The 23 Best LeBrons Ever Released

Image via Complex Original

Release Date: N/A

Retail Price: $200

Some sneakers matter because the hype around the shoe creates a moment; such is the case with something like the "Pigeon" Nike SB Dunk or "Galaxy" Nike Air Foamposite One. Others matter because of the moments created in them. The "Melon Tint" Nike LeBron 18 falls into the latter category for its claim to being on James' feet as he clinched his fourth NBA Championship. The 18th model in James' signature line broke tradition a bit by being introduced mid-season, rather than between seasons, as had typically been the case with his line. That's oversimplifying things a bit though, since that "mid-season" reveal came in late-July in the midst of a pandemic. When all is said and done, there very likely may be more popular LeBron 18s, but only one will be the shoe that James wore as he hoisted up the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the fourth time, from inside the NBA bubble. —Zac Dubasik

Release Date: May 30, 2009

Retail Price: $140

When a signature line's catalog spans 18 years, there are bound to be some hiccups along the way. In LeBron's case, the LeBron 6 was one of those hiccups. The bulky design was more akin to a work boot than a basketball shoe, and it didn't necessarily translate very well in the marketplace. But there were a handful of bright spots for the model. There's a pretty hilarious commercial with Nicole Scherzinger. There's the ultra coveted "Stewie" sample. And then there's the "MVP" colorway. Despite the lack of popularity, LeBron still had a monumental year on the court for the Cleveland Cavaliers, rocking the 6 as he captured his first career regular season MVP award in 2009. The pair was first revealed to the public on LeBron's feet during the telecast of Game 1 of the Cavs-Hawks second round playoff matchup that year. It featured a cracked white leather upper, black detailing, and gold accents including a flaked sole as a nod to the trophy. The best part were the midfoot and ankle straps that each displayed LeBron's signature "Witness" messaging in blocky lettering. Sure, few people are fond of the 6, but as a collector's item, this one is still important. —Mike DeStefano

Release Date: April 28, 2012

Retail Price: $250

After what some might consider a disappointing inaugural season with the Miami Heat that resulted in an NBA Finals loss to the Dallas Mavericks after his infamous "not five, not six, not seven…" speech, LeBron James finally captured his first NBA title the following season after the Heatles defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games in the 2012 Finals. What shoe was he wearing as he celebrated his first ring? The white and gold "Home" colorway of the LeBron 9 P.S. Elite. For that reason, the sneaker will always be a special piece of LeBron's legacy. The model came at a time when Nike Basketball was still creating postseason editions of its signature athlete's sneakers. The 9 P.S. Elite was very much the LeBron 9 on steroids, upgraded with features like a durable Pro Combat bootie, ventilation panels added to the ankle collar, kevlar laces, and carbon fiber midfoot shank plates. All of the additions came with a hefty $250 retail price (the LeBron 9 was $170), but the shoe was built to withstand anything that the game of basketball could throw at it. LeBron actually capturing his first title in the general release colorway rather than a special player exclusive just did Nike's marketing for them. —Mike DeStefano

Release Date: June 2, 2012

Retail Price: $250

The term "consolation prize" is used a lot in the sneaker world to describe a shoe that we purchase to compensate for an L we took on a similar model or colorway. I'd argue that the “South Beach” 9 P.S. Elite, which pulls its inspiration from a massively popular LeBron that released a year prior, is one of the greatest entrants into this category of all time. Do I have a little bit of bias writing this? Maybe. Do I own “South Beach” 8s? No. Do I own “South Beach” 9s? Yes, so here we are. Consolation or not, this colorway is featured on one of the most significant LeBron signature models of all time. He won his first ring in the 9 P.S. Elite. It released at the perfect time, too. The King was firmly planted atop his throne in Miami, and any shoe that bore a colorful combination with those familiar Miami Vice hues was going to turn heads. A lot of us are going to get a second chance at the OG “South Beach” 8s in 2021, but for now I'll go look at my 9s in the closet and pretend that it's enough. —Ben Felderstein

Release Date: Sept. 22, 2012

Retail Price: $270

Throughout the years, Nike has released a variety of LeBrons inspired by his "King" nickname, perhaps none better than the "Crown Jewel" LeBron 10. One of the early gemstone-themed colorways that celebrated James' 10 years working with Nike, this version drew inspiration from British royalty, more specifically the Black Prince's Ruby set in the center of the Imperial State Crown worn by Queen Elizabeth II. On paper, this colorway sounds like something that shouldn't work. The trio of burgundy, pink and gray doesn't jump out as a combination for a coveted sneaker, but the execution was appropriately flawless. To put the launch over the top, Nike packaged the limited edition sneaker in a molded plastic ring box, complete with velvet dust bags for extra protection. It's hard to imagine many owners of the rare and valuable pair tested the shoe's Nike+ Sport Pack technology on the court. —Brandon Richard

