The public got their first clear look at LeBron James’ 15th signature sneaker from Nike earlier this week, and it was received with mostly negative reviews. But just because one colorway or version of a sneaker isn’t a great looking shoe doesn’t mean later colorways will be that way. We decided to take a look back at the best and worst colorway for each year of LeBron’s sneaker.
The public recently got their first clear look of LeBron James’ 15th signature sneaker from Nike, and it was received with mostly negative reviews. But just because one colorway or version of a sneaker isn’t a great looking shoe doesn’t mean later colorways will be that way. We decided to take a look back at the best and worst colorway for each year of LeBron’s sneaker.
Good | LeBron XIV: “Out of Nowhere”
The “Out of Nowhere” was the first XIV to debut and is still considered the best colorway of this iteration of LeBron’s signature sneaker. The neon and crimson accents really stand out on this colorway, which was modeled after the Nike Presto’s ACRONYM collaboration.
Photo via Photo via NikeBad | LeBron XIV: “Ultimate Warrior”
We get what this sneaker was trying to do; it was modeled after LeBron’s favorite wrestler, the Ultimate Warrior, who’s T-shirt was worn by LeBron after winning his third championship in Oakland. But this sneaker just didn’t hit it’s mark; it’s too busy. The strap is nice, with the Ultimate Warrior’s signature colors, but the upper neon accent combined with the orangish/red outersole isn’t working.
Photo via Sneaker News/FacebookGood | LeBron XIII: “Birds of Paradise”
We have to go with the “Birds of Paradise” for the best XIII LeBron sneaker for a few reasons – first and foremost, this was the year he won the championship in Cleveland and LeBron debuted this colorway at the Cavaliers’ Championship day parade. Besides that, it’s a clean colorway, not too busy but with multicolor accents. Also, the low version of the XIII is one of the rare LeBron’s where the low is a much better looking sneaker than the high so we had to go with a low here.
Photo via Inage via NikeBad | LeBron XIII: “Opening Night”
Really, most of the high LeBron XIII’s could be on the ‘ugly’ list, besides maybe the “BHM” and the “Akronite” colorways. The XIII is super bulky and the upper part of the sneaker looks like it has an Under Armour logo on it. Also, the Cavaliers lost to the Chicago Bulls on opening night in 2015 when LeBron debuted these sneakers.
Photo via Kicks On Fire/FacebookGood | LeBron XII: “LeBronold Palmer”
Another LeBron where we prefer the low to the high, the “LeBronold Palmer” is the choice here. This is one of the more flamboyant LeBron’s that really work. The sneaker has a summery, lemonade motif that comes together really well, even if it gives us bad flashbacks to his Miami days.
Photo via Sneaker News/FacebookBad | LeBron XII: “King’s Cork”
While we prefer the low to the high here, there were some really clean 12 highs. The “King’s Cork” wasn’t one of them. Nike should be applauded for pushing the envelope when it comes to sneakers, and fashion in general, but a cork sneaker just isn’t a great look.
Photo via Kicks On Fire/FacebookGood | LeBron XI: “What The”
The “What The” concept from Nike takes accents from many different sneakers and throws them all together to create a hodgepodge sneaker. Sometimes, they work, other times not as much. The LeBron XI “What The” is one of the good ones; not too overwhelming but with colors and accents that fit very nicely together, and not too overwhelming to be that perfect eclectic sneaker in any sneaker obsessive’s collection.
Photo via Sneaker News/FacebookBad | LeBron XI: “King’s Pride”
For some reason, the LeBron XI came out in a lot of greenish colorways. The “What The” had green accents that looked good, and so did the “Nola Gumbo” and “South Beach” XI’s. The King’s Pride, however, contains a green accent that is sort of a puke green hue, which contributes to this being one of our least favorite LeBron colorways.
