In the eyes of many, the Nike Kobe 6 (2010’s “Grinch” colorway in particular) is arguably the greatest in the entire Nike Kobe family, sitting in the pantheon alongside the Kobe 1 “81 Points”, Kobe 5 “Bruce Lee”, and Kobe 5 “Chaos”.

Kobe Byrant’s legacy on the court may be long, a 20-year career, but his legacy off it will prove to be even longer and stronger than ever before. Even five years after his untimely passing in January 2020, he’s as relevant today as he was since his NBA retirement in 2016.

NBA players, past and present, continue to share anecdotes about him, and his shoes remain popular on the hardwood, on the feet of the world’s best players, and on the asphalt of the concrete jungle. Even adidas is reviving their two-model Kobe line, now renamed “Crazy”. (The FKA adidas Kobe Two will be reintroduced in its original “Silver Metallic” colorway this year.)

Thus, in the status quo, new Nike Kobe colorways continue to be introduced. Many a tribute to its namesake and his daughter, Gigi, and ones more meaningful to his fans, such as:

With the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend imminent, the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “All-Star 2.0” pair has been loaded in the chamber awaiting release on 13 February 2025. Kobe won the All-Star Game MVP award four times in 2002, 2007, 2009, and 2011. As the perfect tribute and show of reverence, the league renamed the trophy to the NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP Award.

Nike Kobe 6 Protro “All-Star 2.0” (Sail)

As Nike Kobe shoes continue to be mainstays on the basketball court, the Kobe 6 has proven to be a favorite in the NBA, with Devin Booker, PJ Tucker, and Caitlin Clark as some of its biggest champions. Even data from sites like KixStats consistently show the Kobe 6 as the most popular shoe among NBA players in terms of minutes played and points scored. But…

Why Is the Nike Kobe 6 Popular with NBA Players?

Performance

Meticulous, scrupulous, and thorough, Kobe Bryant has always been involved in the design and performance of his signature shoes. Going as far as imbuing their redux with contemporary concepts and modern materials (while maintaining their classic design), he coined the shoes’ now-familiar suffix “Protro,” a portmanteau of performance and retro.

Low-Top Design

Since the Kobe 4, the Nike Kobe line has adopted a low-top design. It was a revolutionary move at the time. He felt that high-top shoes restricted his movement and didn’t allow his foot to move as naturally as it should. He wanted a shoe that would allow him more freedom of motion for quicker cuts, faster direction changes, and overall improved agility on the court.

Drawing inspiration from other sports, particularly soccer, he noticed that soccer players, who make similar quick, lateral movements to basketball players, wore low-cut shoes. An observation led him to question the conventional wisdom of basketball shoes as high tops, prevalent since the advent of performance footwear design.  

But he didn’t just switch to low-tops without careful consideration. He worked closely with Nike designers, particularly Eric Avar, to develop shoes that would meet his specific needs and address any concerns about ankle support. The result was the earlier-mentioned Kobe 4, which catalyzed the widespread adoption of low-top basketball shoes we see today.

Nike designer Eric Avar To Kobe was what Tinker Hatfield was to Michael Jordan

Lightweight

The Nike Kobe 6’s low-top construction contributed significantly to the shoe’s overall lightness, removing the bulk and material of a high-top. Compounded by the use of a lightweight yet durable synthetic material called polyurethane-coated mesh, combined with the scaly texture inspired by the Black Mamba, the build provided a supportive and breathable fit without adding unnecessary weight.

Responsive Cushioning

The Nike Kobe 6 featured Zoom Air units in the heel and forefoot. Zoom Air is a technology where pressurized air is encapsulated in tightly stretched fibers. This creates a springy, responsive feel, absorbing impact and quickly returning energy to the foot. In the Kobe 6, these units were strategically placed to provide cushioning where it was needed most during basketball movements.  

Surrounding the Zoom Air units was a Phylon midsole. Phylon is a lightweight, durable foam that provides a soft, comfortable base. It works in conjunction with the Zoom Air to further absorb shock and enhance the overall cushioning experience.

Excellent Traction

The Nike Kobe 6 also owes much of its acclaim to its well-engineered traction system. Its unique outsole pattern maximizes court contact for a superior multi-directional grip. Its “scaled-down” (no pun intended ’cause Mamba) design, compared to its predecessor, enhanced court feel and agility while providing exceptional stopping power and lateral movement capabilities, a quality that was paramount to Kobe’s gameplay and of those he has inspired.

Cultural Cachet

The Nike Kobe 6, beyond its technical merits, bears a profound cultural significance. The model has become a powerful way for NBA players—more so for his de facto successors (those whose playstyle he inspired)—and enthusiasts worldwide to pay homage to one of the sport’s most beloved figures.

Moreover, in the wake of his passing, Kobe shoes have taken on an even deeper meaning, becoming a tangible link to his memory and a way to keep his spirit alive on the court.

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Is Kobe 6 True to Size? (Kobe 6 Sizing Guide)

The Nike Kobe 6 generally runs true to size. But, for athletic use (as Kobe intended them to be), consider going up half a size to accommodate for the natural swelling of the feet during sport. For casual, lifestyle wear, your regular Nike size should suffice.

Best Nike Kobe 6 Colorways

Just to close this off, consider some of the best Nike Kobe 6 colorways on the SNKRDUNK App. From the latest Nike Kobe 6 Protro “All-Star 2.0” in Sail to the sentimental “Mambacita Sweet 16”.

After the release of the Kobe 6 Protro “All-Star 2.0”, there’s more in store this Year of the Snake (or rather, Year of the Mamba) for the Nike Kobe line, such as the Kobe 6 Protro “Dodgers”, Kobe 8 Protro “What The Kobe”, and the Kobe 9 EM Low Protro “China”. So to stay up to date, go ahead and bookmark:

“Nike Kobe 2025 Release Dates“

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For the latest releases, breaking news, and exclusive interviews, stay tuned to the SNKRDUNK Magazine and @snkrdunk on Instagram. Explore the SNKRDUNK App and use the welcome code from the banner below before making your first purchase. Additionally, if you want to try a pair out, visit our stores in Singapore and Japan!

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