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It looks like the Nike Kobe 3 Protro won’t just be limited to performance and technology updates.
From the looks of it, Nike is going all in to give the Kobe 3 the love that it truly deserves.
Days after releasing the Protro (performance retro) model of the original mid-top silhouette in the “Halo” colorway, it was announced that the Kobe 3 will soon be receiving a low-top version, and is expected to hit retailers a year from now.
“Same craft. New cut. The Kobe 3 Protro Low. Coming 2026. You’re welcome,” read Nike’s teaser post.
Nike, as well as Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, have also posted teasers of the upcoming model, which can be seen here:
Longtime Kobe Bryant fans will best remember the Kobe 3 as the Black Mamba’s weapon of choice during the 2007-2008 NBA season, where he won his lone regular season Most Valuable Player Award, and made his first NBA Finals without co-star Shaquille O’Neal.
One of, if not the most eye-catching feature on the Kobe 3 is its upper that comes in a pattern inspired by basketball nets. As with other Protro models, that said detail has been improved upon by the Swoosh, as it is now surrounded by a breathable mesh that is expected to improve ventilation.
But how exactly does it look like a low top? As seen in the initial images, the Kobe 3 Low bears a strong resemblance to its immediate predecessors, namely the Kobe 4, Kobe 5, and even Kobe 7. It’s safe to say that the Swoosh put a lot of attention into detail, rather than just putting the shoe on the chopping block and calling it a low-top.
Aligning with some of the Mamba’s more iconic sneaker designs, it shouldn’t be a surprise if the Kobe 3 will finally gain some more attention this time around. After all, low-tops are now the way to go for sneakers, which also makes them an ideal option for off-the-court wear.
Now, it makes us wonder, will we also get low-top versions of the Nike Kobe 1 and 2? That would be an interesting idea, right?
Banner image from Nike Basketball on X.