Nike Basketball is committed to making athletes better. Reducing weight, refining angles and maximizing cushioning are just a few adjustments that can directly impact footwear performance. The driving obsession to master design intricacies inspires the Nike Basketball Elite Series.
Direct insights from Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and LeBron James have helped Nike fundamentally evolve basketball shoes, leading to new construction methods, state-of-the-art materials and technical innovations. The athletes spend countless hours with the Nike design team to brainstorm, test and modify their signature shoes, resulting in the best shoe possible for each elite athlete.
Merging advanced innovation with inspirational narratives, the KOBE X Elite, KD7 Elite and LEBRON 12 Elite incorporate upgrades intended to maximize each shoe’s performance.
The KOBE X Elite features a Nike Flyknit upper construction with dynamic Flywire technology for superior strength, breathability and support. The shoe is the first Flyknit basketball shoe constructed with recycled polyester yarn – each pair is knit with the equivalent of five recycled plastic bottles. Designer Eric Avar used a high-cut silhouette for proprioception.
The KD7 Elite is designed to enhance natural motion and responsiveness without compromising strength. Hyperposite upper construction is now perforated to minimize weight and deliver zoned breathability.
The shoe’s three primary features include Hyperposite upper construction, dynamic Flywire technology and Nike Zoom Air cushioning. Designer Leo Chang built the shoe to be light and tight, optimized for performance in a clean aesthetic.
The LEBRON 12 Elite embodies pinnacle performance and indisputable strength, much like James himself.
The LEBRON 12 Elite leverages high-quality Megafuse construction with mesh and composite for structure and features new vertical wings wrapping the foot for lockdown and stability.
The shoe now features six visible, independent Nike Zoom Air units that provide low profile, responsive cushioning. The strategic placement of the pods is engineered for James’s explosiveness and his multidirectional movement.
There are three distinct Nike Elite Series Collections that launch monthly beginning in April. The first, Nike Elite Series Team Collection, launches April 18 and features the team colors of Bryant, Durant and James. The second, Nike Elite Series Elevate Collection, features blue hues as a nod to the sky and launches May 15. The third and final flow available June 5, Nike Elite Series Rose Gold Collection, pulls inspiration from the journey to the championship trophy.
The Nike Basketball Elite Series features nine total shoes, three colorways each for the KOBE X Elite, KD7 Elite and LEBRON 12 Elite. The shoes are available globally in limited quantities at nike.com and select retail locations. Coordinating apparel is also available for the Elite Series.