What Nike Should Be Doing with the Kobe 8 Protro
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- čas přidán 13. 06. 2024
- Hey Guys! Today we take a break from the sneaker reviews and decide to discuss a topic that has been on Chris' mind. These are the things we feel Nike Should be Doing with the Nike Kobe 8 Protro.
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imo the lack of interest comes from most people not being able to buy kobes, most basketball people want to play in kobes and when they cost 500$ because resellers get them nike knows people wont play in them and dont care about performance
Exactly . Did chris mention this fact at all?
You sound like Nike possesses limitations making these shoes…
Nike can just make more quantity, make them cheaper, or make them better without question. Any 1 of these and the problem will be solved
The main issue is Nike (and/or Venessa) are treating these like some exclusive collabs and misusing Kobe’s name and the term Protro
@@goodcompanymanNike can definitely make them better, so that they actually fit the Protro term.
@@goodcompanyman i mean it is entirely nike's fault, just make more like any other normal shoe. Even at 180 euros (retail in greece) i would surely buy a couple of pairs.
not really them not caring who wears thems, its more like why improve them if theyre always selling out. if we didnt have to worry about reselling and quanity issues we'd see more people critique these retros but as of now people are just being grateful to actually get a pair of any kobe, i personally dont like how they removed the heel zoom unit in the 6's but ill be damn glad if im ever able to cop a pair.
Kobe 1 protro was the definition of how to do a protro and will always be cemented in my in my top 5 hoop shoes.
5 yrs later they still my go to outdoor shoe
Nike should release more Kobe merch like shirts, hoodies, etc. and make them more accessible
Nike should release more Kobe shoes.
This specifically is a really good point. Aside from the shoes it’s like they shelved all the tshirts and hoodies type stuff which really killed off the connection to the shoes
kobe elite socks
I agree. There is no reason I should have to enter into a SNKRS raffles for an overpriced $50 plain white t shirt with a Kobe mamba shield on it. The only jerseys you can get a $300+ authentic jerseys or resale special edition jerseys
I don't even go after Kobe anymore because the bots and the resellers are going to get all of them
Same here. I only got the AS 6s and that's it. No more paying ressell, it ain't worth it as there are Sabrina's and and linings ect
You hit the nail there especially not making these available to the public for everyone to experience and enjoy the legacy of kobe kicks
I think if everyone had it, then not as many people would want it.
Chris looking like he wanna punch the air every time he gotta explain what a Protro is again. Lol
The lack of availability is the problem with Nike. They’re not making the most hyped line of basketball shoes since Jordan’s widely available. So when they drop and no one can buy them because they’re limited in quantity I’m gonna blame the swoosh because how are you not going to mass produce an item you will undoubtedly make your money back on them guaranteed and why make getting the products a shot in the dark where it’s almost impossible to do so
On top of that there's the elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about and that is that reps (fakes) Kobes are gaining popularity and reviewers say the good ones are as good or better performance wise than retail. So if you can get Kobes that look real to 99% of people and play like Kobes for 1/3 the price of resellers it seems like a no brainer. ESPECIALLY when you can further min/max the peformance buy buying serious player one midsoles and using those on rep 8s, 9s, 11s etc...
Then your paying 220 bucks all in for kobes that have midsoles as good as any shoe on the market instewd of paying 500 bucks for protros with cushioning that has been surpassed in every way by new shoes.
I've been trying to get a pair of Kobe's for years now and unfortunately they are just impossible to get for the average person. It's difficult to stay interested in a shoe line that's so unobtainable, which is why I've ignored some of the more recent Kobe releases this year.
I would choose to not sneeze, although I would worry about the health ramifications of not expelling the particles that need to be removed from your nasal cavity.
Remember when the Protros came out BEFORE he passed away? All (or almost all) original colors were available, on shelves, sitting. Since his passing, resellers came to wipe out all the stock, and Nike had FOUR years to do something about it. They did nothing. Better yet, they doubled down on the situation, and just limited everything and gatekeep the original colorways, and now look where we're at. That alone speaks volume to how much they really care.
