The LeBrons : Nike Zoom LeBron VI ‘Business’

Nike Basketball is celebrating The LeBrons this fall, and they’re dropping a shoe for each character this Saturday, October 25th! The four character set of LeBron James’ personalities of course includes Kid LeBron, Athlete LeBron, Business LeBron and Wise LeBron, and four versions of the Zoom LeBron VI, limited to 150 pairs each, will be released to tell the unique story of the King’s traits. Six stores will be receiving the pack this Saturday, including the House of Hoops locations in Harlem and Los Angeles, as well as NIKETOWN and Sportsland in Chicago, and Miami’s Shoe Gallery and Cleveland’s Next. The shoes will be sold individually, and each store is slated to receive 25 pairs of each version, accounting for 100 pairs at each of the six doors.

The ‘Business’ iteration of the Zoom LeBron VI conveys the smooth savvy and mature demeanor of Business LeBron’s personality. This man’s swag is undeniable. The upper consists of a pinstriped black wool, similar to the ‘Yankee’ Zoom LeBron V, used on the dominant panel that is drafted off of his trademark suit, and also includes premium black leather along the midsole and toe support overlay for some added texture and quality. A soft grey fabric highlights the heel collar and toe for a nice contrast from the rest of the upper, as well as a more dressy feel. The shoe is also full of details that might otherwise go unnoticed, as the underside of the tongue includes an image of Business, while the tongue includes a ‘The LeBrons’ call-out. Underneath the LeBron logo along the lateral collar and also along the insole, you’ll also find Business’ silhouette in red, and there’s subtle hits of red along the logos and liner as well. Each shoe in the pack has been styled by Nike Basketball’s graphic designer Erick Goto, and there’ll surely be quite a frenzy this weekend at each of the six aforementioned release locations.

words & images_Nick DePaula | Sole Collector Magazine

Nike Zoom LeBron VI ‘Business’ – Black/ White/ Shadow Grey/ Red

The LeBrons : Nike Zoom LeBron VI ‘Athlete’

For release details, be sure and check out the Zoom LeBron VI ‘Business’ post, otherwise, lets dive right on into the Zoom LeBron VI ‘Athlete’! In a sweet grey based colorway with hits of baltic blue and black along the upper, this Zoom LeBron VI, styled by Nike Basketball graphic designer Erick Goto, is inspired by King James and his off-court style. The upper is made of a matte silver jersey cotton-like material, surely a first for the LeBron signature series, while the toe cap support overlay is made of a rich and soft microsuede. These joints tell a great texture story, but the shoe is also highlighted by the hits of baltic blue along the tongue, lateral collar and semi-translucent outsole. The midsole is fabric wrapped with a unique graphite synthetic, and each of the stitch lines along the midsole incorporate a different contrasting color from the shoe. Just like the ‘Business,’ the Zoom LeBron VI ‘Athlete’ also includes several undercover details like LeBron’s mug on the underside of the tongue, his hoopin’ silhouette along the liner and on the underside of the lateral logo hit, and of course ‘The LeBrons’ hit along the tongue. A touch that I personally like is the break-up of the midsole along the heel, where the white foam wedge speeds up the shoe a bit.

words & images_Nick DePaula | Sole Collector Magazine

Nike Zoom LeBron VI ‘Athlete’ – Matte Silver/ Baltic Blue/ Black

The LeBrons : Nike Zoom LeBron VI ‘Kid’

For release details, be sure and check out the Zoom LeBron VI “Business” post, but lets give some shine to the youngin’ of the group – Kid LeBron! Of course the most lighthearted and carefree of the group, Kid LeBron is simple and easy going, much like his shoe. With a tonal varsity royal upper, this sneaker is just right for Kid’s closet full of track suits, and features a ballistic mesh upper with simple hits of premium leather along the toe cap support overlay, eyestay and collar. The midsole is a straightforward white leather wrap with tonal white stitching for reinforcement, and the rest of the upper is accented by low-key details like an image of Kid listening to his favorite Jay-Z song, his silhouette along the liner and underside of the collar logo hit, and the same ‘The LeBrons’ tagging along the tongue that each shoe in the pack includes. Cushioning is provided by a full-length Zoom Air unit — oh, and double-stacked Zoom in the heel — just because.

words_Nick DePaula | Sole Collector Magazine

Nike Zoom LeBron VI ‘Kid’ – Varsity Royal/ White/ Black

The LeBrons : Nike Zoom LeBron VI ‘Wise’

For release details, be sure and check out the Zoom LeBron VI “Business” post, but now lets take a look at our old-timer of the family, the Glory Days rekindler himself, Wise LeBron! Pops was certainly no slouch back when he would [allegedly] put up Chamberlain-type numbers, and while he might not hit that sky hook these days, he at least is known to relax around the mansion in style. You’ll immediately notice the Zoom LeBron VI ‘Wise’ takes on even more materials than the other three shoes in the pack, namely featuring a cherrywood red plaid along the upper, a medium grey sweater-like wool along the toe and Swoosh, and a deep cherrywood premium leather along the toe cap support overlay, eyestay and collar. This variation also includes a black leather wrapped midsole, white synthetic leather ankle collar, and gold accents along the liner, Swoosh border and logo accents. And just like the other three sneakers in the pack, the Zoom LeBron VI ‘Wise’ incorporates details like Wise LeBron’s glamour shot on the underside of the tongue, and his hat-tipping silhouette along the liner and underside of the ankle collar logo hit.

[Personally -- I can't wait to see how these are pulled off in the WDYWT thread...they are meant to be worn afterall!]

words_Nick DePaula | Sole Collector Magazine

Nike Zoom LeBron VI ‘Wise’ – Cherrywood Red/ Medium Grey/ Metallic Gold