Sneakers

LeBron Sneakers

LeBron Sneakers

In December 2015, after a 12-year partnership with LeBron James, Nike announced that it had entered into a life-long contract with him. This was the first lifelong deal with an athlete in the company's 44-year (at the time) history.

Nike has always relied on the most famous runners, football players, basketball players, tennis players to promote its products. So why does the company associate its future with his name, planning to make LeBron sneakers not only today, but also the day after tomorrow?

LeBron James - King, living, playing legend, "The Second Michael Jordan". And at the same time - not just the face of the brand. He is a full-fledged collaborator, harsh critic, and initiator of continuous improvements to basketball shoes.

So, the registered 11 model was practically rejected by him, apparently due to their rigidity. Although the sales of the Nike Lebron 11 have far surpassed the Nike Lebron 10.

After that, 12 lebrons, recognized as one of the most successful, were created with his closest attention.

Sports equipment today is a high-tech product. When choosing such a product, it is advisable to rely on the opinion of a professional. And who, in fact, is a professional?

If you are a basketball player or even just a sports guy, especially with a weight of over 100 kg and some leg problems - then who can be a more competent advisor for you than LeBron James? He makes sneakers for himself.

Now about the sneakers. To date, there are so many branded Nike Lebron sneakers that you cannot describe everything in detail at once. In addition to the "flagship" series, which includes 13 models, many of which have additional options - low-profile Low and elite - the Nike Lebron Soldier line has been developing since 2007. There are rumors about the possible re-release of some of the early models in the "retro" series. Let's consider the most famous models in terms of their functionality and manufacturability.

Nike Zoom Generation, (2003-2004) (informally called Nike Lebron 1)

They were created already under L. James, immediately after the beginning of his collaboration with Nike.

In these sneakers, LeBron entered the league and played the entire first season.In addition to the company's Sports Laboratory, a whole team of designers worked on the model: Tinker Hatfield, Aaron Cooper and Eric Avar.

Pros of the model: lightweight, comfortable and technological footwear; good shock absorption, excellent ventilation, excellent traction.

Minus: insufficient fixation of the ankle, which was personally proven by James, who received a corresponding injury in them while playing in Utah.

When creating the Nike Zoom Lebron II (as in the best subsequent models), special attention was paid to precisely fixing all parts of the foot. A detachable strap has been added for additional ankle protection.

The “flex groove” groove on the outsole significantly improved the flexion of the shoe and thus the ride comfort. However, the thick "Air Sole" for increased cushioning reduced court feel somewhat. And changing the sole pattern from herringbone to something mosaic worsened traction.

But it was these sneakers that became the first "subscription" ones - they got an engraved face of a lion and the letters "LJ" exactly corresponding to L. Jimes' tattoos.

Designer Ken Link.

Nike Zoom Lebron 3, (2005-2006)

Even at the first glance at them, you experience a sense of potential security.

Excellent fixation of the entire foot without feeling stiff. Impressive shock absorption. Normal court feel. Excellent stability and traction. You can only find fault with the weight (among the basketball sneakers - one of the heaviest). And the backdrop, they say, is harsh.

The midsole consists of multiple chambers, reinforced with a carbon fiber midfoot shank and complemented by a full-length full-length Zoom Air. The toe of the sneaker is made of elastic polyurethane. Built-in Pebax backdrop. Continuous, seamless inner layer. Secure locking straps.

Zoom Lebron 6, (2008-2009)

In this model, L. James won his first MVP title, which, apparently, made the sixth LeBrons so popular. According to rumors, the King himself had a hand in the design, wanting to get sneakers suitable not only for play, but also for everyday wear. The designers of Ken Link & Co have fulfilled the request.

Technological innovations: enhanced cushioning, which was provided by the double "Zoom Air" under the heel. Carbon fiber back plate. Ankle support is excellent.

But ... Overly thickened outsole makes the shoe less stable and reduces the feeling of the "earth". Thick leather increases wear but decreases ventilation. Another experiment with a tread pattern is slightly more successful than in the second model, but it still reduces traction.

The fifth leBrons had almost all the advantages of the sixth (except for the double "Zoom Air" under the heel), but were devoid of their disadvantages. And James's sentimental idea of ​​inscribing a map of his hometown (Akron) into the tread pattern turned out to be quite practical - it only improved traction.

Nike Lebron 9, (2011-2012)

Outwardly, this model has a certain similarity with the previous two, since they were developed by one designer - Jason Petrie.

The upper is made of hyperfusion, stitched with elastic flywire threads, which reduces the weight of the sneaker and improves the flow of the foot. Under the forefoot there is a zoom, under the heel there is an air max cushion. The sides of the ankle are protected by dense carbon fiber inserts in the form of wings.

Very comfortable, stable, with good traction and secure foot protection.

Nike Lebron Soldier 9

These sneakers were called the safest, most functional and loyal to any foot. The most - until the next model, the Lebron Soldier 10.

But first - about the "soldier" offshoot of the flagship line. The first Nike Zoom Soldiers appeared in 2007. In 2008, in the seventh game of the playoff series, James scored 45 points, which attracted attention to the Nike Zoom Soldier II, in which he played.

Further, in 3-4-5-6-7-8 models of "soldiers" there were various experiments with the system of internal and external fixation of the foot. These models found their fans, they were increasingly seen at the NBA games, but they did not cause much excitement among critics.

And suddenly - an explosion of delight! “The best fit for the entire foot! The most pleasant sensations during the very first workout! Perfect traction! Great feeling of playing coverage! No flagship shoe has ever been more perfect! "

It's all about the Lebron Soldier 9.

In what ways is this achieved? Under the midfoot - "Phylon", under the toe and heel - "Nike Zoom" ... not new. New - an innovative system of fixing straps connected to the Flywire.

The lower strap runs diagonally from the forefoot to the midfoot and wraps around the top. Internally, it is attached to the elastic Flywire threads that stitch the forefoot of the shoe. When the strap is tightened in this way, the foot is not only fixed on the outside, but gets a perfect flow from the inside. The upper strap protects the ankle securely.

It was in these sneakers that LeBron won his first championship ring.

"Ideal" traction on any surface is provided by a tread pattern consisting of hexagons with triangles inscribed in the middle of each.

The Lebron Soldier 10 introduces a third locking strap. And in them the King won his third championship ring. Today it is the best-selling LeBron of all.

Nike Lebron 12, 2014/2015

This model impresses with a very bold design and an abundance of the brightest colors. Did LeBron think that if the colors of the sneakers were calmer, Cleveland would not notice his return to the team from which he left five years ago?

All in all, this shoe has returned attention to the flagship line after the Nike Lebron Soldier IX craze and even more enthusiasm for the Nike Lebron Soldier X.

Five isolated hexagonal Nike Zoom elements under the forefoot and one larger under the heel provide good cushioning and shock absorption. Outside, the heel and ankle are protected by a strong hyperposition, the rigidity of which is almost not felt from the inside due to the quality of the inner layer. The laces and “Flywire” stitching are responsible for the fixation and fit on the foot. The MegaFuse mesh is more durable and wear resistant than the Hyperfuse mesh.

The outsole of the shoe is not just dressy, but provides decent traction and a sense of coverage.

In Nike LeBron 13, James entered the field ... and in the first break changed into Soldier X.

What can you say here? Watch LeBron's feet.

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