3 Best Kobe Bryant Basketball Shoes, 20+ Shoes Tested in 2022
Known for its lightweight agility, support, and responsive cushioning, Kobe’s signature basketball shoes embody his Mamba Mentality. The high school phenom who turned pro at 18 is one of the most successful endorsers of Nike shoes and a true model and icon of a basketball.
If you’re a fan of Kobe Bryant’s game and love his pushing the limits mindset, then you’ll definitely love also his impressive signature sneaker line since 2003, from Nike Mamba Fury to the Nike Kobe Elite series.
To save you time in your search, we’ve handpicked the best Kobe Bryant basketball shoes. We reviewed each model and ranked them based on their overall value, performance, and budget-friendliness. Check them all out below.
How we test basketball shoes
To make our shortlist, we have our wear-testers and editors working together to gather comparable data based on the on-court basketball game performance of each Kobe model, as well as in other sports activities. We also analyze the shoes inside our RunRepeat shoe testing lab.
Our entire selection process specifically includes:
- Testing only those Kobe Bryant basketball sneakers that we purchase using our own personal funds. This is to maintain our policy to offer 100% transparency and unbiased reviews.
- Cutting the Kobe shoes into pieces at the lab, and analyzing their components from upper durability, cushioning system, support, and traction, among many other parts.
- Playing numerous basketball games and wearing testing the shoes further in other athletic activities and day-to-day active lifestyle.
- We collect some more extensive feedback from trusted basketball shoe experts and regular players out there who have used the Kobe shoes.
Finally, to get the final rankings on this list, we use our proprietary CoreScore system to calculate the data and come up with the total score. An overall rating is then given on each Kobe model ranging from 0 to 100.
Best Kobe Bryant basketball shoes overall
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all basketball shoes.
- Top 9% in basketball shoes
- Top 9% in Nike basketball shoes
Pros
- True to size
- Close ground feel
- Secure lockdown
- Versatile for gym use
- Affordable
- Looks
Cons
- Inconsistent traction
- Stiff upper
- A bit warm
Verdict
Best value Kobe Bryant basketball shoes
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all basketball shoes.
- Top 17% in basketball shoes
- Top 16% in Nike basketball shoes
Pros
- Durable
- Responsive midsole
- Premium-looking materials
- Satisfactory support and lockdown
- Delivers a minimal feel
- Great for casual wear
Cons
- Insufficient traction
- Stiff cushioning
- Cheap materials
Verdict
Most popular Kobe Bryant basketball shoes
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all basketball shoes.
- Top 29% in Adidas basketball shoes
- Top 29% in basketball shoes for ankle support
- Top 9% most popular basketball shoes
Pros
- Great heel to toe transitions
- Durable build
- Excellent lockdown
- High-quality materials
- Stable
- Flexible
- Stylish appearance
- Perfect for all-day wear
- Reliable traction
Cons
- Needs break-in
- Not for narrow feet
