Nike What The: History, Releases, and Resale Values
The Nike What The line is a colorful and valuable sneaker history series that combines panels from past drops. The Beaverton brand launched its Nike Skateboarding division in March 2002, but the first mashup arrived on 1 October 2007. Across 5 flagship releases from 2007 to 2017, retail prices ranged from a listed $110 to $200. We analyzed launch records and compared verified resale logs so you can evaluate every pair.
- Key takeaway: Based on launch records, the October 2007 SB Dunk Low carried a listed $120 price, but resale averages $12,088.
- 2013 LeBron X tribute: Per aftermarket trade reports, the May 2013 MVP high-top carried a listed $200 tag and averages $1,396 on resale.
- 2013 Kobe 8 mashup: Based on secondary sales data, the December 2013 low-top launched at a listed $140 and trades near $1,005 per pair.
- 2017 Campbell high-top: Per market logs, the July 2017 Thomas Campbell edition listed at $110 averages $653 because collectors value artist collaborations.
- 2015 charity auction: Based on hospital reports, 100% of proceeds from the 11 Doernbecher pairs in 2015 funded pediatric care in Oregon.
How Did the Nike What The Sneaker Concept Begin in 2007?
The mashup concept is an asymmetric footwear design that started in October 2007 by stitching 31 past colorways together.
Rather than matching your left and right shoes, designers assigned distinct suedes to each panel. You can read our sneaker industry history guide because limited quickstrikes shaped modern footwear demand. However, that asymmetric layout immediately separated the 2007 release from standard skate shoes. As a result, each panel tells a distinct chapter of skateboarding footwear design for your shelf.
Footwear designer Peter Moore created the original 1985 Dunk for college basketball, drawing elements from the Air Jordan 1. Later, the skateboarding division history added padded tongues and zoom insoles for your board feel. Therefore, combining 31 editions into 1 shoe turned the 2007 release into a franchise. Basketball and charity teams also adopted this formula because consumer demand stayed strong.
Why Does the 2007 SB Dunk Low Command $12,088 on Resale?
The 2007 SB Dunk Low is the highest-valued patchwork skate shoe because fewer than 1,000 promo pairs released.
Launched on 1 October 2007 alongside a skate film, the shoe carried a listed $120 price. According to aftermarket trade reports, the average resale valuation equals $12,088, which is a 9,973% markup. Because deadstock pairs rarely surface, you will pay five figures for your shelf. As a result, collectors treat unworn pairs as museum pieces rather than daily skate footwear.
Every numbered panel on your left and right shoes references a release from 2002 through 2007. For example, you can spot the NYC Pigeon embroidery, Supreme cement print, and Lucky 7 gold leather. However, most original owners skated their pairs in 2007, so unworn boxes remain scarce.
In March 2002, the skateboarding division introduced the Dunk SB alongside three other models, launching a collector era.
What Makes the 2013 LeBron X MVP Edition Worth $1,396?
The LeBron X What The MVP is a commemorative basketball high-top released on 31 May 2013 for LeBron James.
NBA star LeBron James signed a 7-year endorsement contract listed at $90 million in 2003 before his rookie season. Ten signature models later, his tenth shoe received a colorful collage after he won his fourth MVP trophy. Based on launch records, the shoe carried a listed $200 price, but resale averages $1,396 per pair. You get 10 distinct colorway references across the two shoes.
Designers pulled Hyperfuse uppers, speckled midsoles, and visible Zoom Air bags from 2012 and 2013 drops. Therefore, your left and right shoes combine Cork tongue detailing, Area 72 lining, and Prism graphics. According to secondary market reports, deadstock pairs retain a 598% price markup over the $200 sticker because supply stayed tiny.
How Did the 2013 Kobe 8 Mashup Redefine Basketball Colorways?
The Kobe 8 What The Kobe is a low-top basketball shoe that printed 30 graphics onto mesh in December 2013.
Released on 6 December 2013, the sneaker launched at a listed retail price of $140 across North America. However, secondary market reports show that deadstock pairs average a listed $1,005, which is 618% above retail. Because engineered mesh accepts digital dye sublimation, designers blended complex patterns without heavy leather panels. Your feet stay light on the court while wearing 30 archive patterns.
When you inspect the right shoe, you see an orange base, but reflective 3M letters cover the medial side. Meanwhile, your left shoe pairs navy mesh with Mambacurial, Easter, Venice Beach, and Milk Snake scales. Translucent outsoles and mismatched Lunarlon midsoles made the December 2013 drop a favorite because it balances traction with color.
How Do the 2017 Thomas Campbell vs 2015 Doernbecher Editions Compare?
The 2017 Thomas Campbell and 2015 Doernbecher high-tops are two patchwork skate releases separated by retail vs charity distribution.
Visual artist Thomas Campbell designed the SB Dunk High What The Dunk for the 10-year anniversary of the 2007 film. Based on launch records, Campbell’s shoe dropped on 5 July 2017 at a listed $110 and averages $653 on resale. You get quilt-style stitching, canvas panels, and custom woven labels on your pair.
Two years earlier, in June 2015, designers assembled the SB Dunk High What The Doernbecher from 13 Doernbecher Freestyle models. Portland’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital began its footwear partnership in 2004 to support young patients in Oregon. Hospital reports confirm that 100% of the 11 eBay auction pairs sold in 2015 funded pediatric care.
| Edition Name. | Release Date. | Retail vs Auction. | Resale Valuation. |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB Dunk Low What The Dunk. | 1 October 2007. | $120 MSRP. | $12,088 average. |
| LeBron X What The MVP. | 31 May 2013. | $200 MSRP. | $1,396 average. |
| Kobe 8 What The Kobe. | 6 December 2013. | $140 MSRP. | $1,005 average. |
| SB Dunk High Doernbecher. | June 2015. | 11-pair eBay auction. | Charity collector grail. |
| SB Dunk High Thomas Campbell. | 5 July 2017. | $110 MSRP. | $653 average. |
How Can You Secure Future Mashup Releases at Retail Price?
Securing patchwork drops at retail price is the smartest strategy for your budget when limited retro editions return.
Final verdict: Secondary marketplace StockX launched in February 2016 after its 2015 founding to track live bids and asks. However, you can avoid steep secondary markups by entering SNKRS draws and reading our monthly sneaker resale guide before launch day. Preparation before 10:00 AM Eastern Time gives you the best shot at retail checkouts.
When retro colorways like the Kobe 8 WTK return, inventory sells out across online storefronts in minutes. Therefore, you can configure NikeShoeBot checkout software so your automated tasks monitor Shopify skate shops and app drops simultaneously. Preparing your billing profiles early keeps you ready for every surprise patchwork restock.
- Asymmetric Blocking.
- Assigning distinct colors and prints to your left and right shoes within a single pair.
- Quickstrike Drop.
- A limited footwear release distributed to select Tier 0 skate accounts with minimal advance notice.
- Engineered Mesh.
- A breathable woven upper material used on the 2013 Kobe 8 to display digital graphics.
How many classic colorways were combined on the 2007 SB Dunk Low?
Designers integrated materials and embroidery from 31 earlier SB Dunk releases produced between 2002 and 2007. You can spot the NYC Pigeon heel and Supreme cement print.
Why were only 11 pairs of the 2015 Doernbecher mashup produced?
The 2015 SB Dunk High was created strictly as a hospital fundraiser rather than a commercial release. All 11 pairs were auctioned on eBay in 2015.
