releases can be difficult to find through the normal retail circuit, while the new Protro models continue to bring the silhouette back to the market through reissues and new colorways.
In the case of rare releases and collectible sneakers, authenticity takes on particular importance. Products sold by ResellZone as original undergo the checks provided for by the verification process, detailed on the page dedicated to product authenticity.