The Nike Kobe 8 EXT Protro Surfaces With Horseshoe Detailing

Nike’s lifestyle variant of the Kobe 8, dubbed EXT, is coming back in Protro form this year. Our first look at the retro features some unique details and horseshoe lace ornaments, but is seemingly unconnected to their Year of the Horse celebration. This week, the Kobe 8 EXT has surfaced in an updated Protro format, […] The post The Nike Kobe 8 EXT Protro Surfaces With Horseshoe Detailing appeared first on JustFreshKicks.

Nike’s lifestyle variant of the Kobe 8, dubbed EXT, is coming back in Protro form this year. Our first look at the retro features some unique details and horseshoe lace ornaments, but is seemingly unconnected to their Year of the Horse celebration.

This week, the Kobe 8 EXT has surfaced in an updated Protro format, adding Nike’s current technologies to the 13-year-old silhouette. The special look has widely been reported to be part of the “Year of the Horse” Lunar New Year collection, but the details on the shoe itself do not add up to that. The first and most important clue is the horseshoe lace ornament attached; they are engraved with the words “Siempre Hermanos”, Spanish for “always brothers”. Not exactly Nike’s MO to include a completely different language and culture in their Lunar New Year projects.

In 2012, Nike released their latest generation of the Kobe signature line, Bryant’s 8th mainline model with the Swoosh. Then, in early 2013, Nike introduced the shoe’s EXT version through a Year of the Snake release. The EXT version was designed to be a moire lifestyle-minded pair, leaning on premium materials like suede and pony hair instead of the engineered mesh of the performance-driven pairs. The EXT line would continue with later models of the Kobe line, offering up premium versions of Byrant’s iconic sneakers.

Regardless of the theme attached to this pair, the look is definitely a special-edition release. The model comes in a Light Orewood Brown suede for the upper, with cutouts on either side for ventilation. The heel counter is added in a light blue suede, with a seemingly random pattern of circular embroidery throughout. The larger lateral side Swooshes come in black pony hair with an embroidered outline, and a gradient red-to-blue outsole completes the look.

NIKE KOBE 8 EXT PROTRO “HORSESHOE” RELEASE INFORMATION

The new Protro edition of the Nike Kobe 8 EXT does not have a release date yet, but is speculated to release in Spring 2026. While some have reported this pair is a “Year of the Horse” release, the shoe’s details do not line up with the Swoosh’s standard Lunar New Year designs. Pairs of this special release will likely be available from both Nike and select retailers for $200.

Nike Kobe 8 Protro EXT “Year of the Horse”
Color: Light Orewood Brown/Baroque Brown/Red Stardust-Ocean Cube-Metallic Dark Grey
Style Code: IM1820-100
Release Date: 2026
Price: $200

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