Release Date: May 16, 2020

Retail Price: $200

This is the only retro LeBron colorway LeBron to make the list, and that says a lot about the shoe. The LeBron 7, for numerous reasons, is an important sneaker. It changed the trajectory of his line after a few bad models and led the way for the LeBron 8, 9, and 10, all of which are held in high regard. One of the best versions of the shoe, however, isn't one from the original run of the shoe in 2010. It's one that came out this year. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were about to win the NBA Finals this year, but it all started earlier in the year with Media Day. James wore a pair of mismatched purple and yellow 7s to the affair. The sneakers, which appeared essentially as a PE, ended up releasing, giving the fans something special. They even restocked. It's not hard to get your hands on a pair of the Lakers 7s, but they signify an important moment in LeBron's career and look good, too. —Matt Welty

Release Date: Feb. 3, 2018

Retail Price: $200

I had to Google the LeBron 14 to remember which one it was. It's certainly better than the LeBron 13, but the only one I slightly remember is the pair made to look like Acronym Prestos. Nike needed to rethink LeBron's line, it had hit a rut. Just as the LeBron 5 and 6 were clunkers in his line, so were the LeBron 12 and 13s. Designer Jason Petrie was tasked with re-creating the magic of LeBron's signature series that was seen in models 7-10. To go ahead, he went backward with the LeBron Watch program for the LeBron 15. Nike would design LeBron 15s that were reminiscent of James' favorite sneakers from the archive. Most notable was the Diamond Turf version, which came with a strap to mimic Deion Sanders' shoe from the '90s. The sneakers would launch on the SNKRS app as James wore them in games and sell out instantly. It was the marketing that brought LeBron's sneakers back to relevancy, but the design helped, too. A LeBron sneaker is going to sell regardless—it's LeBron James. But having the right shoe for him makes everyone want to get on it. These did just that. —Matt Welty

Release Date: March 4, 2011

Retail Price: $160

Somewhat of a time capsule release, the "Entourage" Nike LeBron 8 V/2 celebrates one of James' all-time favorite TV shows, Entourage. For eight seasons, the series told the story of Vincent Chase, a fictional actor who rose to prominence in Hollywood while putting each of his best friends in a position to succeed on their own. Sound familiar? James was such a fan that he reportedly had his team reach out to creator Doug Ellin to book a cameo in the Season 6 finale. There isn't an obvious palette attached to Entourage and there are no overt markings that make the connection, but the vibrant blue shoe is based on an image that doubled as a promo poster and book cover for the show. At the time, anything Entourage related resonated with sneakerheads, with Jerry Ferrara's character Sal "Turtle" Assante being depicted as a connoisseur of kicks. Tracking down a pair wasn't quite as challenging as securing Fukijama Air Force 1s, but they were still a priority for just about anybody who was into sneakers and HBO's episodic hit. —Brandon Richard

Release Date: May 26, 2018

Retail Price: $175

Unreleased player samples and special makeups have been a hallmark of LeBron James' Nike signature line since the very beginning. From white and pink colorways to honor his mother, Gloria, to school-based versions for teams like Oregon, Christ the King, and Fairfax, to alternate Cavs, Heat, and Lakers looks, many of the most coveted LeBrons have been unattainable without deep pockets or even deeper connections. One of the shoes that started that tradition, however, actually got a retail release when the "SVSM" colorway finally dropped during the Air Zoom Generation's retro run in 2018. Since he never attended college, even casual basketball fans are well aware of the pride James holds for his high school alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary, in Akron, Ohio. The school has been laced with exclusive green and gold sneakers since the early days of the line, which made this a fitting PE to finally make available to the public 14 years after it was first seen. —Zac Dubasik

