LeBron James Shoes Release Date, Price & Where to Buy: LeBron 12 'Lifestyle Denim' Out Dec. 19

December 19 is another day of action for Sneaker hunters, because the LeBron 12 "Lifestyle Denim" will invade stores worldwide, in what the Nike brand says is an ode to the blue-collar workers.

"LeBron James is no stranger to hard work... His strong work ethic can be dated back to his early roots growing up in Akron, Ohio, where he watched his city prevail through the dedication of its industry workers," Nike.com explained. "Nicknamed the 'Rubber City,' for its major tire production, Akron's blue-collar workforce is honored in the latest LeBron 12 Lifestyle."

With a Midnight Navy base and accents of Fireberry and brown — not to mention the silver material on the eyelets and at the shoelace joint — the colorway will be available on the Nike.com website at 8:00 a.m. EST (5 a.m. PST) and at select retailers for $130.

At the same time, Foot Locker Unlocked reported, Foot Locker and House of Hoops by Foot Locker shops, plus FootLocker.com, will be carrying the color code. Oneness will also sell it, per Sneaker News.

Also try Kixify. Foot Action has a Release Locator.

"Bridging the look and technology into a lifestyle piece, the sneaker was specifically developed for off the court," said Kicks on Fire.

From the toe all the way to the tongue, the shoe is covered in micro-suede. The denim covering the sides, the Nike.com report said, reflects the apparel worn by the workers. The colorway also sports grey Swoosh prints, plus the tan inner lining.

Featuring denim on the quarter panels, the upper reflects the rugged apparel worn by the city's factory workers. The sole is vulcanized gum, with the color akin to work boots. Akron's area code, "330," is emblazoned on the heel tab.

According to Sneaker News, the colorway borrows from a formula of Denim that sold in the sneaker marketplace last Spring, explaining that James had himself worn the "Lifestyle Denim" model during a shoe launch at the Nike world headquarters. That would be his nod of approval right there.

Sneaker Files said: "You might remember that denim landed on the EXT LeBron 11 last year, following up with the popular material they have added it once again. Of course its on the NSW Lifestyle but that doesn't mean we won't see it on the 12s later."

"Fan favorites" is what Kix and the City calls the denim and the gum sole.

Except that some fans think the inspiration is dangerously bordering on imitation — nathantheprofit quipped, "hey let's reuse the design for the lebron 10 lifestyle version," on Hype Beast, as another commenter said, "What a ripoff." Streetwearballer noticed something that boggled us as well: "swoosh looks wrong." 

Still, some still want a slice of that Denim aesthetic. Tuff Love, on Foot Action, said: "I would like these for Christmas size 13 Thank you."

Here's a look back at the LeBron 11 Denim: