*sizing update 8/22*
Got my All Star pair in a size 11 and you can see the original pairs ran larger. USA pair on left is a size 11. OG All Star pair (right frame left shoe) is a 10.5 and still larger than the Protro size 11). 
Width wise you can see the OG 10.5 is slightly wider than the Protro 11. My OG 10.5 has a thumbs width at the toe and the Protro has a little less than that. You can either go true to size or half a size down if you want a tighter fit. Different colorways may fit differently. **
Here is my Kobe I OG review
Some reviews are so easy especially when the “new” version is almost an exact replica of the old one. I put “new” in “quotes “ because ” new technology” means “old” but “new” because Nike “said so”. Get ready for a lot of “quotes” in this “review”. Man I miss “Chris Farley”.
Pros: everything
Cons: a few ounces heavier than average
Best for: any position
Sizing advice: true to size to half a size down. I fit half a size down as well as true to size in the OG so it comes down to preference. Do not size up
Buying advice: $150 or less for the less limited colorways. More supply equals lower prices.
Weight
Left OG, right Protro
One of the Nike’s big marketing points with the Protro was that they “shaved some weight”. “Shaved” means added weight apparently. Remember the Protro is slightly smaller too. My All Star pair weights 17.5 ounces so half an ounce could just be due to manufacturing tolerances. And if an ounce to half an ounce bothers you, put down your baby bottle and pick up a dumbbell.
Traction
You tell me which is the OG
Same as the original which is a great thing. No major motion picture story telling just nice deep multi directional herringbone.
This pair took a little bit of time to break In and get rid of some of that residue off the rubber. Traction “technology” hasn’t improved at all over the past two or three decades but marketing and design style has. Awesome job Nike? Ok awesome job Nike
Cushioning
This is the biggest change in the Protro from the original. The original featured a large heel Zoom and and a standard met bag in the forefoot . (I didn’t know it was a met bag and I’ve been playing in them for over a decade. Gotta love the world wide internet)
7.75 mm in the forefoot met 14.36 in the heel, photos courtesy of Fastpass.cn
The Protro uses a full length Zoom unit instead and is thinner than what you get with heel and zoom and most full length Zoom ( 8mm is typical) but still feels good.
Left, Protro, right Why Not, photo courtesy of Fastpass.cn
It is not as bouncy feeling as the Zoom BB or even AJ 12 (I really need to review all the relevant Jordans but no time) but it’s a great blend of fun, impact protection and court feel.
Cloth strobels so you’re really sitting on top on the Zoom
From the OG, not much of a difference other than the nicer feel in transition but the original is pretty damn smooth as well. The reduced amount of carbon fiber in the Protro really made no difference in transition either probably because the full length Zoom made up for the shorter carbon fiber shank.
Nike even gave us the same insoles with I believe poron inserts. Protro left, OG right
Once again, “new technology” from Nike means technology that has been around twenty years so nothing actually “new” except the shoe and marketing. Regardless, I still thoroughly enjoyed the cushioning.
Fit
Left Protro, right OG
I’m not sure if this was done on purpose but the protro runs a little shorter than the original. the good news is that the original ran a little long so maybe this was to correct it? Well I bought a 10.5 just like the original and despite the slightly shorter length they fit just fine for me and still left me with a little less than finger width at the toe. My true size is an 11 so I still feel these run a little long true to size.
If you want a little more space for your feet, go with your true size. The thing about having some padding in a shoe is that it can adapt to different feet without throwing the fit totally off. I can go up half a size and not feel like my foot is sliding everywhere even if it’s larger than my preference. FWIW, I have one pair of OGs in a size 11 and although it runs big it still fits and plays great.
I’m sure someone will poopoo about this 😆 left Protro, right OG
Anyhoo, the Kobe I uses a standard lacing system no asymmetry or anything like that. No heel slip. No movement side to side. No need to sell “lacing technological advances” because there really isn’t any.
Well done Nike!
