Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant’s widow, has designed a new pair of Nike sneakers named Protro 8. On Thursday, Nike presented the designs for these sneakers. They will be available for purchase on August 23, which would have been Kobe Bryant’s 45th birthday. Vanessa Bryant teased the sneakers on Instagram, referring to them as the “Kobe 8 ‘Halo'” style, with more variations on the way.
According to the Daily Mail, Vanessa Bryant, the mother of Natalia, Gigi, Bianka, and Capri, created the Halo shoe concept to commemorate Kobe Bryant’s birthday each year.The sneakers are a modernized version of Kobe Bryant’s eighth shoe, which was debuted in 2012. This is Kobe’s second release after the Kobe 4 Protro Mamabacitas, which debuted in May.
Nike has enhanced the newest model by replacing the Lunarlon midsole with Nike React foam, which results in improved comfort, responsiveness, and durability. The herringbone traction pattern, as well as the embroidery of the Swoosh on the upper and the Mamba logo on the tongue, have also been updated.
After the late Kobe Bryant’s Nike contract expired in April 2021, Vanessa Bryant stated on Instagram in March 2022 that she had secured a new arrangement with Nike. This agreement allows Nike to design shoes in honor of Kobe and Gigi Bryant. Vanessa Bryant expressed delight in the success of Kobe Bryant’s sneakers among NBA players and the continuous demand for them from his global audience.
Vanessa Bryant’s new Nike relationship ensures that Kobe and Gigi Bryant Nike items will continue to be available, with all net proceeds from Gianna’s shoes going to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation (M&MSF) each year.
Vanessa Bryant expressed appreciation for the work with Nike, noting the establishment of a youth basketball center in Southern California that will instill the Mamba Mentality in future athletes.
