The Kobe Bryant Air Force 1 canon is poised to take off in 2025, with the Beaverton brand following up last year’s duo with as many as five new releases celebrating the Mamba. It all begins on June 24th with the release of the “Soft Yellow” Air Force 1 Low Protro; a limited pair featuring upgraded cushioning and a clever design reference to boot. The sneaker goes for $150 and will be available via Nike SNKRS and retailers, most of which are holding raffles. Get cracking on your entries below and keep scrolling to learn what makes this pair special.
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As is the case with myriad storytelling sneakers, Kobe’s “Soft Yellow” Air Force 1 needs to be primed with a bit of history lesson. Ahead of the 1999-2000 NBA season, Kobe Bryant broke his right hand in a preseason game against the Washington Wizards. The injury would keep him out for the fist 15 games of regular play, but that didn’t keep Kobe off the court in the meantime. In perhaps one of the best “Mamba Mentality” examples that exists, Kobe took the injury as an opportunity to work on his non-dominant hand. Sometime during his recovery, sports photographer Andrew D. Bernstein captured a picture that truly says a thousand words. Sporting a cast on his right hand and pajamas underneath his Lakers warm-ups, Kobe was spotted in an empty Staples Center shooting free throws with his left hand. The Kobe Air Force 1 “Soft Yellow” captures that moment in the form of a sneaker, complete with a slew of thoughtful details
To start, Bernstein’s iconic picture is printed onto the insoles. Kobe was actually an adidas athlete in 1999-2000, but his sneakers are conventionally cropped out here. Additionally, while you wouldn’t know it off first impressions alone, this is actually a Protro version of the Air Force 1 featuring ReactX insoles for added comfort. Given the success of the Protro franchise as it pertains to signature Kobe Bryant shoes, it’s rather fitting that the first AF1 Protro comes with the Mamba’s name attached.
As for the other details, Kobe’s #8 jersey number completely overtakes the heel in place of a traditional backtab. Black and white laces are included as a tribute to Kobe’s flannel pajamas, while the late legend’s signature replaces “AIR” text on the midsole. Perhaps the most clever details are also the most subtle; the outsole features Kobe sheath logos as opposed to stars, snakeskin-textured “coils” around the forefoot, and text for all five of Kobe’s championship years.
Again; the Kobe Bryant Air Force 1 Protro “Soft Yellow” is scheduled to release June 24th via Nike SNKRS and retailers. Scroll back up to our Where To Buy section to get all your raffle entries in.
