The LeBron 11 is a weird one. Honestly, it might be the most polarizing shoe in LeBron James’ entire Nike catalog. If you were around in 2013, you remember the drama. LeBron famously hated wearing them on court because of a toe-box issue, opting to lace up the Soldier 7 instead for most of the season.
But then came the "What The" version.
Everything changed. This wasn't just another colorway; it was a fever dream of sneaker history mashed into a single pair of kicks. While the performance side of the 11 had its hiccups, the What The LeBron 11 became an instant legend for collectors. It basically summarized a decade of dominance while looking like an explosion in a crayon factory.
The Chaos Behind the Design
So, what are the LeBron 11s in this specific flavor? Basically, Nike took eight different design elements and roughly 20 graphics from previous LeBron models and threw them into a blender. It’s asymmetrical. The left shoe looks nothing like the right shoe.
You’ve got a massive golden Swoosh on the right side that screams royalty, while the left side features a silver Swoosh over a "Fruity Pebbles" pattern. That pattern is a direct callback to the ultra-rare LeBron 4 PE that collectors used to sell their kidneys for back in the day.
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- Release Date: September 13, 2014
- Original Retail Price: $250
- Technical Specs: Hyperposite upper, Lunarlon cushioning, and full-length Zoom Air.
It’s easy to look at this shoe and see a mess. But for those of us who grew up watching the King's rise, it’s a scavenger hunt. You’ll find hits of the LeBron 9 "Big Bang" in those bright orange pops and bits of the "Terracotta Warrior" 11s buried in the textures. It’s like a Greatest Hits album you can wear on your feet.
Armor for a King (That He Barely Wore)
The tech inside these is actually insane. Nike used something called Hyperposite—a mix of Foamposite and Hyperfuse—to create this angular, armored look. It was meant to be the ultimate protection for a 250-pound freight train of a human being.
The cushioning was a first: they stuffed a full-length Zoom Air bag inside a Lunarlon drop-in midsole. On paper, that’s the holy grail of comfort. In reality? It made the foot sit a bit high, which is probably why Bron struggled with them.
Kinda ironic, right? The "What The" version is the peak of the 11's design, yet it celebrates a silhouette the man himself was lukewarm about. But for the rest of us who don't have to worry about 48 minutes of professional basketball, the feel is incredible. Once you break in that Hyperposite, it molds to your foot like a tank.
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Tracking Down a Pair in 2026
If you’re looking to grab these today, be prepared to dig. Since they were a "Premium" release, they didn't sit on shelves. Currently, on markets like StockX and eBay, a deadstock pair of What The LeBron 11s usually hovers between $300 and $500 depending on the size.
Used pairs can be found for much less, sometimes around $150, but watch out for the "sole separation" and the aging of the Lunarlon. Ten years is a long time for foam to sit in a box.
The Legacy of the Mashup
Nike doesn't do "What The" releases like they used to. Nowadays, they feel a bit forced. The 11 was different. It felt like the end of an era—the final "What The" before LeBron moved back to Cleveland and his shoe designs shifted into a more knitted, soft aesthetic with the 15 and beyond.
The 11s were aggressive. They were jagged. They looked like something Batman would wear if he played point guard. And the "What The" colorway just turned that aggression up to max volume.
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If you’re a serious collector, this is one of those "must-haves." It marks the transition from the Miami Heat era to the second Cleveland stint. It’s a piece of history that happens to have 28 different colors on it.
Actionable Tips for Collectors
Before you drop several hundred dollars on a decade-old sneaker, keep these points in mind:
- Check the Midsole: The drop-in Lunarlon/Zoom midsole can dry out or bottom out over time. If the shoe feels "crunchy" when you press on it, the foam is failing.
- Verify the Lace Locks: The original release came with two different lion-head lace locks—one silver and one with a holographic finish. Many resellers lose these, and they are nearly impossible to replace with authentic versions.
- Sizing is Snug: Because of the thick Hyperposite walls, these run small. Most people find going up a half-size is necessary to avoid the dreaded "pinky toe pinch" that LeBron himself complained about.
- Look for the 2K14 Elements: This shoe shares some DNA with the ultra-limited LeBron 11 "2K14" (only 2,014 pairs made). If you see the leopard print and deep reds, you're looking at the right "What The" inspiration.
These shoes aren't for everyone. They're loud, they're bulky, and they're definitely not "minimalist." But in a world of safe, neutral-colored sneakers, the LeBron 11 "What The" stands as a reminder of when Nike wasn't afraid to be absolutely weird.