Photo via Sneaker News/FacebookGood | LeBron X: “Christmas”
The VIIIs and IXs were widely considered some of the best LeBron’s, but the 10’s were a bit of a letdown. However, this under the radar 10 is one of our favorites. The “Christmas” colorway hits that perfect spot of not being too over the top but will still stand out enough for someone to notice. This is definitely one of our favorites on this list, perfect for the holiday season.
Photo via Kicks On Fire/FacebookBad | LeBron X: “Miami Dade”
We’re Clevelanders, and so we like to ignore LeBron’s time in Miami, but even we have to admit that it led to some cool sneakers that we’ll get to later on. This one, the LeBron X Elite “Miami Dade” wasn’t one of those. The turquoise upper isn’t bad, but the black with the blue, combined with a lime green outersole is just not working together. We’re still waiting for these to transform.
Photo via Foot Locker UnlockedGood | LeBron IX: “Miami Hurricanes”
Reluctantly, we do like some of the sneakers with a Miami theme, and this LeBron IX, with a University of Miami theme, is one of the best colorways of the LeBron IX. The green and orange accents, combined with the foam bubble on the sole really make this colorway pop.
Photo via Sneaker News/FacebookBad |
LeBron IX: “Floridians”
Some of the Miami colorways work, and as we have learned earlier, some don’t. This one falls in to the ‘don’t’ category, and is one of the uglier LeBron colorways. The orange is too bright and this is one version of the LeBron low that never caught on. We can see why and this colorway probably went right into the bargain bin at your local TJMaxx.
Photo via Sneaker News/FacebookGood | LeBron VIII: “South Beach”
The LeBron VIII is arguably considered the best LeBron silhouette and the best colorway of the best silhouette is widely agreed upon to be the “South Beach” colorway. The turquoise green upper with the pink eyelets and tongue liner mesh perfectly together. These came with pink laces too that can be subbed out for the black ones that give the sneaker an even more Miami feel, but in a good way.
Photo via The Shoe GameBad | LeBron VIII: “Sprite”
The LeBron VIII high was just so popular that it was going to be difficult to match the high with a low that lived up to the standards already set. So with a high bar, combined with a branded sneaker for a pop brand, this sneaker had to really look good to work. And it just looks too much like a Sprite advertisement.
Photo via Sneaker NewsGood | LeBron VII: “Hardwood Classic”
This LeBron VII is one of the best PEs (Player Exclusive) of any LeBron sneaker. This is one of two LeBron sneakers on this list that is based off of the old Cavaliers’ orange and blue colors of the Mark Price, Brad Daugherty and Larry Nance teams. Good luck getting your hands on a pair of these though; they never released to the public.
Photo via Sole CollectorBad | LeBron VII: “Eastbay TB Royal”
Often times, collaborations between sneakers and sneaker stores are some of the most exclusive sneakers on the market. That wasn’t the case for these LeBron VII’s, which were released with apparel company Eastbay, out of Oakland. They released an orange colorway, a red colorway and this royal blue colorway and none of them really hold up too well. They look too much like a dad sneaker.
Photo via StockXGood | LeBron VI: “Chalk”
We’re suckers for a good Cavaliers colorway, and there aren’t many better than the “Chalk” LeBron VI. The Cavaliers were wearing navy and red jerseys at the time this sneaker was released in 2008. While they may not be our favorite Cavaliers’ jerseys (we prefer the blue and orange or the wine and gold) they do make for a good looking sneaker.
Photo via StockXBad | LeBron VI: “Yankees”
The LeBron VI is a good looking sneaker but we can’t support a colorway based on the New York Yankees. We’re still waiting for the Cleveland Indians themed sneaker from LeBron.
Photo via Flight ClubBad | LeBron XIII: “Opening Night”
LeBron didn’t grow up as a fan of the Indians or Browns, but one Ohio team he has supported over the years has been the Ohio State Buckeyes. LeBron’s love for all things Ohio State has led to some of his best and most valuable sneakers and this LeBron V is a classic. Also, it’s reselling for over $1,500 right now.
