Everyone has their favorite pair of Kobe Bryant sneakers. The Black Mamba made a huge impact in basketball during his 20-season-long career. Similarly, his signature kicks with both Nike and Adidas have cemented their place in sneaker culture. Over 22 Kobe Bryant signature sneakers dropped throughout his unmatched career. From his promising rookie year to his amazing 60-point final performance, the legacy of his shoes is on par with his legendary career. Below, we’ve broke down the 7 best signature Kobe Bryant sneakers.
7. Adidas KB8
Unveiled during the 1997-98 season, this is the signature Kobe Bryant sneaker that started it all. The KB8 marked the first signature Adidas Kobe Bryant sneaker and remains a staple among Black Mamba fans. Kobe wore this signature shoe when facing his idol, Michael Jordan, during the 1998 All-Star Game where he dropped a team-high 18 points for the Western Conference. The shoe eventually became known as the “Crazy 8” once it was later re-released in 2007. To this day, it remains one of the most popular Kobe Bryant sneakers from his Adidas era.
6. Nike Zoom Kobe 1
The Nike Zoom Kobe 1 kicked off his fruitful partnership with a bang. Eventually brought back as the Nike Zoom Kobe 1 Protro, this shoe continues to be one of the most popular silhouettes. The Black Mamba wore these shoes the same season that he won his first scoring title, as well as the night he scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors. The advanced technology of the Protro along with many popular colorways make the first Kobe Bryant sneaker to carry the Swoosh a top choice to this day.
5. Nike Zoom Kobe 6
First looks at the 2021 Nike Zoom Kobe 6 “Grinch”
pic.twitter.com/yGlLabEARr
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) November 11, 2020
One of the most iconic Kobe Bryant sneakers, the Nike Zoom Kobe 6 makes a bold statement. Fully committing to the then-new Black Mamba persona, the shoe matched the personality by featuring a complete snake-scale-inspired upper. The snakeskin motif has been kept in all of the many popular colorways of the Nike Zoom Kobe 6, including “The Grinch” and the “All-Star.” The unorthodox design continues to be a hit among fans, making it one of the most beloved Kobe Bryant sneakers.
4. Adidas KB8 2
Who says the sequel always has to suck? The second addition to the Adidas era of Kobe Bryant sneakers, the KB8 II, is considered a must-have among sneakerheads. These Kobe Bryant signature sneakers debuted during the 1998-99 season with three colorways: black, white, and purple. The popular shoe saw a 2014 re-release in the two colorways of white/purple and black/purple. The full purple colorway of the Kobe Bryant sneakers was later released by Adidas, as well.
3. Adidas “The Kobe”
Adidas is re-releasing the Crazy 1 Kobe’s on November 11th pic.twitter.com/EsFKH7Zoky
— SAY CHEESE!
(@SaycheeseDGTL) November 1, 2022
The unorthodox look of these Kobe Bryant sneakers from Adidas comes from what many may call an unlikely partnership between the sportswear brand and Audi. Located just an hour away from each other in Germany, the two brands crossed paths, leading to the release of one of the best releases in the history of Kobe Bryant sneakers. The shoe has been worn on the court by stars like Andre Iguodala and Jerami Grant. The “Kobe 1” also marked the debut of Kobe Bryant’s signature logo. Reminiscent of an Audi sports car, the sneakers have the same sleekness that Kobe always showed on the court!
2. Nike Zoom Kobe 4
When Kobe Bryant spoke with the designers of this shoe, he told them that he needed a sneaker that “fit like a second skin.” The end result was a boundary-pushing shoe that pushed boundaries that went on to be considered one of the best Kobe Bryant sneakers. The range and flexibility of the model represent the explosiveness of the Black Mamba’s game. After its debut, the sneaker was coveted by sneakerheads, as well as other players like Lamar Odom. Colorways like the “Chaos Joker” and “Metallic Gold” versions keep the Nike Zoom Kobe 4 as popular as the day it debuted.
1. Nike Zoom Kobe 10 Low
Released in 2015, this is Kobe Bryant’s 10th signature shoe with Nike. The minimalist design brought a simple, yet stylish, look to go along with comfort and performance. The Kobe Bryant sneakers come in many different colorways, as well as Nike Flynit versions, as well. Though it is not as common to see low-tops on the court, the Nike Zoom Kobe 10 Low continues to be an on-court favorite of other players. The Kobe Bryant sneakers are still worn by players including Zach Lavine, Jaylen Brown and Demar DeRozan.