As the NBA gears up for another year of thrilling basketball action, fans and sneakerheads alike anticipate the unveiling of new players' signature shoes. No one stirs this anticipation more than LeBron James, now embarking on his 21st season. James has not disappointed with his latest reveal, providing a first on-foot look at his latest sneaker with Nike — the Nike LeBron 21 — through an Instagram post.
Inheriting the DNA from its predecessor, the LeBron 20, the LeBron 21 appears to maintain the low-top, lightweight design— a departure from the traditionally heavy, durable constructions that characterized earlier iterations in the LeBron line. This evolution mirrors the increasing preference among younger athletes for sleeker, less cumbersome sneakers.
Following this early look, Nike official unveiled the silhouette on September 14 alongside Devin Booker's Nike Book 1.
The Nike LeBron 21, the latest addition to LeBron James' signature shoe lineup, ushers in an innovative era of design and functionality aptly suited for basketball's next generation. Drawing inspiration from his daughter, Zhuri, the silhouette resonates with safeguarding the modern player. This protective philosophy manifests in the shoe's upper design, reminiscent of the strength and beauty of an oyster shell cradling its precious pearl. The lightweight, striated venting mirrors the intricate veining of a shell, aimed to provide containment during explosive athletic maneuvers. This containment is further accentuated with a mono-mesh reinforced by 360-degree zonal cables enveloping the midfoot, ensuring both support and security.
Underfoot technology is robust, featuring a Zoom Turbo unit in the forefoot, a 13-millimeter bottom-loaded Zoom unit in the heel, and a full-length Cushlon 2.0 foam for optimal comfort. The TPU midfoot shank stands ready to amplify dynamic movements, ensuring stability with an added bounce. Other design intricacies inspired by the oyster shell include the exposed construction on the foxing and a quilted, perforated foam tongue, enriching the shoe's aesthetic and tactile appeal.
Jason Petrie, the Lead Designer for the LeBron 21, highlights their design journey: “As we took our next steps from the LeBron 20, we were inspired by the way LeBron maintains his body and his game during the offseason. His trainer says it's like taking care of an F1 car. You tweak the car between each race. You don’t need to rebuild the car completely. We wanted to retain some of the elements we know he loved, like the Zoom Turbo unit, but refine some of the finishes in the upper.”
The Nike LeBron 21 will debut with the Akoya colorway and continue to release throughout and beyond the Holiday 2023 season. Included in this is the Freshwater, James Theater, and Multi-Color rendition. Available through Nike and select retailers online and in-store, the retail price in men's sizing is set at $200. Keep it locked to our Twitter and the Sole Retriever mobile app to get the latest updates on releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Nike LeBron 21
Images via Nike
Images via Klutch Sports