Materials
Left Protro, right OG
A little stiffer suede and leather than the original but all in all it’s pretty accurate to the original. It does require some break in in this colorway but that’s to be expected.
Very slightly thicker suede on Protro (left)
After break in time that stiffness is just the right balance of flexibity and strength which is pretty much what shoe companies have been trying to accomplish with synthetics and knits for the past five years. If you didn’t read this before, the changes in materials aren’t “solely” about performance, it’s about profit.
We do see this as a way not only to create a higher performance, more sustainable product but one that actually will gives us significantly better margins as we scale this.”
Limited resources such as leather will always cost much much more than anything man made.
Support and stability
Left OG, right Protro
Just like the OG, it might be a mid cut but it’s very flexible around the ankle so don’t expect any stilts holding your ankles together. There is plenty of flexibility for full range of motion.
Midfoot support
Thanks again Fastpass.cn
Although Nike removed about half of the carbon fiber, using a full length zoom bag pretty much evens things out. No unnecessary flexing at the midfoot even with less carbon fiber.
Nearly as wide as the Harden V2
Stability is great just like the og. Very wide flat outsole provides a stable base with an outrigger so less than perfect landings don’t result in sprained ankles. (See NXT 360)
Containment
Nuff said
The teeth will tear as you play in these, there is no way around it so just dab some super glue when it starts to tear
Conclusion
Hey Nike can you talk to Jordan brand about accurately retroing? Nike did an excellent job with the protro and actually feels, looks, and plays like the original.
If you read my og review, I paid 35 bucks a piece for my Kobe I but as Kobe grabbed a few more rings, and retired nostalgia has built up, and shoe collectors got antsy, Nike knew (knows) they can charge $175 now. Nike understands limiting supply and then opening the supply gates a little more each release better than anyone so it shouldn’t be hard to find these for under retail. I actually bought my pair off Footlocker but found a pair on eBay for $155 with an EBay $25 coupon so came out to $130. Per usual, Kobe Protro prices are dying down slowly after the initial few releases.
Is $175 worth it? Sure? I can’t speak for anyone other than myself but each person’s financial situation is different. I’m not stocking up on these unless they are around $130 or less (plus I have my OG stash).
As far as performance, there is a reason I still use the OG and Nike did a great job replicating it. It does everything very well from traction to containment and has just the right amount of bounce to make the cushioning fun yet balanced without being mushy.
As I always say, newer almost never means better so it’s nice to see that the “new” Kobe I works because it’s the same as the “old” Kobe but with an “old but different” Zoom set up.
The Kobe Protro gets a first team rating although it’s weird since MJ is in the pic. Oh well.
It also gets my old SF 2 rating
schwollo.com 
I miss the days when you could grab Lebron 2’s and Kobe 1’s for $35. As always, excellent review brother. Hoping I’ll get lucky and snag a pair of these for $100 at an outlet eventually.
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Could easily get down that low !
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I think the best to describe these in the Asian saying “same-same, but different”. lol. These are out of my size over here on Nike (not a shocker) where I could it it with a 10% discount code since I can still use my student perks. But I did find a different retailer where I could grab size 11 (retail) but I was contemplating as I don’t want to get scorned for a 3rd time this month (but payday is just around the corner!). After reading you review, I can see that the OG looks better in every aspect such as ‘color’, materials and quality. I get they’re trying to sell the PROTRO’s embossed/textured leather (or is it tumbled leather?) as ‘premium’ but from what I can tell, the OG looks 10x better. It kinda get the feeling like the PROTROs are ‘replicas’ trying too hard to look authentic (anyone else get that vibe) I’ve always thought this and the all star colors (III, and IV) were sexy as hell. I would love see that iteration. though I do love the MLPS baby blue. I have the feeling I’ll sleep on it and wake up to the shoes being sold out like I always do and regret not hitting the ‘order now’ button. Then I’ll be hoping and praying for a new release, maybe in a color I’m only partial to, or perhaps find someone nice enough to want to sell it to me for retail 😉 Keep up the good work..
