LeBron James will play in his 19th Christmas Day game this year, and the special-edition sneaker he’ll wear for the occasion have now been revealed.
The Nike LeBron 22 “Xmas” takes on a mismatched colorway that invokes James’ iconic LeBron 8 “South Beach.” Each sneaker in the pair makes use of “Solar Red” and “Vapour Green,” albeit by trading places as either the dominant or accent color. The left shoe’s upper appears in a blue-green leather, with the bright pink used for the trim that forms the Swoosh and James signature, as well as the eyelets, tongue stitching, additional Nike branding and snowflake logo on the medial midfoot shank. The treatment is then inverted for the right shoe.
Both sneakers take on a translucent outsole that’s colorless at the heel and green for the forefoot, and the another festive detail comes in the form of white fuzzy laces that invoke snow. Peering into the shoe also reveals additional snowflake graphics on the mismatched insoles, and each pair will also come with a set of laces in the same green as the outsole.
The LeBron 8 “South Beach” originally released in 2010 ahead of James’ debut game with the Miami Heat. As one of, if not the most beloved Nike LeBron sneakers of all, it was rereleased in 2021. A player-exclusive colorway of the LeBron 22 worn by James earlier this season also paid tribute to the “South Beaches.”
James and the Los Angeles Lakers will take on his longtime rival Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors during the primetime slot on Christmas Day.
Last year, James’ Nike LeBron 21 “Queen Conch” that he wore on Christmas didn’t release until December. But fans won’t have to wait that long for his latest Christmas sneaker.
The Nike LeBron 22 “Xmas” will release December 26 through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $180.
Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
