Nike’s Kobe A.D. Protro Adds ZoomX for Its October 23 Return
The Purple Stardust launch updates the post-retirement Kobe model with a new cushioning setup and a roomier forefoot.
Nike scheduled the Kobe A.D. Protro “Purple Stardust” for October 23, 2026, with an announced US launch price of $150. The release revisits the first Kobe signature model introduced after Bryant’s retirement in 2016.
What changed in the Protro?
Nike describes an updated cushioning system combining React foam with a ZoomX forefoot puck. A heel Zoom Air unit remains part of the construction, while an internal plate and revised outsole work alongside the new setup.
The forefoot has more room than the original model. Nike also expanded the blade-style traction pattern, linking the changes to the demands of current basketball play.
The Protro approach keeps the recognizable low-cut design while changing what sits beneath and around the foot. For readers tracking the franchise, the distinction is between a visual reissue and a model with revised components.
Release reference
US launch: October 23, 2026. Announced launch price: $150. The date refers to the Purple Stardust release, rather than every later colorway. Current retailer prices and availability may differ from the launch announcement.
