With NBA All-Star Weekend just over a week away from beginning in Los Angeles, more and more leaks are revealing a release lineup dominated by shoes tied to Kobe Bryant. Looking ahead much further in the year, a particularly rare pair of Nike Kobe sneakers are set to get their first global release.
The Nike Kobe 8 Protro “Shanghai Fireworks” will bring a wider launch for a shoe that was once exclusive to China. Originally released in 2013 in the shoe’s initial (pre-Protro) run, the vibrant colorway is prized by collectors and fetched $1,500 brand new in an eBay sale from December.
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A striking fireworks graphic covers the engineered mesh upper of the Kobe 8, with shades of yellow and orange then used for the tongue, eyestays, heel, liner and midsole. Black is used for the Swooshes and heel Mamba logo, while Bryant’s signature stands out in red on the heel stabilizer. The tongue’s Mamba logo has then been altered to incorporate another firework pattern, and the shoe is rounded out with a translucent blue outsole.
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Last May, Gary Payton 2nd wore the “Shanghai Fireworks” in an NBA game, but it’s not clear if it was the original sneaker or an early look at the forthcoming Protro.
Rumors in sneaker circles suggest the Kobe 6 Protro “All-Star” coming this month will be the last drop for the model for some time, which means the Kobe 8 Protro could step into a more prominent position within the release cycle.
The Nike Kobe 8 Protro “Shanghai Fireworks” will release during the holiday 2026 season, likely through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $200.
Nike Kobe 8 Shanghai Fireworks
Kobe Bryant wears his Nike Kobe 8 “Shanghai Fireworks” during his Nike Tour in China on Aug. 8, 2013 in Shanghai. Visual China Group via Getty Ima