
The Nike Kobe 4, also known as the Zoom Kobe 4, was originally released in 2008 via Nike iD, with the first retail release in 2009. Designed by Eric Avar, and retailed for $120. The pair is available in โProtroโ form and retails for $190 in todayโs market.
Inspired by his Italian upbringing and soccer-playing past, theย Nike Zoom Kobe 4ย provided all-court versatility when the model was released in quarter one of 2009. From a technological front, the Zoom Kobe IV incorporates the Swooshโs inventive Flywire containment strands, an attempt at making a light, hyper-flexible product that hearkens back to the days when Bryant played in minimalist soccer cleats.
One of the most notable features of the Kobe 4 was its lightweight and low-cut design, which provided Kobe Bryant with the agility and freedom of movement he desired on the court. The shoe’s upper featured synthetic materials and Flywire technology, providing lightweight support and lockdown without sacrificing durability.
Underfoot, the shoe is distinguished by a prodigiously comfortable Zoom Air bag on the heel and squishy Lunar Foam on the forefoot. Bryantโs signature is inscribed along the shoeโs heel support wing, and his favorite Latin phrase, โCarpe Diem,โ appears as the tongue logo.
The Nike Zoom Kobe 4 was released in various colorways, each adding to the shoe’s appeal. Some of the most notable Kobe 4 colorways include the โCarpe Diemโ rendition, a classic in the Kobe line, while the โDel Solโ pair combines Bright Yellow accents. The โChaosโ pair represents its name by using various, chaotic Purple, Volt, and Black colors.
Paying tribute to his Finals performance, the โFinals MVPโ was released in โHomeโ and โAwayโ colors. Nike Basketball would debut the โProtroโ version of the Kobe 4, with the first pair being โDraft Day,โ released in 2019.