For the second time in as many years, a Nike Kobe sneaker is shouting out the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Dodgers” follows the lead of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro and leans even further into the baseball team’s primary color. Several different shades of blue are used throughout the sneaker, including the majority of the upper and outsole and the entirety of the midsole.
A silver Swoosh is lined with white, and red baseball stitching connects the panels meeting at the collar. Additional pops of red can be found on the heel Bryant signature and a forefoot outsole panel, while the tongue and insole Mamba logo appear in white. On the insole comes Bryant’s no. 8 on the right shoe and no. 24 on the left, and a final flourish comes via three lace options that include white with red baseball stitches.
Bryant was well known as a Dodgers fan dating back to his early days as a Los Angeles Laker and threw out the first pitch on multiple ocassions, including eight days after he won his first NBA Finals in 2000. His late wife and daughters have also been hosted by the team several times. On what would have been Bryant’s 42nd birthday in 2020, the entire team wore his no. 8 and no. 24 jerseys prior to their game.
Last year’s Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Dodgers” was well received and made greater use of white through its Swoosh and midsole. It, too, featured red baseball stitching but in a less prominent place at the top of the tongue. A matching pair of slides and full set of catcher’s equipment also released alongside the sneakers.
The Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Dodgers” will release Sept. 8 through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $190.
Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Dodgers” [IO6256-400] (pair)
Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Dodgers” [IO6256-400] (lateral)
Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Dodgers” [IO6256-400] (medial)
Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Dodgers” [IO6256-400] (above)
Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Dodgers” [IO6256-400] (heel)
Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Dodgers” [IO6256-400] (outsole)
Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Dodgers” [IO6256-400] (laces)
