Nike Basketball to Protro Kobe X "Blackout" in January 2027

Since the passing of Kobe Bryant, dozens of stories about the Los Angeles Lakers legend have emerged. Many of them have spoken about his lovable, intelligent, and intentional character off-the-court, while others have acknowledged the craziness of his "blackout" workouts.

It's no surprise that the five-time NBA champion was a different beast from most of his peers—in fact, it's what helped him develop the "Black Mamba" alter ego. And yet, even some of the most-dedicated athletes have tapped out at the thought of emulating Bryant's training sessions, which often saw him go so hard that he ended up "blacking out."

This awe-inspiring (albeit concerning) way of training is at the center of the "Blackout" Nike Kobe X Protro, a reissue of the Nike Basketball shoe launched February 2015. According to X user @KicksFinder, the Performance Retro will release on Jan. 19, 2027.

The "Blackout" Kobe X Protro is set to return in the same "Black/Persian Violet/Volt/Black" color scheme seen on Bryant's 10th signature Nike model more than 10 years ago. Although fairly modern even by today's standards, the low-cut basketball shoe is likely to see modifications done to its cushioning and traction setups, as has been the case on previous Nike Kobe Protros.

Enjoy clean product shots of the original purple-and-black Kobe X ahead. Pairs are expected to release via Nike.com, Foot Locker, and other popular retailers between early on in 2027.

For more performance footwear styles, check out the adidas Adizero Evo SL running shoe.

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