Matt Varga With the “Halo” edition released on Kobe Bryant’s birthday, the doors are now open for the Nike Kobe 9, the newest entrant to the Protro program that brings back his beloved signature shoes for the modern game. Beaverton isn’t letting that opportunity fall by the wayside. After the “Christmas” Kobe 9 was reported to return for this Holiday season, another seminal release is being brought back to shelves with the “What The” colorway, now queued up for 2025.
Compared to the fully mismatched colorways that graced the “What The” Kobe 8 (also coming back in ’25), the concept’s execution on the Kobe 9 is surprisingly comprehensible; high-octane volt graces the medial side while the lateral is handled in a blend of “Chlorine Blue” & red/pink. Instead, the more off-kilter touches are reserved for the sockliner, presented in a potpourri-like “Multi-color” mix. Alternating interior patches display a host of Kobe Bryant ideals: influence, progress, perspective & detail all get mentions.
We should note that while the color codes are slightly different for this pair, a faithful retro of this colorway is expected. To that point, the emergence of the Kobe 9 Protro actually syncs up quite well with the shoe’s first release. Arriving April 4th, 2025, the Kobe 9 “What The” will land in men’s & grade school sizing, a decade after shoe’s first release in January 2015. While release specifics are very much subject to change this far out, expect this pair to carry a premium on its original $225 retail price.
WHERE TO BUY
Mens Nike "What The"
US 05/21/2025 Wednesday
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nike SNKRS US | Standard | Coming Soon |
Info via sneakermarketro.
