Nike Zoom Kobe VI

About

The Nike Zoom Kobe VI, designed by Nike Performance Footwear Creative Director Eric Avar with Kobe Bryant, launched in December 2010 as the sixth shoe in Bryant's signature line. It continued the low-top, lightweight design philosophy Avar had introduced starting with the Kobe IV, when Bryant asked for the lowest, lightest weight basketball shoe with soccer-cleat-level minimalism, after Nike's research found low-cut designs carried no greater injury risk than high-tops. The Kobe VI's upper featured polyurethane islands over a three-layer Flywire mesh construction, evoking snakeskin in reference to Bryant's Black Mamba alter ego, paired with a dual-layer memory foam sockliner and forefoot/heel Nike Zoom Air units. Its most famous colorway, the Grinch (Volt/Black-Green Apple-Crimson, style 429659-701, $130 retail), debuted on Christmas Day, December 25, 2010, when Bryant wore it courtside for the Lakers against the newly formed Miami Heat Big Three. Its bright green scaled upper, black Swooshes, and crimson accents drew comparisons to Dr. Seuss's Grinch character. The colorway has since returned repeatedly as a Kobe 6 Protro retro, including a 2020 release.