Kobe Bryant's 10 Best Christmas Sneakers of All Time

Ranking Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant's top ten Christmas-themed Nike sneakers.

It feels like a distant memory, but there was a time when Kobe Bryant ran the show on Christmas Day. The Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard would provide exhilarating performances against the best teams in the league and treat sneakerheads to some new kicks.

Back in the heyday of Nike Basketball, they would often use Christmas Day to debut Bryant's latest signature sneaker alongside a new national ad campaign (long live the puppet commercials). Even better, the shoes would pop up on the Nike iD website and be customizable in advance of the launch.

That level of effort and attention to detail from Nike is long gone, but its memories live on. With the holiday season about to hit its crescendo, let's look back at Bryant's ten best Christmas-themed sneakers of all time.

Kobe Bryant's 10 Best Christmas Sneakers

Ranking Kobe Bryant's ten best Christmas sneakers.

Nike Kobe 11 iD 'Grinch'

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Every year after the release of the Nike Kobe 6 'Grinch,' fans would clamor for another 'Grinch' colorway. It never happened during Bryant's playing days. However, many fans customized Bryant's 10th and 11th signature sneakers to mimic the iconic Christmas-themed sneakers.

Nike Kobe 8 SS 'Christmas'

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The Nike Kobe 8 SS 'Christmas' launched on December 26, 2013. The limited-edition model featured a scaly upper design with translucent grey tones throughout the seamless overlays. Fans did not see Bryant in action during that Christmas Day game as he missed significant time with a fracture in his left knee.

Nike Kobe 5 'Chaos'

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Bryant continued his move towards low-cut hoop shoes when he debuted the Nike Kobe 5 'Chaos' on Christmas Day 2008. The "Black Mamba" dropped 35 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The shoes would make a return in January 2020 as the first colorway of the Nike Kobe 5 Protro to hit shelves.

Kobe 7 Christmas

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Hoopers had the choice of attacking fast or strong with the Nike Kobe 7 System. The model came with two different midsoles that allowed players to customize the sneakers. The Nike Kobe 7 Supreme 'Christmas' hit shelves on December 22, 2011, and Bryant debuted them on the court against the Chicago Bulls three days later.

Nike Kobe 6 Protro 'Reverse Grinch'

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The Nike Kobe 6 Protro 'Reverse Grinch' is a fun twist on its predecessor. Current NBA stars like Anthony Davis and P.J. Tucker debuted the shoes almost a year before they launched for $190 in December 2023. Currently, the Christmas-themed kicks are being sold for upwards of $500 on sneaker resale websites.

Nike Kobe 10 'Christmas'

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Bryant's tenth signature shoe actually launched in February 2014. The model got dressed up for the holidays late in its life cycle. Although Bryant never wore it on the court, the Nike Kobe 10 'Christmas' was still popular upon its release on December 26, 2015.

Nike Kobe 9 Elite 'Christmas'

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Bryant missed the 2014 Christmas game due to soreness in his knees, both Achilles tendons and metatarsals as well as back tightness. Teammate Wesley Johnson debuted the high-top kicks in a lopsided loss to the Chicago Bulls. The Nike Kobe 9 Elite 'Christmas' was released the following day for $225.

Nike Kobe 8 'Christmas'

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Bryant's last vintage Christmas Day performance came in 2012. The "Black Mamba" scored 34 points against Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks in a 100-94 victory. The matchup also served as the debut of the Nike Kobe 8. 

Online users could customize the sneakers online on December 4 and purchase them on December 20 (they could choose between four midsole options on the Nike iD website). The Nike Kobe 8 'Christmas' launched at $140 on December 26, 2012.

Nike Kobe 6 Protro 'Christmas'

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Is it fair to count a player-exclusive colorway in this list? Probably not. But Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris was not playing fair when he debuted the Nike Kobe 6 Protro 'Christmas' in 2021. The unreleased colorway draws inspiration from the Nike Kobe 7 Supreme 'Christmas.'

Nike Kobe 6 'Grinch'

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It should come as no surprise that the Nike Kobe 6 'Grinch' sits atop our list. Not only is it the greatest Christmas colorway of all time, but it is probably the greatest basketball shoe ever created. The game-changing shoes hit shelves for $130 the same day that Bryant wore them against the Miami Heat on December 25, 2010.

Best of all, fans could customize Bryant's sixth signature sneaker on December 10 and purchase them two weeks later on Christmas Eve. It is a level of effort that Bryant demanded from Nike. Sadly, the Nike Kobe line is unrecognizable over a decade later.

The Nike Kobe 9 Elite 'Christmas' Returns Next Holiday Season