Official Images of the Nike Kobe 5 Protro "Year of the Mamba"
Arriving next year to celebrate the Year of the Snake.
Name: Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Year of the Mamba”
Colorway: Eggplant/Black/Metallic Gold
SKU: IB4481-500
MSRP: $200 USD
Release Date: January 9, 2025
Where to Buy: Nike
Update: It looks like Nike Basketball is starting its Lunar New Year celebration earlier than anticipated as the “Eggplant” version of the Kobe 5 Protro “Year of the Mamba” is now expected to drop one month earlier than previously reported. In anticipation of this, Nike has just shared the colorway’s official imagery, highlighting the purple, black and gold look that we discussed previously below. Release is now set for January 9 of the new year via Nike SNKRS and select retailers at a price of $200 USD.
Update: As we look ahead to 2025, Nike is again preparing to celebrate the Lunar New Year with Year of the Snake-themed sneakers. This time around, the Kobe line makes a fitting appearance as it dons two “Year of the Mamba” looks across the Kobe 5 Protro. We previewed the “Eggplant”-colored version below, which has just surfaced via retailer imagery, while the “University Red” take popped up at the end of last month. This new set of visuals best captures the purple involved across the upper as the golden snake wraps around it. Look out for this pair to arrive on February 8 via Nike SNKRS and select retailers at a newly-adjusted price of $200 USD.
Update: It’s only been a few days since we first previewed next year’s new Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Year of the Mamba” colorway. Now, a closer look at the pair has emerged, better highlighting what’s in store for fans next February. As identified in our initial coverage below, the pair utilizes an “Eggplant” purple at its upper while a golden snake motif wraps around the lateral Swoosh. Release remains set for February 8 via Nike SNKRS and select retailers at a price of $190 USD.
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Original Story: Since the relaunch of Kobe Bryant’s line with Nike Basketball, there have been four key silhouettes to hit the market: the Nike Kobe 4, 6, 8 and 9 Elite Protros. While the lattermost model only returned to shelves for the first time last month, it has plenty of drops to come. In addition to these four, it looks like the Nike Kobe 5 Protro will be returning soon.
Spotted in several colorways this year, including an “X-Ray” iteration that is said to be dropping next month, a new “Year of the Mamba” take has now popped up. Previously rumored to be an “Eggplant” colorway, this take on the sneaker does leverage the purple hue across its upper. It also includes a golden snake wrapped around its lateral Swoosh, nodding to Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality” while also fitting into the Year of the Snake, which begins in late January of 2025, just ahead of this sneaker’s release date.
At the time of writing, Nike Basketball has not announced any details regarding this “Year of the Mamba” take on the Nike Kobe 5 Protro. Stay tuned for updates, including official imagery, as we currently expect the sneaker to drop on February 8 of next year via Nike SNKRS and select retailers at a starting price of $190 USD.
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