# Athlete-Inspired Basketball Sneakers The Zoom Kobe 1 Protro Boasts a Sleek Black and Gold Design By Kalin Ned | Published 2018-02-08 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/basketball-sneakers1 References: [highsnobiety](https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/nike-zoom-kobe-1-protro/#slide-2) & [news.nike](https://news.nike.com/news/nike-zoom-kobe-1-protro) After launching the Zoom Kobe 1 in 2005, retired player Kobe Bryant continues to inspire the design of basketball sneakers as [Nike](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/total-orange-colorway-1) releases the Zoom Kobe 1 Protro. The updated retro sneaker features a leather upper, a modified Zoom bag and suede detailing throughout. The silhouette is polished and elegant, as the shoe is a gorgeous combination of [black and gold](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kd-4) with a subtle grey Swoosh. The idea of "performance retro" is a driving force for this pair of basketball sneakers and the term is coined as the "Protro" concept. In an interview, Kobe Bryant shares that it is "about evolution and improving on things that were," highlighting the importance of not only growing as an athlete, but also growing as an individual or a business. Photo Credits:Nike ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.8/10 - Popularity: 90% | Activity: 46% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Performance Retro Sneakers:** Opportunity to create innovative sneakers that combine retro design with modern performance features. - **Athlete-inspired Fashion:** Opportunity to design fashion items inspired by retired athletes, appealing to fans and collectors. - **Evolving Sneaker Design:** Opportunity to continuously improve and update classic sneaker models with new technologies and materials. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Sports Apparel:** Opportunity for sports apparel brands to create athlete-inspired merchandise for a dedicated fanbase. - **Fashion Retail:** Opportunity for fashion retailers to collaborate with retired athletes and release limited edition collections. - **Footwear Manufacturing:** Opportunity for footwear manufacturers to blend retro styles with cutting-edge technologies to create highly desirable products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Vibrant Orange Performance Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/total-orange-colorway-1.md) - [Festive Vibrant Celebratory Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/year-of-the-mamba.md) - [Star Motif Performance Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allstar-20.md) - [Classic Court Colorway Revivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/team-bank.md) - [Flashy Gold Utilitarian Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zoom-vomero-5-4.md) - [Purple Tonal Performance Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moonwalker.md) - [Athlete-Honoring Apparel Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/halo-2.md) - [Performance-Focused Basketball Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gt-cut-3.md) - [Monochromatic Relaunched Basketball Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reverse-metallic.md)