Nike is keeping Kobe Bryant’s legendary high school legacy alive by dropping the Nike Kobe Air Force 1 Low “Lower Merion Aces” (Home) in Spring 2026. This will be the second Kobe release in celebration of Kobe’s high school days following the release of the Kobe 5 “Lower Merion Aces”.

Before Kobe skipped college to enter the NBA Draft in 1996, he lit up the courts at Lower Merion High School as a member of the Aces in their signature white and burgundy uniforms. The same color palette is back here in a storytelling-driven Air Force 1 that serves as a tribute to the beginnings of the Black Mamba.

Made with white snakeskin-textured leather uppers to represent Kobe’s “Mamba” mentality, deep burgundy accents hit on the lining and outsole. Personal touches are littered across the shoe, including the number 33 (Kobe’s high-school jersey number) embroidered on the heel, and the spade logo on the insole and outsole (his team’s playing card emblem). Kobe’s sheath logo is also present near the heel and tongue to connect the story to his later Nike career.

The “Home” edition of the AF1 is clean and classic, but Nike will also be dropping an “Away” version in bright maroon. The two together tell the complete story of Kobe’s journey from Philly gym floors to global superstardom. This is the kind of symbolism that makes this project more than just another AF1.

Nike Kobe Air Force 1 Lower Merion Aces Release Date

Expect the Nike Kobe Air Force 1 Low “Lower Merion Aces” (Home) to release in March 2026 via select retailers and Nike.com for $120 USD.

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Photos: chappy_snkrs