First Look At The LeBron James x Nike Air Force 1 In Black Patent

Fit for a King.

Matt Varga October 24, 2025

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In case you hadn’t heard, the Nike Basketball x Nike Air Force 1 formula is back in a major way. The late Kobe Bryant was the canary in the coal mine in that regard, introducing the Nike Air Force 1 Low Protro with drop-in insoles via a “Soft Yellow” / “Frobe” colorway, then following that high heat launch with a run of snakeskin-coated editions that continue to pace the release calendar. The Ja Morant Air Force 1 was next up, teasing a run of special variations with his triangular logo.

As the LeBron 23 continues its monumental debut season, the King marks an unexpected entrant into that crowd. Citing his signature shoe isn’t just for contextual purposes, it’s a genuine inspiration in the “Black Patent” colorway that just hit social media feeds, lending its crown chassis for a remodel of the AF1 midsole.

Underfoot, you’ll spot another hardware change, shifting the typical star traction from Bruce Kilgore’s design into a radial/floral arrangement — it’s not entirely clear how that ties to James himself but it makes for a unique touch all the same. Lastly, outside of the black and gold overall colorway and leather lace options, the last point of intrigue comes in the packaging, a crown-laden black box depicted in the background of this first look shot.

The LeBron James x Nike Air Force 1 “Black Patent” is expected to release in December, clocking in at $200.

: LeBron James x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Black Patent” @frankiewalkersr

: LeBron James x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Black Patent” @frankiewalkersr

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WHERE TO BUY

Mens LeBron James x Nike Air Force 1

SKU: IO6129-001

RETAIL PRICE: $200

RELEASE DATE: 2026

US 2026

Retailer	Release type	Status
Nike SNKRS US	Standard	Check Site

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Written by

Matt Varga, Junior Editor

Matt Varga is an Editor at SneakerNews. Initially earning a degree in Video Arts and Technology, he got his start in video editing and writing in the music world — primarily on hip-hop and electronic. A long-standing interest in sneakers led him to switching over to footwear. An avid collector, his favorite sneaker of all time comes down to either the Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe” and Air Jordan 5 “Laney,” his first ever pick-ups. When he’s not writing, you can find Matt cooking, traveling, attending concerts and when weather permits, on the handball court.