'Tis the Season For the Nike Kobe 6 Protro ‘Reverse Grinch’

News on this release was first published on July 12, 2023.

Update December 15, 2023: There's still time to enter raffles for the Kobe 6 Protro 'Reverse Grinch'! Peruse the stockists below.

Update December 7, 2023: Vanessa Bryant has released a statement declaring we will soon see 'more frequent drops' for Nike's Kobe line. In an Instagram story Bryant wrote:

'To all the fans - Always asking for more shoes to be available... thankfully we have more frequent drops coming soon. I was informed the Reverse drop is 3x the units it's ever been before and still selling out in seconds. Hopefully we'll get to a place where we can meet more of the demand. Mamba Forever.'

The declaration is promising news for Kobe fans. Back in 2022, SF wrote a plea for Bryant's shoes to be 'made as widely available as they possibly can be'. Since Kobe and his daughter Gianna's tragic passing, the shoes have been in high demand and overpriced, with many fans missing out the chance to buy new colourways of the recently rekindled Kobe line. In the meantime, this is a good omen for anybody wanting to score the 'Reverse Grinches' when they release on December 15.

Update December 4, 2023: Nike is granting certain SNKRS users with an early chance to buy the 'Reverse Grinch' Kobe 6 Protro. Select patrons can cop ahead of the wide release as part of the SNKRS 'Exclusive Access' program.

Beginning December 5 12pm ET, the early chance will be offered to users under strict conditions: they need to have entered and missed out on a minimum of six Kobe sneaker releases since August 2020, and they must have copped performance basketball kicks or other apparel since last year. Even if you get the early exclusive access though, availability or sizing preference is not guaranteed. If you don't meet these criteria, the shoe will then officially land on December 15 via SNKRS with a $190 price tag.

Update November 29, 2023: A drop date is official! The Nike Kobe 6 Protro 'Reverse Grinch' is hitting SNKRS on December 15, 2023. Hit the links below and keep it locked to Sneaker Freaker for more info.

Update November 22: Nike Basketball have confirmed that the Nike Kobe 6 Protro 'Reverse Grinch' will be available via SNKRS on December 16. On November 20, SNKRS users were polled on their appetite for a 'Shock Drop' of the Kobe Grinches. Nike asked, 'If we released the Kobe 6 Protro 'Reverse' early, which launch method would you prefer?' 63% of voters were in favour of a Shock Drop over Exclusive Access. The former would mean the shoes could release at any moment on a 'first in, best dressed' basis, while the latter would mean users would be granted early access by Nike to purchase a pair. There's currently no word on whether the December 16 release date will be impacted by the poll, but stay locked to Sneaker Freaker for more updates.

Update September 14: As a part of Nike Basketball's 2023 Holiday Showcase, Nike have released official photos of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro 'Reverse Grinch' which is set to drop in Holiday 2023. Check out the photos above and keep it locked to Sneaker Freaker for any updates.

Update August 31: Official images have surfaced via @KicksFinder, further adding to the case of a Holiday 2023 drop. Stay locked to SF for all the updates.

Update July 17: More leaks of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro 'Reverse Grinch' have surfaced; this time, it's on-foot shots via @yankeekicks. Check out the images above.

Update July 14, 2023: More photos of the upcoming Nike Kobe 6 Protro 'Reverse Grinch' hit the web courtesy of @chriscolgan.

Fans rejoiced as Nike and the Kobe Bryant estate renewed their partnership, along with the release of the Nike Kobe 4 Protro ‘Mambacita’ in May and news of the Nike Kobe 8 returning in Protro form, all of which means that we’ll see Nike Kobe products on shelves sooner than we think. Looks like the Swoosh has more in store as the Nike Kobe 6 Protro is returning in a new but familiar colourway.

First seen on the feet of LA Lakers F/C Anthony Davis, and dubbed the ‘Reverse Grinch’ colourway, the sneaker flips and inverts the Holiday-themed ‘Grinch’ colourway of the Nike Kobe 6. A red snake-like upper with Electric Green laces and Shozoku logo makes up the low-cut sneaker as the Swoosh stays in black with the external TPU heel counter featuring Kobe’s signature. As far as the cushioning setup, we should expect a full-length Cushlon in the midsole with a large Zoom Turbo unit in the forefoot. A carbon fibre shank plate brings structure and rigidity to the sneaker with a translucent red outsole finishing off the sneaker.

The Nike Kobe 6 Protro ‘Reverse Grinch’ is expected to drop in Holiday 2023 via Nike’s channels and at select retailers for $180. Keep it locked to Sneaker Freaker for any updates.