The Nike Kobe 4 "Girl Dad" Sneakers Release June

Fans of Kobe Bryant will always remember him for his brilliance, mainly regarding his knowledge and execution of the game of basketball. There’s a word we use for people who operate at that high level in a given field – we call them savants. And that, Kobe was. This is a post, of course, about a shoe – the Nike Kobe 4 “Girl Dad”, that is being pitched as a ‘premium take on Protro, covered in Bicoastal Green’. But before we get to the shoe and the specifics around design and expected release, it’s only fitting we talk about why this sneaker is so unique.

People around the world, in particular, basketball fans, were devastated by the sudden and tragic death of Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020. While we were all well acquainted with his exploits on the court, perhaps his most outstanding achievement was being the loving father of four girls – Natalia, Gianna (who tragically passed away in the same crash that took his life), Bianka and Capri. Those who knew him and got to observe his life up close testified, both in the wake of his passing and at the recent unveiling of the statue erected to honour him by the Los Angeles Lakers, that the most important people to Kobe were his wife, Vanessa, and his daughters.

It’s only fitting then that Nike creates a shoe that will recognize that aspect of his life while staying true to the design and style that makes the Kobe 4 such an iconic sneaker. Based on the spate of recent releases (and rumours about releases), what’s clear is that there are no signs of slowing down from Nike as it relates to the Kobe Bryant signature line. And why would they? We’re at about the time of year that Kobe died, so it makes perfect sense to maximize the sentiment and give fans and sneakerheads something to remember Mamba by.

Coming to design specifics, the Kobe 4 “Girl Dad” kicks are a classy blend of texture and colours (Kobe was class personified, after all). First, the upper is presented in a beautiful green suede that looks soft and inviting. It serves as a solid foundation for the contrasting black suede Swooshes. Also in black are the laces and inner lining of the shoe.

Coming to the rear, the heel gleams with a polished metallic silver finish. This element adds a sophisticated sheen and brings to mind the idea of excellence that Kobe embodied as a 5-time NBA championship. Kobe’s signature seals the silver finish in writing as if to confirm it. Then we come to the tongue, behind which the heartwarming inscription, “Girl Dad,” the real centrepiece of the shoe, can be found. This is a thoughtful touch; we like that the designers picked this as the spot for the lettering. Above it is 24, the jersey number Kobe switched to at the beginning of the 2006-07 season. The insole adds further depth and complexity to the contrast – bright orange, and on it, the beloved (and once upon a time, feared by opponents) Mamba logo.