Nike capped January 2026 with a Lunar New Year tribute on one of Kobe Bryant’s most beloved signature models. The Kobe 8 Protro Year of the Horse honored the Chinese zodiac through rich red and gold colorblocking that fit naturally on a shoe already associated with Kobe’s strong connection to China and Chinese culture.
The Protro treatment maintained the original Kobe 8’s ultra-low profile and performance DNA while updating it with modern materials and construction. Snake and zodiac-inspired detailing throughout added depth to the design beyond simple colorblocking.
The Nike Kobe 8 Protro Year of the Horse retailed at $180 and released January 31, 2026 as part of Nike’s Lunar New Year collection.
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The Sneakers Team
The Sneakers Team is the editorial desk behind becausesneakers, founded and edited by Nick Engvall. Nick has spent more than two decades in the sneaker industry. He built the original Eastbay Blog, led the first dedicated sneaker team at Complex, ran the first UGC and seeding programs at Finish Line, was employee number nine at StockX, and served as Senior Director at Stadium Goods. He hosts the Sneaker History podcast, and his first book, Small Luxuries: Sneakers, arrives in October 2026 from Motorbooks. Release details on this site are checked against the brand's own product information before publication, and anything we cannot confirm is labelled rather than stated.
