4 Best Kobe Shoes in 2022

It’s not uncommon for brands to bring back past models as retro releases. Nike surely did not make a mistake in taking the sixth Kobe out of the shelves again. The Nike Kobe 6 Protro had fans YEARNING; and it did NOT disappoint! 

Kobe’s shoes have always been regarded to have great traction; the late Kobe Bryant, after all, was known for his rather sticky foot work. We had high expectations for this bad boy, and we’re happy to share that it has not let us down. Sudden turns with awkward angles? Quick stops? None of these were difficult to execute.

Moving on to the cushion; the Kobe 6 Protro is really expanding its reach. Kobe was a guard, but this doesn’t seem like just a guard shoe for us. With the amount of impact protection that it delivers ALONGSIDE court feel and bounce, even bigger and heavier men could get to enjoy this. Even the great LeBrons don’t have this type of versatility! 

As far as support goes, we have one word for this one: amazing! We didn’t experience any issue whatsoever. Like a criminal, the foot felt like it was (comfortably) cuffed to the footbed. It sure ain’t goin’ nowhere, baby! 

Still, you might see some people complaining that this shoe isn’t really for outdoor use. We agree. But seriously? This is a Kobe for heaven’s sake! Kobes don’t deserve hard labor. It’s kinda (coughs!) pricey, so it’s best to be played indoors, and only flaunted outdoors!

If you judge it by its name, you’d think that the Nike Kobe AD NXT Fastfit is (1) a speed shoe with (2) a really nice fit. Well, you are not wrong. Indeed, this basketball shoe feels really light and minimal. It also has a really explosive midsole that really helps propel us to the basket. 

Aside from that, support and lockdown are to die for. We’ve never felt so confident to move around before this. There is no wobbliness in the forefoot. There is also no heel slippage. We even dare say that the FastFit technology that’s used in the upper is better implemented here than in any other shoe. 

Yet, the shoe is not yet done surprising us. Hear this: the traction is INSANE. It’s squeakiness gives away the fact that it bites the floor so well; quick stops and swift changes in direction are so easily executed.

While energy return is indeed great with this one, it’s not the only function that its midsole tooling is made for. The hardworking minds at Nike have found a way to incorporate really noticeable impact protection in this guard shoe.

It’s true that the price can drive players (hopefully not you) away from this shoe. But for us, this shoe is dope! So, take our money anytime, Nike!

Kobe’s post-retirement sneakers are true bad boys on the court. The Kobe AD Mid offers a noteworthy cushioning system. We just loved how comfortable it felt underneath our feet; it was as if we stepped on cotton! 

Do not get us wrong, though! Just because we said it’s cushy doesn’t really mean that court feel has already been thrown out of the window. We don’t know how Nike did it, but there was just a perfect blend of the two.

Another thing that we truly love about this shoe is the fact that the AD Mid was super supportive even if it only has basic support features. This proves that a shoe doesn’t really have to have flashy techs to be effective on the court.

Aside from that, the AD Mid is also a complete beast when it comes to traction. We can’t tell you enough how sticky the outsole is, especially on fairly clean courts. This shoe is very close to the AD NXT Fastfit, our number 1 for traction.

Because this shoe is also light, really comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing, its usage has gone beyond the court. We didn’t mind wearing this for our gigs after our games. Yep, if you get this one, you get not only a “reliable playmate” but also a “fun friend.”

Building a protro is not easy, especially if the OG was a sneaker well-loved by many because of both its on-court performance and cultural significance. Yet, The Swoosh hit it right with  the Nike Kobe 5 Protro. We dare say it’s a well developed protro: it adapts to modern demands without losing sight of its backstory.

Now, what’s so good about this unshelved Kobe? First and foremost, it is compatible with the blacktop. Given the pandemic, many of us don’t have any other choice but  to play outdoors. And we’re telling you: this bad boy right here is a beast even on those rough courts! 

Support is also out of this world. The lateral outrigger effectively prevented side rolls. The heel counter successfully prevented slippages. The lacing system kept the whole shoe in its place.  There really is absolutely nothing to worry about.

Now that we’ve mentioned a lot of features, you’re probably thinking “Damn! That shoe must be heavy!” But boy, you are so wrong. This is actually the lightest basketball shoe we’ve ever played in. No other sneaker comes close to this when it comes to lightness.

The only thing that will probably stop you from getting this is its price. We get that; but hey, because this shoe looks really fire, you don’t have to spend more dollars for another sneaker. This is two-in-one, my bro! Now, isn’t that a good deal?