The Kobe 8 Protro ‘Year of the Horse’ Gallops Back in 2026

are saddling up for 2026 with a retro that’s got more horsepower than a stable of thoroughbreds. The Protro ‘Year of the Horse’ is galloping back into rotation, reviving a design that first scuffed up the hardwood in 2014.

This stallion doesn’t do subtle. The upper runs wild with jagged graphics, layered geometry and neon splashes, giving the low-cut silhouette the same hoof-stomping energy as Kobe’s original chaotic colourways. The Hanzi stamp hiding inside the tongue locks into the twelve-year Chinese Zodiac cycle, while the palette – crimson, ochre and contrasting dark underlays – channels the boldness of equine fire. Underfoot, the Protro treatment means a performance-ready ride, keeping the 8’s sleeker-than-sleek stance intact.

While the visuals exude Zodiac, the tech under the hood stays locked in on performance. The Kobe 8 Protro swaps in modern cushioning for a lighter, bouncier ride, while the engineered mesh upper keeps things breathable when the game heats up. It’s that sweet spot always demanded – a shoe that could torch defenders under the bright lights while still turning heads in the tunnel.

Of course, this isn’t Kobe’s first brush with the lunar calendar, either. The Mamba’s line has a long history of weaving in Chinese Zodiac flair – from the ‘Year of the Dragon’ in 2012 with its scaly overlays and fiery red palette, to the ‘Year of the Snake’ that leaned hard into Black Mamba mythology.

Expect this ‘Year of the Horse’ version to land in January 2026, with a retail price of $180.

For more on the Black Mamba, make sure to check out this of the