# Corkboard Basketball Sneakers The Nike LeBron 12 EXT Cork Shoes Feature a Tree Bark Aesthetic By M | Published 2015-09-09 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-lebron-12-ext References: [sneakernews](http://sneakernews.com/2015/09/08/nike-basketball-introduces-kings-cork-with-the-lebron-12-ext/) & [nike](http://www.nike.com) The all-new [Nike](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lebron-xxii) Lebron 12 EXT sneakers feature a unique cork design inspired by the sporadic texture of tree bark, giving these shoes a refreshing natural motif in comparison to the plastic materials often used. These shoes are built for on the court with a design that boasts stability, durability and agility during game time. The Nike Lebron sneakers are a popular design inspired by the celebrity basketball player. Originally Nike planned to release the Lebron 11 variation in a cork pattern, but they never ended up making it to market. Now the [cork material](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sole-jasper-chukka) is making a comeback for the Nike Lebron 12 EXT with a posite silhouette complete with black detailing and a [golden Nike swoosh logo](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/metallic-gold-1). The soles of the shoes feature the popular Hexagonal Air pattern that is ideal for traction and maneuvering on the court. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 57% | Activity: 57% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Cork Sneakers Trend:** The use of cork material in sneaker design presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for sustainable shoe fashion. - **Natural Texture Trend:** Incorporating natural textures, such as tree bark, into sneaker design presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for eco-friendly footwear. - **Celebrity-inspired Sneakers Trend:** Capitalizing on popular celebrity athletes, such as LeBron James, for sneaker design presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for marketable and trendsetting footwear. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Athletic Shoe Industry:** The use of durable and agile materials in athletic shoe design, such as the Hexagonal Air pattern, presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for improving performance on the court. - **Sustainable Fashion Industry:** The use of sustainable materials, such as cork, presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for eco-friendly and socially conscious fashion. - **Celebrity Endorsement Industry:** Capitalizing on popular celebrity athletes, such as LeBron James, for product endorsement presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for increasing brand awareness and sales. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Candy-Themed Tonal Basketball Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lebron-xxii.md) - [Pink Tonal Basketball Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/i-promise-colorway.md) - [Textured Seasonal Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leaf-camo.md) - [Athlete-Backed Sports Training Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tr1.md) - [Vibrant Festive Basketball Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kd17.md) - [Performance-Focused Basketball Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gt-cut-3.md) - [Retro Perforated Leather Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cortez-sneaker-model.md) - [Upcycled Cork Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sole-jasper-chukka.md) - [Impact-Absorption Leather Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shox-sneaker.md)