If you were around the sneaker scene on December 30, 2015, you probably remember the chaos. Nike dropped the Kobe 10 What The, and honestly, it looked like a literal explosion in a crayon factory. People didn't know whether to wear them or frame them. Most did both.
But here’s the thing about the "What The" series—it isn't just about being loud. It's a history lesson you wear on your feet. For the 10th anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s signature line with Nike, designer Eric Avar basically took ten years of blood, sweat, and championships and mashed them into one high-top Elite silhouette.
In 2026, the Kobe 10 What The hasn't just aged well; it’s become a legitimate artifact.
The Design That Shouldn't Work (But Does)
The first time you see a pair of these, your brain kinda struggles to process the asymmetry. The left shoe doesn't match the right. The inside of the collar doesn't match the outside. It’s a purposeful mess.
Nike used the "Elite High" version of the Kobe 10 as the canvas, which means you’re looking at a massive amount of Flyknit. Usually, Flyknit is pretty uniform, but here they used it to weave in bits and pieces of iconic past colorways.
- The Reflective Silver Swoosh: This thing pops under camera flashes, a nod to the "big stage" moments Kobe lived for.
- The Translucent Outsole: It’s multi-colored and features hundreds of "nodules." Eric Avar famously said these were inspired by the traction of a mountain lion’s paw.
- The Heel Stitching: Look at the back. You’ll see four red lines. This is a heavy detail—it represents the four feet of thread used to repair Kobe’s Achilles tendon during surgery.
Most people think "What The" just means "random colors." It’s actually more like a greatest hits album. You’ve got hints of the "5AM Flight," the "Chester," and even the "Mambacurial" all living in the same zip code.
Tech Specs: Is It Still a Performance Beast?
Let's get real. A lot of sneakers from 2015 feel like bricks now. But the Kobe 10 What The was built differently. It was the peak of Nike’s basketball engineering at the time.
📖 Related: Formula One Points Table Explained: Why the Math Matters More Than the Racing
The cushioning is a hybrid setup. You’ve got Lunarlon foam in the forefoot with these "Nike Free" inspired grooves. It’s meant to let your foot flex naturally when you're making those hard cuts to the basket. In the heel, there’s a massive Zoom Air unit. Unlike earlier Kobes, this Zoom unit is "caged" in a translucent TPU.
I’ll be honest with you—some hoopers found it a bit stiff at first. The TPU cage keeps the Zoom from feeling too "mushy," which is great for stability but takes a few games to really break in. If you're planning on actually playing in a pair today, just know that the traction nodules are legendary on clean indoor courts, but they’ll get absolutely shredded on asphalt.
"The Kobe 10 represents a decade of resilience. We wanted to show the inner workings of the shoe, just as Kobe began to open up more about his process." — Eric Avar (Nike Creative Director)
What Most People Get Wrong About the Kobe 10 What The
There’s this common misconception that these were a "limited" 1-of-100 type drop. They weren't. While they were definitely hard to get and retailed for a hefty $260, they weren't as impossible as the HTM releases.
However, because the Flyknit pattern is so complex, no two pairs look exactly the same. The way the "multi-color" yarn is threaded means your left shoe might have more "Bright Crimson" than your buddy's pair. That’s what makes them a collector’s dream.
Another thing? The height. People see that high-top collar and think it’s a restrictive ankle brace. It’s not. That Flyknit is basically a glorified sock. It provides "proprioception"—the fancy word for your brain knowing where your ankle is in space—rather than mechanical support. Kobe always preferred the freedom of a low-top, and this shoe was his way of getting that feeling in a high-top look.
👉 See also: El Paso Locomotive FC Standings: Why the 2025 Surge Changes Everything for 2026
The 2026 Resale Reality
If you’re looking for a pair of Kobe 10 What The today, get your wallet ready. Back in the day, you could find these sitting on shelves if you were lucky. Those days are long gone.
On platforms like StockX and GOAT, prices have stayed consistently high. A "Deadstock" (brand new) pair can easily clear $500 to $800 depending on the size. Even used pairs in "vnds" (very near deadstock) condition are pulling over $300.
The rarity isn't just because people love the colors. It's because Nike moved on to the Protro series (Performance Retro), and they haven't officially "Protro'd" the 10s yet. This makes the original 2015 pairs the only way to own this specific piece of history.
How to Style Them Without Looking Like a Clown
Look, I get it. These shoes are loud. If you wear them with a neon tracksuit, you’re going to look like a background character in a Saturday morning cartoon.
The trick is to let the shoes do the talking. Pair them with:
- Black joggers or tapered cargos. You want the silhouette to be clean so the high-top doesn't get buried.
- A simple grey or black hoodie. No heavy graphics.
- White socks. Always. Let the multi-color Flyknit pop against a neutral base.
Honestly, these are a "statement piece." You don't wear them to blend in; you wear them because you appreciate the "Mamba Mentality" and the sheer audacity of the design.
✨ Don't miss: Duke Football Recruiting 2025: Manny Diaz Just Flipped the Script in Durham
Actionable Advice for Buyers and Collectors
If you're hunting for a pair of the Kobe 10 What The in 2026, you need to be smart. Counterfeits were rampant back in the mid-2010s, and some of them were actually pretty decent.
- Check the "X" on the outsole. The Roman numeral X under the heel Zoom unit should be crisp and gold. If it looks dull or the font is off, walk away.
- Inspect the Flyknit tension. Real Flyknit should feel firm but flexible. Fakes often use a cheaper mesh that feels scratchy or overly plastic-y.
- Look at the 3M. The tongue and Swoosh should have a very specific reflective quality. If it doesn't "glow" under a phone light, it's a red flag.
- Smell the glue. It sounds weird, but older Nike shoes have a distinct "factory" scent. If a 10-year-old shoe smells like fresh chemicals, it might be a recent "super-fake."
The Kobe 10 What The remains one of the most polarizing and technically impressive shoes in the entire Mamba line. It’s a literal patchwork of a career that changed basketball forever. Whether you're a hardcore collector or just someone who misses seeing #24 on the court, these shoes represent a moment in time when Nike wasn't afraid to be weird.
Keep an eye on the midsole for "sole separation" if you're buying an original pair to wear. The glue in shoes this old can start to dry out, so a quick professional reglue might be necessary if you plan on actually hitting the court in them.
Stay away from "too good to be true" prices on eBay. If someone is selling a DS pair for $150, they're lying to you. Trust the authenticated platforms and do your homework. That's the only way to make sure the "What The" you're getting is the real deal.
Key Takeaways for the Kobe 10 What The
- Release Date: December 30, 2015.
- Retail Price: $260.
- Best Use: Indoor basketball or high-end streetwear.
- Current Value: $400 - $800 (New).
- Core Technology: Lunarlon, Caged Zoom Air, Flyknit, and Sharkskin-inspired mesh.
To keep your pair in top shape, avoid high heat storage which can yellow the translucent outsoles, and use a soft brush for the Flyknit to prevent snagging the delicate threads.