Nike Kobe 8 “Year Of The Horse” Returning In 2026

Potentially a sign of yearly Lunar New Year pairs?

Matt Varga May 8, 2025

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The Nike Kobe 8 is continuing as one of the central silhouettes in the Protro series. Already providing a seminal 2025 drop in the “What The Kobe” 8, there’s already plans for the model looking into 2026 as well. The Nike Kobe 8 “Year of the Horse,” first issued during the model’s original run at the very top of 2014, is set to return this Spring.

While the brand pulled out a ton of stops to capitalize on the Mamba/Snake connection, this year’s Zodiac releases present a great test case for this pair; both the purple and red editions instantly selling out along with the apparel collections that accompanied them. Sporting a brushed pattern that aligns well with the printed layouts we’d seen so often through Kobe’s signature line, the shoe is built on a “Light Crimson/Bright Citron/Vivid Blue” palette identical to its original appearance, with the Hanzi transliteration of “horse” cropping up throughout the design to drive home its narrative. Much the same way

Again, the Nike Kobe 8 “Year of the Horse” is set to return for Spring 2026, a window that spans from January to March. While information is scant at the time of writing, a drop lining up with Lunar New Year celebrations would only be fitting. Check out product shots of the 2014 pair included below, and watch our Sneaker Release Dates page for further details as they emerge.

: Nike Kobe 8 “Year of the Horse” (2014 release) GOAT

: Nike Kobe 8 “Year of the Horse” (2014 release) GOAT

: Nike Kobe 8 “Year of the Horse” (2014 release) GOAT

: Nike Kobe 8 “Year of the Horse” (2014 release) GOAT

: Nike Kobe 8 “Year of the Horse” (2014 release) GOAT

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Information via @zsneakerheadz / Sneaker Files.

Written by

Matt Varga, Junior Editor

Matt Varga is an Editor at SneakerNews. Initially earning a degree in Video Arts and Technology, he got his start in video editing and writing in the music world — primarily on hip-hop and electronic. A long-standing interest in sneakers led him to switching over to footwear. An avid collector, his favorite sneaker of all time comes down to either the Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe” and Air Jordan 5 “Laney,” his first ever pick-ups. When he’s not writing, you can find Matt cooking, traveling, attending concerts and when weather permits, on the handball court.