Sneaker culture is weird. One minute you're hunting down a limited-release collaboration that costs more than a used Honda, and the next, you're scouring Reddit trying to figure out why a specific shoe line exists in the first place. That brings us to KD what the KD, a phrase that sounds like a glitch in the Matrix but actually represents one of the most chaotic and beloved design experiments in Nike’s history.
Kevin Durant is a bucket. Everyone knows that. But his shoes? They’ve historically been the "blue-collar" hero of the Nike Basketball lineup—usually cheaper than LeBrons and more accessible than Kobes. Then the "What The" mashup happened. It changed the vibe. It turned a performance shoe into a walking piece of modern art that looked like a kindergarten craft project gone wonderfully right.
Honestly, if you saw someone wearing these in 2014, you either thought they were a style icon or that they had dressed in the dark. There was no middle ground.
The Chaos Theory Behind the KD What The KD Concept
The whole "What The" thing didn't start with Durant. It actually kicked off with the SB Dunk Low in 2007, designed by James Arizumi. The idea was simple but technically a nightmare: take every iconic colorway of a specific model and mash them into one pair of shoes. Not just one pair—the left shoe doesn't match the right shoe.
When Nike decided to apply this to the KD what the KD line, starting specifically with the KD 5 and peaking with the KD 6 and 7, it wasn't just about being loud. It was about storytelling. These shoes are essentially a visual diary of a player's season. If KD dropped 50 points in a specific "Aunt Pearl" colorway or won an MVP in a "Seat Pleasant" edition, those patterns were sliced up and stitched onto the mashup version.
It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s basically a fever dream for your feet.
The KD 6 "What The" is arguably the peak of this madness. It featured 35 different graphics and colors from previous KD 6 releases. You had the "Meteorology" topographic maps clashing with the "Peanut Butter and Jelly" swirls. It shouldn't work. By all laws of fashion and color theory, these shoes should be an eyesore. Yet, they became some of the most sought-after pairs in the Durantula’s entire catalog.
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Why Do People Actually Buy These?
Scarcity is a hell of a drug. But beyond that, the KD what the KD releases tapped into a specific era of "loud" basketball style. This was the era of neon socks, patterned headbands, and the rise of Instagram "fit pics."
Collectors like Mayor or DJ Clark Kent have often pointed out that the "What The" series represents the ultimate "if you know, you know" flex. You aren't just wearing a shoe; you're wearing a history book. For a fan of Kevin Durant, owning these meant you recognized the "N7" influence or the "Maryland Pride" accents tucked into the heel counter.
Breaking Down the Most Iconic Releases
Let's look at the KD 7 "What The." This one was a bit more refined than the 6, but still absolutely unhinged. It used the Hyperposite heel wrap to showcase different prints, including the lightning themes that were huge for Durant at the time.
The KD 5 "What The" was actually a bit of a "holy grail" because it never saw a wide retail release. It remained mostly in the realm of samples and player exclusives. This created a massive vacuum in the market where prices for legitimate pairs skyrocketed. Even today, finding a deadstock pair of KD 5 "What The" is like finding a needle in a haystack, except the needle costs three thousand dollars and is made of premium synthetic mesh.
The Technical Side: Is It Even a Good Basketball Shoe?
Here is the thing about KD what the KD shoes: they are still KDs.
Underneath the neon splatter and the mismatched laces, you have the actual tech. For the KD 6, that meant a thin, two-layer upper and Max Air in the heel. For the 7, it was the return of the midfoot strap and the Zoom Air unit.
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Performance-wise, they play exactly like the base models. However, most people won't play in them. If you’re dropping $500+ on a pair of KD 6 "What The" shoes today, the last thing you want is some guy at the YMCA stepping on your toes during a transition layup. These have transitioned from the hardwood to the display shelf.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Resale Value
There is a common misconception that every "What The" shoe is an instant gold mine. Not quite.
While the KD what the KD series holds its value better than most standard GR (General Release) colorways, the market has cooled significantly since the mid-2010s. The saturation of the "What The" concept—Nike eventually did it for LeBrons, Kobes, Kyries, and even some Jordan models—diluted the shock factor.
If you're looking at these as an investment, you have to be surgical. The KD 6 and KD 7 are the "blue chips" of this specific line. Later versions, like the "What The" LeBron-KD hybrids, didn't capture the same lightning in a bottle. They felt a bit more forced. The originals felt like a celebration; the later ones felt like a marketing requirement.
The Cultural Impact of the Mismatched Look
You can see the DNA of the KD what the KD in how brands design today. Look at MSCHF or even some of the more daring Yeezy colorways. The idea that a shoe can be "ugly-cool" started here.
Durant himself has always been a bit of an enigma—a 7-footer who moves like a guard, a superstar who argues with fans on Twitter using burner accounts. He’s unconventional. It makes sense that his most famous shoes are the ones that defy traditional design logic. They reflect his "Easy Money Sniper" persona: unpredictable, high-performance, and completely unique.
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The Problem with Fakes
Because these shoes are so complex, they are a nightmare for counterfeiters, but that hasn't stopped them. If you are hunting for a pair of KD what the KD sneakers online, you have to be incredibly careful.
Real pairs have very specific texture differences between the mismatched panels. For example, the "What The" KD 6 has a specific 3M reflective quality on certain parts of the upper that fakes almost always mess up. The weight is another giveaway. Real Nike Zoom units have a specific "bounce" that the stiff foam used in knockoffs can't replicate. Always check the inner size tag and the box label. If the price seems too good to be true—like $150 for a mint condition KD 6—it’s a scam. Period.
How to Style Something This Loud
Look, you can't wear these with a suit. Please don't try.
The best way to rock a KD what the KD is to let the shoes do the screaming. Wear all black. Or maybe a neutral grey tech-fleece suit. If you try to match the colors in the shoe with your outfit, you're going to end up looking like a backup dancer in a 1992 music video.
Basically, the shoes are the main character. Your clothes are the supporting cast.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors
If you're looking to dive into the world of Durant's most chaotic shoes, don't just jump at the first pair you see on an auction site.
- Verify the Era: Focus on the KD 6 or KD 7 for the best blend of "classic" What The aesthetics and long-term value.
- Check the Glow: Several "What The" KDs feature glow-in-the-dark elements. Ask for a photo of the shoes in the dark; it's one of the hardest features for fakes to get right.
- Condition Matters: Because of the materials used in the 2013-2015 era, the glue can sometimes dry out. If you're buying an older pair, check for "sole separation" near the toe box.
- Use Authentication Services: Honestly, just use eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee or GOAT. The peace of mind is worth the extra $20.
The legacy of the KD what the KD isn't just about sneakers. It's about a moment in time when basketball culture decided to stop playing it safe and started embracing the weird. Whether you love them or hate them, you can't ignore them. And in the world of design, that’s the ultimate win.