8 Most Expensive Kobe Bryant Sneakers
Kobe Bryant leaves behind a legacy as one of the greatest sports personalities to ever live. No doubt, sports fans will continue honoring his memory for many years to come. For both hardcore and casual fans, Bryant will not just be remembered as a five-time NBA champion and a stone-cold killer on the court but also the face of his own signature shoe line. Unsurprisingly, his signature sneakers have never been cheap to begin with and prices have only skyrocketed in recent years. So, here are the eight most expensive Kobe Bryant sneakers ever released:
1. Zoom Kobe 6 Protro 'White Del Sol' - $1,000
The Nike Zoom Kobe 6 Protro ‘White Del Sol’ is a reimagining of one of Kobe Bryant’s most iconic on-court sneakers, released as part of the Protro series which updates original models with modern performance enhancements. Launched in May 2021, this shoe combines nostalgia with advanced technology, offering players a fusion of past design with cutting-edge basketball shoe innovations. The sneaker features a sleek white and gray colorway, accented by vibrant Del Sol yellow details on the Swoosh, tongue, and heel. These elements pay homage to the Los Angeles Lakers' colors, reflecting the spirit and career of the late basketball superstar.
The ‘White Del Sol’ edition, like its predecessors, boasts improved cushioning and a scaled pattern on the upper, maintaining the distinctive aesthetic of the Kobe 6 line while enhancing player comfort and on-court responsiveness. Although not tied to a specific significant game, this model quickly garnered attention among both athletes and collectors for its sharp look and high performance. Its release was highly anticipated, and it sold out rapidly, demonstrating the enduring legacy of Kobe Bryant's influence on and off the court. The shoe’s market price quickly escalated due to its limited availability and popular demand, echoing the exclusivity and allure of Kobe’s sneaker releases.
2. Zoom Kobe 5 Protro ‘Bruce Lee’
Released in November 2020, the Nike Zoom Kobe 5 Protro ‘Bruce Lee’ honors the legendary martial artist and actor, Bruce Lee. The shoe incorporates a striking colorway of yellow and black, mirroring Bruce Lee's iconic jumpsuit from the movie Game of Death. Adding to its dynamic design are the red scratch marks on the lateral side, inspired by the wounds Lee received in Enter the Dragon. This design not only pays homage to Lee's influence in film and martial arts but also to Kobe Bryant's admiration for Lee's philosophy and fighting spirit.
The sneaker debut was highly anticipated, given Bryant’s history of expressing respect for Lee’s approach to his craft. Its release coincided with a rekindled interest in Bryant's signature lines, following his untimely death earlier in the year. Originally retailing for $180, the limited nature of the release quickly pushed resale prices significantly higher, making it a coveted item among sneaker enthusiasts and collectors.
3. Adidas Golden KB8 - $3,000
Before Bryant’s illustrious Nike career which saw the introduction of the Nike Zoom Black Mamba line, he was a member of the Three Stripes for the first five years of his career. One of his more popular sneakers with Adidas was the Golden KB8 which coincidentally was never released for the public but still managed to find its way on auction website eBay for a whopping $3,000. Bryant wore this old school shoe during the 1998 All-Star Weekend and features a bright yellow colorway and prominent wave designs. Only two pairs were ever made.
4. Adidas The Kobe Storm Trooper - $3,100
Also dubbed the “space boots” due to its large white exterior, the Adidas Kobe or simply “The Kobe” was released in 2000 and was the primary shoe that Bryant wore during the majority of the 1999-2000 season. The shoe features a predominantly white colorway and a design that resembles the Audi TT Roadster. Although The Kobe was a big part of Bryant’s early career (he averaged 28 points during the season as well as winning the NBA championship), it would be the last shoe he ever wore for Adidas. Bryant opted out of his contract in 2002 mainly due to differences with company executives on how his shoe was being developed. He later signed with Nike in 2003.