Kobes are almost impossible to get if you are outside of USA
yeah fr ive entered in like 13 raffles since august last year and didnt get a single pair
I used to watch you Foamer Simpson, and Kickgenius back when yall used to make the perfornance reviews and I recently got the Kobe 8 Protro since I only had only used the Kobe 9 and Jordan 29 in highschool. After playing in the protro for a while, they are definitely a decent basketball shoe and ill continue to wear them, but I find myself just going back to my Kobe 9's more. Because my feet are on the flatter side, the carbon fiber piece can feel pretty annoying and gave me a small blister. I would have liked them to put zoom in the insoles also and pair the zoom with react instead of phylon because I remember the foam they used back in 2013 on Kobe 8 elite was too firm and the zoom wasn’t too noticeable. Appreciate the videos, keep up the great content!!
One of the better vids y'all have dropped in a while. Little change in format + a topic that hoopers are asking about (summary of Kobe protros) = one of the quickest views I've had on your channel. Keep up the good work
Chris, we need more of these videos. Great job, bro!
The Kobe 8s has some of the coolest color ways but they don’t want to reach in the vault for some reason
The problem with the lack of interest in all popular retro shoe releases… limited release amounts for sale and resellers. Period!
Great topic! Do more of these!
Great video💪🏼🙏🏻
Finally someone said it! Been wondering as well why the sulfur colorway is still not yet re-issued! Loved those shoes!
I loved the Kobe line growing up. I have attachment to a lot of the models as they were originally releasing as I played hoops on middle school and high school. The thing that really bothers me is how high msrp is for these newer Kobe releases without much change! Remember snagging some Kobe 4s on Eastbay (Geez we getting old) for $120 bucks. Now fast forward 15 years or so and we paying an extra $70 (new msrp is $190) for what exactly? Feels like a money grab at times. That’s just for the 4s but also applies to a lot of the Kobe protro models. I just wonder what Kobe would think if he was alive. He was always pushing Nike and their design team for more out of his products. Smh let’s hope for a better 2025 and beyond from Nike.
Great critique. I agree
I have given up on Nike on anything (if) I can get my hand on and perform on court:
- Can't buy them for retail (or below)
- Colourways are wack
- Fits like a banana and most of them are too damn narrow
Since I have number of shoes I own and plenty of choices with other brands, I have given up on Kobes.
Great points!! Hope for Kobe 8 prelude
Totally agree with the questionable choice of colorway releases... I was really looking forward to getting Sulfurs and Milk Snakes, both of which were very special to me back in college but so far I'm not a big fan of the current colorways that have been protro'ed so far. Another problem are the sneaker flippers add a barrier for people wanting to buy them. Looking at my online marketplace, you'll see so many pairs being sold for 250-350 buck. Really frustrating.
I'm looking forward to the Jordan 39 . That shoe looks 🔥. Plus the tech specs. Thanks for the review and info. God bless y'all
Helps that MJ decided to come back and help too! That, and we're finally getting ZoomX in the midsole for a Nike/Jordan basketball shoe!
I agree we definitely need more retro color ways in the 8s
You’re spot on with the color ways. Why the “sulfur” one hasn’t been released makes no sense. The Kobe 8s got me into sneakers and it’s just sad that people like me that actually want them can’t get them. They should release more original color ways and distribute more pairs in stores and not just online, maybe that will help combat bots.
The OG kobe 8 was my favourite basketball shoe to play in. The Kobe 8 protro on the other hand messed up my foot so bad. I think its the combination of the react which cushion is very bad plus the outsole which feels extremely hard. It make this shoes not playable for me.
Hopefully this platform can reach the brand executives and do something about it. The unavailability of the product to everyone in the retail stores makes it impossible for vast majority of people acquring Kobes and give honest feedbacks. Which in return makes it hard for the brand to improved and they just collect sold out money for few chosen people.
If only Chris could be a part of the brand direction! We’d see some cool stuff.
