Andrew Rizzo Post-retirement Kobes are coming back in a big way. This year’s Mamba Invitational coincided with news of two models dropping Summer 2027, including a $410 basketball super shoe in the Kobe NXT Prototype as well as another silo called the NXT 1.0. But that’s not all. The original Nike Kobe AD from 2016, the Mamba’s first-ever post-retirement shoe, is the latest member to enter the Protro canon, returning in its original “Purple Stardust” colorway for Holiday 2026.
Championed notably by Nike NIL athlete Aaliyah Chavez, the Kobe AD Protro comes with some slight differences from the original, namely a slightly lower overall height. It’s best compared to the Nike Sabrina 3, that signature line in and of itself drawing routine comparisons to Kobe Bryant shoes since its inception. Most notable of all is the price. At $155 in adult sizing, it immediately becomes the cheapest Kobe on offer.
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Shown above via in-hand shots and below via official Nike images, this “Purple Stardust” pair revisits one of the model’s original colorways from the initial 2016 run. The tech, meanwhile, gets some major upgrades. ZoomX foam lives in the forefoot, while a React midsole provides top-tier responsiveness. The forefoot is wider, the upper lighter, and the traction better. There’s also a shank plate roughly the size of a credit card in the midfoot for better stability.
The Nike Kobe AD Protro “Purple Stardust” lands Holiday 2026 for $155 via Nike and select retailers. Check out official images below and visit our Sneaker Release Dates page to browse more upcoming basketball shoes.
WHERE TO BUY
Mens Nike Kobe AD Protro
US 2026
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nikestore | Standard | Check Site |
