Kobe Bryant’s Top 10 Sneakers Ranking

Kobe Bryant is considered one of the the best players in NBA history. With five NBA championships and a Finals MVP to go along with the NBA MVP award, the Black Mamba won the hearts of basketball fans thanks to his crazy hard work ethic that led to a legendary NBA career.

While Bryant had a legendary career, he also had a popular sneaker line. Here are Kobe Bryant’s top 10 sneakers ranked.

Check out the gallery below.

1. Nike Kobe 4

Any basketball player who loved Kobe Bryant probably enjoyed playing in the Nike Kobe 4s the most. A sleek and sharp exterior combined with Nike Fliwire technology made it a lightweight basketball shoe that helped every player’s agility. It was arguably the perfect shoe for Kobe’s elite work, which led to his first NBA Finals MVP and fourth NBA title in 2009.

2. Nike Kobe 5

After the Nike Kobe 4, Nike followed up with the release of the Nike Kobe 5, which also proved to be a huge hit. Although it also integrated the patented Nike Fliwire technology, the Nike Kobe 5 was also a must-have shoe for ballers at the time. Like its predecessor, the Nike Kobe 5s were lightweight while aiding agility and quick, precise movements on the court.

3. Nike Kobe 6

Nike has been on a hot streak with the Kobe 4 line of sneakers. In fact, the well-designed sneaker continued with the Nike Kobe 6s.

He’s even released some of the most iconic sneaker colorways, including the Protro Grinch, which continues to wear by some NBA players today. In terms of fit and weight, the Nike Kobe 6 was also feather-light, helping players move better on the hardwood.

4. Nike Kobe 8

Designed with engineered mesh, the Nike Kobe 8s were also another lightweight sneaker, making them a favorite for players who want to move fast.

Furthermore, like a true Kobe sneaker, the response was on another level. In fact, traction was also one of its main highlights. However, the sneaker got a bad rap after the Black Mamba tore his Achilles in this sneaker.

5. Nike Hyperdunk

Although it wasn’t originally part of Bryant’s sneaker line, he wore the Nike Hyperdunks at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he led Team USA to a gold medal. Winning an Olympic gold medal eventually made the shoe even more legendary. Moreover, let’s not forget that it was also the first Nike sneaker to flaunt the Flivira technology.

6. Nike Kobe 10

Featuring Nike’s FlyKnit technology, the Nike Kobe 10s have also been a favorite among basketball fans. It was the penultimate sneaker that Bryant wore just a year before retiring from basketball.

With FlyKnit materials, the sneaker’s colors have become more vibrant. But more importantly, it’s also designed with comfort, fit and weight in mind, especially for elite shooters like Bryant.

7. Nike Kobe 11

Speaking of his retirement, Bryant last wore the Nike Kobe 11 during his legendary farewell game where he exploded for 60 points. Featuring FlyKnit technology, these sneakers ended up garnering attention for their style and performance.

Aside from the colors that were accentuated thanks to the TPU threads, its aerodynamic shape made it have a sleek exterior design that also aided in performance, allowing the Black Mamba to go out with a bang.

8. Nike Air Zoom Hurache 2K4

With a young Kobe Bryant having everything to prove, despite having an on-court handicap, the Black Mamba decided to wear the Nike Zoom Hurache 2K4. It’s worth noting that around this time, the young Mamba had just joined Nike after a disappointing sneaker release with Adidas.

While it was one of the first few sneakers Kobe wore when he joined Nike, it was still memorable considering how Bryant laced them up for more than one season, including a run to the 2004 NBA Finals.

9. Nike Kobe 9

Fresh off a catastrophic torn Achilles injury, Nike prepared for Kobe Bryant’s comeback with the Nike Kobe 9. Unlike Bryant’s usual sneakers, the Nike Kobe 9 was a high-cut. The design was apparently made to help with Bryant’s torn Achilles, which is known to be a career-threatening injury.

Although they were unusually high, the Nike Kobe 9s still won the hearts of basketball players. Unlike traditional high-cut basketball shoes, the medial support system was removable, making it an innovative Nike masterpiece.

10. Nike Kobe AD (low)

It was a sneaker that the Black Mamba never wore. However, the Nike Kobe commercials have been released in honor of Bryant’s decorated legacy. Regardless, the Nike Kobe ADs put together a sneaker that gave a nod to some of its predecessors that Bryant himself wore.

Not the best sneaker in his line with Nike. However, his release spoke volumes for Bryant’s impact in basketball.