With the recent release of the Nike Kobe 8 Protro “What The”, the titular series returns to the fore of the street culture zeitgeist. Thus, it’s a fitting moment to revisit some of the most compelling silhouettes that embody its core ethos. From the CLOT x Nike Dunk Low SP “What The CLOT” to the legendary Nike SB Dunk Low “What The Dunk”.

Non pareil, the “What The” concept remains as impactful today as it was at its inception. Often, these designs craftily combine colorways from a particular model’s history. Others, like the Air Force 1 iterations, serve as tributes to a city’s beloved sports franchises; while some of its most popular iterations artfully weave in distinctive elements from their predecessors. All of which results in an artful fusion, where the most disparate of influences converge onto a single silhouette.

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First released in 2013, the Nike Kobe 8 Protro “What The” was recently reintroduced on 13 April 2025 to coincide with Kobe Bryant Day, the day the Black Mamba played his final NBA game back in 2016. This “What The” treatment features nearly 30 different Kobe 8 colorways:

The right foot bursts with an orange foundation and a volt Swoosh; the left counteracts with a deep blue juxtaposed against an orange Swoosh and an oversized, reflective silver “NIKE” imprint on the medial. Even the crystal rubber outsoles underfoot play the asymmetry game, each boasting a different hue.

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Succeeding the above-mentioned, this Nike Kobe 9 Elite Protro “What The” will hit shelves on 21 May this year to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the original drop in 2015. They’ll be available at Nike’s brick-and-click stores then with a price tag of US$240.

And as its predecessor, the pair also features an amalgamation of prior Nike Kobe 9 releases. With the “What The” series being statement pieces, this pair makes its way via its Flyknit upper, woven with a spectrum of colors. Therein are threads of green, electric orange, and deep blue intertwined.

Other highlights include the unique reflective pattern on the lower part of the shoe, ankle, and tongue, as well as speckled detailing across the midsole, along with carbon-fiber details for enhanced aesthetics and performance.

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The first grail on the list! For many, the Nike SB Dunk Low “What The Dunk”, released on 1 October 2007, is the pinnacle of the SB Dunk legacy. Priced at an accessible US$120, its instantly iconic status stems from an incredibly unique and deliberately chaotic design philosophy. The quintessence of the “What The” concept.

The brainchild of James Arizumi, the “What The Dunk” was envisioned and conceived as the ne plus ultra of the SB Dunk, an audacious experiment that fused the most memorable aspects of 31 different SB Dunk releases. This ambitious project was also intrinsically linked to the marketing campaign for Nike’s skateboarding film, “Nothing but the Truth.”

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CO.JP stands for “Concept Japan.” This Nike initiative involves creating exclusive releases for the Japanese market, often featuring hitherto unseen color combinations, materials, or collaborations that later gain international recognition. Nevertheless, many a time, they remain Japan-exclusives, inherently making them treasures for collectors.

CO.JP has been responsible for many defining releases throughout Nike’s long history, but the above is an epitome.

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The Nike SB Dunk Low “What The Paul” is a wild ride down memory lane, through the signature shoe history of skateboarding legend Paul Rodriguez. This grail of a Dunk Low is a fitting homage, pulling inspiration and design cues from all ten of P-Rod’s Nike SB signature models, plus a few other memorable drops.

The upper is a patchwork party of materials—mesh, leather, suede, patent leather, and woven textiles all find real estate on the upper, each a nod to a specific moment in its namesake’s career. Everything from ornate embroidery to eye-catching patterns and polychromatic gradients. Finishing touches include Paul’s own signature gracing the tongue and special metal deubrés.

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Last released in 2020, the MO stays the same with the “What The” Air Jordan 5, incorporating elements from several hallmark AJ5 colorways:

“Tokyo”: Yellow nubuck upper, heel kanji (right); “Raging Bull”: Red suede upper (left); “Bel-Air”: Graphic lining, midsole shark teeth (right); “Laser”: Graphic lining, reflective tongue (left); “Green Bean”: Reflective tongue (right); “Army Olive”: Silver/orange tongue details (right); “Quai 54”: Midsole/tongue accents (left); and “Shanghai”: Heel medallion (left).

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CLOT and Nike’s parting gift to the world, the “What The CLOT” Dunk Low was the culmination, a roundoff of their 20-year partnership, before CLOT’s eventual signing with adidas that same year in 2023. The “What The CLOT” employed a wide array of materials and motifs most associated with CLOT, notably the transparent toebox that first appeared on their 2021 Air Max 1 “Kiss of Death” collaboration.

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The Nike Air Force 1 Low “What The LA” is a love letter to the diverse, dynamic, and passionate sports culture of Los Angeles, craftily blending the visual identities of the city’s professional teams such as the Lakers, Clippers, Kings, Dodgers, Rams, and Chargers.

Leather as its base, the upper is a medley of contrasting colors of the aforementioned teams. The materials and textures employed include suede, denim, and mesh.

Each heel is adorned with an embroidered “Los Angeles” script, while a mini Swoosh finds real estate at the forefoot. The black and white speckled midsoles and the mismatched translucent rubber outsoles finalize this comprehensive homage.

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Similarly, the Nike Air Force 1 Low “What The NYC” is a tribute to the Big Apple’s rich sporting landscape, adorning the archetypal silhouette with the signature colors of New York City’s major athletic teams.

The “What The” motif can be seen across the leather, suede, and denim upper, featuring details like a basketball-textured heel on one shoe and a grass-like finish on the other. Classic “New York” branding and spirited graffiti-style insoles further amplify the homage.

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Beyond this list, the SNKRDUNK App serves as a comprehensive portal to the chaotic, or rather, the diverse and intriguing world of Nike’s “What The” series. Tap below!

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For the latest releases, breaking news, and exclusive interviews, stay tuned to the SNKRDUNK Magazine and @snkrdunk on Instagram. Explore the SNKRDUNK App and use the welcome code from the banner below before making your first purchase. Additionally, if you want to try a pair out, visit our stores in Singapore and Japan!

Alternatively, you can also head to the SNKRDUNK App via the banner below and browse the latest and greatest in sneakers, streetwear, and TCG.

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