.
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Yea the leather doesn’t look quite as good as the og. The mlps are very similar in materials albeit a little thicker and not quite as soft. Only an og owner would notice the difference and it’s still very subtle. Still love playing in it, made me smile hahah
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Kinda going off track here but somewhat related, you mentioned in your 2017 Year in Review post that with the Mamba Instinct, there is zero reason to get the 2018 model, the Mamba Rage. Is this because there is no performance difference or is it worse? And in the grand scheme of things, which Kobe in the entire Kobe line do you think is the best performer on court? Love your reviews by the way. Keep doing what you do!
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It’s the same shoe only difference is the pattern on the upper
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I still prefer Kobe I iv vi but all are pretty good
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I came straight to the comment section just to leave ‘FIRST !!11!!!1!!!11!!’…Nevermind I’m gonna read this first
P/S: I’m excited af lmao
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My mind is set: Let’s wait for the All-Star release amen brotha!
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Hahah yea looks good and almost true to the og. I think I might pass or only get one pair since I have so many all star pairs already
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Been waiting for this review! Good job as always! Hope they release the Prelude colorway too.
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I don’t think they are going to re release the prelude but that would be cool!!
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So tts or you can go up half size in protro?
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Yes. I think ppl who want a tighter fit can can go half size down. Sizing is still weird like the OG.
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Thanks for the review. It’s funny how these came out around the same time as the AD NXT 360 (which, on a side note, is Nike’s way of differentiating between the two lines of regular ADs – safe, typical kobes – and NXTs – probably their acronym to spell next or something, basically will be unique, or showcasing new tech, hence the shroud on the first NXT and 360 flyknit and react+zoom on this one). Comparing these to the 360s really show how far Nike has come in terms of innovating/pulling marketing terms out of their asses. I remember when I first saw the promo paterial for the 360s, my first reaction was how tf is wrapping flyknit on the bottom of my shoe going to affect anything? Meanwhile, this decade old shoe basically outperforms it in almost every aspect, including durability. Even your OG Kobe 1s will probably outlive the 360s traction.
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Shoe companies have run out of ideas to market that’s why we see these “innovations”.
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Great review Schwollo!
Summer has been really busy so I haven’t had time to read all your recent reviews yet but I had to read this one.
Interested to see if Nike is going to continue this Protro line with other Kobes.
I’ve never actually worn the Kobe 1 but I have a DS pair sitting in the closet that I scooped for the low back in the day – maybe it’s time to bust those out.
As always, keep up the great work. Hope The summer is going well.
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Haha your ds pair should hold up since you’re in cold Canada and glue doesn’t get too dry up there. How was your tourney ?
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Lol. Is that the one advantage of living in the Canadian prairies?
Tourney overall was a success. My team didn’t do too well but it was fun just to get out there.
I’m one of the organisers and everyone seemed to have a great time and almost everyone walked away with no severe injuries.
Next year it’ll be our fifth year and maybe we’ll need a special appearance from Schwollo? Lol. It’s in May so it’ll be nice out in Saskatchewan.
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No injuries or fights= win win
Fun is the name of the game so congrats!
I wish I had one to visit, Canada is awesome (kawhi is in for a treat)
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Great review currently hooping in the Bron 15 and the Jordan 32. Including the Protro’s, please rank them in the categories of Impact protection/cushioning and traction. Would be very helpful as I have not seen the Protro’s in stores to try on for myself and am having to rely on the secondary market to purchase a pair. Thanks.
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Cushioning from softest to firmest: Lebron aj kobe
Traction : Kobe mj lebron
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Which traction is better, why.not or the Protro?
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Why not by a little
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How long did it take you to break in the shoe? cause the bottom of the shoe is fairly stiff compared to kobe 11s (which i’m used to wearing)
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Probably around 5-6 hours. It will not become as flexible as the XI bc of how it was constructed.
