GOAT Highlights The Kobe 6 Protro “All Star” And The Most Iconic Kobe 6s of All-Time
The “All Star” pays tribute to the West’s signature team colors, which Bryant played in 15 times.
Just a year removed from the tragedy that took our beloved Kobe Bryant from us all too soon, his legacy continues to live on through his family, his game (on and off the court) and of course, his sneakers. The Los Angeles Lakers legend easily had one of the most influential and important impacts on the game when it comes to footwear and his Nike evolution continues with the release of the Zoom Kobe 6 Protro “All Star” shoe. In celebrating yet another larger-than-life shoe from the late-great phenom, GOAT has rounded up the Kobe 6 Sneaker Collection on their platform. The Zoom Kobe 6 “All-Star” iteration features a red and black color scheme that pays tribute to the West’s signature team colors, which Bryant donned for 15 times. Here are the rest of the iconic Kobe 6 shoes that are available now on GOAT.
Zoom Kobe 6 Protro “All Star” 2021
Release Date: February 19, 2021
Lowest Price: $247 USD
Much like Nike’s LA All-Star Pack from 2011, the Zoom Kobe 6 All-Star iteration features a bold red synthetic material that serves as the foundation for this shoe’s upper, interspersed with the classic snakeskin textures that commemorates the West’s signature team colors. The shoe is equipped with the classic snakeskin texture throughout, paying tribute to Kobe’s nickname, “Black Mamba.” Mesh throats and leather heels find themselves coated in black while midfoot Swooshes in white present a nice airy contrast. The shoe’s dual-layer memory foam sock-liner creates a personalized fit, while the Flywire construction provides support and Kobe’s signature’s sit at the back of each pair, while a large Zoom Air unit is embedded in the forefoot.
Zoom Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch”
Release Date: December 24, 2020
Lowest Price: $230 USD
Originally released in 2010 for a Christmas Day collection, the Zoom Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch” dropped in December 2020, refreshing the Kobe 6 Grinch-themed design that debuted back in 2011 when Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers faced LeBron James’ Miami Heat in an iconic Christmas Day matchup. The recently released pair looks identical to the OG pair from 2011, with a Green Apple and Volt textured upper, and Polyurethane ‘islands’ cover that comes off as a snake-inspired, paying homage to Kobe’s Black Mamba nickname. But this latest version is a Protro edition so the key differences include a more responsive Zoom Air cushioning system, scaled-down traction for an improved court feel and an altered silhouette shape for a lower and sleeker fit. The Kobe 6 “Grinch” rounds out with a black Swoosh, red Kobe branding on the tongue, and green translucent outsole accentuating the shoe’s reptile theme.
Zoom Kobe 6 “Black History Month”
Release Date: February 26, 2011
Lowest Price: $225 USD
Throughout the years, we’ve seen Nike commemorate Black History Month with special footwear and even Kobe’s line has paid tribute directly to one of his heroes in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Aligning that energy together, the Zoom Kobe 6 “Black History Month” features metallic gold accents that represent his championship accomplishments, woodcut handcraft celebrating African-American art, and a black base inspired by the black Chucks worn by athletes in the 60s. Roman numerals “XXXV” appear on the backside of the tongue and in the left insole while finishing with African symbolism and graphics embedded right into the upper.
Zoom Kobe 6 “Fade To Black”
Release Date: April 5, 2016
Lowest Price: $550 USD
This Zoom Kobe 6 “Fade To Black” was originally released in 2011 as part of a larger Nike collection celebrating the 35th anniversary of Black History Month. Like the rest of the sneakers in the lineup, the low-top showcases three distinct motifs: a black base inspired by the black Chucks worn by pioneer athletes in the 60s, metallic gold accents representing championship accomplishments and woodcut handcraft celebrating classic African-American art. To be noted, the “FTB” is truly an iconic silhouette as Bryant wore the Kobe 11 Elite Low “Fade to Black” in his final NBA game the Utah Jazz where he scored a most-impressive 60 points and a comeback win in his final curtain call.
Zoom Kobe 6 “Prelude”
Release Date: November 1, 2014
Lowest Price: $799 USD
Part of an eight-shoe capsule that showcased Kobe’s signature shoes with Nike, leading up to the release of the Kobe 9, the Zoom Kobe 6 “Prelude” featured a colorful graffiti design sporting a variety of surrealist visuals, including palm trees and sharks. This design was essentially inspired by the eclectic nature of Venice, California, and the shoe itself came along with a snakeskin texture upper like many Kobe 6s before this. Rounding out the design is the classic Zoom Air cushioning system in the midsole and a heel counter, which adds much-needed stability to the silhouette.
Zoom Kobe 6 “Black Del Sol”
Release Date: December 26, 2010
Lowest Price: $612 USD
Known as one of the inaugural colorway of the Zoom Kobe 6, the Zoom Kobe 6 “Black Del Sol” is most notable for the snakeskin detailing spiraling throughout the upper. Made using the polyurethane ‘islands’ patterning on the upper’s scaly texture, the silhouette takes on a black colorway that is accented by bright Del Sol on the Swoosh and heel branding. The black midsole features Phylon, mesh and Zoom Air cushioning, giving way to an outsole sporting another hit of Del Sol.