Release Date: Nov. 11, 2011

Retail Price: $170

With the monumental task of following the "South Beach" 8 in the line's lineage of Pre-Heat colorways, Nike delivered the "Cannon" Nike LeBron 9. Initially, many believed the shoe to be a nod to the local Miami Hurricanes, and that colorway did come later, but its actual backstory is a bit more intricate. Continuing to pull cues from James' new hoop home, the militaristic look was tied to Elgin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field, where the Heat held training camp to prepare for the 2010-11 season. Initially released as a Miami exclusive before a wider launch, the energy style helped set the tone for what's widely considered one of the best LeBron signature sneakers. There's also some on-court history with the "Cannon" 9—James laced up a pair for the star-studded South Florida All-Star Classic ahead of the NBA's lockout in October 2011. —Brandon Richard

Release Date: Feb. 16, 2018

Retail Price: $255

The Kith x Nike LeBron collection was important for a number of reasons. At the time, a Nike Basketball collaboration of its scope was unheard of. Kith founder Ronnie Fieg worked closely with LeBron, designer Jason Petrie, and Nike's Tim Day to create an expansive collection that included apparel, accessories, and both lifestyle and performance footwear. One of the sneaker highlights was this "King's Cloak" LeBron 15, an on-court version of the shoe which added a zipper up the center seam. In addition to the zipper, the standout feature of this style was its elaborate floral embroidery throughout the knitted upper. Among the most limited of the Kith x LeBron sneakers, it's also one of the most valuable, with pairs regularly reselling for over $1,000 and a recent sale of more than $2,000. There's also a friends and family Lifestyle version in the same colorway for those who are really looking to splurge. —Riley Jones

Release Date: Aug. 10, 2013

Retail Price: $500

Remember the glory days of Nike Basketball? Remember the wild colorways and overwrought designs that fetched hundreds of dollars? Remember the lineups and early social media frenzy over limited sneakers from LeBron, Kobe, and KD? Remember when LeBron's sneaker line had a yearly regular season offering, a low version, and a beefed-up postseason version? These recollections demand mention of the Nike LeBron 10 "Champ Pack," a two-sneaker box set from 2013 that celebrated LeBron James' second consecutive championship with the Miami Heat. The package retailed for $500. The shoes in it, LeBron 10 PS Elite and a LeBron 10 Low, were sufficiently gaudy for Miami outings, dressed in black, red, gold, and floral patterns. The duo might look clunky or brash now, with basketball sneakers waning in importance, but they were undoubtedly a fitting marker of that moment—for both LeBron and sneakers as a whole—when they released in August 2013. Maybe you had to be there. —Brendan Dunne

Release Date: Dec. 30, 2017

Retail Price: $200

The LeBron 15 represents a resurgence of sorts for LeBron's signature line. After a few years of lackluster showings compounded following the insane popularity of pairs like the 8, 9, and 10, the 15 righted the ship with a renewed focus on lifestyle appeal the recent pairs had lacked. To ensure the 15 crossed over appropriately, Nike tapped one of streetwear's biggest names, Kith founder Ronnie Fieg. The relationship began in September 2018 when LeBron made a surprise appearance to close out Kith's "Kith Sport" Spring 2018 runway show at New York Fashion Week to the tune of Jay-Z and Kanye West's "H.A.M." One of the first pairs to actually release as a result of the partnership was the "Rose Gold" colorway of the 15, designated for performance use, that had been given a premium remix by Fieg with the addition of a rose gold Riri zipper down the center of each foot's blush-pink Battleknit upper. LeBron would ultimately lace up the collab during a memorable Christmas Day matchup with the Golden State Warriors. It was released to the public a few days later on his birthday alongside two of Fieg's lifestyle versions of the 15 as part of the first chapter of the "Long Live the King" collection. Not only is it one of the best LeBrons ever, it's one of Fieg's best efforts as well. —Mike DeStefano

Release Date: Aug. 1, 2010

Retail Price: $160

The LeBron 7 is regarded as one of the best LeBron models by many, but it came at an interesting point in the player's career. He was seemingly at the top of his game—he would be awarded his second straight MVP award that season, but what fans didn't know was that it would also be the last shoe that King James would lace up as a Cleveland Cavalier for his first stint with the team. Like it did with the LeBron 6 a year prior, Nike decided to celebrate LeBron's latest MVP honors with a commemorative colorway of the 7. The "MVP" 7 swapped out the usual Flywire panels across the upper for quilted gray fleece, while a dual-layered wine and gold chenille Swoosh furthered the classic letterman jacket theme. Finishing touches included gold metal top eyelets, a special “MVP” insignia stitched on the medial heel, "Witness History" etched across each heel tab, and a gold-flaked translucent sole, an intricacy carried over from the "MVP" 6. All in all, there's no way to really deny how beautiful the execution here is. But it's made that much better for what it commemorates. Nike even brought it back for a retro run in June 2020 proving just how memorable the color scheme was among plenty of great 7s that released back in 2010. —Mike DeStefano

