Nike LeBron 21

At a listed 15.6 oz, the LeBron 21 is lighter than 1 of the other 66 performance shoes in our database and heavier than 65. The average across all 67 performance shoes is 13.8 oz, so it runs 1.8 oz heavier than average. For reference, the lightest is the Anta KT 9 (12.4 oz) and the heaviest is the Nike GT Hustle 3 (15.8 oz).

Its 8 mm heel-to-toe drop is the most common figure in this group — 54 of 67 performance shoes list 8 mm. Drops across the group only run from 7 to 10 mm, so drop is a smaller differentiator than weight or cut height.

It is one of 40 mid-cut models among the 67 performance shoes we track, and it sits in the premium price band (set from manufacturer MSRP), which 8 other models share.

Like 53 other performance shoes, it is rated for indoor courts; 13 in the group carry an outdoor rating.

Cushioning is listed as Zoom Air + Cushlon 3.0, which puts it in our Zoom Air (28 shoes in the database) and Cushlon (7 shoes in the database) cushioning hubs; no other shoe in the database lists exactly the same setup.

Going by its spec profile, we classify the LeBron 21 for power forwards and centers with an all-around game. You can compare it against every shoe we file for that role in Best Basketball Shoes for Power Forwards and Best Basketball Shoes for Centers.

The mid cut is the middle ground between ankle coverage and freedom of movement — the most common choice in the database. Being well over the average performance shoe weight, it suits players who value a more substantial build over a light feel.

It is rated for indoor courts. If most of your games are on asphalt or concrete, the closest outdoor-rated performance shoes on spec are the Air Jordan 1 Mid and Nike LeBron Witness 9. Width is listed as standard; if you need more toe-box room, see the wide-feet hub.