Nike Basketball and LeBron James will officially be releasing his 18th signature shoe, the LeBron 18 during the Fall 2020 season.
LeBron James teased a quick look at his latest signature shoe, the Nike LeBron 18, during his stay in Orlando. The shoe’s design finds James in a specific time and place in his career — late into his 17th season, he needs the cushioning set-up to support his unique blend of power and speed.
The LeBron 18 comes with a new cushioning arrangement featuring an Air Max unit in the heel that’s augmented by a full-length Zoom Air bag. The shoe is visually divided into two “halves” with details connoting speed in the forefoot and muscle in the heel.
It comes with a mix of knit’s from LeBron’s favorite previous models. There’s the raised dimensions from the 15’s Battleknit, the high-tenacity yarns from the 16 and the TPU yarns that composed the 17’s exoskeleton.
Also new to the LeBron 18 is a translation of Max Air on the upper, replacing the tongue foam with non-pressurized air pockets. The addition connects to an affinity for Air that’s followed James through his signature shoe history.
Finishing touches includes traction that has been refined. The forefoot is divided into quadrants with thin siping, broadening as you move toward the heel for a stricter grid warp, at which point the traction softens. The transition allows each area of the foot to benefit from the appropriate traction properties; no space is wasted.
Nike LeBron 18 Release Date
Look for the Nike LeBron 18 to release in October at select retailers and Nike.com. The retail price tag is set at $200 USD.
Nike LeBron 18
Release Date: October 2020
Price: $200
UPDATE 9/11: According to Eastbay’s release calendar, the Nike LeBron 18 will debut in a “Black/White-Multi” colorway on October 9th. No photos have surfaced, so stay tuned for more updates.
UPDATE 7/23: LeBron James debuted the Nike LeBron 18 during the Lakers scrimmage game ahead of the NBA season officially returning.