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For some reason, even though I went true to size and got an 9.5 (like i did with kobe 11 and 9s), I could feel like there was still some heel slippage even with the regular lacing even though there’s only half a thumbs’ space between by toe and the toe box. Do you think I should get us 9 for my next pair or is it because I haven’t broken in the shoe well enough? Thanks!
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Yea probably needs a little break in bc they start stiff. You need to lace all the holes also
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Are these in your rotation?
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Yes it’s as good as the og which was in my top ten rotation but now I don’t have to worry about the age of the shoe
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Hey Schwollo, Great review as usual. Was wondering what you thought was the top shoe to get for traction now. I know your big on that and it didn’t seem like their was a big standout shoe for that this year.
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Hyperdunk 2017 Kobe ad explosive bounce were very good in 2017 and still pretty easy to get. Curry 2 and rose 7 still outstanding to me. You’re right though nothing super outstanding to me lately Soldier xii is very good though (review almost done )
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How would you compare width size of the Protro against Dame 4? My son plays college basketball, size 14, wide feet and can fit always an issue. Dame 4 fits well for him but can no longer find his size. Thank you!
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Very similar in width as long as he goes true to size. Protro is shorter than than the original. I’d look on secondary markets for dame 4 like goat app Amazon or eBay esp at their prices if he likes the shoe a lot. Same with the protro actually bc it goes for way under retail (130-150) hope that helps!
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https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F253845351883
Search dame 4 pick size 14., quite a few !
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Thanks!
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Schwollo which is the best out of these 6? Super.fly 3 po, ZKB 1 Protro, XX9, XXX, M11 or X7?
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Protro. Very similar to the og which is one of ten best all time
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Schwollo, should I get the protros or the OGs? Both are brand new and about the same price.
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The Protro won’t fall apart since it is the newer pair. Glue on a 12 year old og will be more likely to crack and dry due to age and the zoom air will be more likely to pop for the same reason. No difference in performance just different set ups
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Schwollo is the traction on these on par with the Curry 2s?
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Close but not quite . Still great though
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Thanks my man. Do these have a lot of volume above the toe? Unless it’s super padded on the inside down in the toe area I feel like it would make a big bubble when you flex your foot?
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No not much space above the toe bc there is a lining/inner sock along the entire shoe. No big bubbjesy
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Just purchased the MPLS colorway from GOAT.
I cannot feel the zoom at all. Is that normal? or did I get a knockoff?
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Gotta break it in. Starts stiffer than the OG and it’s only 8mm thick
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Schwollo, do these fit the same as the OG’s width wise?
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Yes
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I have 3 pairs of Jordan XXXIs and am considering the Hyper Dunk X and ProTro. I’m only 37 buy my knees are shot so cushioning is important to me. How does the zoom compare in those? I would assume ProTro are not as bouncy since zoom bag is a bit smaller at 6.75 mm compared to 8.00 mm in the XXXIs and 6.87/14 mm in the HDX. Traction in the XXXI could be better, but is still a super fun shoe because of the smooth transition full length zoom while still providing great cushioning are are definitely one of my favorites shoes of all time. How do you feel the ProTros and HDX compare overall? Thanks.
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If it’s an all time favorite buy more of the xxxi imo. You’ll get better containment and traction from the protro but it isn’t as zoomy as the xxxi so that’s up to you. The Hdx is great but the zoom isn’t as good as the xxxi either. Traction is a little better than the xxxi. Hope that helps
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How long will these last as a catch and shoot and occasionally post up player? I saw some at the outlet for 54.99 plus 30% off since it was on the back wall.
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Which outlet ? Can you get me some ? lol
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Well my 2006 pairs are still working so I’d say a pretty long time (I have probably gone through five to seven pairs)The only part that falls apart is the raised midsole but that’s from hard cutting
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But gorilla glue can fix that right??? And the nike outlet in birch run, mi 🤣🤣🤣
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Yea it works for sure
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