Official Images of the Nike LeBron 21 "Purple Rain"

Update: Ahead of its mid-month release date, official images of the Nike LeBron 21 “Purple Rain” (AKA the “Violet Dust”) have been revealed. In both colorway and name, the “Purple Rain” appears to be a homage to the late, great Prince, of whom LeBron James is an avid fan. The main key detail shown in the official image that wasn’t revealed in previous leaks is the special insole detailing, present on other LeBron 21s as well, which depicts a ring-covered hand — a nod to King James’ four NBA Championships.

Expect the Nike LeBron 21 “Purple Rain” to release via SNKRS and select Nike Basketball stockists on October 14, and retail for $200 USD. While you wait, check out the original story and prior updates below for more info.

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Update: It’s nearly time for Nike Basketball and LeBron James to introduce the latest chapter of their partnership as the LeBron 21 continues to make its rounds in various colorways via early pairs. Now, an on-foot breakdown of the “Violet Dust” colorway has hit the net ahead of the shoe’s forthcoming reveal. Stay tuned for updates as we expect an announcement in the coming weeks with an official launch shortly thereafter. For more info, dive into our previous coverage below.

Original Story: At the end of last month, LeBron James took to Instagram to showcase some in-action shots of him with his newest silhouette with the Swoosh: the Nike LeBron 21. It has yet to be revealed by Nike Basketball officially, though James has returned to Instagram to repost an early in-hand image of another colorway of the sneaker, a Lakers-esque “Violet Dust.”

In our closest look yet, the aforementioned purple hue dresses a majority of the nubuck upper. Its low-top shape is highlighted by the golden embroidery that crafts each side’s Swooshes, the tongue’s signature detail and the heel’s geometry. Adding to the pair, an iridescent finish appears at the heel with a strong purple supporting the sneaker at the outsole.

While Nike has not officially revealed LeBron James’ new silhouette for the 2023-24 NBA season just yet, look for it to be showcased soon as this “Violet Dust” pair is currently expected to launch on October 14 via Nike and select Nike Basketball retailers at a price of $200 USD. You can also head over to GOAT to cop a pair.

 

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Looking for more updates from the footwear space? We’ve got you covered. The Nike Air Force 1 Low WP — the shoe’s new waterproof iteration — has been outfitted in a monochromatic gray finish.