Sneaker culture has a funny way of making the most "too much" designs feel like the only thing you actually need. Back in 2015, Nike dropped the Nike KD 7 What The, and honestly, it looked like a bowl of Fruity Pebbles exploded on a basketball court. People either loved it or thought it was a sensory overload nightmare. But here we are, years later, and this specific pair is still a heavy hitter on the secondary market.
It wasn't just a random assortment of colors. It was a victory lap.
By the time the seventh iteration of Kevin Durant’s signature line hit the "What The" phase, designer Leo Chang had already established a very specific visual language for KD. We’re talking about meteorology, DMV roots, and personal family ties. The KD 7 was already a weirdly technical shoe—part mesh, part Hyperposite, and that iconic midfoot strap. When Nike mashed 18 different colorways into one pair of sneakers, it didn't just break the internet; it summarized a whole era of Durant's career before things got complicated with his move to Golden State.
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The Anatomy of the Nike KD 7 What The
If you look closely at the Nike KD 7 What The, you start to realize it's basically a scavenger hunt for sneakerheads. You've got the left shoe and the right shoe doing completely different things, which is the hallmark of the "What The" series that started with the SB Dunk in '07.
The strap is usually where people look first. On the left shoe, you’ve got the angel wing from the "Aunt Pearl" colorway, a deeply personal nod to KD's late aunt. On the right, the strap takes its architecture-inspired cues from the "All-Star" edition. It’s that contrast—the soft, emotional tribute on one side and the sharp, New York City-inspired lines on the other—that makes the shoe feel like a wearable biography.
Breaking Down the 18-in-1 Design
Nike claimed there were 18 different releases represented here. If you’re trying to spot them all, you’re going to be staring at your feet for a long time.
- The Hyperposite Heel: Both shoes feature a glow-in-the-dark treatment on the rear Hyperposite wrap. This ties back to the meteorology theme, specifically the "35k Degrees" and "Uprising" colorways.
- The Tongue Logos: Look at the right shoe's tongue. That globe inside the KD logo? That’s straight from the "Global Game" release, celebrating Durant’s travels and international play.
- The Sockliner: This is a "hidden" detail most people miss. One of the liners features the "Kevin Durant's Famous Egg Nog" graphic, a callback to the Christmas edition of the KD 7.
- The Outsole: They went with an ice-blue translucent finish that somehow manages to hold all the chaos together.
The sheer amount of storytelling packed into a single piece of footwear is staggering. Most brands today try to mimic this with "Multicolor" drops, but they rarely have the narrative depth that the KD 7 achieved.
Why the Nike KD 7 What The Was a Performance Risk
Hooping in these was... an experience.
The KD 7 was a polarizing performance shoe to begin with. Leo Chang designed it to be the "best of both worlds"—the flexibility of a point guard shoe in the front and the stability of a big man's shoe in the back. That meant the front was breathable mesh with Flywire, while the back was a rigid Hyperposite shell.
In the Nike KD 7 What The, these materials are pushed to the limit. The Hyperposite on the heel is "built like a tank," as some players put it, but the transition between the soft mesh and the hard shell could feel a bit clunky if you didn't break them in properly. And let’s be real, the heel slippage was a common complaint. Many players felt like their foot was moving just a tiny bit too much inside that stiff rear section.
Yet, for a "What The" model, these were surprisingly durable. While some "What The" releases (like the LeBrons) felt more like pieces of art meant for a shelf, the KD 7 version used the same performance specs as the GR (General Release) pairs. You could actually take these to the blacktop, though with the current resale prices, your wallet might scream if you do.
The Legacy of the "What The" Motif
Honestly, the Nike KD 7 What The arrived at the peak of the mashup trend. By 2015, we had already seen the "What The" Kobe 8 and the "What The" LeBron 11. The hype was reaching a boiling point. Some critics felt the concept was getting watered down, but the KD 7 saved it by being genuinely thoughtful about which parts of the 18 shoes it used.
It wasn't just a pattern swap. It was a texture swap.
You had the matte finish of the "Easy Money" colors clashing with the metallic sheen of the "Global Game" red. You had the graphics from the "Electric Eel" and "Wild West" subtly tucked into the lining and overlays. It felt like a scrapbook.
How to Value and Authenticate Today
If you’re looking to pick up a pair now, you’re entering a minefield. Because the KD 7 was so popular, early "super fakes" were everywhere.
The first thing to check is the glow. The Hyperposite on the heel of the Nike KD 7 What The should have a very specific, consistent glow-in-the-dark hue. Low-quality reps often have a "splotchy" glow or require way too much light to charge.
Second, look at the straps. The "Aunt Pearl" wing on the left shoe should be crisp. On many fakes, the edges of the wing look rounded or "melted." Also, check the inner tongue labels. The style code for this specific pair is 801778-944. If that doesn't match, walk away.
Current Market Reality
Prices for a deadstock pair (brand new in box) fluctuate wildly. You’re usually looking at anywhere from $250 to $450 depending on the size. Size 10-12 usually commands a premium.
Is it worth it?
If you’re a KD fan, absolutely. This shoe represents the end of his "nice guy" era in OKC. It’s the culmination of years of "Weatherman" storytelling and DMV pride. Plus, it’s one of the few "What The" shoes that actually looks good with a pair of black jeans, provided you’re okay with everyone staring at your feet.
Actionable Insights for Collectors
- Check the Zoom Air: If buying used, press down on the visible 180-degree Zoom Air unit in the heel. It should be firm but have a slight "spring." If it feels flat or bottomed out, the internal pressurized gas has leaked.
- Store them right: The translucent outsoles on these are notorious for "yellowing" over time due to oxidation. If you have a pair, keep them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Silica packets are your best friend here.
- Sizing tip: The KD 7 runs a bit narrow because of the midfoot strap and the Hyperposite. If you have a wider foot, you almost certainly need to go up half a size, or the "What The" will become the "What The Heck Is Happening To My Pinky Toe."
- Verify the Box: The box should be the standard black Nike KD box of that era, but ensure the label has the "Multi-Color/Multi-Color" designation.
The Nike KD 7 What The isn't just a shoe; it’s a 15-minute documentary about 2014-2015 basketball culture condensed into two pieces of footwear. It’s loud, it’s tech-heavy, and it’s undeniably Kevin Durant. Whether you're hunting for a grail or just reminiscing about the days when sneakers were this experimental, there's no denying the impact this mashup had on the game.