These Rare Nike Kobe Sneakers Are a Mashup of Other Rare Nike Kobe Sneakers
StyleThe Nike Kobe 9 ‘What the Kobe?’ is back for the first time since 2015.By Tres DeanMay 25, 2025Photograph: Nike; Collage: Gabe ConteSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.If you’ve ever had trouble deciding what sneaker colorway to lace up before walking out the door, the Nike ‘What The?’ series is for you. It has its origins in the legendary SB Dunk line, dating back to 2007. Dunks had been running the table on the sneaker industry for about five years at that stage, with a number of legendary colorways dropping in a frantic flurry of creativity. The premise of the ‘What the Dunk?’ edition was simple: stitch together bits and pieces of some of the most iconic prior Dunk makeups, including the Staple Pigeons and HUFs, into a hectic hodgepodge. What should have been ugly as sin turned out to be a gift sent from sneaker heaven.The ‘What The?’ concept took a five-year hiatus after lightning first struck. But in 2012, the idea made its way to the Kobe line, then on its seventh iteration under the Swoosh. It was an instant hit and soon became a staple of Nike basketball, becoming a regular installment in Kobe, LeBron, and Kevin Durant’s signature lines. It peaked with the Kobe 9, already an iconic basketball silhouette in and of itself. Featuring a pronounced ankle bootie put in place to give Bryant extra support in his return from Achilles surgery, it stood out in a line defined by low-tops and featured a bevy of memorable colorways during its run.Nike Kobe 9 Elite High Protro ‘What The Kobe?’ NikeThe ‘What The Kobe?’ 9 comes out on top in Kobe’s selection, because unlike other installments it somehow looks intentionally composed. You could argue that defeats the purpose of the colorway, but there’s something to the way the colors are blocked across the silhouette that looks uniform without sacrificing the delightful chaos fans love from the ‘What The’ line. It comes down to the consistency of the hues, with pastel greens, blues, and reds jiving perfectly with the white and silver featured on so much of the shoe. It’s less patchwork and more tie-dye—in fact, the Kobe sheath logo on the tongue and the sockliner both feature a print that, at a glance, might as well be tie-dye.As Nike and the Bryant estate continue to navigate what the Kobe line looks like in the wake of the Mamba’s passing, there’s a clear focus on preserving the integrity of the classics while also moving forward and making the shoes more accessible to fans than they have been recently. Last year saw mostly new Kobes hit shelves, and while there have been some killer new versions launched in 2025, it’s always nice to see a classic brought back for the next generation.The Nike Kobe 9 Elite High Protro ‘What The Kobe?’ dropped last week for the first time since its original release in 2015 and, predictably, sold out instantaneously. You can still grab yourself a pair right now for close to retail, however, via sites like Flight Club, GOAT, and StockX.
All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
If you’ve ever had trouble deciding what sneaker colorway to lace up before walking out the door, the Nike ‘What The?’ series is for you. It has its origins in the legendary SB Dunk line, dating back to 2007. Dunks had been running the table on the sneaker industry for about five years at that stage, with a number of legendary colorways dropping in a frantic flurry of creativity. The premise of the ‘What the Dunk?’ edition was simple: stitch together bits and pieces of some of the most iconic prior Dunk makeups, including the Staple Pigeons and HUFs, into a hectic hodgepodge. What should have been ugly as sin turned out to be a gift sent from sneaker heaven.
The ‘What The?’ concept took a five-year hiatus after lightning first struck. But in 2012, the idea made its way to the Kobe line, then on its seventh iteration under the Swoosh. It was an instant hit and soon became a staple of Nike basketball, becoming a regular installment in Kobe, LeBron, and Kevin Durant’s signature lines. It peaked with the Kobe 9, already an iconic basketball silhouette in and of itself. Featuring a pronounced ankle bootie put in place to give Bryant extra support in his return from Achilles surgery, it stood out in a line defined by low-tops and featured a bevy of memorable colorways during its run..png)
The ‘What The Kobe?’ 9 comes out on top in Kobe’s selection, because unlike other installments it somehow looks intentionally composed. You could argue that defeats the purpose of the colorway, but there’s something to the way the colors are blocked across the silhouette that looks uniform without sacrificing the delightful chaos fans love from the ‘What The’ line. It comes down to the consistency of the hues, with pastel greens, blues, and reds jiving perfectly with the white and silver featured on so much of the shoe. It’s less patchwork and more tie-dye—in fact, the Kobe sheath logo on the tongue and the sockliner both feature a print that, at a glance, might as well be tie-dye.
As Nike and the Bryant estate continue to navigate what the Kobe line looks like in the wake of the Mamba’s passing, there’s a clear focus on preserving the integrity of the classics while also moving forward and making the shoes more accessible to fans than they have been recently. Last year saw mostly new Kobes hit shelves, and while there have been some killer new versions launched in 2025, it’s always nice to see a classic brought back for the next generation.
The Nike Kobe 9 Elite High Protro ‘What The Kobe?’ dropped last week for the first time since its original release in 2015 and, predictably, sold out instantaneously. You can still grab yourself a pair right now for close to retail, however, via sites like Flight Club, GOAT, and StockX.
