Honest Analysis of Nike's 'Mamba Day' Kobe Sneaker Releases

Chris Chase of WearTesters unboxed and analyzed the upcoming Nike Kobe sneakers.

The Nike Kobe 8 Protro in the 'Venice Beach' colorway. / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Tomorrow is a more than important day for basketball fans and sneakerheads - it's a holiday. On April 13, 2024, fans all over the world will celebrate the eighth anniversary of Kobe Bryant's final NBA game.

Who can forget it? For weeks in advance, Nike promoted "Mamba Day" before Bryant dropped 60 points in his final game with the Los Angeles Lakers. The day of celebration has grown and taken on new meaning as time has passed.

Tomorrow will be the biggest celebration of Mamba Day since its inception. Since relaunching the "Kobe Brand" last August, Nike has stuck with a coherent strategy of dropping models and colorways that tell specific stories about Bryant's career.

Tomorrow's festivities will feature three sneaker releases that highlight different parts of Bryant's legendary story. But will the hoop shoes be worth the hefty price tag? Will they be worth resale prices?

The Nike Kobe 4 Protro 'Philly' colorway. / Nike

For many, the answer is a resounding yes. For others, it depends on the quality. When it comes to in-depth analysis of basketball shoes, we turn to Chris Chase of WearTesters. The GOAT of "ShoeTube" recently posted videos for two of the three sneakers releasing on Mamba Day. Below are some important quotes from Chase on each shoe and links to his videos.

In the WearTesters video, Chase offered an overall positive analysis of the Nike Kobe 4 Protro 'Philly' colorway. Chase warned about the durability of the outsole but said the insole will enjoy a longer lifespan. As for the materials, the upper "mimics leather without sacrificing anything."

Chase also broke down the highly anticipated Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'Venice Beach' in a separate video. He was disappointed that the model was more of a retro, featuring almost no discernable upgrades that make the Nike Kobe Protro line what it is. Additionally, the shoe has issues with comfortability.

According to Chase, this iteration of the 'Venice Beach' colorway is heavier. That could be do to the thicker React foam midsole compared to the Lunarlon midsole in the original. Additional comfort issues arise with the outsole, which is shaped upward instead of flat.

We definitely encourage our readers to support our friends at WearTesters, as they provide so much to the sneaker community. Good luck to all of our fellow Kobe fans who hope to celebrate Mamba Day in style tomorrow. Stay locked into FanNation Kicks for all your footwear news from the sports world.

Further Reading: Stephen Curry's sneakers drop in 'April Showers' colorway to remember his historic run in April 2021.