Kobe Footwear and Apparel Release During Nike’s Year of the Mamba

• To honor Kobe Bryant’s memory and inspire players, Nike has designated 2025 the Year of the Mamba. The company is releasing new Kobe shoes and apparel, including two collections and two new sneakers.
• The Year of the Mamba collection features the Kobe 5 Protro “Year of the Mamba” basketball sneaker, along with a premium jacket, T-shirts, and coordinating fleece crews and pants. As of January 9, 2025, these items are available globally at Nike.com and select retail locations.
• On February 8, 2025, Nike is releasing the Details Collection, lifestyle apparel rooted in Nike Basketball performance.
• Nike is also adding two new sneakers: the Kobe 9 Elite High Protro “Masterpiece” (available February 8, 2025) and Kobe VI Protro “Sail” (available February 13, 2025).

For your New Year’s Resolution, consider embracing Kobe Bryant’s legendary Mamba Mentality. The iconic baller defined this approach as constantly trying to be the best version of yourself. For him, that involved injecting his game with the speed, agility and fierceness of a black mamba snake.

Since 2025 is the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac, it’s the perfect time to follow in Kobe’s footsteps. To inspire and empower you, Nike is designating 2025 the Year of the Mamba and introducing new Kobe shoes and apparel. Your challenge? To pursue lofty goals with grit and tenacity, just like Kobe did.

The centerpiece of Nike’s Year of the Mamba collection is the Kobe 5 Protro “Year of Mamba.” Like its iconic predecessor, the Kobe 4 Protro, this basketball shoe is lightweight and all about court feel. But it’s even better now, thanks to a new forefoot Zoom Air unit and Protro midfoot foam. Graphics on the iridescent purple kicks reference Kobe’s career, while “Year of the Snake” (in Mandarin) is inscribed on its tongue. In China, the shoe will also be available in red.

The collection includes T-shirts, coordinating fleece crews and pants, and a premium jacket. The jacket features a satin-like exterior to help protect against rain and a warm, comfortable quilted interior. On its back, an embroidered design with a snake entangling five rings references Kobe’s Mamba Mentality and five championships.

But the Mamba Mentality doesn’t need to stop when you leave the gym. That’s where the Details Collection comes in. Lifestyle apparel rooted in Nike Basketball performance, this line honors Kobe’s crossover sport-style influence. Kobe perfected each aspect of his game, and Nike designers did the same here. With each piece, they broke new ground, modernizing on-court, tear-away pants with pleats and transforming a shooting shirt into a dress. Throughout, they added references to Kobe’s career.

To further carry on Kobe’s legacy, Nike is adding two Kobe Protro sneakers. Ten years ago, the company introduced the Kobe 9 Elite High Protro. Its new version, Kobe 9 Elite High Protro “Masterpiece,” includes its predecessor’s Flyknit upper, plus a new React foam midsole and traction pattern on the inside of the foot. Meanwhile, the restyled Kobe VI Protro “Sail” comes in two new colors. One features a star-studded upper, honoring Kobe’s NBA All-Star Game trophy; the other depicts a mamba shedding its skin.

Inspired to take action? The Kobe 5 Protro “Year of Mamba” silhouette and apparel are available globally at Nike.com and select retail locations on January 9, 2025. The release date is February 8, 2025 for the Details Collection and the Kobe 9 Elite High Protro “Masterpiece.” The Kobe VI Protro “Sail” will be available on February 13, 2025.

As for your own commitment to greatness? That can start now. Visit the Nike App for weekly workouts encouraging you to be your best. (Follow the “Kobe Interest” to find them.)