The Kylian Mbappé x Nike LeBron 18: An Underrated Collab – Quick Review

In January 2021, the Nike LeBron 18 Kylian Mbappé Edition was released, bringing two icons together to honor their love for their respective games and undeniable talent. Having both been catapulted to the world stage at 18 years old, LeBron James and Kylian Mbappé have long been expressive of their mutual admiration and respect for one another, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward and veteran baller referring to one another as “the greatest of all time” and “one of the greatest who has ever played that sport.” For this sneaker drop, the two even switched Instagram profile pictures, a social media gimmick that hinted at the collaboration, which was launched just days later. Aptly named “The Chosen 2” to reference the athletes’ parallel journeys merging as one, this pack featured a double release of the LeBron 18 basketball shoe and the Mercurial Mbappé football cleat. Today, we’ll look at this underrated iteration of the LeBron 18.

Mbappé, the global ambassador

goal-scoring and phenomenal speed, with three Ligue 1 Player of the Year Awards under his belt. As a sports icon, he’s been tapped to collaborate with some of the largest brands in the world. Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot chose Mbappé as their lead ambassador in 2018, with the athlete wearing his award-winning timepiece called the “Big Bang” at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

In November last year, Kylian Mbappé x Oakley Signature Series Deadbolt was also unveiled, a modern eyewear collection that showcases the athlete’s versatility and philosophy of play. Oakley is known to produce some of the top sunglasses for men. Retailer Eyebuydirect notes how the brand offers sport-inspired silhouettes that look good on anyone, even those who aren’t pro athletes. If you like the bold and vivid hues of Mbappé’s Oakley collab, you may enjoy the retailer’s other models, like Sun Kyoto in yellow, for a fresh pop of color. And if you want to keep building your Mbappé collab collection, here’s why you should start from the bottom (literally).

Kicks that do the trick

Unlike the perpetually-sold-out LeBron 20 “Time Machine” colorway that was favored even by fellow NBA players, or the lifestyle-basketball hybrid offered by the LeBron 20 “Olive Suede,” Mbappé’s Chosen 2 didn’t get the same amount of fanfare. But with this collaboration featuring an athlete whose historic career has fetched a jaw-dropping $1.1 billion offer from Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal – a feat that left the likes of LeBron himself and Giannis Antetokounmpo reacting to the massive amount with shock – we think you ought to give these kicks a second look.

Both editions of the shoe sport a black-and-silver colorway and a stunning pearlescent finish, manufactured with lightweight Knitposite 2.0 for enhanced durability and support. While confident in his ability to jump, LeBron wanted extra security and cushioning for on-ground impact. The flex grooves on the sole and herringbone pattern provide superior traction, whether playing indoors or duking it out on the blacktop.

They’ve combined three different materials for the cushioning on the basketball shoe – Zoom Air, Cushlon, and Max Air – making it ideal for big players like LeBron, who need a responsive but comfortable sole. But if you’re working on your agility, which involves a lot of lateral movements, this may not be the best option. With the outsole being soft and a little on the higher side, this is much better for those who want added flexibility, stability, and shock absorption that more cushioning can provide.

So, if you’re looking for a reliable pair of basketball shoes as you work towards Lakers-worthy ball-handling skills, the LeBron 18 is a great option, especially if you’re training to be a stronger athlete than you were yesterday, just like the faces behind this collaboration. After all, it was designed with the next generation in mind, with both James and Mbappé sharing a vision of young players reaching their dreams, wearing nothing but the best on their feet.