Nike Releases the Latest LeBron, the XIII
It’s hard to believe that Cleveland Cavalier star LeBron James has been in the NBA for 13 years already. Just as hard to believe is that his 13th signature shoe from Nike is also here.
The LeBron XII debuted Sunday in the King’s hometown of Akron, OH and it looks like the most ambitious looking of his kicks to date. Utilizing the Nike Zoom Pods that were in his previous model giving the same impact cushion. The big change will be the hyperposite support (most obviously seen in the X shaped on the outer foot of the shoe) in the midfoot and collar that should provide the user optimal flexibility and solid support.
The most impressive aspect of the shoe itself to me is that it is supposed to be tailored to the specific body needs of the wearer. The LBJ has been designed with certain age ranges in mind so the different shoes for these ages will reflect that engineering and address needs at that level. Wow! That is a first of any shoe model that I’m aware of, ever.
Initially I was a little skeptical of the pair, primarily because I’ve had not so great experiences with some of LBJs shoes in the past but these are kinda growing on me. They do remind me of the Nike Hawk Flight that Gary Payton wore in the late 90s before he got his own signature shoe, and maybe a little more like the Nike Air Street Defender road hockey shoe because of the large outer X that the shoe has an ankle support and protector. Until I get my hands on a pair the jury’s still out for me but I’m not hatin’ or lovin’ them. At least not yet.
