Matt Varga Though Dwyane Wade’s focus has changed from the “on the court” to “on the call,” his love for the game has remained just as white-hot. It’s that continuing passion and drive that fuels his partnership with Li-Ning on Way of Wade, the tentpole line in the Chinese brand’s arsenal. The latest iteration, the Way of Wade 11, has a claim to being their best product yet.
Storytelling has been front-and-center on each of the past 10 silhouettes, but it’s the densest on the 11th; the linework on the TPU heel counter is the first indication of that. The radial design red & white geometry is an abstract re-take of Wade’s logo, while the glossy underpinnings contains a topographic print, or at least that’s what it presents as at first glance. A keen eye can spot scores of allusions to Wade’s life, depicting championship trophies, personal mottos and elemental iconography.
In somewhat of a departure from previous editions, the Way Of Wade 11 sports a much sleeker overall profile, eschewing the segmented look that defined shoes recent as the WoW 10. Much of that is achieved by a shroud-like leather layer that runs from quarter to quarter through the toe-box, emphasized by an extended midsole EVA frame. Those seamless textures make the ribbed nylon tongue stand out all the more, creating a foot entrance that starkly contrasts the rest of the shoe.
Though the innovations up top are a genuine selling point, easily the most unorthodox touches come on the outsole. The “Ground Control Unit” sports a myriad of textures, representing Wade’s personal tenets and career achievements, culminating in an African carved mask on the right shoe directly under the forefoot. On the interior, Li-Ning’s proprietary BOOM midsole aims at all-day comfort while the CARBON CORE plate ensures no performance advantages are sacrificed in the process.
The raffle for the Way of Wade 11 “305” is now open via KICKS CREW; remaining live until June 28th at 11:59 PM EST. Winners will then receive invoices the following day at 11 AM EST. The Way of Wade 11 carries a retail price of $225. You can enter the raffle via the link under “Where To Buy,” included just below.
WHERE TO BUY
Li-Ning Way of Wade 11 "305"
US 06/29/2024 Saturday
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| KICKS CREW | Raffle | Check Site |
