Nike LeBron Witness 9 review

Don't let the Nike LeBron Witness 9 go under the radar if:

• you need an affordable shoe with good performance
• you regularly play on outdoor courts
• you don't mind a heavier weight in exchange for solid stability and durability

If you prefer a lighter alternative to the LeBron Witness shoe, try the Jordan Luka .77 as it's equally ready for playing on asphalt and concrete.

And if you don't mind a slightly higher price point, the Nike A'One offers a major step up in cushioning and impact protection.

The LeBron Witness 9's cushioning setup underwent a complete overhaul, with full-length ReactX foam replacing the Air Max and Phylon combo of the Witness 8.

But we are happy to report that it had a positive effect on the shoe's impact protection, particularly in the rearfoot. Our machine recorded an increase in shock absorption from 87 SA to 99 SA in the shoe's heel.

However, it's still slightly below average, so if you need more cushioning in a budget-friendly setup, we recommend the Nike G.T. Cut Academy (104 SA) or the Nike A'One (109 SA) instead.

Our lab tests also revealed a positive dynamic in the Witness 9's energy return.

The ReactX foam showed off its responsive nature in above-average readings of 61.1% in the heel and 64.1% in the forefoot. This is some of the best bounce you can get at $100!

Snappy and energetic, this LeBron shoe didn't feel cheap at all.

With a moderate heel stack height of 27.4 mm, the Witness 9 is close to the category average. It is neither too low nor too high off the court.

This LeBron shoe also balances cushioning and court feel in the forefoot, with a middle-range stack height of 21.2 mm.

A normal drop of 6.2 mm places the foot in an ergonomic position without feeling too flat or excessively elevated in the heel.

The ReactX foam in this Nike shoe is relatively soft, but it is felt only directly underfoot, as the midsole is encased in firm rubber for stability.

But slicing the shoe in half lets us examine it from the inside and press a durometer against its foam for a precise measurement. The tool showed a low reading of 18.0 HA, which is significantly softer than the average basketball shoe cushioning.

It's not too squishy but offers enough give for a comfy step-in feel.

It seems both the LeBron Witness 9 and the flagship LeBron 23 are built on the same (or very similar) lasts, as we experienced an accommodating fit in both shoes.

But it's not just our subjective opinion - we have the gel molds of both shoes to prove it.

Measuring the Witness 9's solidified mold at its widest point, our caliper recorded an above-average reading of 95.8 mm. That's roomy enough to put this Nike shoe into the wide-width range of hoop shoes. Same as the LeBron 23 at 96.2 mm.

As you can see from the mold shape, there is no aggressive toebox taper in the Witness 9 either.

Showing 71.0 mm in the area where the big toe typically sits, this LeBron shoe makes it to the wide category yet again.

You can also expect plenty of wiggle room above the toes, thanks to the shoe's above-average toebox height of 25.9 mm.

There are no thick materials or panels on top of the shoe's toebox that could feel restrictive or press on the toes.

The King's shoe can't afford to have bad traction, even if it's a takedown model.

We were pleased with the grip of the previous LeBron Witness shoes, and the 9th iteration delivers equally strong performance. Our machine recorded the shoe's friction coefficient at a very high mark of 0.84, proving it to be well above the average!

Nike uses a traditional herringbone tread pattern on the shoe's forefoot, increasing the tread width to suit regular outdoor use.

The reafoot tread pattern, on the other hand, is more linear, improving grip when braking and making the shoe's contact with the court feel more planted.

Supportive elements on the LeBron Witness 9 don't limit the shoe's forefoot flexibility as much, allowing some give for maneuverability.

Measuring the force it takes to bend this Nike shoe by 30 degrees, our gauge recorded a below-average reading of 18.8N. It's a Goldilocks stiffness that allows for some natural foot bending while retaining the stiffness necessary for support and effective energy transfer.

