In 2022, the long-dormant LiNing Ultra Light series re-emerged into the public eye, rekindling memories of lightweight basketball shoes. As the trend shifted once again toward lightweight basketball footwear, the Ultra Light series returned to its vast domain.
The ultra light series exist in 2012 when the Adidas Crazylight was hot. It shows us the possibility on developing light weight sneakers together with the pervasively domestic brands’ lack on the technology. Take a unconventional way to develop light series is not a large adventure but born a legendary sneaker of LiNing by accident.
Because of this, the Li-Ning Ultra Light 10 running shoes uniquely gained their sister model, the Ultra Light 10 basketball shoes. These made their way to professional courts through Li-Ning’s sponsorship of the CBA league. Praised by professional players, they achieved legendary status. At a time when the internet wasn’t as widespread as today, the Ultra Light 10 carried an air of mystery, adding to its allure.
In the years that followed, although the Li-Ning Ultra Light series continued to explore the essence of lightweight basketball shoes, it was unable to surpass the legendary status of the Ultra Light 10. Coupled with the rise of the Sonic, Speed, and Air Raid series, Li-Ning paused its pursuit of lightweight basketball shoes after the release of the Ultra Light 13.
In recent years, sneaker technology has advanced rapidly, leading to an increasing focus on excessive layering. As a result, weight became the aspect sacrificed and overlooked in pursuit of performance. When people grew tired of the "overloaded" designs and the hefty feel of shoes weighing as much as 400g (per shoe, size 42), the concept of "lightweight" was revisited. This brought the Ultra Light series out of the archives and back into the public eye.
In 2022, the Ultra Light 2022 made a comeback, paying homage to the iconic Ultra Light 10. While preserving its classic design elements, it was upgraded with Boom technology, infusing it with a more powerful tech core. After its release, it gained popularity among national players like Zeng Fanbo, Zhou Qi, and Hu Jinqiu. Its sleek design reignited the Ultra Light series' popularity, marking a remarkable return after a decade.
The subsequent release of the Ultra Light 2024 continued to push technological boundaries, featuring Boom modules in both the forefoot and heel, along with the GCU outsole. This advancement elevated the Ultra Light series from "Superlight" to "Ultralight." Unfortunately, its mediocre design prevented the Ultra Light 2024 from surpassing its predecessor. Now, this mission is left to the Ultra Light 2025 to take the series to new heights.
And after a year, LiNing Ultra Light comes back with improvement in every aspect, they use practical actions telling us what is ‘Ultra’.
The first impression of the Ultra Light 2025 is its stunning appearance. Drawing design inspiration from supercars, the shoe exudes a sense of speed, making it feel almost like a high-performance racing shoe at first glance.
The reason it can bear the name "Ultra Light" is its unwavering pursuit of extreme lightness. While the Gamma model made a bold statement by breaking the "3" barrier at 295g (per shoe, size 42.5), the Ultra Light 2025 takes it even further, evolving its weight to an astounding 275g (per shoe, size 42). This level of lightness is so remarkable that it could even rival running shoes, making it feel almost unreal for a basketball sneaker.
For chasing practical performance, Ultra Light 2025 update its every equipment when chase the lightness.
The upper continues to feature the Boom silk mesh material, while the mid-sole is equipped with the current top-tier Ultra Boom technology. The mid-sole's outer frame uses the Light Foam Ultra structure, providing excellent support. The out-sole combines GCU anti-slip technology with Tuff OS durable rubber, offering enhanced traction and wear resistance.
Within the vast Li-Ning basketball family, models like the Flash, Sonic, Warrior, and All City are well-known mid-range performance basketball shoes. Even the rising star, the Blade, has become a market disruptor, challenging the competition.
Today, the Ultra Light 2025 continues to uphold its "lightweight" mission, further reducing the sneaker's weight to a groundbreaking figure. This marks a significant milestone in the development of the Ultra Light family, adding a bold new chapter to its legacy.
Riding the wave of the "small, fast, and agile" era, the Ultra Light 2025 has generated immense anticipation. What’s even more intriguing is whether the Ultra Light 2025 will spark a "arms race" in sneaker weight, and if lightweight will become the next big trend in the industry. Only time will tell. Shop it at www.kicksown.com now.
