NIKE lebron 12 basketball shoe engineered for explosiveness

NIKE lebron 12 basketball

today NIKE launched the new lebron james signature basketball shoe, the the lebron 12 – designed to enhance his explosiveness while combining three key benefits: superior cushioning, harnessed support and natural flexibility. the new shoe features five visible, hexagonally-shaped nike zoom air bags in the outsole that enhance natural motion while providing accelerated explosiveness.

born in the lab
NIKE’s sport research lab provides the nike basketball design team with in-depth analysis on athletic performance and scientific testing. the lebron 12 was born in the lab, where scientific data and analysis substantiated the need for next-generation cushioning, support and flexibility.

this science-led insight was maximized for james while accounting for the diverse needs of athletes worldwide. the lead colorway, the lebron 12 nsrl, was inspired by the new shoe’s genesis in the lab.

james lebron at the launch of the lerbron 12 shoe
image © designboom

accelerated explosiveness
five visible, hexagonally-shaped nike zoom air bags deliver the same great cushioning it brought to footwear when first introduced to basketball in 1995; now the hexagonal nike zoom air is mapped to the pressure points of the foot where it’s most needed for basketball performance.

in tandem with the sole, the lightweight and breathable megafuse upper is designed to act as a molded second skin that minimizes weight and amplifies breathability and comfort.

the new shoe features five visible, hexagonally-shaped nike zoom air bags in the outsole that enhance natural motion while providing accelerated explosiveness with each step.

shoe elements
image © designboom

superior support
james runs approximately three miles per game, and the average player changes directions about 1,000 times over that distance, requiring supportive, comfortable footwear to withstand tremendous impact and torque. dynamic flywire cables provide lockdown support for james’s unrivaled combination of speed and strength. the upper is constructed for a precise fit, with hyperposite wings that deliver targeted support and protection.

outer side view

inner side view

top view

tongue detail

back of the shoe

tag detail on the back of the shoe

adult, junior and baby variations of the shoe
image © designboom

hexagonally-shaped nike zoom air bags in the outsole

james in action wearing the new shoe

james in action wearing the new shoe

lion artwork made from lebron 12 shoes by andy gellenberg

colorways
the initial seven lebron 12 colorways are inspired by james’s game, physical attributes and the analysis that went into the development of his latest signature shoe…

some of the lebron 12 colorways
image © designboom