If you’ve spent any time looking at sneakers over the last decade, you know things usually follow a pattern. Clean lines. Two-tone colorways. Subtle branding. Then there’s the men’s nike kobe 8 what the kobe. This shoe didn't just break the rules; it basically threw the rulebook into a woodchipper.
I remember when these first leaked back in 2013. People thought they were a joke or a sample that would never see the light of day. They were just too loud. But that was the point. Kobe Bryant was never about playing it safe, and his footwear reflected that "Mamba Mentality" by pushing Nike's design team to the absolute edge.
The Chaos Behind the Design
So, what is a "What The" shoe anyway? It’s essentially a greatest hits album for your feet. Nike took elements from nearly 30 different Kobe 8 colorways and mashed them together.
The result is a beautiful mess.
One shoe features a deep purple and electric green palette, while the other leans heavily into reds and oranges. You’ve got the "Mambacurial" influence on the medial side, scales from the "Christmas" edition, and patterns that look like they were pulled straight from a fever dream. It’s asymmetrical in the best way possible.
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Honestly, it’s a flex.
Performance Meets Pure Art
Don't let the wild colors fool you. Underneath all that "What The" madness is one of the best-performing basketball shoes ever made. The Kobe 8 was a turning point for Nike Basketball. They moved away from the bulky builds of the 2000s and went for something that felt more like a soccer boot.
- Engineered Mesh: This was the first time Nike used this on a hoop shoe. It’s light. Like, really light.
- Lunarlon Cushioning: The original 2013 pairs used a drop-in Lunarlon midsole. It felt like walking on clouds, though if you've ever owned a pair, you know that foam eventually "bottoms out" after a year of heavy run.
- The Protro Factor: In April 2025, Nike brought these back as a Protro (Performance Retro). They swapped the old Lunarlon for React foam. It’s more durable and keeps that "low to the ground" feel that guards crave.
- Traction: The herringbone pattern on these is legendary. It’s sticky. It squeaks. It stops on a dime.
Why Everyone Is Still Chasing These in 2026
We are well into 2026 now, and the hype hasn't faded. If anything, it’s gotten more intense. Since the 2025 Protro drop, the men's nike kobe 8 what the kobe has become the benchmark for what a collector's shoe should be.
Prices on the secondary market are wild. You're looking at anywhere from $300 to $800 depending on the size and whether they're the OG 2013s or the newer Protros.
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People want them because they represent an era. This was Kobe at his most experimental. It was a time when Nike wasn't afraid to be weird. Plus, wearing these to the gym is an instant conversation starter. You can't ignore someone wearing these.
Spotting the Fakes (The Real Struggle)
Because these are so valuable, the market is flooded with "reps." If you're buying a pair today, you have to be careful.
I’ve seen some pretty convincing fakes, but they usually fail in two places: the heel logo and the mesh texture. On the authentic pairs, the signature on the heel is crisp. On fakes, it often looks "fat" or blurry. Also, the weight is a dead giveaway. An authentic Kobe 8 is feather-light—roughly 9.6 ounces. If it feels heavy, it's probably a brick.
How to Actually Rock Them
Look, wearing a shoe this loud is a challenge. You can't exactly wear them with a patterned suit.
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Basically, let the shoes do the talking.
Most people stick to all-black tech fleece or simple gym gear. If you try to match the colors of the shoe with your outfit, you'll end up looking like a box of melted crayons. Keep it simple.
The Actionable Verdict
If you’re a serious hooper or a collector, the men’s nike kobe 8 what the kobe is a "buy" even at the current resale prices. The Protro version is significantly better for actual basketball because the React foam won't die on you after three months.
Next Steps for Potential Buyers:
- Check the Insole: If you're buying used, pull out the drop-in midsole. Check for the "React" or "Lunarlon" branding to confirm which version you're getting.
- Verify via Apps: Only buy from platforms with a solid authentication guarantee like GOAT or eBay’s "Authenticity Guarantee" program.
- Size Up: These run narrow. If you have wide feet, go up half a size. Seriously. Your pinky toes will thank you.
Whether you're hitting the hardwood or just want a piece of sneaker history, these remain the ultimate statement piece. They aren't just shoes; they're a timeline of Kobe’s career wrapped in Engineered Mesh.