Nike unveils Kobe 5 Protro and Air Force 1 Protro Dodgers collaboration with August release dates
Months after it was announced, and photos circulated online, Nike officially unveiled the Kobe 5 Protro and Air Force 1 Protro collection inspired by Kobe Bryant’s enduring connection to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The new sneakers blend basketball royalty with the city’s championship baseball culture and the timing couldn’t be more fitting. Nike celebrated the collection during the Dodgers’ weekend series against the Boston Red Sox at Dodger Stadium, just days before the annual Mamba Invitational tips off in downtown Los Angeles. The launch of the new shoes also serves as an early celebration of August, a month forever associated with Bryant thanks to Mamba Day on August 24th. The centerpiece of the collection is the Hyper Royal Kobe 5 Protro, a fresh interpretation of one of Bryant’s most beloved signature models.Wolf grey accents and striking red baseball-inspired stitching give the shoe a distinct LA identity, while paying tribute to the back-to-back World Series Champions. Its companion is the Wolf Grey Air Force 1 Protro.
Rush Blue accents, decorative red stitching reminiscent of a baseball seam, with Bryant’s iconic No.8 stitched onto the heel and his signature throughout the design create a crossover that feels like it could be worn walking the concourse at Dodger Stadium and courtside at Crypto.com Arena. Nike has also extended this Dodgers and Kobe Bryant collaboration beyond just footwear, with baseball equipment like batting gloves, cleats, wristbands and catcher’s gear arriving in the same blue, grey, and red color palette. The city of Los Angeles will receive an exclusive early-access launch during the Mamba Invitational on Aug.
8-9 before the collection is released globally on Aug.15. The Kobe 5 Protro will retail for $180 in North America ($190 globally), while the Air Force 1 Protro carries a $150 North American price tag ($160 globally).
Both models will be available in extended unisex sizing from men’s 3.5 through 18.Califo...