Nike Basketball and Kobe Bryant have officially unveiled the first Nike Kobe Retro line with updated tooling, the Zoom Kobe 1 Protro (Performance Retro).

This updated version of the Zoom Kobe 1 carries the same aesthetic but has been upgraded with 2018 technology. The result is the translation of the shoe Bryant famously scored 81 points in on January 22, 2006, to the performance needs of done. Nike Basketball footwear product director Tony Grosso and his team focused on reducing weight and evolving production to eliminate pieces of the original Zoom Kobe 1 that were no longer needed.

Another push was to improve the shoe’s cushioning. Nike Zoom Air has come a long way in the last 13 years and the team was able to use those advances to add a better system for performance athletes, specifically in the form of a Zoom bag setup with a rocker and ride that is smoother than the original. They were also able to improve the ride by eliminating foam and decreasing the size of the carbon fiber shank to create a more engineered feel.

Sorrento stretch-mesh sneakers Release Date

Both sneakers will reportedly retail for $90 Sorrento stretch-mesh sneakers to release on February 17th at select Nike Basketball retailers and Nike.com. The retail price tag is set at $175 USD.

UPDATE: Nike releases official photos of the Kobe 1 Protro.