Kobe's first shoe after retirement is getting its original colorway back. Sneaker News has official images of the Nike Kobe AD Protro "Ruthless Precision" (style IO8233-001), expected November 22 for $155. The OG dropped on November 22, 2016, so this one lands exactly ten years to the day.
The colorway plays with the mismatched idea Kobe loved on the Kobe 8 "What The." Look at it from the inside and you get a dark grey midsole, flip to the outside and it turns white. An iridescent heel cup adds a little shine. The Protro updates are the part hoopers will care about: ZoomX in the forefoot, Air Zoom in the heel, a new midfoot shank for stability, updated traction and lighter materials overall. It follows the "Purple Stardust" pair that brought the AD back into the Protro program in October.
Our take: "Ruthless Precision" is a very Kobe name for a shoe that can't decide which color its own midsole is. That's the fun of it. It looks clean in photos and gets a second look on court when people notice the sides don't match. At $155 with modern cushioning, it's one of the better-value Protros of the year, and a nice way to mark ten years since the AD first showed up. Just be ready to explain to your friends that, no, you didn't put on two different shoes.
Nike Kobe AD Protro "Ruthless Precision" (IO8233-001)
Price: $155
Release: expected November 22, 2026 via Nike
Shop Nike at ONENESS, including Kobe apparel like the Nike Kobe Dri-FIT Pullover Basketball Hoodie.
Report and images via Sneaker News.