One big fat downside of the Nike LeBron Witness 9 is its hefty weight. We hardly ever see lightweight, high-quality materials in budget shoes, and the shoe's thick, stout upper doesn't help make it any lighter.

At 15.1 oz (428g) in a men's US size 9, the shoe is notably heavier than average and is nearly on par with the Nike LeBron 23 (15.5 oz).

We find it odd that the shoe's product description claims 'ventilation for all-day wear' as the LeBron Witness 9 doesn't even give an impression of a breathable shoe!

No magic happened in our smoke-pumping test either, as the toebox of this Nike shoe refused to let out even the thinnest billow through its dense textile.

Our LED test further confirmed the absence of any pores, perforations, or ventilation channels anywhere in the shoe's upper.

This left us no choice but to rate the LeBron Witness 9's breathability with the lowest score of 1/5.

It appears Nike has placed greater emphasis on the LeBron Witness's stability this time around. Cuts, shuffles, stepbacks, and landings all felt amazingly supported in the shoe's 9th edition.

At the bottom, we have a grounded platform with firm rubber sidewalls that also form a cupsole around the shoe's forefoot for all-around support.

Inside the shoe, a stiff top-loaded shank keeps the midfoot sturdy for high-torque moves.

The features described above provide significant torsional rigidity in the LeBron Witness 9. It doesn't allow the foot to buckle as easily when side-to-side movement intensifies.

While it's not entirely unyielding, this Nike shoe packs enough stiffness for a high rigidity score of 4/5.

The Witness 9's heel counter is significantly more rigid than that of its predecessor, achieving a maximum score of 5/5 on our stiffness scale.

We found the heel and ankle containments highly secure in this hoop shoe from Nike.

The LeBron Witness 9 offers plenty of surface area for stable side-to-side moves and landings, particularly in the forefoot.

Measuring the width between its most extended points, our caliper showed a slightly above-average reading of 115.7 mm. It's a wide outrigger that contributes to the shoe's lateral stability.

The shoe's heel also proved to be sufficiently broad, with its widest area showing 88.8 mm on our caliper. On par with the average, it feels steady but not chunky.

Pleasantly surprised by the LeBron Witness 9's performance in our durability tests, we kept wondering if it's indeed a $100 shoe.

Despite having a cheap feel to them, the shoes' upper materials impressed us with their abrasion resistance! The toebox textile, in particular, earned a high durability score of 4/5 in our Dremel test.

The shoe's interior lining also holds itself to a high standard, staying practically unscathed after encountering sandpaper in our test. That deserves yet another high durability score of 4/5.

And finally, our most demanding Dremel test left no doubt that the LeBron Witness 9 has the outsole durability to double as a streetball shoe.

Applying sandpaper to both the translucent and black rubber, we recorded below-average dent depths of 0.5 mm and 0.6 mm, respectively.

In other words, the wear resistance of this Nike shoe's outsole, as well as its thick tread pattern and reinforced upper, make it a solid option for outdoor courts.

Additionally, the thickness of the Witness 9's outsole (4.4 mm) further supports our confidence in the shoe's long-term durability.

A padded 4.1 mm thick insole adds comfort on top of this Nike shoe's soft midsole foam. 

If you need additional cushioning or arch support, the removable insole and accommodating interior of this Nike LeBron Witness shoe allow for a custom orthotic.

The padded interiors of this Nike shoe provide comfort and support around the foot and ankle.

Measuring its tongue thickness, we got an above-average reading of 12.1 mm. There is plenty of foam to prevent irritating lace bites.

The shoe's all-black colorway makes it hard to see, but the tongue is semi-gusseted in the Witness 9. This is another factor contributing to the shoe's overall containment.

The 9th edition of LeBron's budget signature line sees no price increase. Sticking to the $100 price point, it doesn't feel like a cheaper shoe, courtesy of its responsive ReactX midsole, high traction, great support, and outdoor-ready durability.

There is no conventional pull tab on the Witness 9, but its rearfoot overlay looks like one.