Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low Protro “Moonwalker” sneakers: First look, design speculations, and everything we know so far

The Swoosh brand’s Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low Protro sneaker recently surfaced online in the “Moonwalker” colorway. As seen in Nike’s new campaign, Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark wore the stated variant of Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low Protro shoes.

In addition to this, several sneaker publications shared images from 2014 when the sneaker was originally released. Reportedly, the Moonwalker iteration of the shoe will wrapped up in a Hyper Grape/White-Cave Purple color palette.

The Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low Protro “Moonwalker” sneakers are expected to reappear on the store shelves on July 12, 2025. These basketball pairs will be marked with a selling price label of $210. Kobe fans can find these shoes on Swoosh’s online and offline stores following its launch.

Disclaimer: Details of the Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low Protro “Moonwalker” sneakers are only speculated, and are not yet confirmed by the brand. They are subject to change.

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Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low Protro “Moonwalker” sneakers originally released in 2014

Nike has been taking ahead the legacy of the late Kobe Bryant through their exclusive deal with his wife Vanessa Bryant. In March 2022, Vanessa revealed the signing of her deal with the Swoosh company to continue Kobe’s sneaker line.

Following the deal, the Oregon’s sneaker label has been reintroducing Kobe’s past releases, alongside presenting new designs. The Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low “Moonwalker” shoes is now expected to be reintroduced in 2025, which first came out on July 12, 2014. For the new launch, Nike will drop the upgraded “Protro” version of the shoe

As stated by Nike’s website, the advanced Protro version of the Kobe 9 model features React foam, unlike its previous Lunarlon foam for better energy efficiency.

“Lunarlon foam was replaced with React, which offers higher energy return and responsiveness. This switch gives athletes a new, innovative underfoot ride while still keeping the original Flyknit upper.”

The Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low Protro “Moonwalker” basketball pair will feature a predominantly purple hue on the top. The knit upper of these Kobe 9 shoes will be purple, while a layer of black is placed underneath it. A more rugged look will be offered to the sneaker with white and silver Swooshes on the lateral sides.

Furthermore, Kobe’s signature logo will be prominently displayed on the tongue flaps in comparable silver makeup. The player’s logo will also appear near the heel area on the midsole as well as on the base of the outsole.

The inner linings will likely remain black with a solid purple footbed. Rounding out the Kobe 9 is the black midsole glued to the speckled black and white outsole.

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Sneakerheads interested in buying the Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low Protro “Moonwalker” shoes can also keep an eye out for the model’s “China” colorway which is also rumored to drop sometime during the holidays in 2025. Originally dropped in 2014, the “China” variant will be dressed in a University Red/Metallic Gold-Black palette. The price details are hidden as of this writing.