Adidas re-released The Kobe in 2006 but removed all Kobe branding and renamed the shoe to the ‘Crazy 1.’ For collectors looking to purchase the original Adidas Kobe’s instead of the Crazy 1’s, one colorway has made its way to online resale marketplace StockX and is selling for $3,100. The Kobe Storm Trooper features a white exterior and black midsole.
5. Nike Kobe 6 ‘Vault Anniversary’ - $5,100
In celebration of Nike Vault’s first anniversary, Nike released a limited edition Kobe 6 ‘Vault Anniversary’ sneakers back in 2011. The Nike Vault in Los Angeles is located just outside of Staples Center and houses many exclusive sneakers including Bryant’s signature shoe. Although these Kobe Mamba shoes feature a rather simple black, white, and gold colorway, it does come with a special safety deposit box and a Nike AW-77 hoodie. The massive $5,100 isn’t surprising as only 24 pairs were released with the number 24 signifying Bryant’s jersey number he used during the latter part of his career.
6. Nike Kobe 9 Premium ‘HTM’ - $7,800
When it comes to stylish Kobe Bryant shoes, nothing quite comes close to the Kobe 9 Premium ‘HTM.’ The exterior features a fashionable multicolor design which specifically comes with a white overlay, black Swoosh and midsole, and a gum outsole. The shoe is also integrated with Flyknit, Lunarlon, and Flywire technology. This shoe was developed by Nike President and CEO Mark Parker, fragment design founder Hiroshi Fujiwara, and Nike Innovation Leader Tinker Hatfield, and was only released in the Nike Stadium Milano and Excelsior stores in Milan, Italy.
7. Nike Air Jordan “Kobe Bryant” Pack - $30,000
Although not exactly part of the Kobe Bryant signature Nike Black Mamba line, the Nike Air Jordan “Kobe Bryant” pack still deserves a mention as customized Air Jordan 3's and Air Jordan 8's were worn by Bryant himself during the 2002-2003 season. Both sneakers feature a white upper and yellow/purple midsole resembling the three Laker colorways. Air Jordan branding is also incorporated in the tongue, heel counter, and outsole of both shoes. The Air Jordan 3, in particular, gained worldwide attention as it was worn by Bryant during a game against the Washington Wizards; the last game that he and Michael Jordan competed against each other as the latter retired at the end of that season.
These Air Jordan Kobe’s never made it to store shelves as they were only player-exclusives. The shoes were also an invitation by Nike and Jordan brand to Bryant to join the Swoosh brand as had ended his contract with Adidas a year prior. For those looking to grab these ultra-rare basketball shoes, the two-sneaker pack is sold at popular sneaker consignment store Stadium Goods for $30,000.
8. Nike Kobe 1 Protro Undefeated - $50,000
The Kobe 1 Protro Undefeated is currently the most expensive Kobe Bryant shoe in the market. Los Angeles sneaker and apparel store Undefeated partnered with Nike to recreate Bryant’s first official shoe with the Swoosh brand: the Kobe 1. Undefeated then released multiple limited edition colorways of the shoe beginning in 2018. The newer version of this Nike basketball shoe is dubbed as “Protro” (short for “performance retro”) meaning it exudes a retro aesthetic but is customized to meet the demands of the modern athlete. Bryant is also credited for creating the “Protro” moniker.
The first-ever Protros (white/yellow colorway and camouflage colorway) were released during All-Star Weekend in February 2018. A Lakers colorway which was dubbed “Close-Out” was released two months later. More Protro editions of Bryant’s previous shoes have been released but all have been released in limited pairs. This shoe in particular is selling in StockX for $50,000, worth the price of around 300 high-end basketball sneakers.
Kobe Bryant definitely has one of the most expensive shoes in the market today. But despite the massive prices, fans of the late basketball legend are still lining up to buy his shoes. And as Nike continues to make them, expect basketball fans and sneaker collectors to shell out at least $1,000 just to secure the most recent release.
