There are few things for which Kobe Bryant would’ve ever settled for second place. Sneakers might be the only one—given the late Lakers legend’s reverence for Michael Jordan, it feels safe to say he’d respect Mike’s indisputable place as the athlete with the most influential signature shoe line. Still, even with Air Jordan holding down the number-one spot, Bryant’s Nike line really is second with a bullet.
From wildly innovative tech to pioneering low-top basketball kicks, few hoopers have had as big of an influence on performance footwear as Bryant did. Even after his retirement, the Mamba continued to change the game: When Nike sought to reissue his most beloved silhouettes, Kobe insisted that they be reworked to modern NBA standards. That decision helped the Kobe Protro line remain relevant on the court, with dozens of current pros still lacing them up every night.
Below, we’ve definitively ranked every signature shoe Kobe Bryant wore in the NBA—from his all-time classic Swoosh sneakers to his less-than-classic Adidas models.
13. Adidas Kobe 2
Courtesy of Goat
Year Released: 2001
Best Colorway: All-Star
How many sneakers were foul enough to end an athlete’s contract? The Adidas Kobe 2 was such a clunker upon release that it led to Bryant buying out his contract with the Stripes and entering sneaker free agency. That period ended with Bryant signing with Nike, the brand’s biggest competitor. Even the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia can’t save these boxy monstrosities.
12. Nike Kobe 2
Courtesy of Goat