It took a looooong time for my Kobe 8 protros to feel broken in; like 5 3-hour pickup ball sessions long. And even after all that, they really didn’t feel like an upgrade. I end up going back to my Sabrina 1s to play in
ID'd a pair of kobe 11s back in the day and was able to pick the full length zoom midsole option, threw those in my Kobe 8's until the air bags gave out..... Those things were amazing
I agree though with colorways. I'm surprised Nike isn't feeding more into people's nostalgia of the Kobe 8. They should make more colorways Kobe wore or pull a Jordan Brand and make og colorways on the Kobe 8 or other Kobe's for that matter... Like a carpe diem, 81 points, purple reign, or even celebrate some of his pre nba achievements like a McDonald's all American...
Are you guys doing the dune red 13s? Or the burgundy 85 highs?.
Thanks for all the videos guy. Keep killing it.
They did those J1s months ago. Before the release date was pushed.
Bring NikeID back on these joints.
Interesting video!
Great video, great topic. I am not sure I’m super clear on Chris’ stance about the colorways. He wants more OG colorways which I agree with, but points to the Venice beach and what the Kobes as a desperate move. Is he just saying to better plan the originals to be released? I personally am super excited to see the ‘What the’ colorway coming. Was happy about the Venice beach as well.
He said the Venice Beach was the only OG to rerelease so far and the release date of the What The shows the brand is reacting to the lackluster interest from fans otherwise they’d have released with the run of Protros in 2024 along with the rest.
Interesting format, much more appealing than yet another AJ1 colour-way 😎 keep questioning, they might hear it!
just make og again
Finally, somebody said about it. Thank you.
Thanks again Chris for the review, thanks for calling out Nike about the quality and the ability to obtain the Kobe's, so hard to get for retail.
Honestly this video was needed. I have the “Halo” pair and the “Venice Beach” both size 8.5. For whatever reason the Halo are stiff uncomfortable and hurt my feet to play in. The Venice Beach and maybe it’s the tongue is better to play in but the React insert sucks. It’s not like the OG at all. Hopefully the what the pair has a better react insole because it’s not consistent.
I agree with this 💯
when will a new episode of unlaced be out on youtube just started to watch the podcast episodes anyway love the sneaker content
I got lucky and hit on the court purple 8s. The colorways have been lackluster or would have been team colorways back in the early 2010s. I want more retro colorways.
The problem with these big corporations is that they are all about the profit margins.
Awesome review as always. 👌🏽
Jordan 39. Zoomx drop in plus full length zoom strobel🤤. Can’t wait
i put spos explosive drop in kobe 8s makes it instantly better, but agree with chris makes heel higher
Been using my Kobe 8’s with Li Ning JB 1’s insole👌
For me it comes down to how hard they are to get and the price. I still look at Kobe’s as a hoops shoe first and I’m not inclined to pay $180 or $190+tax for a hoops shoe when there are plenty of other great ones that come in at a much better price.
I just wanted to comment on the Kobe 8s with drop in insoles. My Fade To Black 8s had a zoom air on the heel. The What The Kobe’s also had them I think. I also owned the black/gold elite. Those had the zoom bag plus the soft liner that lifts to show the spot for the Nike chip. I think my ASG Kobe 8s have a similar setup. I didn’t own them, but I think the Green Superhero Kobe 8 with the fly wire also had that spot for the chip.
I agree with the part about the serious player only drop in midsole because remember Nike had it first on the Nike id for the cp3 Jordan’s and the Kobe but you couldn’t buy the drop in insoles separately I guess they didn’t want to have surplus idk
I played in the original Kobe’s 8s with lebron 11 insoles and it was the perfect shoe. The extra height in the lebron drop in took out some of the extra room in the Kobe 8 shell too so the fit and cushion were 10/10 for me. The new 8s upper feels a little different too. I don’t remember the original needing any break in time but the new upper is stiff af
This vid reminds me of what Foot Doctor Zach has been doing recently where he takes a sneaker, addresses its biggest problems, and uses his foot doctor knowledge to fix them. I would love to see the both of you guys collaborate on a video. It would combine the perspectives of passionate sneakerheads and foot enthusiasts. Lol
And promote on how to take feet health and safety in consideration!
