Kobe Bryant’s sneaker line is taking a quick trip off the court as Nike has plans for various lifestyle product releases throughout 2025. On top of multiple Nike Kobe Slides, Bryant’s branding features and Protro (performance retro) mentality will be applied to the Nike Air Force 1 Low. Alongside the already-announced Forever Collection, which features Olive, Purple, Black, and White colorways, and the Lenticular Protro, a Soft Yellow colorway of the Proto AF1 will hit shelves in Summer 2025.
Posted within a slideshow of different Nike Kobe releases from Vanessa Bryant, including a Nike Kobe 4 Protro CHBL reveal, this Protro AF1 sees an all-over leather upper with soft yellow shades dominating. Each leather panel takes on this shade but comes lined with a purple hue on the raw edge, which potentially indicates the pair features a wear-away finish.
Jordan Brand designer Frank Cooke shared that the inspiration for the soft yellow color of this pair of Kobe Air Force 1s was the yellow penny and shorts that Kobe wore when he practiced with a broken right hand. The inspiration for the details doesn't end there; the special-edition laces are inspired by the flannel pajama bottoms he wore under his shorts during the broken arm practice session. Practicing with a broken arm? That's Mamba Mentality for you!
Moving back to the heel, we see Kobe’s number 8 replace the standard heel tab overlay. Other details for Bryant are found on the sole unit, with his signature in purple placed where you’d typically see the AF1 logo. With this labeled a “protro,” the internals have been upgraded to feature a drop-in ReactX insole, which combines with the typical Air unit in the midsole's heel. Finishing the design is the purple rubber outsole.
The Kobe Bryant x Nike Air Force 1 Low Protro Soft Yellow will release in Summer 2025 through Nike and select retailers online and in-store. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is $150. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Image via Vanessa Bryant
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts and catching the latest movies. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
