Kobe Bryant wore plenty of memorable sneakers during his career, but his Air Jordan 8 PEs still stand out as something different. On Mamba Day, @englishsole pulled out both the white and black versions for a closer look at two pairs tied to Kobe’s brief run in Jordans.
The Air Jordan 8 became part of Kobe’s rotation during the 2002-03 NBA season, when he was playing without a long-term sneaker deal. Jordan Brand later used that connection when it created a special collection for Bryant near the end of his career.
Both Air Jordan 8s use the Lakers colors, but they go in completely different directions.
The white pair comes with a mostly white leather upper, purple lining, and yellow hardware around the signature ankle straps. Grey suede shows up around the collar, while purple and gold graphics cover the side panels. The same colors continue underneath on the outsole.
The black version flips the look. Black leather and suede cover most of the upper, with purple used around the tongue, lining, and ankle straps. Yellow accents appear on the hardware and side panels, keeping the Lakers connection easy to spot.
Jordan Brand presented Bryant with complete sets of Air Jordans in both white and black in 2016. The Air Jordan 3 and Air Jordan 8 received extra attention because Kobe had actually worn both models during the 2002-03 season.
The black Air Jordan 3 and Air Jordan 8 from the collection were later auctioned together for charity in Bryant’s size 14. The auction closed at $240,100, with proceeds benefiting the Jordan Wings Initiative and the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation.
The white Air Jordan 8 has another connection to the project. It was also paired with the matching Air Jordan 3 for a special friends-and-family package, making those sets even harder to come across.
Seeing both Air Jordan 8 PEs together on August 24 feels fitting. Mamba Day is held every year on 8/24, a nod to the two jersey numbers Kobe wore during his Lakers career.
Neither Air Jordan 8 Kobe PE has received a public release, leaving both as rare pieces from one of the more interesting chapters of Kobe Bryant’s sneaker history.
Stay up to date with all upcoming Air Jordan releases from our Air Jordan Release Dates page.
