Everything You Need To Know About The Nike LeBron 21

Breaking down the ins and outs of LeBron's 21st signature shoe.

Jared Ebanks October 25, 2023

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LeBron James and Nike shocked the sneaker ecosystem last year when it was revealed that the upcoming Nike LeBron 20 would be the first in James’ signature line to debut in low-top form. A gift from The King to the next generation of hoopers – understanding that the lower cut would allow for a wider range of wear – the Nike LeBron 21 followed the same winning formula with a number of tweaks and renovations.

Taking inspiration from the way LeBron maintains his body throughout the offseason heading into his 21st season, the LeBron 21 mirrors his trainer’s approach to their offseason regimen; similar to taking care of an F1 car. Each race the car is tweaked slightly based on past performance metrics as opposed to rebuilding the chassis and body before every contest. As such, the 21 retains some of last year’s most popular elements while imbuing the silhouette with an aesthetic makeover.

LeBron and the Beaverton brand, carefully curated a preview date for the 21. Aiming to get ahead of any unflattering leaked imagery, Nike sent a tonal tan and gold pair to LeBron for him to photograph and post at his own accord. On July 28th, James uploaded a set of photos from a recent workout with the aforementioned silhouette on foot. As the Nike LeBron 21 continues to unveil its introductory slate of color blockings, we’ve curated a comprehensive summary for the 21st installment of James’ signature series ahead.

What makes the Nike LeBron 21?

• Much like how the LeBron 20 was inspired by Bronny, the LeBron 21 draws inspiration from his role as a father to his youngest child, Zhuri.
• The protective nature LeBron exudes around his daughter is brought to life through an oyster shell-inspired silhouette.
• Protecting the pearl inside, the upper venting has been striated to mimic the veining of a shell.
• The latter’s lightweight mono-mesh construction is reinforced by 360-degree zonal cables at the midfoot.
• Perforated Swooshes provide further breathability alongside the sock liner’s porous mesh pockets.
• The sole unit is packed with the same responsive setup as the LeBron 20 underfoot, featuring a bottom-loaded Zoom Turbo unit in the forefoot and a larger, top-loaded, 13mm Zoom Air unit at the heel. All of which is set into a full-length Cushlon 2.0 foam carrier.
• Further oyster shell elements appear across the exposed construction of the foxing and along the quilted tongue.
• Stitched insoles denote James’ four NBA Championship rings while his 1984 birth year sits on the underside of the heel tab.
• A jeweled element sits at the middle of the heel bearing 21 in roman numerals.

How does the LeBron 21 differ from the LeBron 20?

While the past two signature silhouettes from LeBron James and Nike has boasted similar sole units and low-top constructions, the 21st iteration explores a much more premium aesthetic. Having already been previewed in a range of disparate finishes, the LeBron 21’s pearlescent inspiration allows for disparate level of detailing. From mirroring the iridescent finish of an Abalone shell to exacting a buttery soft leather and supple suede, the Zoom-assisted silhouette has already proven to be a versatile counterpart in the realm of fabrics and textiles.

“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,” lead designer Jason Petrie said of the 21.

The encore to the 20 exudes a bit more in the realm of containment as well. Cloaked behind a premium, lightweight drapery, the zonal cables keep the midfoot locked above the footbed. Further regal applications adhere to the quilted tongue and stitched insoles, while thick rope laces and the appearance of the medial swooshes lockdown cables provide a more visible reinforcement than last year’s weaved ensemble.

Nike LeBron 21: Price & Release Dates

The LeBron 21 debuted in the “Akoya” colorway in late September with an MSRP of $200, the exact same as the 20. In reference to the daughter driven inspiration of pearls, the silhoeutte’s upper is expected to be cast in a varying amount of shimmering finishes and marbled treatments that mirror any number of mollusks.