Nike Kobe 9 Low EM Protro "Philippines" Returns Holiday 2026

Nike is expected to bring back the Kobe 9 Low EM Protro “Philippines” in 2026, marking the return of one of the more regionally meaningful colorways from the Kobe archive per zsneakerheadz and sneakerfiles. The pair was last seen during the original Kobe 9 run, and its reappearance fits neatly into Nike’s broader effort to re-establish depth in the Kobe line beyond the most obvious hits.

The “Philippines” colorway carries weight for reasons that go beyond aesthetics. Kobe Bryant’s long-standing connection to the country — both culturally and through basketball outreach — has made releases tied to the region some of the most emotionally resonant within the line. Rather than leaning on overt storytelling, the design lets that connection sit quietly in the background, allowing performance and symbolism to coexist without one overpowering the other.

Visually, the shoe is expected to stay close to the original execution pictured here. A red-dominant Engineered Mesh upper is layered with darker blue and black patterning, creating a sense of movement without resorting to contrast for contrast’s sake. Metallic silver Swooshes cut cleanly through the upper, while the speckled heel counter and translucent outsole ground the design in the Kobe 9’s performance roots rather than pushing it into lifestyle territory.

From a market perspective, this return makes sense. As Nike continues to roll out Protro updates across the Kobe line, there’s been a noticeable shift toward honoring technically strong models that resonate with players as much as collectors. The Kobe 9 Low EM, in particular, has aged well as modern basketball footwear trends circle back toward lighter, lower-profile builds with emphasis on court feel.

While we wait for an official announcement and release details, enjoy a closer look at the first release below ahead of it's Holiday 2026 return.

For more on Nike Basketball, checkout the upcoming Nike Kobe 5 "Caitlin Clark" PE set to release soon.