Which is better for a guard who cuts a lot?

The Kobe 6. It is lighter and its traction is the more trusted of the two, which matters more than the III's full-length Strobel for quick change of direction.

Both use rubber outsoles and similar foam, so wear depends on court surface and how often you play. The Kobe 6 has the longer track record of holding up indoors.

Is the Kobe III Protro worth stepping up to?

Only if you want full-length Air Zoom Strobel and a snug low-cut fit. Otherwise the Kobe 6 gives you a lighter, more proven shoe.

Does the Kobe III Protro fit true to size?

No. It runs snug, so wide-footed players should go up a half size or try it on first. The Kobe 6 fits closer to true to size.

Can I wear either outdoors?

Yes, but both are built for indoor courts. Outdoor concrete will wear the rubber and foam faster on either shoe.

Which has better heel cushioning?

The Kobe III Protro, because its Air Zoom Strobel runs the full length. The Kobe 6 puts Zoom only in the forefoot.

Nike Kobe III Protro vs Nike Kobe 6 Protro

The Kobe 6 is the more proven on-court shoe and the one most players still reach for. The Kobe III Protro is a snug, low-cut option with full-length Air Zoom Strobel and Cushlon 3.0, but its fit runs tight and the tooling is less celebrated. Reviewers and owners consistently praise the Kobe 6 for its low weight, court feel and durable traction; the Kobe III Protro draws mixed notes on break-in and width. Buy the Kobe 6 unless you specifically want the III's silhouette and Strobel setup.

Choose the Kobe III Protro if you want a snug low-cut Kobe with full-length Air Zoom Strobel and Cushlon 3.0 underfoot.
Choose the Kobe 6 if you want the lighter, more widely praised low-top with proven traction and a huge range of sizes.

Prices

Nike Kobe III Protro: $115.00 at eBay (checked today)
Nike Kobe 6 Protro: $159.00 at GOAT (last seen Nov 8)
Difference: the Nike Kobe III Protro is $44.00 cheaper than the Nike Kobe 6 Protro at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 9)

	Nike Kobe III Protro	Nike Kobe 6 Protro
Cushioning setup	Air Zoom Strobel stitched full-length under the footbed	Forefoot Air Zoom unit over Cushlon foam
Weight	About 475g in a men's UK 8	Lighter low-top build
Fit	Snug, runs narrow; try before buying	Standard Kobe 6 fit, generally true to size
Traction	Multi-directional rubber with carbon fiber plate	Rubber outsole with the Kobe 6's well-regarded pattern
Upper	Layered textile, mesh, synthetic, leather and TPU	Mesh and synthetic with snakeskin-inspired texture
Size availability	Limited to select US sizes	Wide run from US 4 to 15
Track record	Retro of a 2007 model; less tested by current players	2010 original, still a benchmark low-top

Spec	Nike Kobe III Protro	Nike Kobe 6 Protro
Style	IV7127-600	IH1871-800
Colour Shown	Atomic Pink/Bright Crimson	Total Orange/Cosmic Clay/Metallic Silver
Size (US)	10.5, 11.5	13, 14, 11, 12, 15, 6.5, 5.5, 9.5, 10.5, 8.5, 8…
Series	Nike Kobe Bryant, Nike Zoom	Nike Kobe Bryant
Fastening	Laced	Laced
Color	Black, White	Red
Outsole	Rubber, Carbon Fiber	Rubber
Age Group	Adult	Adult
Gender	Male	Male
Upper Material	Textile, Mesh, Synthetic, Leather, TPU, Fabric	Mesh, Synthetic
Shoe Weight	Approx. 475g (Men's UK 8)	—
Heel-to-Toe Drop	Approx. 8mm	—

Spec	Nike Kobe III Protro	Nike Kobe 6 Protro
Fit	Snug	—
Collar	Low-cut collar	—
Cushioning	Air Zoom Strobel	—
Foam	Cushlon 3.0 foam	—
Traction	Multi-Directional	—
Country/Region of Origin	Vietnam	—
Midsole	Foam, Cloudfoam, React	—
Insole	Textile	—
Forefoot Cushioning	—	Air Zoom unit
Midsole Foam	—

Nike Kobe III Protro vs Nike Kobe 6 Protro

Prices

Nike Kobe III Protro vs Nike Kobe 6 Protro

Prices

Nike Kobe 6 Protro

What separates them

Price history

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