Preach!!
It’s wild for me to experience an older shoe being released once again. Still can’t find one like before tho (when i couldn’t afford them)
Amen! You nailed it Chris. I completely agree. There was a time when the Kobe 8 was on 95% of all basketball and volleyball youth players. Now it’s only the rich kid, or the ones who have small enough feet to wear reps, who are wearing Kobe’s.
I definitely agree with the lack of interest in their designs, but I absolutely love the Venice Beach 8.
Kobe 4 needed better cushion too. Moving forward, all Kobe models should have at least full length zoom
This video was amazing. I agree whole heartedly.. now the comment "Except for the ball players took me out 🤣🤣🤣🤣".
Those Delsol kobes are awesome
I copped Halo 8's, Reverse Grinch 6's, Gift of Mamba 4's, Philly 4's, Italian Camo 6's & Venice Beach 8's in the last 7mons. (All paid at resell price & will not do that again). Still owning Carpe Diem 4's, 5X Champ 5's & White Del Sol 6's (all paid retail). TBH there are many cheaper alternatives that are better than any Kobe Protos I have.
Chris speaking truth! put the kobe 8 in 'nike by you' and let the consumers pick the drop-in midsole they want.
Ya my drop ins on the original 8 were zoom air and lunar foam
I wish they make the Kobe 8 a Nike ID and allow us to add zoom midsole. The Jordan 39s have full length zoom and zoomx foam, add that to the Kobe 8 or 9 protro.
The impetus behind Kobe even wanting his shoes to be Protroed (i.e. upgraded) was that he intended for them to be PLAYED in and the biggest problem with that is that they are only going to boutiques and tier 0 shops. It also goes without saying that scarcity is ofc an issue but also the idea that shops aren't properly handling the release and likely just offloading them directly to resellers.
I don't want to just say, "hey Nike make more shoes" but when they literally have ALL THE CONSUMER INFO within their app and do nothing to change how product is fairly getting into consumers/fans hands then ultimately people just lose interest.
i think thats the exact part of Vanessa business plan, she wanted Kobe for everyone, so Kobe 8 failing rn is a good thing for majority of the fans.
imagine going on sale at 120-130 for protro 8, thats a must cop.
As a ball player, the father of two sons that play, and a coach I was hopeful when the idea of better performing Kobe’s came around. I’ve been disappointed in the availability of any of the Kobe’s as I’ve been unlucky in getting any pair for any of us. My oldest son has spent the past season playing in my OG Kobe 9 pop art and the cny, as well as his JA 1’s and has taken to swapping out the drop in from my Lebron 11’s for the full length zoom. It would be nice to see some OG color ways come out that are an actual protro that are attainable. I wonder what Kobe would have to say about the current issues with actual ball players not being able to get the shoes and them not fully living up to what he envisioned for the continuation of his line were he still alive.
Add the Kobe 8 to Nike By You (AKA Nike ID). The people who want the shoes will be able to get them and Nike can charge even more money. You could also allow people to choose what midsole they want (Lunar, Lunar + heel zoom. Lunar + full length zoom). I believe the Kobe 11 Nike ID offered that.
When Chris mentioned the Sacramento heat. I just said to myself, what about the Vegas heat? Can’t even play outdoors man. Hahahaha
I'm sure they could do something with the Rubber outsole composition.
Looking back I think we took the Kobe line for granted, back in the day they were all over the outlets. Now I lose out on every release. 😢
Nike needs to bring that lunar and zoom drop in back man. I’m so surprised no athlete has begged for it in their shoes either. Thought when we got the gt cut with drop nike might lean back toward drop ins but they’ve actually gotten farther from it.
I remember how it felt when I laced up those Lebron 11s. It was such a weird yet pleasant experience
I really hope they watch this over there. I know they won't listen, but I really hope they do.
