This Ultra-Rare 2015 Nike Kobe 1 Sample is Stirring Up Confusion on IG

No matter what the real story behind this pair is, if you want it for your collection, it’s gonna cost you.

The social media era of sneaker culture has brought us copious amounts of flexing, rapid access to suspect information, and, on occasion, a surprising sample pair popping up for sale for the first time in more than a decade. In this case, we’ve got all three at once.

This week, sneaker resale Instagram page @bnsk_nyc posted a pair of 2015 sample Nike Kobe 1s covered in a gold and black snakeskin upper with black suede, carbon fiber, and gum sole accents. In the caption for the shoe, the page claimed the shoe was a 1-of-1 exclusive designed with Drake’s OVO aesthetic in mind. The price on the lone size 9 pair? $10,000.

The shoe is a rare pair, but according to IG page @la.soles, who popped up in the comment section, the pair has nothing to do with Drake and is not quite a 1-of-1. Instead, the sample was produced in an era directly before the Protro line launched, when Nike and Kobe were contemplating a move to a more lifestyle-focused line. Those plans changed, and they eventually went with a performance retro focus and scrapped the lifestyle samples, including this gold snakeskin colorway.

Would you pay the $10,000 to own a piece of Nike Kobe history? Luckily, you don’t have to if you want a pair of the Nike Kobe 1 Protro 81 Points as they’re sitting right now on Nike’s site. Check below for a detailed look at the ultra-rare sample, and for all the latest Nike Kobe sample news and stories, download the Sole Retriever mobile app.

Zach Harris

Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com