The Adidas era (1996-2002)
Kobe’s first signatures came under Adidas’s Feet You Wear platform. The Crazy 1 (KB8), Kobe Two, and Crazy 8 are the canon — high-cut, Feet You Wear midsole, distinctive lateral lockdown panels. Limited retros under Adidas have appeared since 2018.
The Nike era — early Kobe line (2005-2009)
Kobe joined Nike and the line started with the Zoom Kobe 1, 2, 3, and 4. The Kobe 4 (2009) is widely considered the first modern low-top performance basketball shoe — it changed the entire industry’s view of what a hoops shoe could be.
Kobe 5 (2010), Kobe 6 (2011), Kobe 7-9
The Kobe 5 introduced the snake-textured upper. The Kobe 6 brought the multi-direction snakeskin outsole and is the most-revered performance Kobe ever made. The Kobe 7-9 are mixed-reception flagships.
Kobe 10 + 11 (2015-2016)
Last of the original-era Kobes. The Kobe 11 introduced Flyknit construction.
The Protros (2018-)
After Kobe’s death the line continued under the ‘Protro’ (Performance Retro) program. Each Protro is a re-engineered take on a previous numbered Kobe. Releases to date: Kobe 1 Protro, Kobe 4 Protro (2024), Kobe 5 Protro (2020), Kobe 6 Protro (2023), Kobe 8 Protro (2024).
Most-collectable Kobes
The Kobe 5 Protro and Kobe 6 Protro consistently top resale tiers. Kobe 4 Protro retros (Carpe Diem, Mambacita) sit a tier below but with strong demand. Pre-Protro original Kobe 4s and 5s are the rarest — limited inventory and strong collector demand.
The Adidas + Nike split for collectors
Some collectors focus exclusively on the Nike era. Some span both. The Adidas Crazy 1 (KB8) and Crazy 8 are essential to a complete collection — they’re the foundation.
Kobe Protro outlook
Nike’s Protro program continues under the Kobe Bryant Estate’s licensing arrangement (post-2024). Releases are tightly managed; expect 2-3 colorways of major silhouettes annually. Watch the upcoming retros page.
Featured shoes
mid - Cushioning: Feet You Wear
- Weight: 15.3 oz · Drop: 9 mm
- Cut: Mid · Width: Standard
- Best for: SG — All-Around
$119.90Price as of Oct 21, 2026, 12:29 UTC
mid - Cushioning: Feet You Wear
- Weight: 16.4 oz · Drop: 9 mm
- Cut: High · Width: Standard
- Best for: SG — All-Around
$79.95Price as of Oct 21, 2026, 12:29 UTC
premium - Cushioning: Zoom Air + Phylon
- Weight: 12.4 oz · Drop: 8 mm
- Cut: Low · Width: Standard
- Best for: SG — Slasher
$369.00Price as of Oct 21, 2026, 12:29 UTC
premium - Cushioning: Zoom Air + Phylon
- Weight: 12.6 oz · Drop: 8 mm
- Cut: Low · Width: Standard
- Best for: SG — Slasher
$335.00Price as of Oct 21, 2026, 12:29 UTC
premium - Cushioning: Zoom Air + Phylon
- Weight: 12.9 oz · Drop: 8 mm
- Cut: Low · Width: Standard
- Best for: SG — Slasher;Shooter
$389.00Price as of Oct 21, 2026, 12:29 UTC
premium - Cushioning: Lunarlon + Phylon
- Weight: 13 oz · Drop: 8 mm
- Cut: Mid · Width: Standard
- Best for: SG — All-Around
$284.00Price as of Oct 21, 2026, 12:29 UTC