Our verdict
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- Nike air max dawn boys dc9319-005 best Nike Lebron basketball shoes
Pros
- Top-notch traction
- Lightest LeBron shoe (as of 2023)
- Nice bounce in the forefoot
- A fine balance of court feel and impact protection
- Effective foot containment
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- Quality materials
- Standout design and colours
Cons
- Surprisingly not for wide feet
- Nike Air Max BW Lyon DM6445-001
Audience verdict
Comparison
The most similar basketball shoes compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audience score | 87 Great! | 82 Good! | 87 Great! | 85 Good! | |
Price | $160 | $90 | $70 | $85 | |
Signature | LeBron James | - | - | Giannis Antetokounmpo | |
Top | Low | Low | Mid | Low | |
Weight lab | 13.1 oz / 372g | 12.1 oz / 342g | 13.1 oz / 371g | 11.3 nike dunk high lx toasty pink white | |
Lightweight | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Breathability | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
Outdoor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Drop lab | 4.9 mm | 9.5 mm | 7.1 mm | 5.2 mm | |
Nike Jordan 1 Low Washed Denim UK 5.5 | 26.9 mm | 33.3 mm | 29.0 mm | 29.0 mm | |
Forefoot | 22.0 mm | 23.8 mm | 21.9 mm | 23.8 mm | |
Midsole softness | Firm | Balanced | Firm | Firm | |
Stiffness | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
Torsional rigidity | Moderate | Moderate | Flexible | Moderate | |
red suede nike air force 1 high | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | Moderate | |
Жіночі кросівки nike free 5.0 h2o repel | Narrow | Medium | Narrow | Medium | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Narrow | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Midsole width in the forefoot | Narrow | Average | Average | Average | |
Nike SB Dunk Low "Denim Gum" | Average | Very narrow | Average | Wide | |
Heel padding durability | Decent | - | Decent | - | |
Toebox durability | Decent | Decent | Decent | Decent | |
Insole thickness | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Outsole hardness | Average | Hard | Average | Average | |
Outsole thickness | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Heel tab | Finger loop | None | Finger loop | Finger loop | |
Ranking | #22 Top 50% | #35 Bottom 20% | #23 Bottom 47% | #29 Bottom 34% | |
Popularity | #20 Top 46% | #18 Top 41% | #30 Bottom 31% | #12 Top 28% |
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
atmos Nike Air Max 1 Animal Pack 3.0 | 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 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.
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.
From the inside, the upper is also reinforced with foam padding and neoprene-ish lining, leaving no "breathing room" either.
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.
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 2 |
Average | 2.4 |
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 but it has more abrasion resistance than the cheaper Nike Sportswear Metallic Club Fleece Hoodie.
NIKE BLAZER MID 77 VINTAGE SNEAKER UK 3.5 EU 36.5 WHITE LEDERSTIEFEL BQ686-16 vs. Nike Nike Sportswear Metallic Club Fleece Hoodie
You can also see a suede piece embracing the toebox upfront. That really helps to protect the upper mesh from the aggressive toe drags.
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 3 |
Average | 3.8 |
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.
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 3 |
Average | 3.6 |
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 BLAZER MID 77 VINTAGE SNEAKER UK 3.5 EU 36.5 WHITE LEDERSTIEFEL BQ686-16 Outsole hardness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39780/nike-lebron-nxxt-gen-outsole-hardness-20231815-main.jpg)
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 84.5 HC |
Average | 81.7 HC |
Outsole durability
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.
Outsole thickness
Measuring the shoe's outsole with a calliper, 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 BLAZER MID 77 VINTAGE SNEAKER UK 3.5 EU 36.5 WHITE LEDERSTIEFEL BQ686-16 Outsole thickness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39780/nike-lebron-nxxt-gen-outsole-thickness-20231813-main.jpg)
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 3.8 mm |
Average | 4.0 mm |
Weight
atmos Nike Air Max 1 Animal Pack 3.0 have earned a reputation for being heavy. But the Nike 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).
It also turns out to be lighter than our lab-tested hoop shoes on average (13.7 oz or 387g).
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 13.12 oz (372g) |
Average | 13.90 oz (394g) |
Cushioning
For those who need to use custom orthotics with the shoe, the NXXT GEN has a removable insole.
Heel stack
The amount of cushioning in the NXXT GEN is exactly the same as in the Lebron 20. Using a calliper, we measured its heel stack height at 26.9 mm.