Release Date: Nov. 11, 2006

Retail Price: $150

Though he's never called it home, LeBron James has always expressed an affinity for playing in New York City. Like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant before him, James viewed road games against the Knicks as an opportunity to showcase his talent on the biggest stage there is—Madison Square Garden. In November 2006, he marked his return to “The Mecca” by breaking out a special "Graffiti" colorway of the Nike LeBron 4 tagged with a scrawl that would look at home on the city's walls. The day before the game, Nike opened a pop-up shop in SoHo to launch the LeBron 4, including a limited run of the "Graffiti" colorway. Hundreds camped out ahead of the opening, making quick work of the shop's 250 pair allotment. James went on to wear an alternate PE colorway in the 2007 All-Star Game, but that version never made it to retail. To this day, Nike has yet to retro the LeBron 4, but the "Graffiti" colorways were celebrated with releases of corresponding makeups of the LeBron 17 earlier this year. —Brandon Richard

Release Date: Sept. 2, 2011

Retail Price: $150

Oh, what could have been. This flashy version of the LeBron 8 V/2 Low had its story spoiled by fate and the Dallas Mavericks. The shoe was originally designed as a celebratory colorway meant to release once LeBron James and the Miami Heat won an NBA title in 2011. Its graphic and radiant upper represented the confetti that would surely fall after James secured his first championship in South Beach. Except it didn't happen, not until the next year at least. And while this shoe didn't get the moment it originally deserved—rather than a grand rollout, Nike dropped pairs overseas in summer 2011 and then did a limited launch that September at NikeTown in Miami—it still stands as one of the best examples of how bright and bold basketball sneakers could be at the time. LeBron's Lows have generally not been very impactful, but the LeBron 8 Low is the best of the bunch and this rare makeup is the best colorway of the model. —Brendan Dunne

Release Date: Dec. 30, 2006

Retail Price: $150

The Nike Zoom LeBron 4 is unlike any other sneaker in the line. For starters, it's a Foamposite. LeBron James's early sneakers all resembled boots to some degree, but this sneaker took it to another level. A basketball sneaker doesn't get much more indestructible than the LeBron 4. But its design is also not par for the course for a Foamposite sneaker. The midsole has a wave-like flow up the side of it, making it stand out from the upper. The most memorable colorway of the LeBron 4 (to release, at least) was the "Birthday" pair made for, you guessed it, James's birthday on Dec. 30, 2006. The sneakers were a members-only release on Nike.com, making them a tad more exclusive. (Other LeBron 4 colorways released as regional exclusives.) The colorway of shoe—white, orange, and blue—was a throwback to Cleveland Cavaliers uniforms of yesteryear. The shoes themselves came in a special dopp-kit-like bag and the Knicks-esque colorway of the shoes gave the New York faithful an inkling of hope that James would sign with the Knicks one day. All they were left with was a good pair of shoes. —Matt Welty

Release Date: Feb. 23, 2013

Retail Price: $250

In 2013, LeBron James was on top of the world. He had, for the first time in the NBA season the year prior, become a champion. His already long list of career accolades now included a title win and a Finals MVP award with the Miami Heat. (He and Team USA also casually picked up a gold medal at the London Olympics that year.) A celebration was in order. Well after the locker-room festivities, parades, and rings, the celebration took shape in sneaker form with the LeBron 10 EXT "Cork." The design challenged conceptions of what a modern basketball shoe could look like, replacing the tech materials with actual cork in reference to the many bottles popped after that championship win. In fact, it was less a basketball shoe than any Nike LeBron before it, this one created with Nike Sportswear, the more lifestyle-leaning division of Nike. It came in a time when every sneaker brand was convinced that every sneaker needed a story, Few LeBron sneakers of that era told their story as well as this one. —Brendan Dunne

