After numerous teasers from LeBron James and his sons Bronny and Bryce during several basketball runs this summer, the newest sneaker in King James’ signature line has officially been revealed.
In a move that may surprise longtime fans of the line, the Nike LeBron 20 becomes the first performance hoops shoe in James’ signature line to debut as a low-top silhouette. Despite that shift, the ample underfoot cushioning remains intact as the forefoot is equipped with a top-loaded Air Zoom Turbo unit while the heel features an even larger Zoom Air unit.
According to the Swoosh, the Nike LeBron 20 also features some of the most celebrated tech in past LeBron models, including the Nike Sphere ankle collar lining, which was first used in the Air Zoom Generation. There’s also a carbon fiber shank plate in the midfoot that was pulled from the Zoom LeBron 5, while the Dunkman logo returns to the outsole after last appearing in the LeBron 16.
“We saw the 20 as a chance to celebrate the next 20 years for LeBron,” Jason Petrie, the senior footwear designer for Men’s Basketball and lead designer of the LeBron line since the Zoom LeBron 7, said in the press release. “The stitched tag inside the tongue says, ‘Designed and Engineered to the Exact Specifications of the Next Generation.’ We took that line seriously as we designed the shoe. We had players like LeBron’s sons Bronny and Bryce in mind. We wanted to get in their heads and learn about what young players were looking for.”
The Nike LeBron 20 will make its retail debut in the “Time Machine” colorway on Sept. 29 at Nike.com and at select Nike Basketball retailers for $200. Additional styles will launch this holiday season.
