Protect Your Purchase: A Guide to Authenticate Your Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Dodgers” Sneakers

7th August 2025 EDT RELEASES

Protect Your Purchase: A Guide to Authenticate Your Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Dodgers” Sneakers

Learn how to spot a fake iteration of this coveted pair and protect your investment.

Protect Your Purchase: A Guide to Authenticate Your Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Dodgers” Sneakers

Nike Kobe 6 Protro "Dodgers" Retail US$

Kobe Bryant’s enduring legacy keeps his signature sneakers as popular as ever. The Nike Kobe 6 Protro sells out instantly, and this high demand has led to a market flooded with counterfeit pairs. For those looking to purchase a pair on the secondary market, it’s wise to know what to look for.

This guide, using insights from professional SNKRDUNK authenticators, breaks down some of the key differences between a real and fake pair of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Dodgers.” These tips are a good starting point for anyone hesitant about buying from a reseller.

What is the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Dodgers”

Released in March 2025, this colorway honors the Los Angeles Dodgers. The shoe features a vibrant blue upper, a white Swoosh, and Kobe’s number “8” in red on the heel, making it a popular choice for both basketball and baseball fans.

Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Dodgers”

View on SNKRDUNK

How to Spot a Fake Pair

Here are some of the key things to check when authenticating a pair of the “Dodgers” Kobe 6 Protro.

UV Light Test

Professional authenticators often use a UV light to reveal differences not visible to the naked eye.

• Tongue Logo: When a UV light is shined on the logo on the tongue, an authentic shoe will glow a pale blue, while a counterfeit will remain dark.

• Tongue Mesh: The mesh part of the tongue on a real pair will not react to UV light, but on a fake pair, it will.

• Upper: The side panels of an authentic upper will react to UV light with a bluish-white glow. A fake pair will react with a purple glow instead.

Shoe Details

• Tongue Logo: On a counterfeit pair, the spacing between the different parts of the logo on the tongue is often slightly wider than on an authentic pair.

• Insole: The logo print on a fake insole has different spacing and is a lighter color compared to a real one. When hit with UV light, an authentic insole will have a purple base and a fluorescent logo, while a fake will have a blue base and a non-fluorescent logo.

• Shoelace Holes: Fake pairs often have roughly processed shoelace holes that don’t match the size of the punched holes on an authentic shoe.

Advanced Authentication

For professionals, even more detailed methods are available to distinguish fakes from real pairs.

• X-ray: An X-ray of an authentic shoe will show a notch in the Air Zoom Turbo unit in the forefoot, which is absent in the dummy unit used in a fake.

• IR Camera: When viewed with an infrared camera, the dotted pattern on an authentic shoe appears black. On a fake, there’s no reaction, and it appears white.

Conclusion

As counterfeit manufacturing becomes more sophisticated, it’s increasingly difficult for the average person to spot a fake. If there’s any doubt about a pair’s authenticity, it is always best to purchase from a reputable source.

What is SNKRDUNK Lab?

As a leader in the industry, our lab is dedicated to tackling the social and economic problems caused by counterfeit goods. We aim to improve authentication technology and raise awareness about fakes by strengthening our partnerships with domestic and international experts and research institutions. By combining technology, data, and human expertise, we are creating the future standard for what is authentic.

Our Main Activities

Investigating and Researching Counterfeit Goods
SNKRDUNK currently maintains an authentication accuracy rate of 99.97%. We will continue to conduct research and investigations, utilizing Japan’s largest database of counterfeit products to stay ahead of the curve.

Improving Our Authentication Technology
By introducing and researching various tools, including X-ray, infrared, and microscopes, we are enhancing our technology to ensure we can authenticate every single item.

Communicating for Public Awareness
We will regularly publish market reports based on our partnerships with external organizations and experts, as well as on insights and research findings gathered from the field.