If you were standing in a sneaker line back in January 2015, you probably remember the absolute fever dream that was the kobe 9 what the kobe release. It wasn't just another shoe. It was a skyscraper for your feet. A neon-drenched, high-top experiment that looked like a box of crayons exploded on a performance basketball sneaker.
Fast forward to 2026, and the obsession hasn't cooled off. Honestly, it’s only gotten weirder—and more expensive. With the recent Protro revival, people are finally realizing that this wasn't just a flashy gimmick. It was the peak of Eric Avar's design philosophy.
The Chaos Theory of Design
Most "What The" colorways are just random mashups. Nike usually takes bits and pieces from a season’s greatest hits and stitches them together. But with the kobe 9 what the kobe, it felt more like a curated mess.
You’ve got the Chlorine Blue popping against the white Flyknit base, while the inner linings and heels borrow textures from the "Inspiration," "Perspective," and "Influence" colorways. It’s a lot to take in. It shouldn't work. But somehow, on that towering Elite silhouette, it does.
The 2025 Protro release (Style Code: FZ7335-101) brought this back with a few tech tweaks. While the original 2015 pair retailed for $275, the newer version hit the shelves at $300. That’s a steep price for a hoop shoe, but let’s be real: most people aren't buying these just to play a casual 3-on-3 at the YMCA.
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Performance vs. Pure Hype
Is it actually a good basketball shoe? Yeah. Sorta.
The Kobe 9 is legendary for its traction. If you're playing on a clean court, the grip is borderline violent. You stop instantly. However, if you're on a dusty floor, you’re basically ice skating.
- Traction: The pressure-mapped outsole is elite, but it's a magnet for dust.
- Cushioning: The Protro swap from Lunarlon to a React drop-in midsole was a game-changer for durability.
- Support: That high-top collar? It’s mostly tactile stimulation. It doesn't actually stop your ankle from rolling like a rigid brace would, but it makes you feel locked in.
The heel features those nine red embroidered lines. They represent Kobe’s Achilles surgery. It’s a somber detail on such a loud shoe, reminding everyone that this model was built during his grueling comeback.
Why Everyone is Still Chasing the kobe 9 what the kobe
Resale markets in 2026 are wild. If you’re looking for a deadstock 2015 pair, you’re looking at $600 to $900 depending on the size. The Protro versions are hovering around $400.
People always ask me if they should "invest" in these. Honestly? Sneakers are a terrible stock market. But if you love the history, there’s nothing else like it. The kobe 9 what the kobe represents a specific era where Nike wasn't afraid to be ugly-cool.
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It’s the "Manga Opus" of sneakers. Towering, complicated, and deeply personal to Kobe’s career timeline.
Common Misconceptions
One thing people get wrong: they think the "What The" is the rarest Kobe 9. It’s not. The HTM releases or the "Mamba Moment" IDs are much harder to find. The What The was a wide-ish release, but the demand was so high it just felt impossible to get.
Another myth is that the high-top is "heavy." It’s actually surprisingly light because of the Flyknit. Most of that height is just thin, breathable thread and Flywire.
How to Handle Your Pair in 2026
If you’ve managed to snag a pair of the kobe 9 what the kobe, don't just let them rot in a box. The glue on the 2015 pairs is starting to reach its "danger zone" age. If you don't wear them occasionally, the midsole might start to separate.
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For those hooping in the Protro version, keep a microfiber cloth in your gym bag. You have to wipe the soles every few plays. It's annoying, sure, but the "squeak" you get in return is worth the effort.
What to Look for When Buying
- Carbon Fiber Check: Real pairs have actual carbon fiber on the heel. If it looks like cheap, shiny plastic with a printed pattern, run away.
- The "Sutures": The red lines on the heel should be crisp embroidery, not flat paint.
- Flyknit Tension: Over time, the thread can stretch. If the upper feels "baggy," the previous owner likely had wide feet or played heavy minutes in them.
The kobe 9 what the kobe isn't just a sneaker; it's a time capsule of 2015's peak "maximalist" sneaker culture. Whether you're a collector or a player, it remains one of the most polarizing and respected entries in the entire Mamba line.
Check the heel lockdown before you play. The carbon fiber wings should feel rigid against your heel. If there's any wiggle room, try thick socks or a different drop-in insole to close the gap. Keep the outsoles clean to maintain that legendary grip. Over time, the React insole will mold to your foot shape, so give it about five to ten hours of court time before you judge the fit.