LeBron James has a lot of sneakers to add to his collection, but which ones are the most expensive? Some sneakers have a limited production run, while others have been sold out for years.
The King himself has worn some of these shoes on his feet during games and even showed off some others at fashion shows.
Whether you’re an athlete or just someone who loves good-looking shoes, this list will give you everything you need to know about these shoes’ prices so that when it’s time for your next sneaker shopping spree, you can be prepared.
8. Nike Air Zoom Generation “St. Vincent-St. Mary”
Year Released: 2013
Available Unit: Over 500 pairs as of 2018
Signature/Primary Material: Infamous leather in fighting Irish colors of White, Metallic Gold Dust, and Deep Forest
photo source: Sneaker News
LeBron James’ first trademark shoe, the Nike Air Zoom Generation, was created to his exact specifications. The upper is made of leather, and they include rope laces, a cushioned collar, Zoom Air technology, and great traction.
The Nike Air Zoom Generation, LeBron James’ first signature sneaker, was designed according to his exacting standards. Rope laces, a padded collar, Zoom Air technology, and excellent traction are all features of the leather top. The “SVSM” colorway would come to represent James’ Nike assortment consistently throughout the next years.
Did You Know?
It goes without saying that the Nike Air Zoom Generation “SVSM” ranks best among the bunch, famously sporting its distinctive designs and its numerous subsidiaries.
7. Nike LeBron 7 “HWC”
Year Released: 2010
Available Unit: N/A
Signature/Primary Material: Leather, mesh, and synthetic suede
photo source: Home of Heat
The Nike LeBron 7 “HWC” was released in 2018 and can be found in Metallic Blue. The materials used include leather, mesh, and synthetic suede.
The shoe also features a full-length Zoom Air unit in the sole, as well as an external heel counter. The shoe is designed with performance in mind, and as such, it has a high-cut collar that sits at the ankle and wraps around the foot.
Did You Know?
Every pair also comes with a padded tongue for added comfort.
6. LeBron 9 Low “Arnold Palmer”
Year Released: 2012
Available Unit: 1,500
Signature/Primary Material: Mesh, suede, and synthetic leather
photo source: Sole News
The LeBron 9 Low “Arnold Palmer” is one of the most popular shoes in Lebron’s collection. It was released in 2012 and has been on sale since then. There are only 1,500 pairs available at $5,000 each (that’s about $2 million).
The shoe was inspired by the golfer’s love of lemonade and iced tea. The shoe is not only a work of art, but it also has a great story behind it. In addition, the design is very unique and one-of-a-kind.
Did You Know?
The design features an embossed pattern on the upper with palm trees that look like they were painted by Picasso himself—and it all comes together nicely with a grey suede base that matches its color scheme perfectly!
5. Nike LeBron 8 “HWC”
Year Released: 2010
Available Unit: N/A
Signature/Primary Material: Leather, perforated foam, mesh
photo source: Sneaker Bar Detroit
The Nike LeBron 8 “HWC” is one of the most expensive LeBron shoes in the lineup. It comes with a price tag of $5,500 in today’s market.
The materials used on this shoe are similar to other Nike LeBron models: premium suede and mesh, along with a soft leather upper. The design features several unique touches that make it stand out from its competitors—the tongue is decorated with Swoosh branding (Nike’s iconic logo), while the heel tab features a small “LeBron” text logo that looks like embroidery but actually isn’t!
Did You Know?
The LeBron 8 “HWC” is a special edition shoe that was released to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Nike’s House of Hoops.
4. Nike LeBron 4 “Fruity Pebbles”
Year Released: 2006
Available Unit: N/A
Signature/Primary Material: Leather, mesh, and perforated foam
photo source: Sneaker News
The Nike LeBron 4 “Fruity Pebbles” are a pair of signature LeBron James basketball shoes. This shoe was released in 2006 and has since been discontinued by Nike. It is also one of the most expensive pairs of shoes that you can buy on an average day at any sneaker store or online retailer.
The reason for this price tag is that these shoes are extremely rare and hard to find, which makes them even more valuable than regular sneakers!
Did You Know?
The shoe is inspired by basketball player LeBron James’ love for fruity pebbles, a type of candy that he often eats on the court during games.
3. Nike LeBron 9 “What The LeBron”
Year Released: 2011
Available Unit: N/A
Signature/Primary Material: Leather, synthetic suede
photo source: Sneaker News
One of the most expensive pairs of sneakers to ever have appeared on the secondary market is the LeBron 9 “What The LeBron.” These vibrant shoes were only offered through online auctions and resale sites and never made it to shoe retailers.
This shoe has a multicolored top, a speckled midsole accent, and Watch The Throne-style laces, just like the What the Kobes. The LeBron 10 was the first to have these sneakers made available to the general public, while the LeBron 10 and 11 also got the “What the…” treatment mania from the fans.
Did You Know?
It was rumored that it was published after Kobe VII’s “What the Kobe?”
2. LeBron 9 “Watch the Throne”
Year Released: 2011
Available Unit: N/A
Signature/Primary Material: Leather, Swoosh on the side, rubber sole
photo source: GOAT
More and more sneakers have been released since the middle of the 2000s as a result of partnerships between sports brands and celebrities. The LeBron 9 “Watch the Throne,” one of the more well-known collaborations, is a further shoe on the list of LeBron shoes that were never released for sale officially in the public.
The same design elements—gold accents and speckles, as well as floral laces—are prominent in these LeBron 9s. The shoes are made from leather with a synthetic suede upper and lightweight cushioning for comfort. There is also Swoosh branding on each side of each shoe.
Did You Know?
The “Watch the Throne” collaborative album by Jay-Z and Kanye West, which features gold floral design elements, served as inspiration for the shoe.
1. Nike LeBron 8 “MVP”
Year Released: 2011
Available Unit: N/A
Signature/Primary Material: Full suede upper with leather accents throughout
photo source: Pinterest
The most expensive pair of shoes in the LeBron James collection is the LeBron 8 MVP. The shoe has an MVP logo on the heel counter and a black and red color scheme. The sneaker was never made available to the public; it was meant to commemorate James’ anticipated MVP victory in 2011.
Derrick Rose, an All-Star with the Chicago Bulls, who is 22 years old and the league’s youngest MVP, received the honor instead. The price of LeBron James’ footwear is expected. Expect basketball enthusiasts and collectors to pay a lot of money for every pair of LeBron sneakers available as long as Nike keeps producing them, whether they are launched or not.
Did You Know
The LeBron 8 MVP is one of the most expensive basketball shoes ever produced, especially given its rarity.