Short answer
Adults who play indoors and want the newest shoe: the LeBron 24. Same player, lower budget: last year’s LeBron 23 or the LeBron 22. Outdoor courts or a tight budget: the LeBron Witness, which reported at about $105 against about $200 for the flagship. Kids: big kids’ sizes run 3.5Y to 7Y in both lines. Wide feet: try your usual size and a half size up.
Look at this first
How the picker decides
- Who: kids go to the kids’ versions, because grade school sizes stop at 7Y (Nike size chart).
- Use: outdoor courts point to the Witness, because asphalt grinds down rubber and the Witness costs about half as much to replace. Training points to the TR 1, which is built for the gym.
- Budget: the flagship retailed at about $200 at release (the LeBron 24 Stars colorway was reported at $200), the LeBron 22 at $180, and the Witness 9 at about $105 (Sneaker Files, Sole Retriever, Sneaker Freaker).
- Width: wide feet get a size note, not a different shoe, because no LeBron is sold in a wide width that we could find.
When to ignore the picker
- You already know your LeBron size. Stay in the same size within the line and check the model page for fit notes.
- Ankle worries. Recent LeBrons are low tops. A 1993 randomized trial of 622 players found no significant difference in ankle injuries between high and low top shoes (Barrett et al.). See best LeBrons for basketball.
- Collecting, not playing. For older numbers, start with every LeBron shoe in order.
Questions people ask
Is the LeBron Witness good for basketball?
It is built as a basketball shoe, just with simpler cushioning than the flagship. It suits school teams, rec leagues and outdoor play, and its lower price makes it the easier pair to wear out on rough courts.
Should I buy the newest LeBron or last year’s?
If you want the newest cushioning, buy the current number. If price matters more, the previous flagship is usually still listed in several colorways once the next one arrives. Compare the cushioning on each model page before you decide.
Are LeBron shoes good for wide feet?
We found no extra wide version of any LeBron or Witness. Reviewers of the LeBron 20 suggest a half size up for wide feet, and one review says the Witness 9 fits narrow to regular feet best. Try both sizes and keep the pair that does not pinch at the widest part of the foot.
Which LeBron is best for training in the gym?
The LeBron TR 1, a training shoe that arrived in 2024. Game shoes have soft, tall cushioning that is less stable for lifting.
Sources
- Nike, Men’s footwear size chart (US)
- Sneaker Files, Nike LeBron 24 Stars
- Sole Retriever, Nike LeBron 22 unveiling: tech specs and release details
- Sneaker Freaker, Nike LeBron Witness 9 price and release
- Barrett J. R. et al., High versus low top shoes for the prevention of ankle sprains in basketball players (1993, PubMed 8368420)
Last reviewed October 29, 2026. Models, colorways and listings change; check the size chart and product details on the listing before you buy.