Few sneakers manage to stay in the conversation for over a decade, but the Nike Kobe 8 What The has done just that. Released in 2013 and re-released as a Protro in 2025, this colorway mixes mismatched panels and performance heritage into a silhouette that collectors and players both chase. This guide looks at what makes the Kobe 8 What The valuable, how it performs on court, and whether the 2025 version lives up to the original.

4 related posts

Original release year: 2013 ·
Retro release year: 2025 ·
Cushioning technology: React drop-in midsole (Protro) ·
Upper material: Engineered Mesh ·
Original retail price: $140 ·
Protro retail price: $180

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact production numbers for original 2013 release
  • Future resale price trajectory after the 2025 Protro drop
3Timeline signal
  • 2013: Original Kobe 8 What The released (YouTube review)
  • 2025: Protro version re-released on April 13 (YouTube review)
4What’s next
  • Watch for price stabilization after the 2025 restock
  • Potential further colorway rereleases in the Protro line

Six key facts give a quick reference for the Kobe 8 What The.

Attribute Value
Model Kobe 8
Colorway What The
Release Date (OG) 2013
Release Date (Protro) 2025
Retail Price (OG) $140
Retail Price (Protro) $180
Cushioning React drop-in midsole (Protro)
Upper Engineered Mesh

Are Kobe 8 What The valuable?

The original 2013 Kobe 8 What The has long been a collector’s target because of its limited release and the iconic mismatched design. Resale prices for the OG pair often exceed $1,000 on secondary markets, though exact figures depend on condition and size. The 2025 Protro release introduced a new supply at $180 retail, which may cool the aftermarket over time.

What determines the resale value?

  • Scarcity: the 2013 drop was a single, limited run (YouTube review (sneaker release context))
  • Condition: deadstock pairs command a premium
  • Size: larger sizes are rarer and often pricier
  • Colorway popularity: the What The pattern is among the most sought-after

Where can you buy them?

The imbalance

Collectors who held OG pairs now face a cheaper, updated version. Whether the Protro cannibalizes the original’s resale value depends on how many buyers prefer performance upgrades over pure rarity.

For now, the OG remains a collector’s prize, while the Protro offers modern performance at retail.

Is Kobe 8 what the good?

The Kobe 8 What the Protro has been reviewed as a solid on-court performer with notable updates. The switch from Lunarlon to React foam is the biggest change, and testers generally praise the new midsole.

Performance review – on-court feel

  • React drop-in midsole: soft, responsive, good court feel (WearTesters (basketball shoe performance reviewers))
  • Traction: excellent on clean and dusty indoor courts (YouTube performance review (basketball shoe tester))
  • Glass-based carbon fiber shank plate provides torsional stiffness (YouTube sneaker review (performance analyst))
  • Best suited for quick guards who value court feel (The Hoops Geek (sneaker performance review site))

Comfort and fit for different foot shapes

  • Fits slightly tight, consistent with other Kobe models (WearTesters (basketball shoe performance reviewers))
  • Heel padding is substantial for lockdown (WearTesters (basketball shoe performance reviewers))
  • Thin tongue in men’s sizes, padded tongue in GS sizes (WearTesters (basketball shoe performance reviewers))
  • Materials feel plasticky and require a break-in period (YouTube performance review (basketball shoe tester))
The trade-off

The 2025 Protro gives up the original’s Lunarlon plushness for a more durable and responsive React setup. Players who want a soft landing may miss the old foam, but those who prioritize quick cuts get an upgrade.

The trade-off means players must decide which feel they prefer on court.

How much did the Kobe 8 cost?

Pricing for the Kobe 8 What The has shifted dramatically over twelve years. The original 2013 pair retailed at $140, while the 2025 Protro came in at $180. Resale values for the OG have climbed well above retail.

Original MSRP vs current market price

  • 2013 retail: $140 (historical baseline)
  • 2025 Protro retail: $180 (YouTube review (release info))
  • OG resale (deadstock, size 10): typically $800–$1,200 depending on condition
  • Protro resale: near retail for most sizes as of mid-2025

Kobe 8 What the Protro 2025 pricing

  • Retail: $180
  • Release date: April 13, 2025 (YouTube review (release info))
  • Still available in many sizes on Nike.com and third-party retailers

The implication: the 2025 release gives buyers a more accessible entry point, but collectors still pay a premium for the original.

What year did the Kobe 8 What The come out?

The Kobe 8 What The has two release dates that matter: the original and the Protro. Here’s the timeline.

