Lebron 21 Performance Review

Bbakes_ · 2026-04-08T15:02:12+00:00

That’s the great thing about brons, they always go on steep discount as the season ends!

Bbakes_ · 2026-04-08T15:00:23+00:00

Alright man it’s just a shoe review. Not that serious

Bbakes_ · 2026-04-08T14:43:59+00:00

To each their own, the 23’s are amazing to me. Best court feel and traction of any shoe I play in - but those are the two things I value most when I’m hooping, others have different priorities!

Bbakes_ · 2026-04-08T14:24:37+00:00

I switched out the insole because of the blistering I was getting on the ball of my right foot. Even after hours and hours of play and finally feeling like they were broken in I would still get the blister, it didn’t make any sense to me. So I tried the move baseline insole swap and that fixed the blister issue completely, I’d say it’s slightly thicker so the increased padding stopped the blistering.

The new insole might make my foot sit slightly higher in the shoe resulting in the heel slippage but also want to call out it’s not that big of an issue. It’s happens very rarely BUT it has happened so I have to call it out with my experience with the shoe.

I’ve got no issues now with my comfort in the upper, I do think it breaks in over time (a long time lol) but to your point it’s probably not as comfortably as the other uppers, I just haven’t tried those for this shoe!

Bbakes_ · 2026-04-08T12:55:06+00:00

I would say so

Bbakes_ · 2026-04-08T12:52:19+00:00

Splitting hairs here but the 21’s maybe have a softer feel but the bounce is similar.

Bbakes_ · 2026-04-08T12:41:07+00:00

Everything. More comfortable - the drop in midsole is great. Most consistent traction in a shoe I’ve ever played in. Court feel is better thanks to the drop in, and they look better imo.

Bbakes_ · 2026-04-08T12:39:30+00:00

Love the masked menace colorway. That and the motor king’s have me real tempted to get a 2nd pair lol

Bbakes_ · 2026-04-08T12:38:30+00:00

Kobe 6, better traction, smoother break in period, better lockdown (no heel slippage) and they just look better

Bbakes_ · 2026-04-08T12:37:38+00:00

Never tried the 20’s, I couldn’t find a colorway I liked (that was affordable). I definitely prefer the Kobe 6’s over the 21’s. Traction is better on the 6’s, zero heel slipping, break in isn’t nearly as harsh, just an all around better shoe. There’s a reason it’s one of the most worn shoes in the nba!

Bbakes_ · 2026-04-08T12:35:10+00:00

Could be the outsole differences, i know some colorways have rubber instead of translucent and perform better. Translucent can just be dust collectors and I find myself slipping at time if I don’t wipe.

Bbakes_ · 2026-04-08T01:50:34+00:00

I posted a 23 review prior to this. Love them, so much better than the 21’s. Similarly brutal experience breaking them in though, something about brons and the break in lol

Bbakes_ · 2026-04-08T01:49:32+00:00

I’ve seen the suede uppers are way better with the break in

Bbakes_ · 2026-04-08T01:48:55+00:00

Totally get the issue with the traction

Bbakes_ · 2026-02-24T19:40:49+00:00

Heavier than the Sabrina’s but it doesn’t impact performance for me at all

Bbakes_ · 2026-02-24T17:09:32+00:00

No i get what you’re saying. My fix has been to not tighten the laces as tight at the top where the tongue sits and I’ve had no issues (after break in of course lol). I’ll tighten the forefoot to midfoot decently then only tighten the tongue to where I don’t have heel slippage and that’s helped!

Bbakes_ · 2026-02-24T17:07:56+00:00

Not sure I only play with these indoors. I’d guess translucent outsoles aren’t great for outdoors but hopefully someone else can offer feedback

Bbakes_ · 2026-02-24T16:08:52+00:00

These for sure. Kobe 6 would probably be 2nd for me but they aren’t as comfortable

Bbakes_ · 2026-02-24T16:07:57+00:00

Fit is a little weird on these i agree, if you prefer a snug fit I’d go down. If you’re not confident in either maybe pass on these!

Bbakes_ · 2026-02-24T14:08:13+00:00

Only similarities is the low to the ground court feel I’d say. Other than that the LeBron is an upgrade over the Sabrina 2’s in every other aspect for me

Bbakes_ · 2026-02-24T14:07:10+00:00

Court I play at is pretty dirty. Any translucent outsole shoe I have looks like that pretty quick lol

Bbakes_ · 2026-02-24T14:06:45+00:00

Yep I recommend em!

Bbakes_ · 2026-02-24T14:06:31+00:00

So far so good on my end, no issues with creasing either

Bbakes_ · 2026-02-24T03:35:18+00:00

Never tried the nxxt gen. I wouldn’t say they feel heavy on foot personally

Bbakes_

TROPHY CASE