Contents
- 1 First Impressions: A Special Unboxing Experience
- 2 Design & Colorway: A Visual Masterpiece
- 3 Comfort and Fit: A Tight Situation
- 4 Performance on the Court: Mixed Feelings
- 5 Upper Materials & Build Quality
- 6 Kid’s Version: Surprisingly Impressive
- 7 Final Verdict: Worth It?
- 8 Would I Recommend the Nike Kobe 8 Protro What The 2025?
I never imagined I’d get my hands on a pair of the Nike Kobe 8 Protro What The 2025. As someone who grew up idolizing Kobe and obsessing over every sneaker drop, finally owning this pair felt surreal. This shoe isn’t just another re-release—it’s a celebration of the legacy, creativity, and chaos that made the Kobe 8 series iconic. Let me take you through my personal experience with these sneakers: the good, the not-so-good, and why I still consider them an all-time great.
First Impressions: A Special Unboxing Experience
Right out of the box, I knew these weren’t your average Protro. The packaging alone sets the tone—it’s sturdier than most and features snake-scale textures, gold accents, and Kobe’s signature. Even the paper inside the box is Kobe-branded. Small details, but they made me feel like this release was extra special.
Design & Colorway: A Visual Masterpiece
The Nike Kobe 8 Protro What The 2025 is hands-down the best “What The” sneaker I’ve ever seen. It’s not a simple copy-paste of past colorways; it’s a thoughtful blend of details from multiple classic Kobe 8s. From the Blitz Blue graphics to the Mamba Curial branding on the heel, every element feels intentional.
What blew my mind was the mismatched design and how each shoe tells a different story. The right shoe even has a glow-in-the-dark Swoosh (yes, I tested it), while the left one shows off a different snake-inspired graphic. It’s like wearing sneaker history on your feet.
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Comfort and Fit: A Tight Situation
I made the mistake of going true to size—big mistake. The Nike Kobe 8 Protro What The 2025 fits tighter than previous releases. If you’re planning to hoop in these or just want a comfortable wear, I highly recommend going half a size up. For wide-footers, even that might not be enough, so proceed with caution.
Performance on the Court: Mixed Feelings
This is where things get interesting. While I love the visuals, I can’t say the same about the performance—at least not when compared to the original Kobe 8s. The cushioning uses a React drop-in midsole instead of Zoom Air or Lunar, and while it gets the job done, it’s nothing to write home about. I honestly expected more from a Protro edition.
That said, the grip is phenomenal. The outsole keeps the classic herringbone pattern but aligns it more linearly than radially, which doesn’t affect traction but is worth noting. The shoe also features a carbon fiber shank plate that gives it a nice touch of responsiveness and stability.
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Upper Materials & Build Quality
The upper is still engineered mesh like the original, but it feels slightly stiffer—more structured, especially around the toe. The tongue material has improved in the men’s version; it’s now a thin fabric with a canvas feel rather than that plasticky stuff they used before. Personally, I wish they used the more padded version found in the kids’ pair. It’s just more comfortable.
And speaking of details: did you know the fixed lace loops have different tags? One says “Kobe” and the other says “KB-24”. Little easter eggs like that make the sneaker even more fun to explore.
Kid’s Version: Surprisingly Impressive
I picked up a pair for my son too, and I was surprised by how close the kids’ version is to the adult one. It even comes with all three lace sets—just like the men’s—and features a real tongue (not that thin stuff). The cushioning is basic EVA, but for younger players, it’s more than enough. My son loves playing in his, even if I personally prefer other Kobes for on-court action.
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Final Verdict: Worth It?
Despite a few performance drawbacks, I absolutely love the Nike Kobe 8 Protro What The 2025. It’s not the best shoe to play in, but as a collector, I see it as a work of art. The attention to detail, the mix of history, and the emotional connection I have with the Kobe line make this pair a must-have.
If you’re looking to pick these up, resale prices are dropping—which is great news. They might not be easy to find in-store, but if you’ve been eyeing them on platforms like GOAT, now might be the time to strike.
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Would I Recommend the Nike Kobe 8 Protro What The 2025?
If you’re a fan of Kobe, sneaker history, or bold designs, absolutely yes. Just remember to go half a size up, and don’t expect elite-level cushioning if you’re planning to hit the court. For me, this shoe is all about celebrating Kobe’s legacy—and I couldn’t be happier to have it in my collection.
Let me know—are you going after the Nike Kobe 8 Protro What The 2025? And if you could play 1-on-1 with any NBA player, dead or alive, who would it be?
