Performance Review: Nike LeBron 8 PS

The three-sneaker Nike LeBron 8 series will always be remembered as one of the most innovative moments in Nike Basketball history. Never have we witnessed three different silhouettes for one player in the same season. The Nike LeBron 8 V1 garnered a lot of attention off top; yet, the Nike LeBron 8 V2 resonated better with sneaker enthusiasts and basketball fans alike because of its aesthetics. Nonetheless, the current Nike LeBron 8 PS has revolutionized LeBron’s line and is now the first signature basketball shoe to feature Nike’s new Fuse technology.

We put the Nike LeBron 8 PS through our strenuous performance tests to see if it ranked just as good, if not better than its predecessors. How does Fuse compare to Flywire? Does the 180 degree Air Max unit benefit a wearer more than the full-length unit seen on the V1 and V2? Check out our Nike LeBron 8 PS Performance Review, along with multiple, detailed photos of the shoe and LeBron James wearing it.

RELATED: Performance Review: Nike LeBron 8 V2 | King?s Craftsman: 1 on 1 with Nike LeBron 8 Designer Jason Petrie

“We knew we could build this Fuse technology safely and produce it on a mass scale to where LeBron?s shoe, and the guy that goes and picks it up in the store, can both use this model for a very long time.” – Nike LeBron 8 Designer Jason Petrie

Strengths:
Breathability
Cushioning
Durability
Low Ride

The Nike Zoom Hyperfuse and the Nike LeBron 8 V2 released last summer and winter, respectively. Yet, both sneakers have been a staple on courts throughout the world and continue to garner a great amount of interest as the season continues. The Hyperfuse’s unmatched breathability level and the LeBron 8 V2’s extreme comfort level were definite, noticeable strengths in our performance reviews of each shoe. What if both of these characteristics were incorporated into one silhouette? That is exactly what we discovered in the construction of the Nike LeBron 8 PS.

Much like the aforementioned Nike LeBron 8 V2, the cushioning level incorporated into the LeBron 8 PS is superior to most sneakers on the market, let alone created. We were skeptical on the switch from the basketball-specific Max Air 360 unit (Nike LeBron 8 V2) to the lighter Max Air 180 unit in the heel (Nike LeBron 8 PS) because we thought this was decrease the cushioning level. However, the presence of the full-length Cushlon midsole stabilizes the extremely soft foot surface in this shoe. You instantly feel a great deal of comfort and alleviation when lacing this shoe up. In addition to providing a balance, good feeling surface, the Cushlon midsole is very beneficial when participating in high-impact positions, namely jumping and returning to the floor afterward. It is extremely bouncy, responsive and allows the wearer to feel very explosive. In detail, the Cushlon midsole seemingly features a trampoline-like effect considering its ability to aid elevation.

As for the Fuse laced upper, the LeBron 8 PS possesses the ultimate level of breathability much like the previously mentioned Nike Zoom Hyperfuse. It may even be more breathable than the Hyperfuse seeing that it features more open-hole mesh areas on the upper.? Specifically, the LeBron 8 PS has open-hole mesh areas on the toe area, side panels, midfoot and on the collar. This undoubtedly allows a great amount of air to pass through the separations between the foot and the construction of the shoe. Every wearer wants a lockdown, solid fit in a shoe; yet, not at the expense of totally smothering the foot uncomfortably. We have noticed that to be a problem in previous sneaker reviews as it seems to be a very hard task to lace a shoe with lockdown support and an extreme amount of breathability simultaneously. The LeBron 8 PS uniquely possesses this combination, and you can definitely notice it when lacing this shoe up tightly before playing. Ironically, my foot felt very secure throughout the wear, although there was a lot of breathing and maneuver room for my foot to function. Usually, an extremely locked down sneaker allows little no room for foot movement within the silhouette, but the LeBron 8 PS offers a great deal of flexibility and air circulation thanks to the previously mentioned open hole mesh areas. Besides the open hole mesh areas, you can also credit the three materials used to create this all Hyperfuse upper. According to Nike LeBron 8 Designer Jason Petrie, the LeBron 8 PS uses a primary layer of supportive synthetic underlays and a second layer highly ventilated mesh.

The third and final material, a thin layer of TPU, brings us to our next characteristic of the LeBron 8 PS: durability. Many sneaker enthusiasts questioned the Fuse technology’s durability level initially. The multiple open hole mesh areas on the LeBron 8 PS upper make it look like this shoe could tear easily. We thought this before reviewing the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse as well; however, it turned out to be one of the more durable shoes we have tested. The same can be said about the Fuse laced Nike LeBron 8 PS. The Nike designers specifically placed the thin layer of TPU in high wear areas to offset the high amount of mesh throughout the upper. After playing in the LeBron 8 PS for almost two months, this shoe has no little to no blemishes, creases or bends in areas where we see them most (toe area, lateral panels). Also, the overall wear of the shoe feels solid and very impact protected.

Another intriguing aspect of the Nike LeBron 8 PS is the overall low profile ride. When switching from the Nike LeBron 8 V2 to the LeBron 8 PS, you definitely feel lower to the ground and more explosive. Basketball has evolved into more of athletic based game therefore, in the same sense as football, it behooves players to play as low to the ground especially if they spend most of their time on the perimeter. Although a high top, the LeBron 8 PS actually plays like a low top shoe considering its foot positioning.

The traction level is nothing out of the ordinary, but still very good and beneficial to players who strive to keep their opponents off balance with hesitation and stop-and-start moves. In addition to the solid rubber outsole herringbone pattern, Petrie and the design team incorporated an outrigger on the outer sides of the shoe, which aid the wearer’s ability to change directions quicker.

Weaknesses:
Response Time
Bulkiness

As we mentioned earlier, Nike went 1.5 ounces lighter on the LeBron 8 PS; however, just like the Nike LeBron 8 V2 and V1, this shoe features a very bulky construction at 15.1 ounces. One’s ability to instantly maneuver, respond and/or react is lesser than in other lighter sneakers on the market currently. Therefore, this shoe ranks a little lower in our two ‘Response Time’ categories. We understand why this shoe carries a little more weight than other signatures on the market though. LeBron James is a very unique player and possesses an unmatched combination of power, speed and quickness; therefore, an extremely lightweight sneaker would not be beneficial to his prototype. That said, the Nike LeBron 8 PS may not be the most versatile shoe in terms of positions on the court. Guards that rely on their speed and quickness may want to look elsewhere.

Overview:

The Nike LeBron 8 PS is groundbreaking in terms of Nike Basketball creations. At first impression, the new Fuse technology may look fragile, but it is very durable and provides the wearer with a great deal of breathability. Also, the cushioning level on the LeBron 8 PS is superior to any shoe on the market not named the LeBron 8 V1 and/or V2. It is safe to say Nike continues to push the envelope with LeBron’s line, and the LeBron 8 PS is one of the best performing shoes out as of now.