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March 15, 2016As they have each of the last three seasons, Nike’s LeBron James line will have an Elite model added into the fold for his impending postseason run in hopes of obtaining that elusive third championship ring.
Shirking the Hyperfuse and Hyperposite upper that has graced every other colorway of the LeBron 13, Nike is introducing what is called a Kurim cage upper that will make James’ footwear even stronger and even lighter than the original model. Joining this cage support will be a carbon fiber shank in the arch, a full-length, one-piece bootie and two additional hexagonal Zoom Air-sole units on each shoe which will take the total up to six per shoe.
What is Kurim? Let’s let Nike fill you in.
Kurim, an extremely pliable and durable material used throughout the upper, brings a new aesthetic and provides a skin-like fit that moves with each stride. Thinner layers are placed in areas that need more flexibility while thicker layers are in those that require added support.
This Kurim, in tandem with the other enhancements, are said to provide additional lockdown, additional stability, and even more responsive cushioning for James’ 6-foot-9-inch, 260-pound frame. If you recall, the focus on technology in James’ 13th signature shoe has never been higher as the four-time MVP’s game continues to evolve.
“LeBron and I, everyone at Nike, are perfectionists,” said Kevin Dodson, a designer at Nike. “We want a product to be built exactly to the specifications, so we’re not going to accept anything less than perfection in that regard. The last couple years we’ve done a great job of just staying really close with LeBron, always listening to feedback. For us it’s about getting it right. And that starts with really listening and really taking feedback to heart. We’re always open to making changes on the fly and the end goal is to make the perfect shoe for LeBron. We won’t stop until we get there.”
The LeBron 13 Elite launches in red on April 14 at nike.com and select retail locations. Two additional colorways will be available May 5 (white) and May 26 (black). They are expected to retail for $275.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=QFqh3t2q904
(All Images via Nike.com)
1 Comment
Kurim is used on the upper for the Free trainer 1.0, which is a goofy looking shoe but is still super comfortable, tough, and flexible. It’s also surprisingly breathable for a material with no apparent holes for ventilation.