It’s Protro SZN!
After the release of 2018’s Nike Kobe 1 Protro, Nike and Kobe Bryant and have skipped ahead to re-issue the Nike Kobe 4 in Protro form.
Not many changes were made between the original Nike Zoom Kobe 4 and the Protro version. That could be considered a testament to how good the original actually was despite the shoe being 10 years old.
The only change I wish was added to what is now the final product is premium materials. While the synthetic leather on the heel and toe are much nicer and softer than the original version, actual leather could have been added to the shoe without compromising the overall look of the sneaker — keeping things in line with what a Protro actually is. However, the shoe has been solid on-court, not that I expected otherwise, so they have not been a disappointment thus far.
Hopefully you enjoy the detailed look and review of the Nike Kobe 4 Protro and be sure to let us know if you ended up grabbing a pair yourself or if you’re holding out to see what other colorways are headed our way.
Forget every colorway.
Don’t mean a thing if we don’t get that bananas beautiful colorway Luka wore during the Skills Challenge on Saturday night.
Best Kobe 4 colorway I’ve ever seen!
Agreed.
Thanks for the quick look as always. Question from a fit perspective. I had to go up a half size in the Kobe 1 Protro for length, toes were banging on the end TTS and unfortunately I don’t live where these are available to try on. So that was online order, wait, return, online order, wait, play and love! Would you say the length/widthh is consistent between the two models?
Cheers
Agreed.
I think to properly Protro the upper, they tweak the properties of the material, but don’t change up the material straight up. Like, maybe tune some panels stiffer than another. Not sure how feasible that is, but in the spirit of keeping the shoe to form but Proto in function, that’s how I’d explore it.
Missed my size 9. Some sizes sitting. I wasn’t into the colorway and kinda looked into it on Sunday. Let fate decide. Decided that I should wait for a colorway I want. *shrug*
I just watched your video on these regarding the full-length zoom. No worries NW I am disappointed in Nike as well for being sneaky and deceptive with the specs on these. I share your frustration because they can’t be charging the same price for a RETRO not a PROTRO. I wonder if Kobe even had input on these since it was his idea to make or invent the idea of a PROTRO.
Don’t worry NW, you’re still my number 1 source on sneaker performance for me and surely a ton of us that follow Weartesters.