Our verdict

The nike terra LeBron NXXT Gen is a badass shoe, we just have to be very clear on this. As a lightened version of the LeBron 20, it fuses LeBron's famous impact protection with an excellent ground lebron which results in more solid control over footwork. We highly recommend getting this shoe if you plan to get aggressive on the court.

Usps X nike terra Air Force 1 Low Experimental United State Pros

  • Top-notch traction
  • Lightest LeBron shoe (as of 2023)
  • Nice bounce in the forefoot
  • Dunk Low SB "Court Purple"
  • Effective foot containment
  • Very comfortable wraparound lebron
  • Quality materials
  • Standout design and colors

Usps X nike terra Air Force 1 Low Experimental United State Cons

  • nike terra React Element 55 herresko Olive
  • Still kinda expensive

Audience verdict

90
Great!

Who should buy

In addition to Lebron James' fans, we think that this signature shoe from Nike is perfect for players who:

  • want a quick, responsive, and light hoop shoe
  • look for a cheaper alternative to the LeBron 20
  • love stylish silhouettes that stand out and make a statement on the court

nike terra sb dunk dow walker bq6827 300 buy it now review

Usps X nike terra Air Force 1 Low Experimental United State | Who should NOT buy

Unexpectedly for a Lebron shoe, the NXXT Gen has a snug one-to-one fit. Wide footers are going to be better off with the nike terra LeBron Witness 7 instead.

Even though it is a step-down version of the Lebron 20 and is $40 cheaper, it still remains among the priciest options on the market. If price is a deal-breaker for you, check out Kevin Durant's signature shoe, the KD 15.

nike terra sb dunk dow walker bq6827 300 buy it now lab test

Breathability

The NXXT GEN is a toasty one. With its sturdy upper materials, the shoe doesn't allow heat to escape from the interiors. Having pumped smoke through its upper, we saw only a little streak coming out on the other side. Thus, the shoe gets as little as 2 out of 5 for breathability.

Looking at the upper material through our microscope, there is not even a slight hint of perforations.

nike terra lebron nxxt gen microscope 20231839 720

From the inside, the upper is also reinforced with foam padding and neoprene-ish lining, leaving no "breathing room" either.

nike terra sb dunk dow walker bq6827 300 buy it now microscope upper

There is a small ventilation spot on the inner side of the upper though. It can be seen in our transparency test below. This little window is not covered by the in-shoe padding allowing mesh to do its job.

Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 2
Average 2.5
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
1
Breathability
5

Usps X nike terra Air Force 1 Low Experimental United State | Durability

Toebox durability

The shoe's upper material has an average level of durability for a basketball shoe.

After a 12-second encounter with our Dremel at the speed of 10K RPM, the shoe's toebox got only moderately damaged. We didn't get to a see-through hole and the shoe remained wearable.

For that reason, we rated its toebox durability as 3 on a scale from 1 to 5.

It is certainly not as sturdy as the Lebron 20 men nike terra air max 2019 running shoes kpu sku4365296 latest nike terra Running run division miler T-shirt in zwart.

nike terra sb dunk dow walker bq6827 300 buy it now toebox durability comparison

zapatillas de running nike terra tope amortiguación minimalistas maratón talla 43 amarillas

You can also see a suede piece embracing the toebox upfront. That really helps to protect the upper mesh from the aggressive toe drags.

Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 3
Average 3.8
Compared to 27 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

The heel padding of the NXXT GEN also showed off its wear resistance. This delicate part of the shoe performed a little better than most hoop shoes in our lab.

After 4 seconds of drilling it with a Dremel, the tear was not detrimental to the shoe's overall performance and comfort, earning a rating of 3 out of 5.

Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 3
Average 3.5
Compared to 24 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

Assessing the shoe's rubber outsole, we found its durability to be quite promising too.

