Kobe 8 Protro Review
Does Nike’s new take on the Kobe 8 perform as well as the original?
Aesthetics
Appearance wise, the Kobe 8 Protro is almost entirely faithful to it’s predecessor. It’s sleek silhouette and low-profile remain as attractive as they did on the original Kobe 8 System. The mesh upper also continues to allow Nike to offer up a variety of unique colour ways, some with intricate and detailed designs. There are also a range of little tributes present that pay homage to Kobe hidden throughout, which is a nice touch.
Materials
The upper is primarily constructed of engineered mesh, which allows the shoe to stay light and offers plenty of breathability. In order to maintain structure and durability, a combination of TPU and fuse is also used, particularly in high ware areas such as the eyelets and toe-box area. While these materials aren’t necessarily considered premium, the shoes don’t feel cheaply made by any means.
On the outsole, the traction is a mixture of a traditional herringbone pattern and a snakeskin style design. As you’d expect, it gets the job done, particularly on well-maintained indoor courts. However, I wouldn’t recommend the Kobe 8 Protro for outdoor play, as I imagine the soft rubber compound used on the soles will wear away rather quickly on most asphalt or concrete surfaces.
Fit
In terms of fit, the Kobe 8 Protro runs just a little small. If you like your sneakers tight and snug, like I do, I’d recommend still going true to size. However, if you have a wide foot or regularly wear ankle braces and require a little more room, I’d suggesting going up at least half a size to be safe.
Support
Despite being a low-top sneaker, the Protro model, much like the originals, has a combination of features allowing it to be a sound and supportive performance shoe. The carbon fibre shank, TPU heel counter and snug fit combine to give ample stability, and I had no issue with heel slipping on drives or cuts when playing.
However, while the Kobe 8 is supportive, it still *feels* like I’m just one step away from an ankle roll at times. This is purely due to the fact they are low-cut, compared to the traditional design of most basketball shoes, giving the uneasy feeling that my ankles were unprotected. Thankfully, once I was able to get a few hours of court time in wearing them, those fears faded away.
Comfort
Thanks to the soft mesh upper and padding around collar and tongue, step in comfort is quite nice. The only aspect of the shoe that requires any breaking in is the cushion setup. Nike’s React foam, which is featured in a Kobe 8 Protro’s drop-in midsole, can feel a little firm on the first wear. After breaking in, it does however provide a solid blend of responsiveness and impact protection.
Price
The retail price of $250 AUD for the Kobe 8 is already relatively steep, albeit pretty standard for flagship performance basketball shoes. The problem is, it is incredibly difficult to get your hands on the pair directly via Nike given the limited supply they put out. This means if you really want a pair, you’re likely going to need to turn to the resale market, where the figures can really get insane. On popular sneaker resale sites like GOAT and Stock X, more exclusive Kobe’s can sell for more than triple their original value. Whilst the Kobe 8 Protro is a quality performer, you’ll need to be patient to avoid overpaying for a pair.
Summary
Overall, the Kobe 8 Protro is an extremely solid and well-rounded sneaker. It is not only faithful to the original Kobe 8 System model, but continues to hold up as a premier basketball shoe. If you don’t have any qualms playing in a low-top, I highly recommend picking up a pair. That is, if you’re lucky enough to find them at a price that won’t absolutely break the bank.