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 Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 26.9 mm |
Average | 29.3 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 lebron nxxt gen forefoot stack 20231818 main](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39780/nike-lebron-nxxt-gen-forefoot-stack-20231818-main.jpg)
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 22.0 mm |
Average | 21.7 mm |
Drop
The heel-to-toe differential in the Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory turns out to be 4.9 mm. This is lower than the average 7 mm of our lab-tested basketball shoes.
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 feel 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
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 4.9 mm |
Average | 7.7 mm |
Midsole softness
While those Zoom Air units do an amazing job of adding spring to the feet, the carrying foam remains on the firm side.
Based on our durometer, the foam has a thickness of 30.6 HA. This is 10% firmer than the average.
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 feel.
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 30.6 HA |
Average | 25.6 HA |
Insole thickness
A padded insole complements the shoe's primary cushioning. Measuring it with a calliper, we found that at 3.6 mm it is a little thinner than average.
![NIKE BLAZER MID 77 VINTAGE SNEAKER UK 3.5 EU 36.5 WHITE LEDERSTIEFEL BQ686-16 Insole thickness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39780/nike-lebron-nxxt-gen-insole-thickness-20231823-main.jpg)
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 3.6 mm |
Average | 4.5 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 stabilising 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!
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 4 |
Average | 4.5 |
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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.
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 3 |
Average | 3.6 |
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 calliper (107.9 mm), we found that it is a few millimetres 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 lebron nxxt gen midsole width in the forefoot 20231824 main](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39780/nike-lebron-nxxt-gen-midsole-width-in-the-forefoot-20231824-main.jpg)
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 107.9 mm |
Average | 114.5 mm |
Nike SB Dunk Low "Denim Gum"
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 BLAZER MID 77 VINTAGE SNEAKER UK 3.5 EU 36.5 WHITE LEDERSTIEFEL BQ686-16 Nike SB Dunk Low "Denim Gum"](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39780/nike-lebron-nxxt-gen-midsole-width-in-the-heel-20231825-main.jpg)
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 90.3 mm |
Average | 90.4 mm |
Flexibility
Stiffness
The NIKE BLAZER MID 77 VINTAGE SNEAKER UK 3.5 EU 36.5 WHITE LEDERSTIEFEL BQ686-16 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.
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 32.4N |
Average | 39.8N |
Nike KD 10 Limited
Whether the court is clean or dirty, it doesn't make any difference to the mighty bite of this Lebron shoe. It requires minimal womens 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.
Size and fit
Жіночі кросівки nike free 5.0 h2o repel
At 98.9 mm in the widest part of the toebox, the shoe turns out to be a little narrower than average.
For our medium-width feet, the NXXT GEN feels 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 Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 98.9 mm |
Average | 101.5 mm |
Toebox width at the big toe
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 millimetres.
![nike lebron nxxt gen toebox width at the big toe 20231829 main](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39780/nike-lebron-nxxt-gen-toebox-width-at-the-big-toe-20231829-main.jpg)
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 74.9 mm |
Average | 76.7 mm |
Tongue: gusset type
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 BLAZER MID 77 VINTAGE SNEAKER UK 3.5 EU 36.5 WHITE LEDERSTIEFEL BQ686-16 Tongue: gusset type](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39780/nike-lebron-nxxt-gen-tongue-gusset-type-20231831-main.jpg)
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 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 BLAZER MID 77 VINTAGE SNEAKER UK 3.5 EU 36.5 WHITE LEDERSTIEFEL BQ686-16 Tongue padding](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39780/nike-lebron-nxxt-gen-tongue-padding-20231832-main.jpg)
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | 10.2 mm |
Average | 9.5 mm |
Heel tab
The shoe has a small finger loop at the back but it acts more as a decorative element. It Blast with an "XX" embellishment to signify the shoe's relation to the LeBron XX (or 20).
![nike lebron nxxt gen heel tab 20231830 main](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39780/nike-lebron-nxxt-gen-heel-tab-20231830-main.jpg)
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | Finger loop |
Removable insole
For those who need to use custom orthotics with the shoe, the NXXT GEN has a removable insole.
![NIKE BLAZER MID 77 VINTAGE SNEAKER UK 3.5 EU 36.5 WHITE LEDERSTIEFEL BQ686-16 Removable insole](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/39780/nike-lebron-nxxt-gen-removable-insole-20231833-main.jpg)
Nike Kyrie 7 Pale Ivory | Yes |