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The return of the Nike Kobe line has been one of the biggest stories in sneakers this year, and a return to the Grinch theme that first began in 2010 is guaranteed to be one of the hottest sneaker drops of the holiday season.
While unveiling its full holiday 2023 basketball collection, Nike has confirmed that the Kobe 6 Protro “Reverse Grinch” will arrive later this year. The bright red sneaker is a flip of the Kobe 6 “Grinch” that originally released on Christmas Day in 2010. Kobe Bryant debuted the sneakers on the court that same day in a much-hyped matchup against LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
The holiday-themed pair became one of the most beloved Kobe sneakers, and Nike brought it back for the 10-year anniversary in 2020 as part of the remastered Protro series. With its reissue coming not long after the NBA loosened its rules on what color sneakers players could wear in-game, the Kobe Grinches have maintained consistent appearances throughout the league.
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With the “Reverse” treatment, this new Kobe 6 Protro flips green for a predominantly red color scheme. Bright crimson covers the entire sneaker save for the black printed Swoosh and electric green’s appearance on the laces and tongue logo. Like all Kobe 6 Protros, it also features a Zoom Turbo unit at the forefoot and Cushlon foam throughout the midsole as upgrades from the original model.
The holiday season will also see the release of the Kobe 4 Protro “Black Mamba” — and together the two sneakers will mark the second and third Kobes to release since the relaunch in August.
The Nike Kobe 6 Protro has been confirmed for a Dec. 16 release through the SNKRS app. Men’s and kids’ sizing will both be available, priced at $190 and $125, respectively.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending 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.
