My Time with the Lebron 11s
Alright, let’s talk about the Lebron 11s. I remember when these first started showing up online. The look was totally different, right? That sharp, almost armored look. I was definitely curious.
So, I eventually decided I had to try them out. Went down to the local spot and picked up a pair. I think I got that ‘Terracotta Warrior’ colorway, or something close to it. Looked really unique, unlike anything else on the shelf at the time.
First Impressions and Trying Them On
Got home, opened the box. Man, they looked impressive. That Posite material, felt super tough, almost like a shell. Really felt like a premium shoe just holding it.
Then came trying them on. Okay, here’s the thing I remember most clearly: they were tight. Like, surprisingly tight across the midfoot. It took some real effort to get my foot in there properly the first few times. Heard later that a lot of people felt the same way. Not uncomfortable once my foot was in, but getting there was a bit of a struggle initially.
Hitting the Court
Naturally, I had to see how they felt playing ball. Took them for a few runs at the gym.
- Cushioning: This was pretty good. They had that full-length Lunarlon thing with Zoom Air underneath, I think. Felt pretty bouncy underfoot, absorbed impact well on jumps. No complaints there.
- Traction: The grip was solid. Didn’t have many issues with slipping or sliding on clean courts. Cut and stopped fine.
- Fit & Feel (The Big One): Okay, back to the fit. Even playing in them, they felt… rigid. That Posite upper just didn’t seem to break in or flex naturally with my foot the way other shoes did. It always felt a bit stiff, especially during cuts. And that initial tightness never completely went away for me. It wasn’t painful, just… noticeable. Made them feel a bit clunky sometimes.
- Support: Because of that stiff upper and the fit, the support felt locked down. Maybe too locked down? My foot wasn’t going anywhere, that’s for sure.
Long-Term Thoughts
I wore the Lebron 11s off and on for a good while. They held up really well, visually. That tough upper didn’t scuff easily, they still looked pretty fresh after a lot of wear. Durability was definitely a plus.
But honestly? Performance-wise, they just never became my favorite shoe to hoop in. That stiffness and the slightly odd fit (for my foot, anyway) kept them from being a go-to. They felt more like a shoe designed for pure stability and impact protection, maybe less for quick, shifty movements.
So, yeah. The Lebron 11. An absolutely iconic look, no doubt about it. One of the most memorable designs from his line. Cushioning was nice, traction was good. But the fit and the stiffness of that upper were the defining things for me, and not entirely in a good way for playing ball regularly. Great shoe to look at, decent performance, but the comfort and flex just weren’t quite there for my personal preference on the court. Still have them somewhere, though. They just look too cool to get rid of.
