Daily Newsletters

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Nike Kobe 6 Protro Green Apple Grinch
Nike Kobe 6 Protro "Grinch."
Courtesy of Nike

Update: Dec. 16, 2020 at 4:15 p.m. ET

One of the most beloved signature sneakers of the late NBA icon Kobe Bryant is returning on Christmas Eve.

The Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Green Apple” — which is commonly referred to as “Grinch” — will be available via the SNKRS app on Dec. 24 at 10 a.m. ET. They will come with a $180 price tag.

The look, Nike said in the product description, is based on a the colorway originally released on Christmas Day in 2010. The sneaker is executed with reptile-inspired uppers and is delivered in tonal lime green hues, which is a nod to Bryant’s Black Mamba persona. Also, Nike made the shoe lower and sleeker than before, and equipped it with updated tech such as a large and flexible Air Zoom Turbo unit, responsive foam cushioning and scaled-down traction.

Nike Kobe 6 Protro Green Apple Grinch
Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Green Apple” aka “Grinch.”Courtesy of Nike
Nike Kobe 6 Protro Green Apple Grinch
The heels of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Green Apple” aka “Grinch.”Courtesy of Nike
Nike Kobe 6 Protro Green Apple Grinch
The outsole of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Green Apple” aka “Grinch.”Courtesy of Nike
Nike Kobe 6 Protro Green Apple Grinch
A top down look at the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Green Apple” aka “Grinch.”Courtesy of Nike

To Buy: Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Green Apple” aka “Grinch,” $180; Nike.com (Dec. 24 at 10 a.m. ET)

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission.

What We Originally Reported on May 7, 2020

Watch on FN

One of most beloved Kobe Bryant shoes from his Nike signature line is a bold green look the late NBA icon wore on the court on Christmas Day 2010. And if social media leaks are true, fans of the Black Mamba should be excited, as it is reportedly returning with updated performance technology in 2021.

Twitter user @soleheatonfeet shared an image of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro in the “Green Apple/Volt/Crimson/Black” colorway today, which was dubbed “Grinch” when it made its debut on the feet of the Los Angeles Lakers legend a decade ago. Bryant wore the sneakers on the Staples Center court against a visiting Miami Heat squad that featured fellow Nike athlete LeBron James.

The reported release date of the shoe, according to @soleheatonfeet, is early 2021. The sneakers will reportedly return in Protro form, which means performance retro, adding the latest and greatest in technology to older beloved silhouettes.

At time of publication, Nike has not confirmed or denied the release of the Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch.”

The original iteration of the shoe is selling in the thousands on the resale market. StockX, for instance, lists the lowest ask for the shoe at $1,500 and the highest bid is $2,000. And on GOAT, the lowest ask for a pair is $1,655 and the highest is $3,320.

Shopping with FN
Daily Headlines

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Ad Specification Generated by SendMyAd ASB
Get the Latest Issue
Only $24.99 for one year!
PMC Logo
Footwear News is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2025 Fairchild Publishing, LLC. All Rights Reserved. FN and Footwear News are registered trademarks of Fairchild Publishing, LLC.