Nike is bringing back the Kobe 8 "Mambacurial" as a Protro on September 19, 2026, for $200. The colorway originally released in 2013 and took its look from Nike's Mercurial Vapor soccer boot, a nod to Kobe Bryant's love of soccer, according to Sneaker Files.
The pair carries style code IO6253-500 in Red Plum/Electric Green-Pink Flash. It releases through Nike.com and retailers including Foot Locker, Hibbett, DSG, Shiekh and DTLR, per Sneaker Files.
The design
The upper starts in a hot pink at the toe and shifts to a dark purple by the heel, Sole Retriever reports. A large Electric Green Swoosh runs from the toe to the middle of the lateral panel, and white "NIKE" lettering sits on the medial side, per Sneaker Files. Underfoot is a green translucent rubber outsole.
The collection
Nike Basketball is releasing matching pieces the same day, according to House of Heat: a $150 premium basketball (N1016037-505), a basketball jersey (IM9546-010), a pullover basketball hoodie (IV5562-010) and Aero-FIT football shorts (IM9548-010).
The Kobe 8 Protro run
The Mambacurial is the latest Kobe 8 Protro after the "Year of the Horse," which revived a 2014 Lunar New Year colorway on January 31, 2026 at $180, and the mismatched "What The Kobe?" on Mamba Day 2025. It joins the Kobe 4 Protro "FC Barcelona" as a Kobe Protro built around Bryant's love of soccer.
Source: Sole Retriever
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