[pageLogInLogOut]

#Retail & Brands

Propulsion and protection: Nike unveils the LeBron XXI

The LeBron XXI is built for basketball’s next generation. LeBron didn’t need to look very far to find his muse for the shoe: his 8-year-old daughter, Zhuri. Inspired by the notion of protection for the modern player, the shoe’s upper is inspired by an oyster shell, protecting the pearl inside.

What to know

• The LeBron XXI evolves the low-cut profile of the LeBron XX with premium lightweight materials modeled after the properties of an oyster shell. The shoe is built to serve the next generation and is inspired by LeBron’s daughter, Zhuri.

• Underfoot, the shoe features a Zoom Turbo unit in the forefoot; a bottom-loaded, 13-millimeter Zoom unit in the heel; and a full-length Cushlon 2.0 foam carrier.


Using lightweight materials, the upper’s venting is striated to look like the veining of a shell, helping contain the player during explosive movements. That containment is visualized by a lightweight mono-mesh reinforced by 360 degrees of zonal cables around the midfoot, helping support and secure the player over the footbed. Perforations on the medial Swoosh provide enhanced breathability. Underfoot, the shoe features a Zoom Turbo unit in the forefoot and a bottom-loaded, 13-millimeter Zoom unit to support propulsion. A full-length Cushlon 2.0 foam carrier for a pillowy feel and a TPU midfoot shank provides stability and extra pop for dynamic movements.

“As we took our next steps from the LeBron XX, we were inspired by the way LeBron maintains his body and his game during the offseason,” says Jason Petrie, Lead Designer for the LeBron XXI. “His trainer says it's like taking care of an F1 car. You tweak the car between each race. You don’t need to rebuild the car completely. We wanted to retain some of the elements we know he loved, like the Zoom Turbo unit, but refine some of the finishes in the upper.”




The shoe features other qualities inspired by an oyster shell. Exposed construction on the foxing gives a shell-like appearance The perforated foam tongue is quilted, also imitating a shell’s appearance and providing a plush feel. 

LeBron XXI © 2023 Nike
LeBron XXI © 2023 Nike


The LeBron XXI, available in full family sizing, releases globally beginning September 28.



More News from Nike

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Nike unites innovation, design and product teams to accelerate athlete-centered innovation

Nike, Jordan Brand and Converse are joining forces under a new, athlete-focused creation structure aimed at accelerating innovation and driving growth across NIKE, Inc. The new setup unites the Innovation, Design and Product teams from all three brands into a single “creation engine” that will enable greater sharing of insights, technology and manufacturing methods throughout the innovation process. This integration is part of Nike’s new Sport Offense strategy and is designed to enhance the creation of products that help athletes perform at their best.

#Retail & Brands

Nike and NFL launch Rivalries program with new uniforms and fan gear inspired by communities

Nike and the National Football League are announcing Rivalries, a new and exciting uniform and fan gear program that will give athletes and fans an opportunity to connect like never before. The program will elevate NFL rivalry games over the next four seasons with specially designed Nike uniforms and fan gear. Rivalries will drive fan engagement by celebrating storied traditions and uniting communities with unique and elevated product designs.

#Retail & Brands

NIKE reports fiscal 2024 first quarter results

“Q1 offered proof of what NIKE can deliver when we connect great innovation, great storytelling and great marketplace experiences to consumers,” said John Donahoe, President & CEO, NIKE, Inc. “Moving forward, we are laser-focused on scaling these successes with greater consistency and speed as we continue to integrate and streamline our business. This is how we’ll extend our leadership position and drive growth over the long-term.”**

More News on Retail & Brands

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Recover™ secures multi-year recycled cotton agreement with H&M

Recover™ has signed a multi-year agreement with H&M to support the integration of its recycled cotton fiber, RCotton, for use in H&M’s products. Since early 2024, H&M and Recover™ have collaborated on product development, which now enables scaled commercial introduction of Recover™ mechanically recycled cotton into H&M’s collections.

#Sustainability

GORE-TEX® KIDSWEAR launches innovative membership scheme for kids’ jackets

With its revolutionary new membership model, GORE-TEX® Kidswear now offers families a simple, flexible and sustainable way of kitting out their children in top-quality jackets. It is aimed at the parents of children aged between five and ten and kicks off with a choice of functional winter jackets.

#Sustainability

H&M Foundation funds pioneering initiative to build the factories of the future

The H&M Foundation is committing SEK 53 million (approx. EUR 5 million) towards Future Forward Factories, a five-year initiative led by Fashion for Good, to address fashion’s most polluting stage: tier 2 textile processing.

#Natural Fibers

Better Cotton Initiative marks World Cotton Day with launch of innovative product label

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has launched an innovative product label for the fashion and textile sectors which allows retailer and brand members to provide consumers with greater clarity about the origin and percentage of BCI Cotton in their products.

Latest News

#Associations

European Business Coalition welcomes provisional application of EU–Mercosur Agreement and calls for Swift and full implementation

With the European Commission’s decision to provisionally apply the EU–Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement, a process spanning more than 25 years now moves decisively into its implementation phase.

#Recycled_Fibers

Selenis to double capacity in Portugal by Q3 2027 - Accelerating the Global transition to circular and low-carbon polyesters

Selenis, a global leader in high-performance specialty polyesters and part of the IMG Group, has announced a transformational expansion of its industrial headquarters in Portalegre, Portugal. This strategic investment is set to double the site’s production capacity by the third quarter of 2027, significantly accelerating the industrial scale-up of bio-based, medical-grade, and circular co-polyesters.

#Technical Textiles

Independent testing confirms no detectable PFAS in Milliken firefighter turnout gear fabrics

Independent laboratory testing has confirmed that Milliken fabrics used in the manufacturing of firefighter turnout gear contain no detectable PFAS, based on third-party analysis conducted by Forever Analytical, an independent laboratory specializing in screening products and environmental samples for the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

#Home Textiles

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles returns in August as global sourcing hub and trend barometer for home textiles industry

Following the conclusion of Heimtextil last month, the flagship fair in Messe Frankfurt’s global home and contract textiles portfolio, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition will return 18 – 20 August 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Building on the momentum generated in Frankfurt, the Shanghai fair will reinforce its position as the foremost home and contract textile platform in Asia – successfully bridging the gap between East and West, and connecting global product trends, supply-chain shifts, and buyer demand in one marketplace.

TOP