I wonder if Nike is really watchin n listenin. We had sooooo many other 🔥 shoes back in the day. Like the Air Barrage, Air Mission, Air Shake Ndestrukt n remember React Frenzy? 🔥🔥🔥 u cud do a whole episode on all the heat we had growin up
Hey Chris, no longer part of the discord (wasn't super active on it and I couldn't afford to renew) but I just wanted to see if anyone in the community needed a pair of the Kobe 4 Girl Dad in a men's 10. If anyone has a 9 l'd appreciate that but if not l'd rather sell them to someone for retail than someone resell for profit. Even if anyone you personally knew wants them I can help with that since I live in Sacramento.
Love everything you do, still watch every video!
Chris dropping fact bombs! #NightwingKnows #MicDrop
Nike knows what we want and like playing in but they give us stuff we don’t want. But the Nike Kobe 8 elite had Heel and Forefoot separated zoom air. But i know they can give us zoom stroble with a lunar or react foam because ZoomX is too soft to be a carrier foam to hold the full length zoom
For aesthetics, I also think that Nike should release the OG colorways. New ones like Mambacita are always welcome to give respect.
For performance, I using ZoomX foam could be used as the drop-in.
Finally, the reseller game makes it harder for the normal consumers to get them. With a lot of brands offering different shoes that might interest the average consumer more with a good price and easier to get, that could be another factor.
Jodi - You should totally ask “what doesn’t live in water” as the question of the day in a couple weeks.
Cutaways on point and this is the Chris I fxck with
bring back Nike ID or by you for the protro's!!! with drop in options!
Next year is the year of the snake i would like see nike go crazy with the kobe drops or do another Prelude / Fade to black pack
Aside from the venice beach all the other cw were meh, nexts years “what the” though are fire
Agreed 100%
Interestingly enough, this is where I notice maybe lack of interest; Nike recently release Kobe girl dad 4’s. I missed it by 2-3 min and then pondered whether I should buy them in sz.11. I eventually said yes at minute 4 and got them. There were plenty of sizes available at that time so makes me think maybe the interest wasn’t there. Either way, I only buy Kobe’s to play in. Have yet to play in them yet but will surely play in them soon. 🎉🎉 can’t wait for some 8’s or 10’s to come out.
JB did swappable drop ins with the Jordan 2011 and 2012, and only a few weirdos (like me) like those.
Using a LeBron 11 insole for anything but wearing a LeBron 11 is madness to me. Godlike shoe.
I went into this video for the Kobe opinion and left reminded for my love of the LeBron 11. That shoe got too much hate when it released and if my favorite LeBron ever
that shirt lol fire!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kobe 4 Philly is my favorite color way. Had to pay resale 😅😅
In the end of the day I just want to be able to get Kobes for retail. I dont like the feeling that I have to fight a lot of resellers . I just want to be able to go to a store and be able to check them out like before
The brands making it limited just don't make justice.
If you actually buy them, that expensive will you actually wear them for what they actually intended to? What a waste of Protro/improvement
The electric sulfurs need to restock those were my only pair of Kobe 8s as a kid i need those
I can't agree more ...put the damn full length zoom air in all your shoes that need it!
OMG, let me buy those OGs 8s, they need that colorway to comeback, I was sold
On the Kobe shoe reddit I was talking to someone the other day about why Nike didn't commit to drop in midsole shoes across the board or for more signatures and also selling the different padding versions so you can swap them out. They don't even sell zoom midsoles tho so they're just choosing to be useless.
Kobe 8 super hero. Forefoot and heel zoom. Still the best setup I’ve ever had.
How about doing pre-order instead?🤔
Nike works with Union. Union jordans were the best manual friendly releases. Its crazy to imagine nike cant release kobes through the mamba website more consistently with union like releases.
The elite had a firm phylon with bottom loaded forefoot & heel zoom air
potential question of the day: if you could build your dream shoe, what would it be?
what silhouette, color, materials, tech, etc
How do the clyde all pro compare to these newer kobes?