Nike Kobe 5 Protro Year of the Mamba Eggplant

Slithering through the defence like the Black Mamba, this Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Year of the Mamba Eggplant” celebrates the Lunar New Year. Inspired by the snake in the Chinese zodiac, this limited-edition colourway of Kobe’s fifth Nike signature basketball shoe sports an intricate design whilst aligning with the Los Angeles Lakers’ iconic purple and gold uniforms. This iteration drops alongside accompanying apparel and a China-exclusive Kobe 5 colourway to complete the LNY-themed capsule.

This iteration features a shiny purple synthetic upper with a golden snake wrapped on the lateral sidewall. Trademark Swooshes adorn the quarter, complementing the iconic sheath logo. The internal Flywire cables provide a supportive fit around the midfoot, reinforced with a sturdy heel counter and snakeskin-inspired overlays on the collar. The Chinese text inside the tongue reads “Year of the Mamba”, matching Bryant’s “8” and “24” jersey numbers on the sockliner. A plush foam midsole sits underfoot for ample cushioning, whilst the Zoom Air Turbo in the forefoot delivers a springy feel as you drive to the basket. The carbon fibre shank plate offers stability and arch support, propped up by heartbeat traction patterns on the icy translucent outsole. This special-edition pair arrives in a vibrant red and gold shoe box with an exclusive dust bag, deviating from the typical black packaging.

Set to release on the 29th of January via the Nike SNKRS app, you can find out where to buy the Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Year of the Mamba Eggplant” by keeping it locked to The Sole Supplier!