First, we pressed a durometer against the rubber to measure its hardness. With a reading of 84.5 HC, it turns out to be harder than average. That translates to a higher chance of longer shelf life.

nike terra lebron nxxt gen outsole hardness 20231815 main
Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 84.5 HC
Average 81.8 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
59.5 HC
Outsole hardness
91.0 HC

Outsole thickness

Measuring the shoe's outsole with a caliper, we found it to be of average thickness at 3.8 mm.

Combined with the hardness, this gives us a solid base for hundreds of hours on the court. We can even recommend the shoe for occasional outdoor use for that reason.

nike terra sb dunk dow walker bq6827 300 buy it now Outsole thickness
Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 3.8 mm
Average 4.0 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
0.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.9 mm

Weight

Футболка синяя найк nike have earned a reputation for being heavy. But the nike terra LeBron NXXT GEN breaks away from that. At 13.1 oz (372 g), it is a lot lighter than the average for LeBron shoes (14.3 oz or 406g).

nike terra sb dunk dow walker bq6827 300 buy it now jump

It also turns out to be lighter than our lab-tested hoop shoes on average (13.7 oz or 387g). 

Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 13.12 oz (372g)
Average 14.18 oz (402g)
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
11.29 oz (320g)
Weight
17.46 oz (495g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

The amount of cushioning in the NXXT GEN is exactly the same as in the Lebron 20. Using a caliper, we measured its heel stack height at 26.9 mm.

nike terra sb dunk dow walker bq6827 300 buy it now Heel stack

The shoe also features the exact same Zoom Air units as its older sibling. This gives a green light to those hard landings and heel-dominant strikes.

nike terra lebron nxxt gen stack height 20231845 720

Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 26.9 mm
Average 30.1 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
25.2 mm
Heel stack
38.4 mm

Forefoot stack

Measuring the forefoot stack height, we found its thickness to be the same 22 mm as in the Lebron 20. The large Zoom Air unit is still there, adding a sweet bounce to every jump.

nike terra lebron nxxt gen forefoot stack 20231818 main
Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 22.0 mm
Average 21.7 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
18.2 mm
Forefoot stack
25.2 mm

Drop

The heel-to-toe differential in the nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart turns out to be 4.9 mm. This is lower than the average 7 mm of our lab-tested basketball shoes.

nike terra lebron nxxt gen drop 20231821 720

Placing the foot more parallel to the ground results in a more grounded experience. We are happy with the fine balance of cushioning and ground lebron that the NXXT provides. It follows in the footsteps of the Lebron 20 in that regard.

As you can see from the photo below, the cushioning setups are pretty much identical in these two shoes.

nike-lebron-20-inside-view.JPG

nike terra Lebron 20

Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 4.9 mm
Average 8.4 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
4.4 mm
Drop
14.8 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

While those Zoom Air units do an amazing job of adding spring to the feet, the carrying foam remains on the firm side.

nike terra dunk high premium undefeated bringback pack sneakersshoes.

nike terra sb dunk dow walker bq6827 300 buy it now Midsole softness

But we aren't here to complain about that! This is what makes the shoe so grounded and stable. We actually think that this is one of the best setups for balancing impact protection and court lebron.

Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 30.6 HA
Average 26.2 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
11.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
35.9 HA

Insole thickness

A padded insole complements the shoe's primary cushioning. Measuring it with a caliper, we found that at 3.6 mm it is a little thinner than average.

nike terra sb dunk dow walker bq6827 300 buy it now Insole thickness
Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 3.6 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
0.0 mm
Insole thickness
8.6 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

For a s compared to the original Lebron 20, it retains a solid level of support and stability.

From the stiff shank in the midfoot to the firm hold of the upper materials, our feet felt safely contained inside the NXXT GEN.

Torsional rigidity

The stiff midfoot shank is very helpful in stabilizing the foot for agile multi-directional movements. Having twisted the shoe sideways in our manual test, we rated its torsional rigidity as 4 out of 5. Nearly the stiffest in our range!

Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 4
Average 4.5
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

Our heels and ankles felt securely contained inside the NXXT GEN.

On a 1-5 scale where 5 is the stiffest, we rated its heel counter stiffness as 3. This is a little less rigid than the average but solid enough for a proper hold.

Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 3
Average 3.5
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

The NXXT GEN doesn't have as wide an outrigger as the Lebron 20. Measuring the widest part of the forefoot with a caliper (107.9 mm), we found that it is a few millimeters narrower than the original.

But in our opinion, this is a rather small sacrifice to make if you want to experience the lightest Lebron shoe in the series. It is in no way detrimental to the shoe's stability.

nike terra lebron nxxt gen midsole width in the forefoot 20231824 main
Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 107.9 mm
Average 113.9 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
106.2 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
122.2 mm

Midsole width in the heel

To reassure you of the shoe's ample stability, the widest part of its heel (90.3 mm) is still the same as the average.

nike terra sb dunk dow walker bq6827 300 buy it now Midsole width in the heel
Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 90.3 mm
Average 91.6 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
82.4 mm
Midsole width in the heel
105.1 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

The nike terra sb dunk dow walker bq6827 300 buy it now finds a way to be flexible despite the shank and the Zoom Air unit embedded into its sole.

We used a gauge to measure how much force it takes to bend the shoe to a 90-degree angle. Turns out, only 32.4N! This is 30% less than it takes on average.

Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 32.4N
Average 40.8N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
29.9N
Stiffness
67.2N

Grip / Traction

Whether the court is clean or dirty, it doesn't make any difference to the mighty bite of this Lebron shoe. It requires minimal wiping and remains consistent on both indoor and outdoor courts.

Cute fact: The shoe's tread pattern replicates the map of Akron, OH. This is a nod to LeBron James' roots.

nike terra lebron nxxt gen outsole 20231843 720

Size and fit

The nike terra Dri-FIT Pants combine a

At 98.9 mm in the widest part of the toebox, the shoe turns out to be a little narrower than average.

nike terra sb dunk dow walker bq6827 300 buy it now The nike terra Dri-FIT Pants combine a

For our medium-width feet, the NXXT GEN lebrons rather snug and precise. There is not much breathing room so if you need more space, it's better to go half-size up.

nike terra sb dunk dow walker bq6827 300 buy it now fit

Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 98.9 mm
Average 100.9 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
92.6 mm
The nike terra Dri-FIT Pants combine a
108.2 mm

nike terra foot locker washington heights new york store

This LeBron shoe also tapers a bit more than the other basketball shoes we've measured. With a width of 74.9 mm around the big toe, the NXXT GEN is narrower than the average by a few millimeters.

nike terra sb dunk dow walker bq6827 300 buy it now nike terra foot locker washington heights new york store
Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 74.9 mm
Average 76.8 mm
Compared to 30 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
71.2 mm
nike terra foot locker washington heights new york store
85.1 mm

nike terra Air Max Plus III Tiger Black

A fully-gusseted tongue really enhances the lockdown capacities of this shoe. There was no sliding of the foot or the tongue even during the most shifty situations on the court.

nike terra lebron nxxt gen tongue gusset type 20231831 main
Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart Both sides (full)

Comfort

Tongue padding

The tongue is very generously padded in the NXXT GEN shoe. We measured its thickness at 10.2 mm. It offers plenty of in-shoe comfort and guards the instep from lace pressure.

nike terra sb dunk dow walker bq6827 300 buy it now Tongue padding
Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart 10.2 mm
Average 9.2 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
nike terra Paris Saint-Germain Away Men's nike terra Dri-FIT Pre-Match Football Top
1.3 mm
Tongue padding
14.9 mm

Heel tab

The shoe has a small finger loop at the back but it acts more as a decorative element. It comes with an "XX" embellishment to signify the shoe's relation to the LeBron XX (or 20).

nike terra lebron nxxt gen heel tab 20231830 main
Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart Finger loop

Removable insole

For those who need to use custom orthotics with the shoe, the NXXT GEN has a removable insole.

nike terra lebron nxxt gen removable insole 20231833 main
Test results
nike terra Court Royale 2 Low Herenschoen Zwart Yes