First Look: The Hornets Colored Nike Kobe Dunk Low Protro is Covered in Snakeskin
PublishedQuick Facts
- The Nike Kobe Dunk Low Protro Hornets combines the Mamba’s classic snakeskin motif with traditional Dunk color-blocking,
- Purple snakeskin lands on the toe, lace, and heel panels, while white leather sits on the toebox and side panels
- A teal snakeskin Swoosh on the side panels has frayed yellow showing through
- On the outsole, the Kobe sheath logo is integrated into the traction pattern near the heel
- The Nike Kobe Dunk Low Protro Hornets will release Summer 2026
Kobe Bryant only wore one jersey his entire career. But before he first donned the Lakers gold and purple, the Black Mamba was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets and traded to Los Angeles before the draft cameras stopped rolling. To commemorate the sliding doors possibilities of the 1996 NBA Draft, Nike is adding a Hornets colorway to the newly created Kobe Bryant x Nike Dunk Low Protro line.
After getting word of the colorway’s existence last year, we’ve finally got our hands on a leaked preview of the Kobe Dunk. The Nike Kobe Dunk Low Protro Hornets combines the Mamba’s classic snakeskin motif with traditional Dunk color-blocking, starting with purple snakeskin on the toe, lace, and heel panels, adding white leather on the toebox and side panels, and a teal snakeskin Swoosh on the side panels with a bit of frayed yellow showing through. On the outsole, the Kobe sheath logo is integrated into the traction pattern near the heel.
Nike has been pushing hard to expand the Kobe line off the basketball court lately, adding Kobe’s snakeskin print and sheath logo to pairs of Air Force 1 and Dunk Protros. Taking hints from Kobe’s performance hoops line, the lifestyle silhouettes are their own Protro upgrades in construction and material selection.
The Nike Kobe Dunk Low Protro Hornets will release Summer 2026 through Nike and select retailers online and in-store. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $135. For all the latest Nike Kobe news and drop info, download the Sole Retriever mobile app.
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
