Nike Kobe 9 EM Low

Released May 1, 20252 players

Ratings

Review average

4.6 / 5

Fan average

No fan ratings yet

Review consensus

Reviewers rank the Kobe 9 Low Protro's traction among the best ever put on a basketball shoe, though it needs wiping on dusty courts and the rubber doesn't hold up outdoors. The React drop-in feels bouncy and responsive once broken in, and lockdown is strong, but the toe box runs narrow.

About the shoe

The Kobe 9 EM Low Protro is part of Nike’s Kobe Bryant signature line. It brings back the low-top version of the shoe Bryant wore when he returned from a torn Achilles. The adult EM Protro line debuted with the “Mambacita” colorway on May 1, 2025, for $180, and later colorways list at $190. The engineered mesh upper with Flywire cables stays close to the original, and the main update is a Nike React drop-in midsole for cushioning.