Photo via Sneaker Bar Detroit/FacebookBad | LeBron V: Dunkman”
The LeBron V “Dunkman” is just a whatever sneaker; not too wild, just more bland. Neon green is a tough color to make look good and this colorway doesn’t do that.
Photo via Flight ClubGood | LeBron IV: “Birthday”
Some sneakerheads say that this sneaker is a New York Knicks colorway. Well, despite Knicks’ fans longstanding thirst for LeBron to join their team, he hasn’t, so we’re going to consider this another Daughery/Price/Nance era homage and keep it on this list because it’s such a good-looking colorway.
Photo via StockXBad | LeBron IV: “East Coast Blackout”
This colorway of the LeBron IV isn’t terrible, but compared to most other LeBron IV’s, the all black look is just kind of boring. Sneakers are meant to be a reflection of a player’s game and the greatest basketball player of all-time’s game is anything but boring, which is why this is our least favorite LeBron IV colorway.
Photo via StockXGood | LeBron III: “Akron”
Any LeBron sneaker list can’t be complete without a sneaker dedicated to his hometown of Akron, Ohio and this LeBron III, with a combination of blue and white, does just enough to make this sneaker a classic. This was before LeBron’s colorways were all named, but LeBron has around seven or eight sneakers with Akron referenced in the name, so we’re thinking that calling this “Akron” is appropriate.
Photo via Flight ClubBad | LeBron III: “Sprite”
This is another LeBron sneaker where the high just looks better than the low, as is most cases with LeBron’s sneaker. LeBron is a massive human being, even for NBA player’s standards, and the high-top just fits better with who he is. There aren’t too many colorways of the III low out there, and this colorway isn’t awful, but it’s another branded Sprite sneaker, and it’s not cool to wear a soda company on your foot.
Photo via Flight ClubGood | LeBron II: “SVSM Home”
There’s an Akron colorway, an Ohio State colorway, a few Cavaliers’ colorway, some Miami colorway and a Yankees’ colorway on this list, but it wouldn’t be complete without one of LeBron’s high school sneakers. St. Vincent St. Mary has been featured on a few different LeBron sneakers and the combination of gold and green go together perfectly to create one of LeBron’s best looking colorway.
Photo via Flight ClubBad | LeBron II: “Black Crimson”
The earlier LeBron sneakers didn’t try to do too much as far as wild colors go, like some of the later silhouettes did. So, while this “Black Crimson” isn’t necessarily ugly, it’s bland, and every other LeBron II is better than this plain black, red and white sneaker.
Photo via StockXGood | LeBron I: “First Game”
In early 2017, the LeBron I “First Game” was retroed, making it the first LeBron sneaker to be re-released. The sneaker does have an outdated look, and it’s not the best looking sneaker in the world, but LeBron wore it in his first ever NBA game in Sacramento against the Kings in 2003 so it makes this list because of the nostalgia factor.
Photo via StockXBad | LeBron I: “White Metallic Silver”
The LeBron I was another silhouette where the low wasn’t nearly as good looking as the high, and this “White Metallic Silver” colorway is one of the more boring LeBron James’ sneakers ever released. This might be a decent shoe to clean the house in though.
Photo via StockXBonus: Good | LeBron – Soldier X: “Game 7”
In addition to LeBron getting a high and low sneaker, Nike has also released the LeBron Soldier, which LeBron debuts annualy in the postseason. The Soldier X is not only a great looking sneaker, but it’s what LeBron wore in when the Cavaliers won their first NBA Championship in 2016. The “Game 7” colorway has a perfect mix of mostly black accents, with a gold logo and swoosh, that look like royalty, fit for a king. These can only be purchased in a special “Championship Pack,” along with the sneaker that former Cavalier Kyrie Irving wore in the same game.
Photo via Photo via Nice Kicks/Facebook
