This Early Nike Kobe Sneaker Will Come Back as a Protro for the First Time in 2025

Following the Nike Kobe 9 Elite “Halo” bringing back the model as a Protro for the first time earlier this year, the Nike Kobe 3 will get a revival with the same formula in 2025.

The Nike Kobe 3 Protro “Halo” will see the model return in all-white for its debut with modernized technology, as reported by the reputable sneaker leaker @zsneakerheadz. Although the Kobe 3 was part of the “Fade to Black” pack in 2016 and got a “Misery” colorway in 2013, both of those releases were retros rather than Protros. Kobe Bryant‘s Protro series, a portmanteau for “professional” and “retro,” began in 2018 by remastering old sneakers rather than merely recreating them at the request of Bryant himself.

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The “Halo” series, meanwhile, began in 2023 with an all-white Nike Kobe 8 Protro releasing as a tribute to Bryant on his birthday. This year, both the high- and low-top version of Nike Kobe 9 Elite Protro released with the same treatment on the same day. React cushioning serves as the primary upgrade for the Kobe 9 Protro, which recently renewed the “Christmas” colorway and will to the same with the “Moonwalker” edition next year.

Lunaron cushioning made its debut in the Kobe line for the Kobe 3, which launched in 2008 and was designed by Eric Avar for his own debut on the Kobe line. It would be the last high-top sneaker for Bryant until the Kobe 9, and the upper’s TPU netting was made to secure the foot with an aggressive look and forced the Swoosh to take a back seat on the heel. Along with the Lunarlon cushioning, which is all but guaranteed to be replaced by React, the midsole featured a carbon fiber plate and full-length Zoom Air.

The Nike Kobe 3 Protro “Halo” has been confirmed for a fall 2025 release, with the strong likelihood of August 23 more specifically, through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. Pricing is not yet known, and Footwear News will keep you abreast of any updates.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.