Nike Kobe NXT Continues Kobe Bryant’s Signature Line

Nike’s next chapter for Kobe Bryant’s signature line could be one of its most meaningful yet. Rather than simply revisiting another model from the Kobe archive, Nike is preparing to complete a footwear project that Bryant himself began developing before his death in 2020. The result is expected to arrive in 2027 as the Nike Kobe NXT, with two different versions currently planned.

Nike Kobe Brand VP and GM Dan Sunwoo recently confirmed that the company has been working through unfinished concepts created with Bryant, with the intention of carrying his original work forward.

Fans received their first hint at what that could look like during the 2026 Mamba Invitational in Los Angeles. Artist Troy “TYP” Murray's “Sole Obsession” installation displayed outsole designs from throughout Kobe’s Nike signature history, but one unfamiliar sole stood alongside the recognizable models. That mystery design is believed to offer the first preview of the upcoming Kobe NXT project.

The NXT name is fitting for a shoe designed to push Kobe footwear forward. Nike previously used it for some of the more experimental entries in Bryant’s post-retirement signature line, where technologies such as 360-degree Flyknit construction and FastFit lacing helped explore ideas beyond the traditional Kobe formula.

Exactly how Nike will approach the new generation remains unknown. The outsole shown at the Mamba Invitational suggests a cleaner traction design built around straight lines rather than a conventional herringbone pattern, but Nike has yet to reveal the complete shoe or confirm its performance technology.

Two versions are reportedly planned. The Kobe NXT Prototype is expected to sit at the top of the range with a $410 price tag, while the Kobe NXT 1.0 is reportedly priced at $210 and planned in multiple colorways. The significant price difference could point to a more experimental approach for the Prototype, but details explaining what separates the two models have not yet been announced.

More importantly, the project represents an opportunity for Nike to continue Kobe’s design work rather than attempt to recreate it without him. With Bryant having already contributed to the concept, the Kobe NXT could provide a glimpse at where he wanted his signature footwear to go next. The Nike Kobe NXT Prototype and Kobe NXT 1.0 are expected to release in Summer 2027. Official launch dates, technology details, and colorways have yet to be announced.