Brendan Dunne 
The LeBron 11 is the next evolution in LeBron James’ footwear line, with the striking model meant to sustain the incredible level of play that he’s been putting in for the past couple of years. The pair manages to set itself apart from King James’ most recent signature models via both its shorter build and the arrangement of the various Nike technologies used – among them Hyperposite, Dynamic Flywire, and Full Length Zoom Air. There’s a lot to review in this masterpiece of a design, which speaks directly to the heyday of Posite and the Alpha Project in the early 2000’s, which is where designer Jason Petrie got his start with the brand. Continue on for a detailed look at the new LeBron 11, one featuring the October 12th “Parachute Gold” colorway, that zooms in on each of these facets of the upcoming design.
Nike LeBron XI
Parachute Gold/Arctic Green-Dark Loden-Black
616175-700
10/12/13
$200
The LeBron 11 is immediately striking for the slightly lower height it offers up in contrast to the LeBron 10. The drop off in height isn’t one as drastic as that jump by the shoes of his Nike Basketball brethren Kevin Durant from the Nike KD V to the new KD 6, but it’s certainly a noticeable one nonetheless. Make no mistake it’s still on the chunky side as far as basketball sneakers are concerned, a decision that certainly makes sense given the player they’re built for.
The LeBron 11 is built out with Nike’s tough shell Hyperposite technology, a new material that serves as an evolutionary phase that started with Foamposite in the mid-90’s. The Posite approach is not a new one for the LeBron line, but it is one that’s been absent for a number of years; prior to this was the Nike Zoom LeBron 5 using a hidden Phyposite endo-skeleton, and the Nike Zoom LeBron IV, which sported a much more visible Foamposite design on the exterior. The return of the material across the LeBron 11 is one that seems to be part of a bigger wave of Posite shoes from Nike Basketball including the likes of the Nike Hyperposite.
The LeBron 11 is locked down thanks to the Dynamic Flywire pieces of the sneaker that peek through the Posite and Hyperfuse panels. Dynamic Flywire has been around on the LeBron line since the Nike Air Max LeBron 7, with each successive shoe since then sort of tucking that treatment more and more out of sight. Remember that when it made its debut on the aforementioned LeBron 7 it was via a gridded treatment that criss-crossed the upper that immediately made its presence clear.
Perhaps the most noticeable of changes from LeBron X to LeBron 11 is the removal of any sort of Visible Air cushioning, making the first pair in his signature series to skip out on some sort of see-through bottom since the Nike Zoom LeBron VI. There’s still a smooth ride though – it’s just been stowed away on the insole – which is inscribed with “Full Length Nike Zoom” to let you know what you’re riding on. What’s more that insole is a LunarLon one which means that the sneakers are plenty soft under the foot. Beneath that there’s an outsole built to withstand the sort of force that King James comes with on the court between the tough midfood plate and the traction oriented, almost XDR looking pattern that flanks said plate.
Photos: Long7
