Introducing the LeBron 8: Sensation-Stirring Style
Released the same year LeBron James signed on to play with the Miami Heat, the LeBron 8 South Beach, also known as Pre-Heat, became a running shoe sensation in 2010. With its teal, pink and black palette, Pre-Heat has been dubbed the most iconic colourway in the history of the Nike LeBron line, and the vibrant combination also became an industry-wide trend. Fast-forward a decade later and the LeBron 8 South Beach remains a highly coveted running shoe among fans and collectors.
Designer Jason Petrie devised the LeBron 8 line-up to include three distinct versions–V/1, V/2 and Post Season (PS) aka V/3–of the same silhouette to parallel the evolution of James' playing style throughout a season. LeBron 8 Lows followed in the summer of 2011.
The Colourful History
of the Nike Air Max LeBron 8
of the Nike Air Max LeBron 8
All eyes were on LeBron James the night his television special, The Decision, aired July 8, 2010, on ESPN. King James announced he'd be playing with the Miami Heat in the upcoming NBA season. While the choice was controversial and particularly unpopular with fans of his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers team, Nike commemorated the move with a South Beach-inspired colourway of the Air Max LeBron 8 shoe. The LeBron 8 Pre-Heat, as it became known, was initially launched as a Miami exclusive, but Nike re-issued it as a wider release a month later.
James wore the black-and-red LeBron 8 Bred during his first official game with the Miami Heat. After various colourways of the LeBron 8, Nike launched a mid-season replacement dubbed the LeBron 8 V/2–a first in LBJ running shoe history. King James debuted the LeBron 8 V/2 in a Christmas colourway on December 25, 2010, when the Miami Heat played the L.A. Lakers. More V/2 colourways were to follow.
Timeline of LeBron 8 Colourway Releases
Sought-After LeBron 8 Colourways:
- Pre-Heat (South Beach): Retro/Black/Pink Flash/Filament Green
- Miami Nights: White/Solar Red/Glass Blue
- Sprite: Treasure Blue/White/Black/Volt
- Entourage: Photo Blue/Black/Tour Yellow
- Bred: Black/White/Sport Red/Metallic Gold
- Christmas: Sport Red/White/Black/Victory Green
- Solar Red: Solar Red/Black/White
- All-Star: Treasure Blue/White/Black
- Un-China: White/Sport Red/Metallic Gold
Nike Air Max LeBron 8: Performance Times Three
As the second LBJ signature shoe designed by Jason Petrie, the LeBron 8 carried over the full-length basketball-specific Max Air 360 unit from the successful Air Max LeBron VII line. However, unlike previous LeBron shoes, the LeBron 8 collection was conceived from the outset to house two different versions and Post Season and Low editions. The LeBron V2 maintains the same silhouette and Air Max unit as the V1, but Nike swapped out the leather shell for a super-lightweight Flywire shell.
LeBron 8 V/1 Design Details:
- Luxurious all-natural leather and suede upper with TPU-framed Flywire panels
- Compression-molded Phylon midsole
- Increased height difference between the collar and heel for improved lockdown
- Embossed lion head emblem on the tongue
- Full-length Air Max 360 unit for cushioning and protection from impact
- Multidirectional herringbone pattern on the outsole to accommodate quick cuts
- Lace eyelets shaped like the number "8"
- X-Flex design shaped like the number "8" on the heel to displace force and pressure
LeBron 8 V/2 Design Details:
- 1 oz. lighter than the LeBron 8 V/1
- First Nike Basketball shoe to feature an upper constructed entirely of Flywire technology to reduce weight, accented with TPU-enforced mesh in high-wear areas
- Same full-length Air Max 360 unit, multidirectional herringbone pattern, X-Flex and lace eyelets as the V/1
- Printed lion head emblem on the tongue
- Toe cap detailing
LeBron 8 PS (V/3) Design Details:
- Hyperfuse constructed upper with mesh panels for added breathability
- Carbon fiber midfoot support shank
- Full, wide Zoom Air unit in the forefoot
- Air Max 180 unit in the heel
- Full-length cushioned midsole
- Embossed lion head emblem on the tongue
- Note on care:Since the V/1, V/2 and V/3 are constructed from different materials, cleaning methods will vary. Clean mesh detailing gently to avoid damaging the material.
Note on care: Since the V/1, V/2 and V/3 are constructed from different materials, cleaning methods will vary. Clean mesh detailing gently to avoid damaging the material.
Collectability and Value of the LeBron 8
The original retail prices of the LeBron 8 shoes were $AUD2081* for V/1 and V/2 and $AUD1952* for the PS and Lows. As one of the most hyped-up running shoe silhouettes bearing LeBron James' name, the vast majority of LeBron 8 colourways now command a premium price in the secondary market.
For instance, the highly collectable LeBron 8 Pre-Heat typically goes for over $AUD1,3003*, while other popular colourways average around $AUD325 to $AUD5204*. Not surprisingly, unreleased "Friends & Family" samples or limited-edition LeBron 8 models are highly coveted among collectors, such as:
- LeBron 8 V/2 Low Miami Nights: $AUD2,3405* average resale
- LeBron 8 James Dean Denim: $AUD2,990 to $AUD6,3706* resale
- LeBron 8 112 DJ Clark Kent: $AUD3,250 to $AUD7,8007* resale
1Australian Price indication converted from US$160.
2Australian Price indication converted from US$150.
3Australian Price indication converted from US$1,000.
4Australian Price indication converted from US$400.
5Australian Price indication converted from US$1,800.
6Australian Price indication converted from US$4,900.
7Australian Price indication converted from US$6,000.
*All prices are based on historical eBay data. Actual selling price of items not guaranteed and may vary.
