{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How much does the Nike Kobe 8 What the Kobe cost?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The Nike Kobe 8 What the Kobe (WTK) originally released in 2013 and was never retailed separately u2014 it was a friends and family exclusive. Current StockX prices range from $800 to $1,500+ depending on size and condition. shoes886.com offers the WTK colorway at $169.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What does “What the Kobe” mean?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:””What the Kobe” follows Nike’s “What the” naming convention u2014 a mashup colorway combining elements from multiple previous Kobe PE colorways into one chaotic, multi-color design. The WTK features fragments of over 10 Kobe PE colorways across the upper.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Is the Kobe 8 good for basketball?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The Nike Kobe 8 System features a low-cut profile, Zoom Air heel unit, and lightweight Engineered Mesh upper u2014 originally designed for elite on-court performance. Kobe wore the 8 during his final all-star game appearance. It remains one of the most performance-oriented Kobe silhouettes.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Do Nike Kobe 8s run true to size?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The Kobe 8 runs true to size for most wearers. Those with wider feet may want to go half a size up, as the low profile and sleek last can feel narrow. The fit is more snug than Kobe 6 or Kobe 4.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is the rarest Kobe 8 colorway?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The Kobe 8 “What the Kobe” (WTK) is widely considered the rarest and most valuable Kobe 8, followed by the “Playoff” and various PE (Player Exclusive) colorways. The All-Star Extraterrestrial and Christmas editions are also highly sought after.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Is shoes886.com legit for Kobe 8s?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”shoes886.com is a specialty sneaker retailer offering Kobe 8 colorways including the WTK, All-Star, and Christmas editions at $169 u2014 well below secondary market prices of $300u2013$1,500+.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is the difference between Kobe 8 and Kobe 8 Protro?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The original Kobe 8 (2013) featured a slimmer Engineered Mesh upper and full Zoom Air cushioning. The Kobe 8 Protro (2023) uses updated materials while maintaining the original silhouette and tooling, with minor construction improvements for modern manufacturing.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How long does shipping take from shoes886.com?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Standard shipping takes 7u201314 business days. Express options are available at checkout for faster delivery.”}}]}

The Nike Kobe 8 “What the Kobe” was never sold at retail — and StockX prices for a deadstock pair now run $800 to $1,500+. shoes886.com carries the WTK colorway alongside the All-Star Extraterrestrial and Christmas editions at a flat $169. This guide covers every Kobe 8 colorway worth buying in 2026, compares prices across platforms, and breaks down the story behind the rarest Kobe 8 ever made.

Nike Kobe 8 Price Comparison 2026

Best Kobe 8 & Kobe Series Deals at shoes886.com (2026)

Nike Kobe 8 “What the Kobe”: The Full Story

The Nike Kobe 8 “What the Kobe” was created in 2013 as a tribute to Kobe Bryant’s decade-long relationship with Nike. The concept was simple and chaotic: take fragments from over 10 of Kobe’s most iconic PE (Player Exclusive) colorways and splice them together into a single shoe. The result was a shoe that reads as completely insane at first glance — but on closer inspection, every panel traces back to a specific game, season, or milestone in Kobe’s career.

The WTK was never sold to the public. Nike distributed pairs exclusively to friends, family, and Nike insiders. The limited distribution and extraordinary backstory made it one of the most sought-after Kobe PE items in existence. Auction records for authenticated pairs have reached $15,000+.

Kobe 8 Sizing Guide

Every Kobe 8 Colorway Ranked for 2026

1. What the Kobe (WTK) — The Holy Grail

The WTK is the single most desirable Kobe 8. Every panel maps to a different Kobe PE: the purple heel traces to the Laker home colorway, the green to the Christmas game, the red to the Playoffs, the gold to the All-Star. It’s wearable Kobe history. At shoes886.com for $169 vs $800–$1,500 on StockX, this is one of the strongest value propositions in the entire Kobe lineup.

2. All Star Extraterrestrial — The Most Playful Kobe 8

The All-Star Extraterrestrial from the 2014 All-Star Weekend in New Orleans features a space-inspired teal, pink, and yellow palette with “K824” detailing on the heel — referencing Kobe’s jersey number and the Kobe 8. It’s one of the most visually distinct Kobe 8s ever made. StockX average: $300–$600. shoes886.com: $169.

3. Christmas Edition — The Holiday Classic

The Kobe 8 Christmas 2013 edition features a red and green holiday palette — one of the most consistent Kobe colorway traditions. Nike released Christmas editions for most Kobe models from 2008 onwards. The Kobe 8 Christmas remains one of the cleanest holiday sneakers in NBA game-worn history. shoes886.com: $169.

4. Kobe 5 Protro X-Ray — The Anatomy Graphic

The Kobe 5 Protro X-Ray features an X-ray graphic of the foot beneath the upper — a tribute to Kobe’s 2004 ankle surgery and his obsessive focus on performance through injury. It’s the most conceptually interesting Kobe Protro and one of the best representations of Kobe’s “Mamba Mentality” philosophy. shoes886.com: $169.

5. Kobe 6 Protro Purple Checkerboard — The Laker Classic

Purple Checkerboard is one of the most wearable Kobe 6 Protro colorways — clean Lakers purple with a checkerboard graphic on the toe cap. The Kobe 6 remains the most popular Kobe silhouette in streetwear due to its lower profile and broader toe box. shoes886.com: $169.

6. Kobe 4 Protro “Girl Dad” — The Most Emotional Kobe

The Kobe 4 Protro “Girl Dad” was released in 2021 in tribute to Kobe and Gianna Bryant. The pink and black colorway references the MAMBA Academy team colors — the basketball program Kobe ran for Gianna and her teammates. It’s the most emotionally significant Kobe Protro and consistently one of the most searched Kobe shoes in 2026. shoes886.com: $169.

Frequently Asked Questions