Nike Kobe 8 Protro ‘What The’ – Every Kobe 8 Colorway, on One Shoe

The ‘What The’ Concept Applied to Kobe’s Most Versatile Signature Silhouette.

The Nike Kobe 8 Protro ‘What The’ takes Nike’s most celebrated patchwork design concept — a single shoe that splices together panels from multiple iconic colorways — and applies it to the Kobe 8 Protro. The result is a collector’s piece that functions as a wearable archive of the Kobe 8’s original colorway catalog: every panel references a distinct release, and the composition as a whole is something that can only exist as a ‘What The’ edition. The Protro construction underneath is unchanged — the same low-profile, lightweight, performance-rooted silhouette that made the Kobe 8 one of the most respected basketball shoes of its era, now updated with a modern cushioning setup for contemporary wear.

The ‘What The’ Design Concept

• Multi-colorway patchwork upper — the ‘What The’ formula, which Nike has applied to the Dunk, the Air Force 1, and select signature models, involves taking a single silhouette and constructing it from panels sourced from multiple distinct colorways of that same shoe. The left and right shoes differ from each other: the asymmetry is intentional and is part of the design logic, creating a composition that reads differently depending on which side you’re looking at.
• Each panel references a specific original Kobe 8 colorway from the shoe’s initial 2013 run — the color placement follows the original paneling of each source colorway rather than being randomized, which means the result is a structured archive rather than a collage.
• The ‘What The’ edition is by definition a limited, single-run concept — it exists once, for a specific moment in the model’s history, and is not repeated or updated.

Kobe 8 Protro Construction

• Low-profile silhouette derived from the original 2013 Kobe 8, which was designed to be the lightest and lowest-sitting Kobe signature at the time of its release. The low-top cut was a deliberate departure from the higher-collared designs that had defined Kobe’s earlier signature line, reflecting his preference for maximum court feel and freedom of ankle movement.
• Engineered mesh and synthetic upper with Flywire cable reinforcement — the Flywire system routes lightweight, high-tenacity cables through the upper that tension across the foot when the laces are tightened, providing dynamic lockdown without adding the weight of traditional overlays. The mesh structure keeps the upper breathable and light.
• Protro-updated cushioning — the Protro (Performance Retro) rebuild replaces the original Lunarlon foam with a modern React foam midsole for improved energy return and durability. React maintains its cushioning properties across extended wear rather than compressing permanently, making the Protro version more performance-capable than the original despite being a retro release.
• Low-profile outsole with a multidirectional traction pattern — the herringbone-derived geometry provides grip for lateral cuts, forward drives, and pivot movements, consistent with the on-court performance intent of the original design.

Protro vs. Original

The Protro line exists to honor the original design intent of Kobe’s signature shoes while making them genuinely wearable for contemporary use. The silhouette, paneling, and overall aesthetic are faithful to the original; the cushioning, materials, and construction standards are updated to current Nike performance specifications. The ‘What The’ edition uses the Protro platform as its foundation, which means it wears as a performance-capable shoe rather than a display piece.

Details

• Style: Nike Kobe 8 Protro ‘What The’ 2025
• Athlete: Kobe Bryant
• Best for: Collector rotation, on-court use, Kobe signature archive enthusiasts
• Cushioning: React foam midsole (Protro-updated)
• Upper: Engineered mesh with Flywire cable reinforcement
• Outsole: Multidirectional rubber traction pattern
• Retail Price: $170
• Sizes Available: US 3 – 12 (including half sizes)