Is the Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'What The' worth it in 2026? If you want the most collectible Kobe 8 of the modern Protro era — an asymmetric pair that fuses colourways from across the model's history into one shoe — then yes, it earns its premium. If you only want an on-court performer, plainer Kobe 8s do the job for less. Here's the honest verdict, with every pair authenticated by hand and live at PUSHAS from around A$455 (at the time of writing).

Updated July 2026. PUSHAS is the global marketplace for authenticated hype sneakers, streetwear and collectibles — so you can shop this grail with confidence.

The Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'What The' at a glance

• Model: Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'What The'
• Released: 13 April 2025
• Style code: HM9621-900
• Colourway: Multi-Color — an asymmetric mash-up (left foot blue and purple; right foot red, orange and green)
• Cushioning: React drop-in midsole under a low-profile upper
• Fit: runs slightly small — true to size for most, size up a half if you like room
• PUSHAS market price: from around A$455 (at the time of writing), set by sellers and moving with demand

What is the Kobe 8 Protro 'What The'?

"What The" is Nike's long-running nickname for its wildest mash-up sneakers — pairs that cram the highlights of a silhouette's back catalogue onto a single, deliberately mismatched shoe. For the Kobe 8 Protro, that means drawing on close to thirty colourways from the model's history and splitting them across two asymmetric feet: cool blues and purples on the left, fiery reds, oranges and greens on the right. No two panels quite agree, and that's the point. It landed on 13 April 2025 under style code HM9621-900 and instantly became the most talked-about Kobe 8 of the Protro run.

The Kobe 8 is one of the most beloved silhouettes in Kobe Bryant's line — a low-cut, second-skin shoe first released in 2013 and revived as a Protro in recent years. The 'What The' is the celebratory, collector-facing chapter of that revival: less a single design than a scrapbook of the model's greatest hits.

How does it perform?

Underneath the noise, this is still a Kobe 8, and reviewers are consistent on where it lands. The traction is the standout — grippy, aggressive and confident on a clean court. The low-profile build and locked-in fit give the quick, close-to-the-ground feel guards love. The trade-off is the cushioning: the modern Protro uses a React drop-in midsole rather than the Zoom Air setup of the original 2013 shoe, so it's stable and springy but less plush than purists remember. On outdoor concrete the soft rubber wears faster than a dedicated outdoor shoe. Fit runs a touch small, so most players are safe taking their true size.

In short: it plays genuinely well for quicker guards who want court feel over cushioning — but the reason most people buy the 'What The' is the look and the collectability, not the box score.

What is the Kobe 8 Protro 'What The' worth?

Because Kobe releases carry the weight of a retired, no-more-restocks line, they hold demand better than almost any other basketball shoe. On PUSHAS the 'What The' sits from around A$455 (at the time of writing), with a full men's size run live and authenticated — and a GS (Grade School) version from around A$440 for smaller sizes. Prices are seller-set and move with demand and size, so treat any figure as a snapshot rather than a fixed rate. Shop the Kobe 8 Protro 'What The' in your size while the run is deep.

Who should buy it — the verdict

Buy the 'What The' if you're a Kobe collector, if you want the loudest, most conversation-starting pair in the current Protro line, or if you rotate hyped sneakers and want one that holds interest. It's the Kobe 8 that photographs best and the one people remember. If you're purely after an everyday hooping shoe, a single-colour Kobe 8 Protro gives you the same traction and fit for less — see the rest of the line in our guide to the best Nike Kobe Protros to buy in 2026. Either way, buying from a platform that checks every pair matters more on a shoe this replicated: read where to buy authentic sneakers online in Australia, or browse the wider Nike range and the Trending edit for what else is hot.

Frequently asked questions

When did the Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'What The' release?

It released on 13 April 2025 under style code HM9621-900, through Nike SNKRS and select retailers.

What does "What The" mean on the Kobe 8?

It's Nike's name for a mash-up design that combines colourways from across a silhouette's history onto one pair. The Kobe 8 version draws on close to thirty past makeups and splits them asymmetrically — blues and purples on the left foot, reds, oranges and greens on the right.

Is the Kobe 8 Protro 'What The' good for playing basketball?

Yes — traction and court feel are its strengths, thanks to a low-profile build and grippy outsole. It uses a React drop-in midsole, so cushioning is stable rather than plush, and the soft rubber wears faster outdoors. Fit runs slightly small; most players take their true size.

How much is the Kobe 8 Protro 'What The' on PUSHAS?

From around A$455 (at the time of writing) for the men's pair, with a GS version from around A$440 — seller-set prices that move with demand and size.

Are PUSHAS sneakers authentic?

Yes. Every pair is authenticated by hand before it ships, so you can shop with confidence — with global delivery from Sydney and Los Angeles.

Shop the Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'What The' at PUSHAS — authenticated by hand, global shipping from Sydney & Los Angeles.