After honoring the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant in 2023 with all-white “Halo” sneakers, Nike will return to the theme this fall with the launch of two new shoes.
This time, it’s the Nike Kobe 9 Elite Protro that is getting the all-white treatment. The Flyknit-based sneaker will be released in both its original high-top build as well as the Kobe 9 Elite Low variation. Notably, this is the first time the Nike Kobe 9 Elite, which was originally launched in 2014, will be released in its Protro retro form. To date, the only rerelease of the Kobe 9 Elite model has been the style featured in 2016’s “Fade to Black” collection, although that version was not considered a Protro.
Like 2023’s Nike Kobe 8 Protro “Halo,” the Kobe 9 Elite Protro “Halo” colorways don nearly completely white uppers aside from their black carbon fiber shanks at the midsole. While the Kobe 8 Protro was an engineered mesh sneaker, both Kobe 9 Elite Protros use full Flyknit uppers — a common thread among Nike performance sneakers of the 2010s era. The Kobe 9 Elite Protro uses glossy TPU on the Swoosh and a tonal repeating print of the Kobe logo, while the Kobe 9 Elite Low Protro adds an iridescent Swoosh to the mix.
First released in 2014, the Kobe 9 Elite was Bryant’s ninth Nike signature shoe and was significant for using an exaggerated high-top ankle cut. Prior to this, Bryant’s line had broken ground in the basketball sneaker world by popularizing low-cut designs, beginning with the Kobe 4 in 2008. But after a 2013 Achilles injury, Bryant needed more support. While watching boxer Manny Pacquiao train, Bryant was inspired by the look of his boxing shoes and passed the idea along to designer Eric Avar, resulting in the extra-high cut of the Kobe 9 Elite.
In related news, Bryant’s fifth signature Nike sneaker, the Nike Kobe 5 Protro, is scheduled to arrive in a glow-in-the-dark “X-ray” colorway for Halloween.
The Kobe 9 Elite Protro “Halo” is expected to be released on what would have been Bryant’s 46th birthday, August 23 for a retail price of $240. After that, the Kobe 9 Elite Low Protro “Halo” is slated to launch on September 19 with pricing set at $210. Readers can find an early look at both pairs below and are encouraged to check back for potential release date updates.
