Vanessa Bryant has been setting the sneaker world ablaze with her recent string of Instagram posts — showing off unreleased Kobe Bryant PEs like the Kobe 8 Protro “Valentine’s Day” and the Kobe 4 Protro in hot pink. Now, she’s revealed her third unique Nike sneaker in less than 24 hours: a leopard-printed Kobe 8 Protro.
As its name indicates, the Kobe 8 Protro “Leopard” features a healthy dose of leopard-print detailing, reaching from the toebox to the heel. It’s contrasted by hits of black, white and gold, the most notable of which is a large gold Swoosh on the lateral midfoot. Other details include Kobe’s familiar Kill Bill-inspired sheath logo on the tongue, as well as a gold signature on the heel, gold-flecked laces and a smooth white midsole/cream outsole combination. From a performance standpoint, the Kobe 8 Protro’s upgrades include a drop-in React midsole instead of the original’s Lunarlon cushioning, a thickened upper and tongue and an enhanced traction pattern.
This pair seems to be an exclusive player edition — limited to Kobe’s friends and family as well as select NBA players on the Nike Basketball roster — and will likely not see a retail release. Still, Kobe’s line is certainly no stranger to animal prints as the Kobe 7 was released in a “Cheetah” colorway back in 2012. However, you can enjoy a first look at the shoe in the pictures above.
