Vanessa Bryant Reveals A Nike Kobe 8 Protro "Leopard" PE
“Those that get it, get it,” Bryant said in her Instagram caption.
Vanessa Bryant has been setting the sneaker world ablaze with her recent string of Instagram posts — showing off unreleased Kobe Bryant PEs like the Kobe 8 Protro “Valentine’s Day” and the Kobe 4 Protro in hot pink. Now, she’s revealed her third unique Nike sneaker in less than 24 hours: a leopard-printed Kobe 8 Protro.
As its name indicates, the Kobe 8 Protro “Leopard” features a healthy dose of leopard-print detailing, reaching from the toebox to the heel. It’s contrasted by hits of black, white and gold, the most notable of which is a large gold Swoosh on the lateral midfoot. Other details include Kobe’s familiar Kill Bill-inspired sheath logo on the tongue, as well as a gold signature on the heel, gold-flecked laces and a smooth white midsole/cream outsole combination. From a performance standpoint, the Kobe 8 Protro’s upgrades include a drop-in React midsole instead of the original’s Lunarlon cushioning, a thickened upper and tongue and an enhanced traction pattern.
This pair seems to be an exclusive player edition — limited to Kobe’s friends and family as well as select NBA players on the Nike Basketball roster — and will likely not see a retail release. Still, Kobe’s line is certainly no stranger to animal prints as the Kobe 7 was released in a leopard-inspired “Christmas” colorway in 2011 and a “Cheetah” colorway in 2012. However, you can enjoy a first look at the shoe in the pictures above.