Original release (2013)

  • First launched as part of the “What The Kobe” pack
  • Mismatched color blocking on left and right shoes
  • Limited to a single production run (YouTube review (release history))

Protro re-release (2025)

  • Re-released exactly 12 years later on April 13, 2025 (YouTube review (release date))
  • Same color scheme but with updated materials and cushioning
  • Retail price $180

The pattern: Nike has kept the Kobe 8 alive through Protro updates, each time adjusting the formula while preserving the look that made the What The iconic.

Is Kobe 8 or 9 better?

Comparing the Kobe 8 What The to the Kobe 9 involves trade-offs in weight, ankle support, and cushioning preferences. The 8 is lighter and lower; the 9 offers more coverage and a Flyknit upper.

Cushioning and traction differences

  • Kobe 8: React drop-in midsole (2025 Protro), lower profile, better court feel (WearTesters (basketball shoe performance reviewers))
  • Kobe 9: Lunarlon drop-in (original), more cushioning height, softer
  • Traction: both are excellent, but 8’s pattern is more aggressive in multi-directional cuts

Fit and ankle support comparison

  • Kobe 8: low‑cut, no ankle collar – best for players who hate restriction
  • Kobe 9: higher collar with Flyknit upper – more ankle wrap, slightly heavier
  • Weight: Kobe 8 ~9.6 oz, Kobe 9 ~11.2 oz

Two pairs, one table.

Feature Kobe 8 What The (2025 Protro) Kobe 9 (OG)
Cushioning React drop-in midsole Lunarlon drop-in
Upper material Engineered Mesh Flyknit
Ankle collar Low‑cut Mid‑high
Weight (size 9) ~9.6 oz ~11.2 oz
Retail (original) $140 $180
Best for Quick guards, shifty players Versatile players wanting support

Upsides

  • Lighter weight, better court feel
  • Lower cut allows unrestricted ankle movement
  • More affordable Protro price point

Downsides

  • Less ankle support than Kobe 9
  • Plasticky upper materials
  • Break-in period required

The choice between the two models ultimately depends on whether the player prioritizes weight and court feel or ankle support and cushioning plushness.

Release timeline

  • 2012 – Nike Kobe 8 System launches (precursor to What The)
  • 2013 – Kobe 8 What The colorway releases (YouTube review (release history))
  • 2025 – Kobe 8 Protro What The re‑releases on April 13 (YouTube review (release date))

What we know and what’s uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • Original release year: 2013 (YouTube review)
  • Protro release year: 2025 (YouTube review)
  • Lunarlon in OG; React in Protro (WearTesters)
  • Engineered Mesh upper (YouTube sneaker review)
  • Carbon fiber shank plate (YouTube sneaker review)
  • Excellent indoor traction (YouTube performance review)

What’s unclear

  • Exact production numbers for original 2013 release
  • Future resale price trajectory after Protro drop
  • Longevity of React foam compared to original Lunarlon

Quotes from the community

“The React foam swap makes this a much better option for daily hooping than the OG Lunarlon.”

— WearTesters reviewer (basketball shoe performance reviewers)

“The traction is among the best I’ve tested this year – no slipping on dusty courts.”

— YouTube performance review (basketball shoe tester)

“If you’re a guard who loves to change direction, this shoe feels like an extension of your foot.”

— The Hoops Geek review (sneaker performance review site)

Summary

The Kobe 8 What The has proven its staying power across two decades. The 2025 Protro updates the ride with React foam while keeping the look that made the original a grail. For a player who wants modern performance in a classic colorway, the Protro is a strong buy. For a collector betting on long‑term value, the OG remains the better asset. The choice depends on whether you plan to wear them or frame them.

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Frequently asked questions

What does “What The” mean in Nike sneakers?

It refers to a mismatched colorway where the left and right shoes have different patterns, originally part of Nike’s “What The” series that combined elements from multiple previous releases.

Is the Kobe 8 What The a limited edition?

The original 2013 release was limited. The 2025 Protro had a wider release but may still sell out depending on size and region.

How does the Kobe 8 fit compared to other Kobe models?

It fits slightly tight, especially in the toe box. Many reviewers recommend going half a size up from your normal Nike size (WearTesters fit note).

What are the best alternatives to the Kobe 8 What The?

Other Kobe 8 colorways like the Halo, or the Kobe 9 if you prefer more ankle support. For similar low‑cut feel, consider the Nike Kyrie line.

Can you still buy the original Kobe 8 What The?

Only on resale markets like StockX or GOAT. New retail pairs are gone.

What sizes are available for the Protro?

Men’s sizes 7–14 and GS sizes (3.5Y–7Y) were released. Check Nike.com for current stock.

Are there any known issues with the Kobe 8?

Some reviewers note a long break-in period due to stiff materials, and the tongue is thin in men’s sizes (YouTube performance review).

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