Just when we thought we wouldn’t see any more Nike Kobe sneakers after the UNDEFEATED Nike Kobe 5 Protro, we were wrong. As the contract between Nike and Kobe Bryant comes to an end, it is evident that Nike is doing everything they can to celebrate and remember the Black Mamba’s legacy. In fact, not only his legacy but Gigi Bryant’s as well. This effort is spearheaded by the latest confirmed sneaker: the Kobe 6 Protro Mamba Forever.
While we’ve grown accustomed to seeing Kobe’s signature kicks shrouded in purple and gold (for the Lakers) the Mamba Forever utilizes a much more simplistic color scheme of black and white that is accompanied by gold accents. This is no coincidence: the colorway mirrors the colors of Kobe’s Mamba Sports Academy, which is now formally known as the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. Bigger than basketball, Kobe taught and encouraged the youth to play the sport with a passion he once had.
Aside from the colorway, other elements within the sneaker hold great significance. Among these elements are the name, number, and logo found on the heel portion of each sneaker. On the left foot, “Kobe” is proudly written in gold, while on the right foot “Gigi” is inscribed. The number “2” is found in gold on the pair’s heel, which pays homage to Gigi’s basketball jersey number. Lastly, a white Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation logo finds itself against the black heel counter.
While it is inevitable that demand for this sneaker will eclipse the limited supply, high resale prices should not be the motivation behind securing yourself a pair. The Kobe 6 Protro “Mamba Forever” stands for Kobe and Gigi’s long-lasting legacy both on the hardwood floor and off it. Besides, who wouldn’t want to keep their hands on a piece of basketball history anyway?
The sneakers are set to have a retail price of $180(~Php 8.6k) with a tentative release date for sometime between June and September 2021. However, be sure to keep your eyes and ears peeled for more official information. In the meantime, Take a Look Back at the 10 Best Nike Kobe Sneakers!