Release Date: Dec. 3, 2009

Retail Price: $160

In 2009, it was clear LeBron James was going to be a special kind of superstar, but he had yet to win a title and was far from the battle-hardened veteran we know today. Still finding his stride, James was in his first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers when the team hit the road to take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden early in the 2009-10 NBA season. The then-24-year-old showed flashes of greatness, shooting 12-for-17 and dropping 33 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds on the hometeam. He did so in the "Red Carpet" LeBron 7, a shoe notable for not matching the Cavaliers' uniforms during an era when the league had stricter rules about sneaker colors. Nevertheless, no reports of fines ever surfaced, and the colorway went on to become one of the most popular LeBron 7s. Designated as NFW (no Flywire) compared to its Flywire-equipped counterparts, this LeBron 7 was one of a few OG colorways to receive the retro treatment when it re-released in October 2019. —Riley Jones

Release Date: Feb. 13, 2004

Retail Price: $110

It seems hard to believe there was ever a time when LeBron James was in the NBA and wasn't an All-Star, but he actually missed the cut his rookie season—despite posting solid numbers and largely delivering on the massive expectations placed upon him. James was still at All-Star Weekend in 2004, though, and had a sneaker for the occasion that went on to become one of the line’s most memorable. He laced up the "Wheat" Timberland-style colorway for a Rookie Challenge game that also featured the likes of Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade as they took on a sophomore class that included Amar'e Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, and Manu Ginóbili. The sneaker dropped at retail that same All-Star Weekend, and then returned as a retro in 2018. A similar colorway dropped a year prior for All-Star 2017 in the form of a Vachetta Tan edition, but the original nubuck version is the one with all the history. —Zac Dubasik

Release Date: Feb. 24, 2012

Retail Price: $170

Flanked by a Kobe 7 and a KD 4, the LeBron 9 "Big Bang" highlighted Nike's 2012 "All-Star" Pack that took the basketball sneaker world by storm. All three sneakers featured galactic color schemes, but the striking orange makeup of the King's signature shoe set it apart from the rest. Inspired by space suits of Ohio astronauts, a NASA-style lion patch is stamped on the tongue, while a colorful array of cosmic hues take shape on its inner lining. While James' Eastern Conference squad eventually lost the game by three, LeBron managed to rack up 36 points to go along with six rebounds and seven assists with this vibrant pair laced up on his feet. —Ben Felderstein

Release Date: Nov. 5, 2003

Retail Price: $100

Despite its name, the "First Game" Air Zoom Generation technically wasn't the pair worn by LeBron for his first professional game. That distinction went to the Air Zoom Generation's white, black, and red makeup, worn by James during his first NBA regular season game, a road contest against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 29, 2003. Still, the "First Game" Air Zoom Generation is important in its own right, having been laced up by LeBron during his first home game in Cleveland. Days after the season opener, the Cavaliers hosted the Denver Nuggets from the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (then the Gund Arena), and that's when James finally broke out this historic pair. The Cavaliers took an L—their fourth in a row—and LeBron didn't have a particularly noteworthy showing, but this is a case where the sneakers outshine the on-court moment. There aren't many players with a sneaker legacy like LeBron, and this is where it all started. —Riley Jones

Release Date: Oct. 16, 2010

Retail Price: $160

There's really no arguing against the "South Beach" LeBron 8 being the best LeBron sneaker of all time. LeBron James taking his talents to South Beach after seven seasons as a Cleveland Cavalier was going to be the biggest basketball news of Summer 2010 regardless. The jerseys had already been burned in Cleveland. He was already painted as the NBA's biggest villain after his infamous "The Decision" telecast. But Nike still had to make sure to mark the move to Miami with a splash of its own to guarantee that King James' first shoe as a member of the Heat would be unforgettable. The brand did it in a major way with this Miami Vice-inspired color scheme of the LeBron 8, the first of the "Pre-Heat" releases that have become a Nike Basketball standard ever since.

Its Filament Green leather upper was like nothing we had seen from the Nike LeBron line up to that point. Swapping in the hot pink extra laces (a mandatory move) was the perfect detail to make the shoe stand out even more, even during an era full of brightly colored sneakers. It even sparked a trend all its own that saw the teal and pink color palette dress everything from Air Max NMs to Asics Gel-Lyte IIIs at the time. Quite frankly, the "South Beach" 8 was unavoidable in 2010, no matter how closely you followed sneakers. It remains a grail for many because of that hype, LeBron fan or not. Thankfully, Nike is supposed to be blessing us with a retro release in 2021. Dust off your Florida Marlins fitted caps and call your sneaker plugs now. It's going to be a moment, just like it was 11 years ago. Sneaker culture is more mainstream than ever in 2020. Every week is filled with coveted pairs, but one could argue that we don't get to this point without this shoe. —Mike DeStefano