The Nike Kobe 5 Protro “X-Ray” releases this week

Nike continues to release retro sneakers in new and original colors from Kobe Bryant's signature line. The brand teamed up with Vanessa Bryant to recreate the classics and tell new stories with Kobe's iconic basketball shoes.

It is thanks to Nike and Vanessa that the number of releases and units produced continues to increase with each release. Fans of the Los Angeles Lakers legend have the opportunity to purchase his shoes on a monthly basis.

Just in time for the spooky season, Bryant's fifth signature sneaker arrives in a Halloween colorway. Below is a detailed look and breakdown of the Nike Kobe 5 Protro “X-Ray” colorway.

Release information

The Nike Kobe 5 Protro “X-Ray” releases on Thursday, October 17th at 10:00 AM EST. Online shoppers can purchase the sneakers for $180 in adult sizes and $120 in grade school sizes via the Nike SNKRS app. Buyers can now find the sneakers in select Foot Locker stores.

The Nike Kobe 5 Protro “X-Ray” is bound to sell out quickly online and in stores. Fans who miss out on the first drop can check out trusted sneaker resale platforms like StockX, GOAT and KICKS CREW.

In addition to the sneakers, the Nike Kobe 5 Protro “X-Ray” collection will feature three T-shirts in different colors. All of this pays homage to the shoe's original inspiration – Nike's 2011 “Broken Not Beaten” campaign.

The jerseys featured an x-ray of Kobe's hand and noted the injuries he sustained during his legendary NBA career. Handwritten notes indicate fractures, dislocations and torn ligaments. Most importantly, it included five championship rings. It was an exciting marketing campaign that was well received by athletes and fans.

Sneaker details

The Nike Kobe 5 Protro “X-Ray” features a Deep Royal Blue upper contrasted by Baltic Blue on the Swoosh and Kobe logos. The glow-in-the-dark outsoles and unmissable skeleton designs appear in Glacier Blue.

Of course, the Nike Kobe 5 Protro is an updated version of the 2010 original. Kobe debuted the model during the 2009-10 NBA season en route to his fifth and final NBA championship.

Nike released the Nike Kobe 5 Protro in January 2019 and has since released ten general colorways. The original colorways Kobe wore on the court remain the most popular among old-school fans, but new styles like the “X-Ray” colorway are introducing new fans to Kobe's career.

Modest technical improvements include a Cushlon midsole, which replaces the original Phylon midsole with additional Zoom Air units for added comfort on the court. The fact that so few changes need to be made is a testament to the Performance model's original design and cutting-edge technology.

Final thoughts

Sneakerheads have been excited for the release of the Nike Kobe 5 Protro “X-Ray” since the images first surfaced online. Excitement only grew when Vanessa officially announced the release information on her Instagram last month.

With Nike now releasing so many Kobe sneakers, it's finally becoming easier for the average consumer to find them online or in stores. However, this Halloween colorway will be exciting for many casual fans.

As such, these shoes may not be as easy to find compared to the Nike Kobe 8 Protro “Team Bank” colorways currently on store shelves and available in smaller sizes online. Still, the Nike Kobe line is back, and that's a great thing for fans who have waited years for this moment.

As the NBA season begins, athletes and fans can expect more Nike Kobe sneakers to release in the coming months. Stay tuned to Sports Illustrated Kicks On SI for all your footwear news from the NBA and beyond.