Kobe Bryant’s Nike signature line changed the game of basketball, but the late NBA legend and the Beaverton, Ore.-based sportswear brand were already making waves in the industry prior to the 2005 debut of the Zoom Kobe 1. Before that, Bryant was welcomed to the Swoosh with a model that was highly acclaimed in its own right, the Air Zoom Huarache 2K4. Now, according to Kicks Finger, Bryant’s unofficial first Nike sneaker is making a return.

Set for a 2026 reissue is the Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 All-Star. Draped in a White/Varsity Royal/Varsity Red/Metallic Silver combination, the colorway was designed to match the jerseys of the 2004 Western Conference All-Stars. 

Designed by Eric Avar, the designer who would go on to create some of Bryant’s most groundbreaking sneakers, the Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 was a 2000s interpretation of the Huarache concept introduced by Tinker Hatfield in 1992. Specifically, it updated the Air Flight Huarache basketball shoe with modern lightweight materials and Zoom cushioning. 

Essentially a prequel to Bryant’s signature line, which would arrive one year later, the Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 didn’t bear any explicit Kobe branding, but it’s most often associated with the Los Angeles Lakers star. 

The shoe was an on-court favorite of basketball players worldwide, with many considering the original ’04 iteration to be one of the top-performing hoops shoes of all time. Yet despite the model’s popularity, retros of the Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 have been infrequent. The model received a rerelease in 2016 which included the All-Star colorway and a Bryant-themed “Fade to Black” style, but the pair hasn’t been seen at retail since. 

Other upcoming Kobe releases of note include a new Nike Air Force 1 Low connected to FC Barcelona, a bright Total Orange take on the Nike Kobe 6 Protro and Caitlin Clark’s Nike Kobe 5 Protro player exclusive. 

With a style code of IR0563-146, the Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 All-Star is expected to be released during spring ’26. It’s worth noting that the pair will reportedly come at a higher-than-usual retail price; the ’16 version was priced at $150, while the upcoming retro has an expected retail price of $210. While we await official images of the new pair, the ’16 iteration of the sneaker is pictured below.