Ice Cold: The Kobe 9 EM Protro ‘Hydrogen Blue’ Has Landed
Looking to scoop the Nike Kobe 9 'Hydrogen Blue'? This serene pair touched down on February 1, on Nike's web channel.
Already this year there have been plenty of Nike Kobe models both touching down and rumoured to arrive, like the Kobe 9 Protro EM 'Hydrogen Blue'! Following last week's leaks of the serene pair, Nike have dropped official imagery which gives us an inkling that a drop date is near.
Nike’s colossal Kobe rollout keeps gathering momentum, and the next Protro revival taps into a crisp, court-ready palette with the Kobe 9 EM Protro ‘Hydrogen Blue’. Dressed in a sharp mix of ‘Hydrogen Blue’, ‘Light Photo Blue’ and white, this pair feels purpose-built for the hardwood – understated, icy, and unmistakably performance-driven.
The EM (Engineered Mesh) construction returns as a more breathable, game-ready alternative to the Flyknit version, favouring airflow and flexibility without sacrificing structure. In Protro form, the tooling has been modernised with a React drop-in midsole, delivering a more responsive, durable ride while preserving the low-to-the-ground court feel that made the Kobe 9 such a weapon in its original run.
Visually, the ‘Hydrogen Blue’ colourway keeps things clean and classic. Subtle branding, layered blue tones and a white midsole give the shoe a timeless, team-friendly look that works just as well in rotation as it does on the shelf.
Originally released in 2014, the Kobe 9 represented a turning point in the signature line, pushing low-profile performance and precision movement to the forefront. Designed around the on-court mindset of Kobe Bryant, the silhouette emphasised speed, court feel and responsiveness over bulk.
Look for the Kobe 9 ‘Hydrogen Blue’ to hit shelves over the coming months.
For more Mamba heat, dive into this tribute to Kobe’s iconic 81-point performance.
