Vanessa Bryant Confirms Nike Kobe 5 ‘X-Ray’ Drop, Bape Shark Sta 'Country Pack' Debuts

Vanessa Bryant has confirmed the release of the Nike Kobe 5 "X-Ray" on October 17, honoring Kobe’s championship legacy. Meanwhile, Bape is gearing up for the release of the Shark Sta "Country Pack" on October 5, offering 10 unique colorways representing various countries.

Kobe Bryant's Legacy Shines with the October 17th Release of the Nike Kobe 5 'X-Ray'

The Kobe Bryant brand has experienced a significant resurgence over the past year, with business quadrupling in size, reflecting the enduring appeal of the Mamba Mentality. Bryant’s legacy, both on and off the court, continues to resonate, driven by powerful narratives of success, failure, and the perseverance he embodied throughout his career. One such story is captured in the upcoming release of the Kobe 5 “X-Ray,” set to drop later this month.

officially announced by Vanessa Bryant, the Kobe 5 “X-Ray” draws inspiration from the iconic t-shirts released in 2010 after Kobe secured his fifth NBA championship. The shirts depicted an x-ray of a hand showing fractures and injuries, symbolizing the physical toll of achieving greatness, specifically earning championship rings. On the Kobe 5, this theme is brought to life with skeletal x-ray graphics that glow in the dark, casting a baltic blue glow against the deep royal purple upper, adding a striking visual element to the shoe.

The Nike Kobe 5 Protro “X-Ray” will officially be released on October 17, 2024, and will be available for $190 through SNKRS and select Nike Basketball retailers. Fans will also see the return of the iconic t-shirts in three different colorways, celebrating Kobe’s championship legacy.

Bape Shark Sta 'Country Pack' to Release October 5th, Embracing Evolving Sneaker Trends

In other Sneaker News, the resolution of the BAPE and Nike lawsuit earlier this year led to notable changes in BAPE’s footwear designs to avoid further trademark conflicts with Nike. However, BAPE’s latest silhouette, the Shark Sta, signals the brand’s move toward embracing a broader shift in sneaker trends, precisely the rising popularity of mesh runners.

The Shark Sta features sleek, curvilinear suede panels that extend from the eye stays and angular outlines around the toebox. Layers of thin materials cover the sidewalls, with BAPE’s iconic shark teeth prominently displayed. Interestingly, this marks one of the first instances where BAPE has omitted its signature Star logo from the upper, instead placing it on the midsole, where the star design splits the underfoot traction.

The Shark Sta’s design has drawn comparisons to popular models like the New Balance 2002R and Balenciaga’s Triple S as it taps into the growing trend of oversized, chunky runners. Part of the BAPE x Bored Ape Yacht Club Season 2 collection, the Shark Sta will be released in limited quantities on October 12, 2024, with just 1,000 pairs available. The green colorway will be exclusive to BAPE CARD GOLD holders, while the blue edition will see a wider release.

Before that, the BAPE Shark Sta Country Pack will drop on October 5, 2024. Ten colorways representing various countries will be available on US.BAPE.COM and Bape retail locations.