Nike LeBron 15 REVIEW: Finally, a VERSATILE LeBron Shoe

It’s no secret that LeBron’s signature line is a true successor in providing quality performance models, for the most part. It’s also no secret that his shoes are catered towards his build and play style which means us guards don’t enjoy them as much as heavier forwards/centers do.

Today is different because this looks to be the first LeBron shoe that truly combines all the best technology to make a versatile, comfortable, mobile shoe that not only big guys would enjoy. With that said, here’s my Nike LeBron 15 review!

I’ll talk about the shoe’s tech specs, the fit, performance, the upper and decide if it’s worth the price.

SPEC SHEET

WEIGHT: 457 g. / 16.12 oz

TYPE: MID TOP

TECH: ZOOM AIR, MAX AIR, BATTLEKNIT, FLYWIRE

FIT: TRUE TO SIZE

COLORWAYS: 2+

MY RATING: 9.5/10

THE TECH

ZOOM AIR & MAX AIR

We have a blast from the past with this cushion setup that’s basically a modern take from the LeBron 10’s cushion. This is an articulated setup meaning that the heel, midfoot and forefoot areas are separated for smooth transitions and flexibility.

The heel consists of a ZOOM Air & Max Air combo, while the the forefoot and midfoot areas are strictly ZOOM. And to top it all off, the units sit under a thin foam midsole for responsiveness. We’ll talk more about the cushion but to hype you up – it’s really REALLY good.

BATTLEKNIT

A brand new name here but this is simply a stronger, more durable version of Flyknit that we all already know and love. It provides more support, structure and durability while still maintaining that super comfy feel of a soft knit.

FLYWIRE

As usual, we have a cable system that’s connected to the laces for proper lockdown and containment. The upper is a knit, so you’d think that the cables wouldn’t really have much to hold on but this version of a knit has plenty of structure, so the cables do their job well.

FIT

MAD COMFORTABLE

What did you expect from a premium shoe with a knit upper? Of course it’s comfortable. The moment I stepped in these, they felt 100% right immediately. No break-in, no slipping, no tightness, nothing like that at all. This is as perfect as it can get from a comfort standpoint.

I did go true to size as a wide footer and these fit me perfectly and not even on the snug side. That probably means regular footers would feel extremely free by going true to size. That’s why I recommend testing these out in a store if you can. If you’re a a narrow footer, definitely go down half a size with these.

Other than that, these are amazing in terms of comfort and overall fit. They’re comfortable, ridiculously soft, flexible and mobile but they still retain a good amount of security. One of the best shoes ever in terms of fit IMO.

PERFORMANCE

CUSHION

This is one of the most well-rounded, balanced and just the most fun to play in cushions EVER, period. Wasn’t a humongous fan of the LeBron 13’s or 14’s cushion but this is a whole different animal. I don’t know why they decided to change thnigs up drastically on the 15th but better late than never.

The heel provides an absolute ton of impact protection, bounce and fun, while the forefoot and midfoot areas provide more of a responsive ride to maximize speed and control over your movements. The awesome thing is, I didn’t feel super high off the ground even though it looks like the shoe has a very thick layer of units plus a midsole. In result, you get the best of both world while feeling comfy.

I felt moderately low to the ground, pretty stable and soooooo comfortable. This is not a setup for super low profile guards weighing 155 pounds. This works best for someone who’s a bit heavier and relies on athleticism a bit more than a light guard who plays under the rim.

TRACTION

The ‘Ashes’ colorway that I bought has a solid rubber outsole which gripped the floor really well. Played on a couple courts and it performed very well, minus some wiping here and there. These wouldn’t make my top 6 list of the best traction shoes but they’re still very good.

Dust sensitivity is a thing though, so be prepared to take care of your outsole if you’re not on a college-level court. I think you could play outdoors with these but they wouldn’t last as long as a dedicated outdoors shoe.

SUPPORT

This is definitely the most mobile, flexible and lightest feeling LeBron shoe, so you won’t get that tank-like support like you do from other models like the 13, 12 etc. This is a very different LeBron sneaker and it definitely feels that way.

In a cost of a loss of super strong support, you do get yourself way more freedom of movement, speed, comfort and lightness. This is a very awesome idea that gives you some support, great lockdown & containment and really emphasizes mobility this time.

If you’re really looking for that usual LeBron-like support, don’t buy these. If you’re looking for something way more balanced, the 15’s are great for that.

UPPER

FLYKNIT + STRUCTURE = 10/10

The main downsides of regular knit uppers are the lack of security and durability. This version of Flyknit, called BattleKnit, gives you both – that sweet comfort of Flyknit and actual support of that new, more structured in specific areas upper BattleKnit.

It’s very soft and thin in areas that aren’t crucial to protect but it gets way thicker and tighter in areas that need that extra reinforcement to assure stability, reliability and containment. It’s not the most breathable setup since it does get pretty damn thick in some areas but if that’s the main sacrifice, I’ll gladly take it.

If I had to compare it to something, it’d be Primeknit on the Crazy Explosive 2016/2017 but this one honestly feels even more secure for me.

OVERALL

BEST FOR EXPLOSIVE PLAYERS WHO PLAY WITH MORE FORCE

I can’t really recommend these to a Kyrie type of player but this is still a pretty versatile shoe. Incredible comfort, superb cushioning, great traction, lightweight support and a truly premium upper.

People, this is a winner. If you’re willing to pay for it, I bet you’d enjoy these as much as I did.